By Trent Friedel, exclusive to the Times
Friday night was senior night at Turpin stadium for the football members in the class of 2019. Pre-game activities recognized each of the young men along with their family members.
The senior members of the cheer squad were also recognized. Saint Mary’s won the coin toss and elected to receive the football to start action. The home Tigers fumbled the ball on the first play from scrimmage giving Logansport the ball on the 20 yard line. Logansport scores immediately on a quick slant route (Moon to Darden) and take an early lead. 7 – 0. Saint Mary’s receives the kick and cannot make progress on offense. They punt to the visiting Tigers who score again on the second play from scrimmage.
A trap play off left guard goes for 57 yards to the end-zone and Logansport has increased their lead. The point after is not good, 13 – 0. The first quarter is dominated by the district leading Logansport Tigers. The next possession by Saint Mary’s; results in a familiar three downs and a punt to the visiting Tigers. Logansport has good field position at the Saint Mary’s 46 and capitalizes on the opportunity.
They drive and score again on a pass from Moon to Mims who easily out jumps defender Jasen Elie for the ball. The score has quickly swelled to 21-0 after a converted two point conversion. Saint Mary’s receives the ensuing kickoff and then cough up the ball back to Logansport. Parker Bankston throws a deep ball that is intercepted at the mid-field stripe. Logansport progresses to the 15 yard line setting up first down.
Moon connects with Madrid Johnson on a bubble screen and he runs the 15 yards to the end-zone. The score now stands at 28 – 0. The home Tigers finally make something happen on offense. Parker Bankston, while scrambling to his right, finds Luke Gallien who makes the catch and is downed at the Logansport 5 yard line. Saint Mary’s is able to put the ball in the end zone as the second quarter begins on a 5 yard pass from Bankston to P. Messenger. Emerson Rodriguez who has been perfect to this point fails on the extra point. 28 – 6. The defense holds for the first series of the second quarter and Saint Mary’s receives the punt from Logansport. The Tigers have their back against their own end zone to start the possession. The offense continues to struggle and punts from the end zone. The good field position is not squandered by Logansport.
Landon Moon connects with Madrid Johnson down the left sideline for a 32 yard score. The point after is good and it is now 35 – 6. Eight plus minutes remain in the second quarter when Saint Mary’s receives the kick. They still cannot muster an offensive drive and punt to Logansport. As has happened previously, Logansport only needs two plays to find pay dirt. Tresmin Brown scampers 54 yards on the pitch from Moon to score.
The point after is true and the score is 42 – 0 with five and a half minutes to go till half. Saint Mary’s commits a holding penalty on the ensuing drive and retreats further to punt from the end zone again. The punt is a short one and Logansport is set up again in Saint Mary’s territory. They have the ball at the 28 and follow the previously set two down scoring drive. On the second play from scrimmage at the 13, Barnes follows his blockers on the trap play and scores. The point after is good and the Saint Mary’s Tigers trail 49 to 6.
That would be the score going into the locker room. The third and fourth quarter would see a running clock and no further scoring from either ball club. Logansport remains the top Tiger in the district and enters the Class 1A post season as the number four seed and have a bye their first week.
Saint Mary’s, despite their record, lands the number 16 seed in Division IV and will travel to play Southern Lab this Friday. The kittens are the number one seed and will likely be looking to avenge a State title that was removed just a few short years ago. Southern Lab brings a 9-1 record to the contest and is the district 6 champion.
Expect a steep uphill contest for the Tigers this Friday but I know this team will respect all comers and fear none.