Trent Friedel | Exclusive to the Times
The defending district 3-1A champion Saint Mary’s Tigers couldn’t retain the crown on the road at Logansport. The 7-1 Tigers traveled to the 4-4 Tigers who were still harboring discontent after last year’s miracle finish at Turpin. Both squads were challenged in pre-district action in preparation for this very game. The pre-season hype had this game circled on the calendar as the game of the season as a winner take all. That excitement was evident even before the game started as both teams faced off in some smack talk.
Saint Mary’s received the opening kick and drove into Logansport territory before settling for a 30-yard field goal off the toe of Payne Williams. An early 3-0 lead was short lived. With just under three minutes in the first, Khameron Boykin connected with Jayven Claybrook. That was the perverbial knife that carved up St. Mary’s.
Logansport never attempted a kick after scoring, instead electing to go for two on all point after attempts. Two more scores in the first quarter for Logansport. Boykin scored on a 65-yard run and Claybrook ran another in from 52-yards. Neither conversion was successful but the home Tigers held a 20-3 first quarter advantage. When SMH tried to shut down the dynamic duo, Logansport just went to the well for two more players.
Boykin hit #3 Jacob Contario for a 13-yard TD to lengthen the lead to 26-3. #9 Yarborough also had a run for positive yardage and the big fella would add more in the second half. The defense tackle was deceptively quick for his size. Saint Mary’s went into the half with another score on a 49-yard pass from Adam Parker to N Slaughter, but Parker threw two picks in the half. 26-10 is the halftime score with Logansport having 327 yards of total offense evenly dispersed between air and ground.
The third quarter was again all Logansport with the home Tigers forcing a safety call on Parker with a called intentional grounding from the end-zone. Giving up the two-points, SMH kicked off to Logansport and they made good on the short field and momentum. The familiar Boykin to Claybrook is called again, this time for a 60-yard touchdown pass reception and they connect again for the two-points after. Plus 10 in the third and Logansport is pulling away 36-10 after three.
Saint Mary’s continued to fight and add a running score by Parker and a passing score from Parker to Slaughter. Only one point after was good and with half of the fourth quarter clock remaining, the score was 36-13 Logansport. But, the duo isn’t done with their payback from last year’s defeat. After the kick, Boykin got loose and ran 79-yards to score again.
Not to be outdone, #7 Claybrook puts an exclamation point score on the board from 11-yards out by running in another Logansport score with less than three-minutes to go. Final score Logansport 50, Saint Mary’s 23. Turnovers and the bid plays by Boykin and Claybrook were too much for St. Mary’s to overcome.
One more regular season game for St. Mary’s Thursday for senior night versus LaSalle. LaSalle will be bringing an equal record of 7-2 into Turpin stadium and always plays hard against St. Mary’s. A victory for St. Mary’s should secure them a spot in the playoffs favorable for hosting a first round game. But first things first, they have to secure the win.
Four senior players will be recognized Thursday; Graeme Fidelak, Jayden Jackson, Gavin LaGrange and Cole Fisher.