A three and zero record was on the line as Saint Mary’s hosted the DeQuincy Tigers. A 15-yard pass from Bankston to Busby was the first score for the Tigers with 7:19 on the first quarter clock.
Late first quarter pick six off Carson Rainwater by Ethan Busby would turn out to be monumental in the victory. The 70-yard snag and score was another statement play by a defense that has been tenacious. 14-0 Saint Mary’s early.
Another interception by Mixon Bankston in the second, set up a drive that stalled and Payne Williams barely missed a long 50+ yard field goal attempt. It should be noted that the kick would have probably been good on any high school field as those uprights are wider. The missed field goal put the ball on the 20 for DeQuincy.
DeQuincy was threatening facing a fourth and short in St. Mary Tiger territory and gets to the 3-yard line on hard inside running. The 80-yard drive was kept alive by two fourth down conversions, one on a penalty. #25 Wyatt LaVergne runs in the touchdown from the three. 14-6.
A late hit on the kick gives the Tigers the ball across mid-field in DeQuincy territory at the 47. On second down Bankston throws an interception giving DeQuincy life before times ticks off.
Atlas Hicks slows the progression of the DeQuincy offense before a 20-yard pass and first down. 15 seconds and the QB stops the clock, clocking the ball at the SMS Tiger 23 with 11 sec. and one time out. Incomplete pass 7 sec. Ethan Busby breaks up a pass followed by blocked field goal attempt.
Third quarter opening drive takes up almost half of the period clock before DeQuincy fumbles and St. Mary’s recovers. Momentum favored the opposition late in the second quarter and early in the third.
The home Tigers would block a punt and that would be huge. Saint Mary’s would capitalize with a 46yard pass from Bankston to Busby who goes out of bounds at the DeQuincy one.
Bankston runs the ball in from there to put his Tigers up 20-6 at the end of three. Number 3 and 25 continue to be the workhorses of DeQuincy offense in the early fourth quarter. DeQuincy Tigers advance to the St. Mary’s 12 yard-line with eleven minutes to play.
They narrow the score with a five-yard carry by #25 LaVergne but the two-point conversion fails. 21-12. Chance Rushing commits a costly penalty on the ensuing kick. Fourth and four, Ben Bienvenu under center with a hard count causes the defense to jump offsides which keeps the drive alive with 8-minutes to go. The drive and clock ticks continue till the mandatory water break at the 6minute mark. Payne Williams is on to punt and does a great job of clock management.
He receives the snap and holds the ball until pressure is brought by DeQuincy. Payne is rewarded with a favorable home Tiger roll to the 10-yardline. DeQuincy facing third and seven on their own 23 has the intended pass intercepted by Nathan Slaughter.
Saint Mary’s runs clock and Payne Williams misses a 48yard field goal, but the win goes to Saint Mary’s. The usually prolific offense only mustered 142 total yards and the defense gave up 287 but also wrangled three interceptions.
Saint Mary’s 4-0 will rest this week since Newman backed out of week five competition before the season started. The bye week will give the Tigers time to heal and prep for homecoming and the opening of district play against LaSalle.
LaSalle 3-1 will be coming off a late loss to Lakeview in week four. It remains to be seen where the Tigers will be in the ranking after entering week five 4-0. Geaux preps has the Tigers just outside the top ten after the close win, but the LSWA Louisiana Sports writers association has them at nine.