Patterson’s Nehemiah Augustus tries to fight free from a Franklin defender during the ’Jacks’ 14-0 victory last Friday against Franklin. Patterson will be fighting for a postseason berth this Friday when it travels to Erath.
It’s win or go home for Patterson Friday.
If the visiting Lumberjacks can beat Erath, a playoff berth awaits.
“Our playoffs start Friday,” veteran Patterson head coach Tommy Minton said. “We’re still in the same position we’ve been in the last three weeks. If we win, we play next week. We needed to win out to make the playoffs, and this is the final hurdle.”
Patterson has made the playoffs 11 straight seasons.
Patterson (6-3, 3-2 District 9-3A) lost, 28-27, to Kaplan on Oct. 5, putting the team into a “must-win” situation for the remainder of the season.
The young team responded with wins against Abbeville, Jeanerette and most recently, Franklin last week.
Patterson upended the up-start Hornets, 14-0.
The ‘Jacks took a 6-0 lead into halftime after running back Larry Turner scored on a 16-yard run with 2:20 remaining in the second quarter. Bryce Tabor’s extra point attempt following the score was blocked.
During the third quarter, Turner found the end zone again when he scored on a 1-yard run. Mykel Jones caught a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Denzel Johnson to round out the ‘Jacks’ scoring.
“I think it was the best defensive game we’ve played all year,” Minton said.
The PHS defense has pitched two consecutive shutouts.
“Offensively, we moved the ball well,” Minton said. “I would have liked to score another touchdown or two, but overall, we played well.”
Erath (5-4, 3-2) lost to Kaplan, 21-6, at home Fri-day.
“Erath is going to run the football,” Minton said. “The quarterback (Ty Bares) and the running back (Coy Clos-tio) split the carries. The running back is big, about 225 pounds, so we will have to wrap him up.”
Bares led the Erath ground game last week with 79 yards on 17 carries. Clostio added 47 yards on 14 carries, while Scalisi chipped in six carries for 45 yards.
“They will take a shot downfield after they lull you to sleep with the run,” Min-ton said. “They average about nine passes a game.”
Bares connected on 4-of-13 passes for 20 yards Friday with an interception.
Patterson will try to stay balanced on offense. The Jacks had 136 yards rushing and 166 passing last week.
“We always try to be bal-anced,” Minton said. “This will be a good test for us. Our young kids are responding well by staying coachable, and they have seen some success and it makes them want to get better.”
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Information from Ver-milionToday.com was used in this article.
Post a Comment
