Clark Wins First District Game
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Photo By Bobby Ardoin)
The long wait is over for the J.S. Clark Leadership Academy football program.
After watching other schools win district football games and savoring their own opportunity, Clark celebrated that deferred moment Friday night at Donald Gardner Stadium.
J.S.Clark is now 1-0 in District 6-1A as the Bulldogs launched a come-from-behind 16-8 victory over St. Edmund at Donald Gardner Stadium on Friday night.
While winning a first district game in school history on the first attempt is exciting, says Clark head coach Jestin Kelly, he also said it’s important to keep a 3-1 start to the season in perspective.
“Our kids have been waiting a long time to play a district game and they have been eager to get that win. Our kids want to keep improving and have the chance to show their thanks to the community and Opelousas,” Kelly said on Saturday.
It’s also important, said Kelly, to keep things in perspective.
“What we have worked on all season is that 1-0 mentality and if you make a mistake, it’s look ahead to the next play,” Kelly said.
How It Happened
St. Edmund scored on the first offensive series of the game (3 plays, 58 yards) on a 6-yard Nathan Driggs run. A two-point conversion gave the Blue Jays the 8-0 lead.
The Bulldogs tied it at eight when Austin Simon ended an 11-play, 67-yard drive with a six-yard run. The Simon two-point conversion run came with 5:18 remaining in the first period.
The next two periods were scoreless until the fourth when Jayden Sonnier broke loose on a 62-yard run with 7:18 left in the game. That score ended the quick, 71-yard drive.
Important To Note
Clark defensive backs Jeremy Sonnier and Bryce Dunn intercepted St. Edmund quarterback Camdyn Loewer who completed 5-of-14 passing attempts.
However the Bulldogs also lost one of two fumbles.
“Both of those interceptions played a big part, especially the one near the end of the game that sealed the deal for us,” Kelly said.
Bulldogs’ quarterback Paul Lee completed 8-of-13 passes for 71 yards, with Jeremy Sonnier catching six passes for 50 yards.
Austin Simon was the top rusher for Clark (23 carries, 66 yards), while Sonnier had two runs for 90.
Sonnier accounted for most of the Clark rushing yardage (128) for Bulldogs’ total offense of 199.
Driggs did most of the rushing for the Jays, (20 carries, 117 yards, 1 TD).
Clark goes to Elton High on Thursday night for another non-district game.
