It’s Hard To Outscore St. Edmund
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
When he designed his 2024 offensive concept, St. Edmund head football coach James Shiver had several things to consider.
With 18 seniors, the Blue Jays obviously had experience.
Team speed wasn’t a problem and having a quarterback to handle decisions required in the run-pass-option scheme wasn’t an issue either.
Having those boxes checked and players available to perform the requirements for success, it’s perhaps no surprise that St. Edmund has finished the regular season 9-1 with an advantageous seeding anticipated for the Division IV non-select playoffs.
The Scoring Factor
St. Edmund is averaging 49 points, something that complements a defense that allows only 19.
“We have people who can get behind the defense and a quarterback who understands the concept and can get the ball to those guys,” says Shiver, whose team defeated Westminster Christian Academy 42-27 (7-3, 4-2) to capture a second-place district finish Thursday night.
Shiver said he needed to be proactive offensively, since Opelousas Catholic, which had won three straight district titles, was reloading with its own high-powered scheme.
“I figured we had to do something if we were going to be (OCS). We have three receivers, a tight end and what we’re doing has been effective. Next year though, everyone will probably have it figured out and we will have to do something else,” Shiver said.
Meanwhile St. Edmund has rushed for 2,022 yards and passed for another 1,685. The Jays average 9.3 yards per reception.
Senior quarterback Kane West has passed for 1,614 yards and 28 touchdowns.Running back Henry Summerlin has gained 1,312 rushing along with scoring 18 times.
The key receivers are Blake Moran (22-407, 9TD’s) and Seth Aucoin (19-740-12 TD’s).
Against Westminster
Shiver thought this game was decided in the third period, after the Jays led 26-21 at halftime.
West scored on a two-yard rush 57 seconds before intermission and then St. Edmund scored consecutively and unanswered on a 39-yard Aucoin reception and a two-yard run by West.
St. Edmund finished the third period with a 16-0 scoring advantage that sealed the win, according to Shiver.
“We’ve been a good team all yer in the third quarter. We felt good at halftime and then we came out and scored on the first drive of the second half,” Shiver said.
The teams combined for 850 offensive yards.
Wes passed for 269 and gained another 74 rushing, while Summerlin featured a career night (29 carries, 204 yards).
WCA running back Michael Cunningham gained 103 on 14 rushing attempts. The Crusaders’ Joseph Brown gained 41 on eight attempts and Kyle Horde scored touchdowns on runs of seven and two yards.
Jamari White put the Crusaders in front on a 55-yard, second quarter throw by quarterback Stephen George.
