J.S. Clark Offense Dominates Playoff
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Bobby Ardoin photo)
The stage for the first ever J.S. Clark Leadership Academy football playoff game was neither too big nor too difficult for Austin Simon.
Simon made the most of the historic program moment on Thursday night as the senior running back gained 313 yards and scored five touchdowns in the 55-27 J.S. Clark victory over Central Private School during a Class 1A select bi-district playoff contest at Donald Gardner Stadium.
Clark (6-3) is now scheduled to meet No. 4 Ouachita Christian in a regional playoff contest scheduled next Friday in Monroe.
OCS had a first round bye.
Simon said the 2026 season has provided the Bulldogs with a chance to show how the football program has progressed since his freshman season.
“We’ve waited a long time and since last year we couldn’t wait to have a complete varsity schedule. I think what we did (against CPS) is overdue and we’re not ready yet to go home,” said Simon, who scored two of his TD’s on runs totaling 88 yards.
Simon gave credit to his offensive line.
“Those guys gave me the openings. They were just amazing. I didn’t really expect to do this, but we were able to keep it going. I just wanted to keep the ball secure. Overall it was a great experience,” Simon added.
Clark head football coach Jestin Kelly said his offensive line has developed incrementally since last year.
“This year we had a lot of experienced linemen. This year we started with a lot of young linemen but they have been working hard and getting better,” Kelly said.
Clark rushed for 366 yards, while quarterback Paul Lee threw for 257 after completing 13-of-23 attempts.
Jeremy Sonnier caught three passes for 79 yards, while Dre’Sean Payne had three receptions for 65.
The Redhawks passed for 220 yards as quarterback Zack Browning was accurate on 10-of-22 passes. OCS was limited to 70 rushing yards.
Much of the Central Private aerial success came on three touchdown passes worth 112 yards, as the Hawks frequently found openings in the middle of the Bulldogs’ defense which stacked the line of scrimmage.
Central Private led (13-12) at the end of the first quarter as the teams swapped touchdowns.
After Clark led 6-0 on a 28-yard pass from Lee to Jayden Sonnier, the Redhawks tied things on a 63 yard reception from Browning to Wyatt Peterson as Clark misaligned coverage.
Another 59-yard Central Private reception gave the Hawks a 13-12 lead following the first of the four Simon touchdown runs.
