Chad Alexander runs for 271 yards in Landry-Walker’s 41-16 win at Chalmette

CHALMETTE – Landry-Walker charged into the playoffs, winning their seventh straight game with a 41-16 victory over Chalmette at Bobby Nuss Stadium on Friday night.

After starting the season 0-3 in defense of their Class 5A state championship, the Charging Bucs have rattled off seven straight victories and won the District 8-5A title outright.

Landry-Walker (7-3) employed a high octane offense that proved unstoppable on the ground to the tune of 358 yards rushing on the night, led by the speedy Chad Alexander’s 271 yards on 18 carries with two touchdowns.  Quarterback Corione Harris contributed 48 additional yards and three more touchdowns.

Chalmette (7-3) needed a flawless effort in order to stop the Landry-Walker attack if they were to pull off the upset.  However, the Owls routinely got in their own way with 11 penalties in the first half, a missed extra point and a missed field goal.

Even with the errors, the Owls found themselves within two scores mid-way thru the fourth quarter.  Taking advantage of great field possession at the Landry-Walker 23 yard line, Owls quarterback Jason Roper threw to Michaund Blaise in the far back corner of the end zone.  The pass was tipped but Blaise hauled in the ball, keeping both feet in bounds for the touchdown and  bringing Chalmette to within 27-16 with 8:12 to play.

The momentum quickly shifted back to the visitors. Alexander broke free on a hand off up the middle, racing, past defenders for a 63 yard touchdown run to put Landry-Walker on top 34-16.

For the game, Chalmette mustered 235 yards of total offense despite 12 penalties for 90 yards.  Landry-Walker tallied 430 total yards.

Landry-Walker scored on the opening possession of the game, driving 67 yards in nine plays. Harris scored on a two-yard run.

The Owls quickly answered the score on their opening possession.  Starting at their own 34, Chalmette used a steady diet of misdirection runs to get the ball into Landry-Walker territory at the 33 yard line.  Quarterback Jason Roper broke free on the next play on the option keeper up the middle, sprinting 33 yards for the touchdown.  The extra point kick was missed, leaving Landry-Walker with a 7-6 lead at the 4:36 mark in the first quarter.

The Charging Bucs extended their lead two possessions later.  A punt catch interference flag and an offsides penalty by Chalmette set Landry-Walker up at the Owls’ 37 yard line.  Two plays later, Alexander broke free up the middle and raced down to the Chalmette four yard line, setting up first and goal.  Harris punched it in on a keeper the next play to give Landry-Walker a 13-6 advantage with 11:02 to play in the half.

Chalmette found itself in position to answer the score on their ensuing possession.  Aided by four Landry-Walker defensive penalties, the Owls moved to the 12 yard line but settled for a 27 yard field goal attempt that sailed wide left, taking much of the momentum out from under the Owls’ wings.

Landry-Walker then scored in nine plays capped by Alexander’s 32 yard touchdown trun o extend the lead to 20-6 with 4:22 to play in the second quarter.

Chalmette’s combination of Roper and Ralph Griffith worked the ground game to great effect, again driving the ball into the red zone.  Douglas Saaverda’s 34-yard field goal made it 20-9 at halftime.

Next up for both teams are first round matchups in the Class 5A playoffs.  The playoff brackets will be revealed by the LHSAA on Sunday.