Brother Martin, Catholic battle for Sacred Heart supremacy, trip to Division I title game

The Brothers of the Sacred Heart order is one which has educated in outstanding fashion around the country for years.

That includes in Louisiana, where its two most prominent schools and football programs have been prominent.

Brother Martin won a Class 4A state championship in 1971 under Bob Conlin and went to the 4A title game under Conlin in 1989.

Catholic of Baton Rouge broke through after near misses to win Division I state championships in 2015, under Dale Weiner and 2017, under Gabe Fertitta, and the Bears have been to four of the last five Division I title games.

The Bears will try to make it five of six while the Crusaders will look to reach the championship game for the first time in 31 years when Brother Martin hosts Catholic Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Division I semifinals at Tad Gormley Stadium.

The two brother schools have met three times since the infamous LHSAA split among select and non-select schools in Louisiana which was implemented for the 2013 season.

In 2014, Brother Martin went to Memorial Stadium and held off Catholic at the goal line to preserve a 25-23 win in a game I was fortunate to do on radio.

In the 2015 quarterfinals, Catholic came to Tad Gormley Stadium and won an incredible shootout, 49-48.

Brother Martin dismantled Catholic 28-0 in the 2016 quarterfinals in Baton Rouge in a dominant performance which we did on radio as well.

Fertitta feels the relationship of the two schools and their affiliations makes the game special.

“Because of the brother schools, I think it’s really neat that we get to compete,” Fertitta said. “Both schools have communities with the same values. Neither school puts football as its focal point. Football is improving the development of our kids. It says a lot about the Brothers of the Sacred heart with the schools that they run that we have schools with high academic rating that compete very well. It is a testament to the brothers’ philosophy.”

Freshman Daniel Beale has stepped in for injured junior Landon O’Connor and played very well. Beale threw the winning touchdown pass in a 42-35 quarterfinal win over Archbishop Rummel. Beale is 46-of-72 for 519 yards and five touchdowns.

Junior Corey Singleton and senior George Hart lead an excellent stable of running backs for the Bears. Singleton has rushed 66 times for 644 yards and six touchdowns while Hart has rushed 99 times for 570 yards and 12 touchdowns. Hart lines up at quarterback frequently, taking snaps in the Wildcat scheme.

Junior Matthew Reinholtz is the top receiver with 20 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown.

Junior quarterback Garrett Mmahat leads the Brother Martin attack.

Mmahat has completed 74-of-134 passes for 1,475 yards and 13 touchdowns with just two interceptions and he has rushed 42 times for 364 yards and three touchdowns.

Brother Martin coach Mark Bonis is keeping his team focused on the task at hand, not the prize a win would bring.

“Every game is important,” Bonis said. “This is one is extra important because it is the next game. It is about what we are doing, how we can get better. We know that they stand for the same values we do. It is Catholic High, a brother school. It is a great thing for others to talk about. We are trying to prepare to win.”

Bonis knows his team will be in tough against the Bears.

“They have so many weapons, they can’t get them all on the field,” Bonis said. “They have four or five running backs that play. They have athletes all over the field. They do a great job coaching. They put defenses in binds with different presentations and the window dressing they present. They coach them very well. They leave no stone unturned. They wreak havoc on defense.”

Senior Jaylon Spears leads the Crusaders in rushing with 125 carries for 853 yards and 17 touchdowns and he has eight catches for 146 yards and a score. Junior Austin Jackson is the top receiver with 34 catches for 774 yards and seven touchdowns.

“Their coaching staff is fantastic,” Fertitta said. “They have a great scheme and give you a lot to look at. They have some very talented players and their offensive line may be the best we’ve seen all year. They get stops when they need on defense. They have an experienced quarterback and a really good running back.”

O’ Connor, who has missed the last two games, may have a chance to return from a high ankle sprain. O’Connor has rushed 64 times for 518 yards and nine touchdowns and he has completed 50-of-80 passes for 476 yards and four touchdowns.

“If he’s healthy, we’re playing three quarterbacks with Beale, George and Landon,” Gabe said. “I think we’re a better team doing so and giving teams different looks.”

What would it mean for Brother Martin to reach a state title game?

“It is a big game but you can’t get lost in it,” Bonis said. “You just want it to be business as usual. For us to advance to the state championship, I can’t even describe it. It has not been done here since 1989. Obviously, that would be very special. When that clock expires, there would be no better feeling than to know you are going to play in a state championship.”

The winner will face the winner of the game Friday night pitting No. 7 John Curtis Christian at No. 3 Byrd at Lee Hedges Stadium in Shreveport.

The state championship game, along with all stat title games, will now be held at Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches.