Brother Martin continues crusade at Byrd

The name is certainly apt, at this point in time, for Brother Martin.

The Crusaders are on a crusade as they continue their quest for a first state championship since 1971 and first championship game appearance since 1989.

The Crusaders (4-5 officially, 9-0 on the field) have gotten better on a weekly basis and are solid in all three phases of the game.

After opening the season with a narrow 8-7 win at East Ascension and a hard-fought 7-0 double overtime win over Jesuit, Brother Martin has come together as a complete team, whipping every opponent handily.

Of course, the first five victories were erased by forfeit, due to an LHSAA ruling about an ineligible player.

That has rallied the resolve of these Crusaders in massive fashion.

Senior quarterback Garrett Mmahat is a four-year starter and he is healthy now and playing like it.

Junior Clayton Lonardo is a huge threat, wherever he lines up.

Junior Torey Lambert has been simply outstanding at the running back spot.

The Brother Martin defense has been superb all season long, allowing no more than 16 points to any opponent.

Byrd (9-1) lost only to Natchitoches Central under first-year head coach Stacy Ballew.

“Our boys will be ready to play,” Brother Martin coach Mark Bonis said. “It has been a good week of practice. They are locked in and focused in all three phases. Seeing option teams three of the last four weeks has allowed us to see something very similar to what Byrd does so that allows us to not have to prepare in one week. That certainly helps.”

Bonis knows his offense will have to be sharp.

“We are used to getting 11 possessions a game and we are expecting to just have seven or eight so we have to take advantage of our opportunities,” Bonis said. “They will stick to what they do well. They have great depth at fullback and have four guys that rotate at the wing spot and they have real good speed at those spots. They are a proven, winning program.”

Byrd has a punishing ground game with its option offense, averaging an impressive 344.4 yards per game. Mitchell Ramsey leads the way with 896 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns while Devon Strickland has rushed for 831 yards and three scores. Byrd has only thrown 43 passes all season.

“Starting fast and getting off the field on third down are clear keys for us,” Bonis said. “If they get behind early, it will be harder for them to hold the ball. We just have to play Brother Martin football and be efficient.”

In the only other meeting between the two schools, Brother Martin shut out the Yellow Jackets 28-0 at Tad Gormley Stadium in the season opener for both teams. Mmahat tossed a pair of touchdown passes in that contest.