Catholic (NI) blasts Newman in Division III Semifinal, 49-7

NEW ORLEANS — Catholic High rolled into Lupin Field riding a seven-game winning streak.  The Panthers continued rolling all night long, bulldozing the second-seeded Newman Greenies for a dominating 49-7 win in the Division III semifinals, spoiling Newman’s (11-1) undefeated season and extending the Greenies’ playoff frustration.

Catholic High senior quarterback Diallo Landry lit up the Greenie defense through the air, throwing for 381 yards and three touchdowns with one interception while adding another on the ground.

“They came up with their safeties up on the line of scrimmage,” Panther Coach Brent Indest described the insight behind their passing success.  “We saw that and decided we were going to play pitch and catch.”

Landry described the reason for his success in the passing game. “We work at it all week long,” Landry said.  “Our offensive line gives me enough time to sit back in the pocket and deliver it.  That’s pretty much what happened tonight.”

“I really think the story is our defense,” Indest said.  “If you’d have seen our defense earlier in the year, you wouldn’t think it’s the same football team. We’re executing a whole lot better.”

On a night when Newman junior quarterback Martin Butcher eclipsed Peyton Manning’s school record for passing yards in a season, the story became the inability of the Newman offense to mount an effective push.  Butcher, who entered throwing for a completion percentage over 70 percent, only mustered 186 yards on 20-44 passing (44 percent) with one touchdown and two picks.

Newman Coach Nelson Stewart summed up the Panthers’ onslaught. “We knew what they were going to do,” Stewart said.  “It was 7-0 in the first, and then all of a sudden it got out of control.

“That’s what they do,” Stewart conceded.   “They don’t stop.”

The Panthers caught a break early as Newman’s first drive stalled due to penalty, forcing a punt.  Catholic (11-1) answered by mixing the run and pass, leading to a 1-yard score from tailback Ben Landry.

Then, as the game turned toward the second quarter, the Panther big-play machine got rolling, keyed by two backbreaking touchdown passes by Diallo Landry.  On the first, backed up in deep in his own end, went for 96 yards to Trey Henry.  On the next possession, Diallo Landry found Jaden Stokes on the first play, extending the lead to 21-0 early in the second quarter.

The Panthers would go on to add two more scores before halftime on a 56-yard run by Henry and a 7-yard scamper by Stokes, again showcasing the potent and diverse Panther attack with a mix of run and pass.

Stewart lamented his team’s ineffectiveness in keeping pace with the Panther juggernaut.  “When you can’t stop people who are doing that, it’s going to be a long night,” a dejected Stewart said.

The Panthers took the opening kickoff of the second half and picked up right where they left off, after a roughing the punter penalty breathed new life into the drive.  Diallo Landry piloted the Panthers downfield yet again, this time doing the honors himself with a 2-yard run to make it 42-0 just minutes after halftime.

Newman countered with a desperation heave by Butcher to Jarmone Sutherland (9 rec, 104 yds, TD) on fourth down.  Then, after holding the Panthers again, a quick turnover on an interception by Warner Simon dashed any hope the Greenies had left.  Landry would hook up with Peter LeBlanc on a 49-yard score on the ensuing possession.

Now Catholic advances to the Division III championship against a familiar foe in Notre Dame, who defeated the Panthers 37-0 earlier this season.

“I think the world of Notre Dame and Coach Cook,” Indest said.  “I’m going to be honest, I’m not excited about facing Notre Dame, but it is for the championship.  We’ve got to find a way to score some points and get some stops,” Indest summarized the challenge ahead.

The Panthers face the Pioneers in a rematch in the Superdome in two weeks.

Final

Newman   0    0      7      0   7

Catholic    7    21    14    0    49

Scoring

1^st Qtr.

Cath.—Ben Landry, 1 yard run (Sam Robichaux kick)

2^nd Qtr.

Cath.—Trey Henry, 96 yard pass from Diallo Landry (Sam Robichaux kick)

Cath.—Jaden Stokes, 52 yard pass from Diallo Landry (Sam Robichaux kick)

Cath.—Trey Henry, 56 yard run (Sam Robichaux kick)

Cath.—Jaden Stokes, 7 yard run (Sam Robichaux kick)

3^rd Qtr.

Cath.—Diallo Landry, 2 yard run (Sam Robichaux kick)

Cath.—Peter LeBlanc, 49 yard pass from Diallo Landry (Sam Robichaux kick)

First Downs

Catholic 20, Newman 16

Penalties

Catholic 5 for 51 yards, Newman 5 for 64 yards

Sacks

Catholic 1, Newman 0

Turnovers

Catholic 1, Newman 2

Rushing Yards

Catholic 173, Newman 142

Passing Yards

Catholic 400, Newman 186

Total Yards

Catholic 573, Newman 328

Individual Stats

Catholic Rushing

Troy Henry 7 carries for 87 yards and 1 touchdown, Peter LeBlanc 3 carries for 30 yards, Ben Landry, 9 carries for 27 yards, Diallo Landry 9 carries for 15 yards, Jaden Stokes 6 carries for 14 yards

Catholic Passing

Diallo Landry  10-of-14 for 381 yards and 3 touchdowns, 1 interception

Catholic Receiving

Peter LeBlanc 4 catches for 127 yards and 1 touchdown, Ben Landry 4 catches for 103 yards, Jaden Stokes 1 catch for 52 yards and 1 touchdown, Trey Henry 1 catch for 96 yards and 1 touchdown

Newman Rushing

James Poche’ 25 carries for 129 yards, Martin Butcher 7 carries for 13 yards

Newman Passing

Martin Butcher 20-of-44 for 186 yards and 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions

Newman Receiving

Jarmone Sutherland  9 catches for 104 yards and 1 touchdown, Storey Charbonnet 5 catches for 49 yards, Dylon Hill 4 catches for 25 yards, Murray Calhoun 1 catch for 4 yards, James Poche’ 1 catch for 4 yards