East Ascension makes statement of intent with 21-2 victory over St. Charles Catholic

GONZALES, La. — The matchup between St. Charles Catholic and East Ascension was supposed to be a close one, but the homestanding Spartans proved that they belong in the conversation of the top teams in Class 5A with a convincing 21-2 victory over the Comets at Spartan Stadium.

On the game’s opening drive, St. Charles quarterback Justin Dumas dropped back to pass and threw to what he thought was an open reciever on the right sideline. East Ascension’s playmaker, Jimel London stepped in front of the pass and returned the ball all the way to the end zone. Unfortunately for East Ascension, the score was brought back due to penalty, giving the Spartans a first and 10 from their own 43 yard line.

East Ascension would get on the scoreboard four plays and 57 yards later as London, lined up in the Wildcat formation, burst through the middle for a 51-yard touchdown run, his fifth on the season. Ryan Gremillion’s extra point made the score 7-0.

After turning the ball over on their next possession, East Ascension forced a three and out as their defense continued to dominate the game.

On that ensuing drive, the Spartans went 84 yards on 11 plays, capped by London’s second touchdown of the game. This time he scored from 17 yards out around the left side. East Ascension led 14-0 at the half.

At the intermission, East Ascension had limited the Comets to a total of 108 yards on 20 plays, including 13 rushing attempts for 16 yards.

The Comets were struggling offensively into the second half, but began to put together a drive, marching down inside the East Ascension five yard line. But the drive would stall and St. Charles turned the ball over on downs at the three.

On the next play Thomas Levy attempted to run wide right but was met by the Comets defense which pushed him back into the end zone, giving St. Charles a safety and their only points of the game.

The Comets would fail to capitalize on the extra possession, so East Ascension was able to put things away early in the fourth with an 89-yard touchdown pass from Jason Wakefield to Shemar Thompson. With the score 21-2, the Spartans had made their conquest.

East Ascension (4-1) is off next week before visiting Dutchtown on Oct. 6. St. Charles Catholic (4-1) will also have the week off before facing Lusher.

GAME NOTES
Jimel London finished the game with 77 yards on eight carries with two scores and an interception. He left early in the fourth with an injury, but there was no indication as to whether he didn’t return due to the injury or to the score. In four games this season he has 25 carries for 365 yards and six scores. He is averaging 14.6 yards per carry.

Wakefield was 13 of 17 passing for 215 yards and a touchdown. For the season he’s now 34 of 53 (64 pct.) with two touchdown passes.

Shaivon Robinson more than doubled his season numbers. The junior reciever had six catches for 117 yards. He came into the game with a total of three grabs for 96 yards.

St. Charles finished the game with 159 net yards. The Comets ran the ball 32 times for 49 yards and were 9-of-17 passing for 110 yards.

East Ascension racked up eight sacks, bringing their season total to 20.