Karr dominates Helen Cox to set up district title game against Easton

NEW ORLEANS – Defending Class 4A champion Edna Karr has faced one championship contender after another this season, with victories over St. Paul’s, Landry-Walker, and McDonogh 35 and a hard-fought loss to Division III favorite De La Salle.

The Cougars employed that experience to full effect on Senior Night, dominating an overmatched Helen Cox squad in a 54-10 victory at Behrman Stadium.

Showcasing a roster full of talent on both sides of the ball, Karr (8-1, 3-0 in District 9-4A) simply overwhelmed district rival Cox (4-5, 1-2) – notching seven touchdowns, two turnovers, and two stops on downs – in building a 47-8 halftime advantage.  Karr cruised from there.

“Hats off to the coaches and student-athletes,” Karr Coach Brice Brown said of his team’s effort and focus through a tough week of practice.  “You saw drive, you saw effort, you saw want-to.”

Karr quarterback Skylar Perry threw for touchdowns of 48, 66, and 46 yards on consecutive drives in the second quarter to add to his 24-yard scoring run on Karr’s initial possession.  Running back Ahmad Antoine added three touchdowns on the ground in the first half.

Karr’s defense harassed Helen Cox quarterback Jordan George into an early interception by Sheldon Celestine.  Later, one snap after recovering a late second quarter Cox fumble on a kickoff return Karr had turned both turnovers into scores.

Brown attributed the toughness and discipline shown in the game to the effort in practice.

“We had some rough practices.  It was a camp-like atmosphere out there this week,” Brown said.  “We worked on passing, protection, and running the ball.  And that’s what you saw tonight.”

Helen Cox’s only reprieve came as they busted a Karr blitz with a 45-yard screen pass to running back Davon Ward, setting up a 15-yard touchdown pass from George to Isaiah Lewis on fourth down.

Karr’s Perry finished his night by halftime after completing 5 of 9 passes for 196 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 5 rushes for 72 yards and two scores.

Karr continued its barrage in the second half, as Devin Bush returned the second-half kickoff 96 yards to paydirt. Helen Cox added a safety late in the fourth quarter after an errant pitch by Karr’s second-string offense.

Perry described his team’s mindset to remain locked in on their objective.  “We come out, have fun, and dominate,” Perry said.  “Stay focused and stick to the game plan.”

Helen Cox finishes the regular season next week by hosting Belle Chasse.

Karr’s Brown, meanwhile, looked ahead to next week’s showdown with Warren Easton for a District 9-4A crown.

“It’s going to be a battle, it’s going to be a war,” Brown said.  “Two well-coached football teams with superior athletes going for a district title.

“And that’s how it should be.”