Karr shows explosiveness again in 56-14 victory at St. James

VACHERIE – Entering Friday night in their first home game of the season, St. James had overcome challenges to stay undefeated.

The Wildcats faced their toughest test of the season against the Edna Karr Cougars. St. James had been forced to play three straight home games after the effects of Hurricane Ida and their enthusiasm to play in front of a large crowd of their home fans fueled them early.

However, Karr never ran out of gas, making big plays from start to finish in a 56-14 victory at Wildcat Stadium.

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The tone was set on the opening kickoff via a 99-yard return for a touchdown by Karr’s Aaron Anderson but St. James responded when Marquell Bergeron connected with Kobe Brown for a 45-yard touchdown to take a 7-6 lead.

Jawan Newman turned on the jets with a 49-yard touchdown, putting Karr (3-0) back up, 14-7.

Opportunities came for St. James (3-1) but they couldn’t take advantage of them. Bergeron fired to Preston on a potential touchdown pass but the ball was dropped. St. James also dropped an interception that could have been a pick six. Against the potent Cougars, those missed chances proved costly.

However, the Wildcats got a break on special teams after a low snap came to the punter with his knee down on the turf at his own six-yard-line when he tried to pick the ball up. Shazz Preston scored a six-yard touchdown, tying the game 14-14.

After all the early craziness, the Cougars took complete control.

AJ Samuel, who threw two straight touchdown passes to Anderson (65 yards) and Shyves Johnson (17 yards), completed 17 of 24 passes for 275 yards and the pair of scores.

Next, Karr’s running game took over when Jaylin Lucas scored touchdowns of 15 yards and 20 yards, the Tulane commitment’s first scores since he transferred from Terrebonne to Edna Karr after his family’s home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida.

“Hurricane Ida put a chip on my shoulder. It pushed me to be to be a better athlete,” said Lucas. “When something like this happens it’s normal. I like the adjustment at Karr because it’s a big brotherhood. I’m still praying for Houma. I’m grinding and putting Houma on my back.”

Deantre Jackson also rans for two touchdowns including an 80 yarder.

Edna Karr had over 400 yards of total offense.

“When you play these type of teams, it only helps you get better,” said St. James head coach Robert Valdez. “I’m glad we had a home game. We learn from this and you move on to next week. They made great plays and it’s hard to sustain a level for four quarters playing mistake free football.”

Valdez was elated that crowd came out in huge numbers. It required a lot of preparation for the team and the school to host this event.

The Wildcats will have to bounce back quickly. District 9-3A play opens Friday against archrival Lutcher in the Battle of St. James Parish.

Edna Karr head coach Brice Brown knew that his team was coming to a hostile environment but that’s the norm for his program every year. The experience helps them tremendously.

“We play in the most hostile environments in the state of Louisiana. St. James is up there as one of the toughest,” said Brown. “It was really good to see how the defense executed and AJ was very efficient throwing the ball especially with very little practice due to the weather.”

The Cougars will continue non-district play next next against crosstown rival Warren Easton.