Landry-Walker earns statement win with shutout of John Ehret 30-0

HARVEY — The old adage states that defense wins championships.  Landry-Walker’s defense proved that axiom in the first half of their District 8-5A showdown with John Ehret.

Then, in the second half, the Charging Buccaneers proved it again and again en route to a one-sided 30-0 triumph over John Ehret at Hoss Memtsas Stadium.

Landry-Walker coach Emanuel Powell described the recipe for the defense’s showing.  “We may have one of the best secondaries in the state, if not the best,” Powell said.  “And while the secondary does its job, it all starts up front.”

The Charging Buccaneers, despite losing the services of superstar cornerback Corione Harris to the offense, nonetheless harassed Patriot quarterback Travis Mumphrey into four turnovers, three of which came in the first half and two of which came in the red zone.  Mumphrey lost a fumble at the Charging Buccaneer 10 on the first drive of the game, and later Michael Rhea snagged a Mumphrey pass in the end zone to kill another scoring threat.

Topping off the torment of the Patriots in the first half, safety Tywan Harris added a late pick, sliced through a couple early tackle attempts, eluded Patriots with shifty moves, and darted to the end zone to cap off a circus-like 58-yard touchdown return, making it 20-0 in favor of Landry-Walker at halftime.

The second half turned on two consecutive goal-line stands by the Landry-Walker defense.  After holding Ehret out of the end zone on four straight runs from inside the 2 yard line to force a turnover on downs, Harris gave Ehret another chance with a fumble on the second play. But Rhea’s heroics preserved the shutout, as he grabbed his second interception of the game.  His 96-yard return set up a Landry-Walker field goal to put the game out of reach.  A late touchdown run by Harris completed the scoring.

If the turnovers weren’t enough evidence, the Charging Bucs also forced three turnovers on downs in the second half.

“We’re playing really good defense right now,” Powell said.  “We’re starting to reach our potential.  We just need to work hard and get better.”

Rhea talked about building on this win for the rest of the season and the upcoming playoff run.  “We came out and responded really good” to the coaches’ challenge, the senior cornerback said.  “If everybody does their thing, we’ll go back to the Dome.”

Landry-Walker will take the next step in district play next week against Bonnabel, while Ehret moves on to face East Jefferson.