MLK Charter blitzes Thomas Jefferson, St. Martinville ousts DeRidder to open state football playoffs

M.L. King Charter has enjoyed a good season under Joe Riley.

The Jaguars opened the season 6-1 before losing their final three regular season games against very good opponents in St. Charles Catholic, Newman and Country Day.

Looking to rebound, the Jaguars bounced back in a big way Thursday evening to open the LHSAA Select Division III playoffs.

The 13th-seeded Jaguars dominated from start to finish in a 47-0 thrashing of No. 20 Thomas Jefferson at Hoss Memtsas Stadium.

M.L. King Charter took control immediately, jumping out to a 28-0 lead after one quarter and a 34-0 lead by halftime. It was 41-0 going to the final quarter.

Quarterback Joe Riley Jr. was sharp, completing 15 of 19 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

La’Mikal Nelson rushed 11 times for 113 yards and two touchdowns.

Jamir Selders had nine carries for 106 yards and two scores.

Darunce Allen had four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown and he added an interception on defense.

Chris Doyle added three catches for 66 yards and a touchdown and was a force on defense with nine tackles, including three sacks.

Andre Graham finished with 12 tackles, including three sacks and broke up four passes as the Jaguars registered seven sacks in the game.

“I was extremely proud of our boys,” Riley said. “I want to run the football and we were able to do so and to play great defense. We recognized formations and did a good job of executing. The kids were very prepared and played up to the level of expectation. We did not overlook the opponent.”

M.L. King Charter (7-4) advances to travel to No. 4 Dunham in the regional round in a rematch.

The Tigers routed the Jaguars 52-13 at home on September 16.

“Dunham is going to be a task,” Riley said. “They are a really good football team. We will change things up. We have to be prepared and play our best. They are well coached and disciplined. The kids are ready to buy in and understand we will have to dig deep to compete with them. Having played there previously should help.”

In the Non-Select Division II opening round, No. 11 St. Martinville handled No. 22 DeRidder 28-7.

St. Martinville took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter Kaden Zenon connected with Karon Jeanlouis on a 72-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead.

The lead grew to 14-0 in the second quarter on a 57-yard pass from Zenon to Cullen Charles.

The Tigers extended the lead to 21-0 just before halftime on a 27-yard touchdown run by Steven Blanco.

The Dragons got on the board midway through the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Ronnie Crosby and it was 21-7 but St. Martinville answered quickly on a 35-yard run by Blanco to complete the scoring.

St. Martinville (7-4) has won six straight games.

A dangerous lower seed, the Tigers advance to the regional round to face the winner of Friday night’s game pitting No. 27 Wossman at No. 6 Lutcher.

LHSAA Prep Football Playoff Results from Thursday, Nov. 10

Non-Select Division II
(11) St. Martinville 28, (22) DeRidder 7

Select Division III
(13) M.L. King Charter 47, (20) Thomas Jefferson 0