Newman, Stewart reach for milestones Friday night against Catholic of New Iberia

With a chance to reach milestones and make history, unbeaten and second-seeded Newman (11-0) hosts third-seed Catholic of New Iberia (10-1) in the Division III semifinals Friday night at 7 p.m. at Lupin Field.

You can listen to the game live on WGSO 990AM and at WGSO.com as part of Ken Trahan’s Original Prep Football Report from 6 p.m. to midnight.

The moment and scene should not be too big for Newman. The Greenies are accustomed to going deep into the playoffs.

Then again, Catholic is even more equipped to handle the moment, having played in the state championship game in 2014 and having come to New Orleans and handled Newman twice in similar situations.

Newman lost 49-21 to Catholic a year ago at Lupin Field in the quarterfinals and the Greenies lost to Riverside in the quarterfinals in 2015. Newman lost to Catholic 55-35 at Lupin Field in the semifinals in 2014 as well and the Greenies were without star running back Kendall Bussey, Jr. Newman also reached the quarterfinals in 2007, losing at powerful Evangel Christian.

Catholic fell to eventual state champion Riverside in the semifinals a year ago and lost in the semifinals in 2013. The Panthers captured their only state championship in 1962, taking the 1A title with a 13-0 win over Ferriday.

The first milestone was achieved last Friday night when Newman advanced with a 37-7 win over 10th-seed St. Thomas Aquinas, the first-ever home victory in the state quarterfinals for the Greenies.

The second and third milestones are within reach for Newman.

Stewart can claim the 100th win in his 12-year career at his alma mater with a win.

Last but not least, the Greenies can reach their first-ever state championship game with a win over Catholic. It will not come easily.

“You have to slow them down and you have to manufacture a run game against them,” Stewart said. “They make so many explosive plays. Their quarterback is a great runner and powerful and he can beat you throwing it. They have good backs and they have a good wide receiver.”

The Greenies have not faced an attack similar to Catholic this season.

“East Jefferson ran a power-based run offense but we have not faced anyone who runs the Wing-T since we faced them last year,” Stewart said. “It makes you work hard.”

The Panthers are coached by Brent Indest, who has been outstanding at his alma mater in his five years as head coach. Indest was an all-state quarterback for the Panthers, graduating in 1984. He has coached previously at Carencro, Kaplan, Crowley, Abbeville and Louisiana Tech.

“Brent is one of my best friends, it is always bittersweet when we face each other,” Stewart said. “He is a great guy and a great coach. I have the utmost respect for him.”

The Panthers are led by senior running back Jadan Stokes, who has rushed 102 times for 1,194 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Senior quarterback Diallo Landry has completed 50-of-79 passes (63%) for 1,145 yards and 11 touchdowns and has rushed 83 times for 547 yards and 12 scores. Sophomore Trey Henry has 52 carries for 536 yards and eight touchdowns and senior Ben Landry has 74 rushes for 419 yards and six scores. The top receiver is junior Peter LeBlanc, who has 33 receptions for 719 yards and 10 touchdowns.

While Catholic has mastered Newman twice under Indest, Stewart feels this year could be a different story.

“This is the best equipped team I’ve ever had in this situation,” Stewart said. “We are battle tested and a more balanced team than we have had in recent years. We have four good wideouts and we are better up front. We’ll see how far it can take us.”

Newman junior quarterback Martin Butcher is nearing a milestone of his own.

Butcher has completed 184-of-264 passes (70%) for 2,652 yards, just 53 yards shy of the all-time single season passing mark in Greenies history, held by Peyton Manning. Butcher has passed for 29 touchdowns with just nine interceptions.

Butcher has four excellent receivers to throw to, including junior Murray Calhoun, senior Dylon Hill, senior Storey Charbonnet and sophomore Jarmone Sutherland.

Calhoun leads with 59 catches for 879 yards and nine touchdowns Hill has 44 receptions for 736 yards and 10 scores. Charbonnet has 38 catches for 450 yards and five touchdowns and Sutherland has 23 receptions for 424 yards and four scores. Senior running back James Poche’ gives Newman balance with 192 carries for 1,177 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Junior linebacker Liam Rowan is the leading tackler with 41 tackles while talented sophomore defensive end Brandon Williams has 37.5 tackles, including a team best eight sacks. Senior cornerback Will Reynoir leads with four interceptions.

Newman has come close before.

In 1991, Newman lost in the semifinals in a close game to Haynesville. Pickering beat a Newman squad featuring Peyton Manning as its quarterback and Stewart a defensive tackle on the team on a last second 41-yard field goal by Manuel Pastor in 1992 at Lupin Field in a game I was fortunate to broadcast on Cox Communications.

Catholic advanced with a 49-28 victory over sixth-seeded Calvary Baptist last Friday night.

“This is a historic opportunity,” Stewart said. “I don’t think the moment will be too big for us. We have been in the quarters and semifinals in the last three years. We are playing with a high level of confidence. The last time we went to the semifinals was the first time in 20 years. We know how good Catholic is. We will have to be at our best.”