North Shore Football Roundup: District play awaits

As District 6-5A begins play this week, there are two compelling games to watch for a variety of reasons.

In the pre-district phase, Covington made a solid case for being the team to beat, going through a tough schedule unbeaten at 3-0. With clearly the best quarterback in the district in Josh Alfaro and the undisputed top running back in record-setting Devin Brumfield, their first 6-5A game is on the road against a dark horse in Ponchatoula.

After dropping the season opener 56-13 at Barbe, the high-powered offense, led by sophomore quarterback T.J. Finley, the Green Wave rebounded with consecutive victories and put up 83 points. In two three Lion victories, the defense registered a 6-0 shutout against Holy Cross. It won’t be easy, but this will be another statement game for the Lions who are ready for the challenge.

For the first time in more than 10 seasons, Northshore has a been record (2-1) than St. Paul’s (1-2) headed into their district showdown. Early season records can be relative to competition, but the Panthers atoned for a 27-7 season opening loss at Zachary with wins against Salmen and Biloxi, and they are playing with a lot of confidence. After taking a 35-26 defeat at home to a much larger Christian Brothers (Tenn.) team, a win at home in the District 6-5A opener would work wonders in healing the Wolves’ wounds.

What else can be said about Lakeshore? 135 points in their first three games and a defense that surrendered 10 points or less twice in that stretch gives rise to the thought that maybe the Titans might run the table. Yes, it’s too early to make a statement like that, but remaining injury free and playing at a high level from week to week could make it a reality.

Salmen goes on the road this week to take on Bogalusa after winning a defensive battle 7-0 at home against Hammond. The hallmark of a Jerry Leonard coached team has always been defense, and offense is ready to be heard as well.

They’ve been quiet, but fierce in forging out to a 3-0 start, but Hannan is prepping for its first game in District 7-3A with two more games, against The Church Academy and St. Michael the Archangel before opening up league play on October 6 at home against Jewel Sumner. The offense has been steady and the defense has shown improvement each week as the opponents’ offensive output has declined from 20, to 13, and down to three last week in a 28-3 win at Pope John Paul II.

Northlake Christian hosts former district rival Springfield in the last tune up before beginning their District 9-2A schedule at home against Amite, a team loaded with Division I prospects. Pope John Paul II also hopes to even their record when they host St. Thomas Aquinas.

District 6-5A

Covington (3-0. 0-0); Ponchatoula (2-1, 0-0); Slidell (2-1, 0-0); St. Paul’s (1-2, 0-0); Mandeville (0-2, 0-0); Fontainebleau (0-3, 0-0); Hammond (0-3, 0-0)

District 8-4A

Lakeshore (3-0, 0-0); Salmen (2-1, 0-0); Franklinton (2-1, 0-0); Pearl River (2-1, 0-0)

District 7-3A

Hannan (3-0, 0-0); Albany (3-0, 0-0); Bogalusa (2-1, 0-0); Loranger (1-2, 0-0); Jewel Sumner (0-3, 0-0)

District 9-2A

Amite (3-0, 0-0); Pine (2-1, 0-0); Pope John Paul II (1-2, 0-0); Northlake Christian (1-2, 0-0); Independence (1-2, 0-0)

This week in north shore football

Friday, September 22

District 6-5A

Northshore at St. Paul’s, 7 p.m.; Mandeville at Fontainebleau, 7 p.m.; Hammond at Slidell, 7 p.m.; Covington at Ponchatoula, 7 p.m.

District 8-2A

Springfield at Northlake Christian, 7 p.m.; St. Thomas Aquinas at Pope John Paul II, 7 p.m.

Non-District

Loranger at Lakeshore, 7 p.m.; Christian Life at Hannan, 7 p.m.; Salmen at Bogalusa, 7 p.m.; Pearl River at Riverdale, 7 p.m.