REPLAY: Karr makes unmistakably loud statement with rout of St. Augustine

NEW ORLEANS – Edna Karr and St. Augustine were both looking to set the tone in their Catholic League opening matchup Saturday night at Tad Gormley Stadium.

The Cougars were undefeated until the LHSAA required the school to forfeit the first three games of the season. Of to a 3-0 start, the Purple Knights had impressed by shining against a tough schedule.

Something had to give, and it was St. Aug’s perfect record at the hands of a relentless Karr squad in their first ever game as a member of District 9-5A. The Cougars checked every box on their list and dominated the Purple Knights in a 49-7 victory.

Karr (1-3, 1-0) struck first when AJ Samuel connected with Tyrone Wilson for a four-yard touchdown.

Special Teams was a big factor for the Cougars. Kylen Lampton scored on a 73-yard punt return to double their lead, and St. Aug’s Bobby Kennedy was stripped of the ball on the ensuing kickoff. Brennen Harris recovered and returned it for a 34-yard touchdown to make 21-0.

St. Aug (3-1, 0-1) managed their only score of the night with a 15-yard touchdown by Clint Langford to draw within 14 at 21-7. However, that was as close as they would get.

Karr answered with Samuel’s 24-yard touchdown to Tavis Williams.

From there, the Cougars went to the ground game to finish off the first half. Samuel scrambled for a seven-yard touchdown.

Deantre Jackson turned on the jets for a 66-yard touchdown, giving Edna Karr a commanding 42-7 lead at the half.

“It was great execution by the coaches and players,” said Jackson. “The coaches puts us in the right position and our offense did a great job in communicating.”

Chris Vasquez’s 14-yard touchdown. The Cougars had 427 yards total offense extened the Cougars advantage even further in the third quarter and led to use of a running clock the rest of the way.

Samuel was 16 of 28 for 218 yards passing and added nine carries for 68 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson had seven carries for 88 rushing yards and a touchdown.

St. Augustine was held to 206 yards total offense. Langford led the Purple Knights with 21 carries for 68 rushing yards and a touchdown. Amare’ Cooper was 8 of 21 for 116 passing yards and an interception.

Karr more than responded to the spotlight moment of their first game in the historic Catholic League just a day after the news broke of the forfeits.

“I’m really proud of the players and coaches. I’m speechless,” said Edna Karr Head Coach Brice Brown. “When God is for you, who can be against you. There was a lot of crazy stuff that happened in the last 24 hours. It’s a testament to the coaches and players to ignore that noise and beat a good St. Aug team.”

Edna Karr will continue their new district journey against Brother Martin next week while St. Augustine will be looking to bounce back against Jesuit.