REPLAY: Wisham, Holstein lead Zachary to shootout win over St. Augustine, 45-35

NEW ORLEANS – At Tad Gormley Stadium, onlookers were treated to a Saturday night fireworks display on the turf between two Class 5A programs.

The Zachary Broncos survived a battle with the Purple Knights of St. Augustine. 45-35.

Zachary senior Conner Wisham scored three times in the third quarter to pace Zachary.

“That’s what you look for in a senior captain,” Zachary head coach David Brewerton said. “He went and got it done.”

All three of Wisham’s touchdowns were counterpunches to Purple Knight scores that tired the game which was also knotted at 21-21 through one half.

Wisham capped the opening possession of the third quarter with a 39-yard scamper. He followed with a 50 yard touchdown on a screen pass from quarterback Eli Holstein and finally scored on a 93-yard kickoff return to make it 42-35 in the final period.

Holstein, the junior Texas A&M commitment, completed 10 for 13 for 231 yards while tossing four scores including a pair of to senior Charles Robertson.

St. Augustine senior wideout Javen Nicholas matched Wisham, scoring three times including a 93-yard kick return in that exciting third period. Nicholas racked up 175 yards and a pair of tochdowns receiving.

The Purple Knights scored first on a picture-perfect 16 play drive capped by a four-yard run by Tyler Hayes.

Purple Knights senior quarterback Dylan Devezin threw for two scores and rushed for another.

“I was proud of our guys,going through a hurricane and all, being prepared,” St. Augustine head coach Nick Foster said. “You know what you’re going against when you’re playing Zachary. Coach Brew will always have them prepared and they’re tough.”

The two teams were tied or within one score all night until Zachary kicker Kellen Conachen hit a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to provide breathing room.

“I was really proud of our sophomore kicker,” said Holstein. “This is his first year playing football.”

Having scored at least 41 points through three games, Zachary will look to stay unbeaten next week at home versus Green Oaks.

St. Augustine opens district play next Saturday night against John Curtis.