Rummel shows huge improvement in 23-14 win over state champ Calvary

In another strange season delayed once more, this time by Hurricane Ida, the disruption has caused disruption in all area prep football teams, all of whom missed games, as well as valuable practice time.

Archbishop Rummel is accustomed to winning, often in impressive fashion. The Raiders have won three state championships and been to five state title games since 2009.

With a very young team in 2021, the expectations may not be what most are accustomed to with the Raiders but do not sleep on this outstanding program.

After trudging through a come-from-behind 12-11 win over Slidell in its season opener, the Raiders knew they would have to improve significantly to meet the challenge of defending Division IV state champion Calvary Baptist at Joe Yenni Stadium.

Suffice it to say that the players and coaches got the memo and did so in solid fashion Friday night.

Rummel led from start to finish in a 23-14 victory over the Cavaliers, snapping Calvary’s 11-game win streak dating back to last season.

Sophomore Jaidyn Martin led the Raiders with 23 carries for 207 yards and two touchdowns, including a 71-yard score on the opening possession, on the second play of the game.

Raider quarterback Casey Avrard threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Nicholas Howard

Leading 17-14 in the fourth quarter, the Raiders got the drive they needed, going 75 yards in 12 plays with Martin scoring on a 5-yard run.

Rummel sealed the deal when Tyronne Hayes returned a tipped ball interception 31 yards for a score.

Chris Wallace connected on a 26-yard field goal for the Raiders.

Landry Lyddy, a Louisiana Tech commit, threw a pair of touchdowns for the Cavaliers but was picked off twice by the Raiders, who forced three turnovers. Darius Davis had the other interception for Rummel.

Bryce Landry forced a fumble and Caleb Whins recovered it for the third turnover caused by Rummel.

Speaking on The Three Tailgaters Show on NASH ICON 106.1 FM Saturday morning, Raiders coach Nick Monica said he was very pleased with the way his team improved from week one.

“We definitely took a huge stride forward last night from week one,” Monica said. “The one thing we took away from playing Calvary last year was their physicality. We preached that we had to match that if we were going to win. There was nothing more telling than that on our last drive. We went 75 yards for a touchdown without throwing a pass.”

Despite being a lower classification school, the Cavaliers are capable of beating most teams at every level in Louisiana.

“Calvary is really good,” Monica said. “I told Coach Rodney Guin they can play in our league. They can throw it and they are physical and they are well coached. I would not be surprised to see them win it.”

The job at hand is teaching and learning for Monica and his staff.

“This is the youngest team I’ve been involved with at Rummel in my 17 years here,” Monica said. “It was good to see the young guys making plays. I am just happy for the kids that they got to see the results of a good work week. Jaidyn had a great game. He’s a shifty kid. He didn’t look very comfortable against Slidell but he looked very comfortable last night.”

Rummel (2-0) will host Archbishop Shaw in the annual Megaphone game next Saturday at 7 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium in a game that you can listen to on NASH ICON, 106.1 FM.

The Raiders have won the last nine meeting with the Eagles, with the last Shaw win coming in 2007. The two rivals did not meet last year as the scheduled game was canceled by the pandemic.

“Week one was hard to read for our team and for many teams in our league,” Monica said. “The more practice time the kids get, the better they will become. I know talking to Tommy Connors recently, he’s been waiting for this year, this group. I think now, our kids understand it’s a rivalry and we will have our hands full. They are a scary team with size up front, great skill and a very good quarterback.”

Calvary Baptist (3-1) suffered its first loss and the Cavaliers, who did not lose after falling 31-13 in Shreveport to Rummel a year ago, will try to match that feat in 2021. Calvary will host Lincoln Prep in its District 1-1A district opener next Friday night.