Shaw soars to 41-6 district opening win over Landry

ALGIERS – The Archbishop Shaw Eagles hoped their three-game winning streak from non-district play would give them momentum to start District 10-4A play without missing a beat. It most certainly did.

The Eagles soared to victory over the L.B. Landry Charging Buccaneers, 41-6, with impressive performances on both sides of the ball at Morris F.X. Jeff, Sr. Park.

Shaw (4-2, 1-0) flew out the gates, scoring in just three plays on the opening possession and never looking back.  Junior quarterback Mason Wilson led the way, throwing for 136 yards and two touchdowns, along with 82 yards rushing on just five carries.

Jasper Parker had a quiet night from a stats perspective.  The electric junior running back only tallied 7 carries for 35 yards, but he contributed two touchdowns.

Shaw bookended the first half of the game with touchdown receptions.  Senior wide receiver Cameron Marigny-Bolden hauled in a 35-yard touchdown reception on the first drive with 9:52 to play in first quarter.

The Eagles only needed one play to score on their final drive of the half.  Junior receiver Gavin Richard hauled in Wilson’s pass and broke free for a 44-yard touchdown reception, bringing the Eagles lead to 31-6 with 2:18 to play in the first half.

In between the touchdown barrage, special teams got in on the scoring action for Shaw as well.  Junior kicker Henry Zelaya banged in field goals from 24-yards and 38-yards in the second quarter.

The final score in the game came on Shaw’s most impressive drive.  Following an interception at the Landry 1-yard line, the Eagles marched 99 yards, scoring on a 15-yard run by junior running back Darrel Hains.

For Landry (0-5, 0-1), the night started off promising.  The Bucs answered Shaw’s opening drive touchdown with one of their own.  After the drive was kept alive by a defensive pass interference penalty, senior quarterback Damar Williams connected with sophomore receiver Rickeme Scott down the sideline for a 58-yard touchdown.  An unsportmanlike conduct penalty pushed Landry back to the 18-yard line for the two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful, leaving Shaw with the lead 7-6 with 6:35 to play in the opening quarter.

That would be all the scoring and offensive success the Charging Bucs found for the rest of the night.

However, Landry methodically drove down the field, reaching the Shaw 8-yard line early in the third quarter. Two plays later, Williams’ pass attempt was tipped and intercepted at the 1-yard line, ending the scoring threat.

Next week, Shaw looks for a fifth straight victory when they host Belle Chasses in a district matchup.  Landry seeks their first win against L.W. Higgins in a Thursday night contest at Hoss Memtsas Stadium.