St. Amant survives against Northshore in Class 5A double overtime playoff thriller

ST. AMANT, La. — The fifth-seeded St. Amant Gators survived an upset bid by Northshore High School, winning its Class 5A playoff opener in dramatic fashion, 41-38, in double overtime.

Cade Nelson had 34 carries for 258 yards and five rushing touchdowns to lead the Gators. Nelson has more than 1,400 yards this season and has scored 23 touchdowns.

St. Amant led 21-0 at the break, but the Panthers outscored the Gators 28-7 in the second half to force overtime. Nelson’s fifth touchdown sealed the victory for St. Amant (10-1), who will host Airline (Bossier City) next week.

Walter Harris III gave a valiant effort in defeat, throwing for 352 yards and four touchdowns and running for 95 yards and another score.

The Gators jumped out to an early lead as they went 61 yards in six plays on their opening drive. Nelson carried the ball three times for 43 yards on the drive, setting up KJ Franklin to finish it off with a seven yard score. The extra point was no good, but St. Amant had a 6-0 lead with less than three minutes played.

Both defenses settled in for the rest of the quarter as the teams exchanged several punts. Then St. Amant opened the second quarter just as they did the first. The Gators took advantage of a short field with a drive starting at the Northshore 37 yard line. Nelson was once again the workhorse, picking up 22 yards on four carries, including a two-yard touchdown run. Nelson also caught a jump pass from Halen Miller for the two-point conversion, making the score 14-0.

Later in the quarter, on fourth and nine from their own 37, Northshore punter Austin Dunlap mishandled the snap. The ball sailed over his head and Dunlap fell on it at the Panther two yard line. On the next play, Miller gave it to Nelson for his second score of the half and The Pit was rocking.

The St. Amant defense was outstanding in the first half, limiting the Panthers to 10 plays on their side of the field and containing Northshore on the ground and in the air.

In the third quarter, the tide turned in the Panthers’ favor. First, Jeremiah McDonald intercepted Miller to halt a St. Amant drive. Taking over at their own nine, it took Northshore three plays to go 91 yards. Harris found Cole Cavallo down the seam near midfield, and after shaking free of a couple of tacklers, he made it into the end zone with a 76-yard touchdown to put the Panthers on the board.

On their next possession, Northshore victimized St. Amant with another quick strike. This time Harris threw a pass down the left sideline. McDonald made a juggling catch, break several tackles, and streak 63 yards for the score. That cut the Gator lead to seven (21-14) with six minutes to play in the third quarter.

Late in the fourth quarter is when things really got interesting. Halen Miller was back to punt from the Gators’ 17 yard line, but it was blocked and recovered by Northshore at the four yard line. Two plays later, Harris hit Cavallo for his second touchdown reception. After the extra point, the game was tied at 21.

On St. Amant’s next possession, they went back to Nelson. He responded with a 75-yard run down the right sideline before he was pushed out of bounds at the five yard line. Two plays later Nelson punched it in from three yards out to put the Gators back up 28-21 with 2:53 remaining in regulation.

With the game on the line, Northshore put together its best drive of the night. The Panthers went 80 yards in 13 plays. Harris tied the score at 28 with a 10-yard touchdown run with only 6.2 seconds on the clock to force overtime.

Nelson got overtime started with another score. He ran it twice for 10 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game and a 35-28 lead for St. Amant.

Northshore needed three plays to tie the game once again. Harris threw his fourth touchdown of the night, hitting Branyan Bounds for an 8-yard touchdown pass, forcing a second overtime.

With the Panthers taking the ball first, St. Amant’s defense stepped up when it needed to most. On third and goal from the one yard line, Bounds was tackled for a four yard loss. Northshore was forced to kick a field goal, and Andrew Stein booted it through the uprights from 22 yards out to give the Panthers their first lead of the game.

On the game’s final possession, with second and goal to go from the five yard line, Nelson put the finishing touch on his masterful performance by scoring his fifth touchdown of the night and pushing the Gators into the next round.

NOTES:

The 38 points allowed by St. Amant were just two fewer than they had given up in their previous four games (40).

St. Amant outgained Northshore 265-63 on the ground, but the Panthers threw for 352 yards compared to just 90 for the Gators.

Both of St. Amant’s interceptions came with Northshore inside the Gators’ 20 yard line, ending potential scoring drives.

Walter Harris III (Northshore) had 447 total yards and was responsible for five touchdowns (4 passing, 1 rushing).

Cole Cavallo (Northshore) had a game-high nine catches for 155 yards with two TDs. Jeremiah McDonald also topped the 100 yard mark with three receptions for 108 yards and a score.