St. James needs complete team effort to leave Lusher with 24-6 win

Touchdowns on defense and special teams helped propel the St. James past Lusher, 24-6, in a defensive struggle Friday night at Brees Family field.

St. James’ Glen Brown took the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. On the following drive, Lusher’s Chad Britton recovered a fumble on a muffed punt but turned it over on the next play quarteback Arnold Little threw an interception to Logan Gravois. The Lions defense held strong as they stuffed St. James on a fourth down run near midfield.

Near the end of the opening quarter, St. James recovered a fumble on a punt at Lusher 10 yard line. Lusher’s defense held strong and held St. James to a 26 yard field goal from Alec Mahler.

Lusher held off the St. James offense twice more in the red zone in the second quarter with a missed 35 yard field foal and an incomplete pass from the three-yard line on 4th down. The Wildcats went into halftime up 10-0 over the Lions.

St. James put together their only offensive scoring drive of the game capped off when quarterback Shamar Smith scored on a 16 yard touchdown run.

Smith finished with 88 yards on 13 carries.

Later, the Wildcats found themselves again deep in Lusher territory but the Lions defense would hold firm again and stopped the Wildcats on downs.

The defense added to the lead for the Wildcats next. Keathon Hogan picked off a Sam Kates pass and took it 34 yards for a score.

At the beginning of the fourth quarter, St. James was once again stopped deep in Lusher territory on downs. On the following play, Lusher’s Ari Broussard broke free on an 81 yard touchdown run to put the Lions on the board.

Broussard finished the game with 109 yards on 10 carries.

Lusher had a few chances to cut into the lead in the final minutes due to forced turnovers by their defense but were unable to get into the end zone again.