University High extends win streak to 17 with convincing victory over Catholic-Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE – The University High Cubs continued to show their dominance and the Catholic High Bears got a reality check Friday night.

In a battle of reigning state champions, the Cubs extended their win streak to 17 games with a 41-21 victory at Memorial Stadium.

U-High outscored the Bears 21-7 to turn a six-point game into a blowout, while handing Catholic High its first loss of the season.

Christian Harris fielded the opening kickoff right at the edge of the goal line and set the tone for the night.

After gaining his balance, Harris started his way up the field. He went practically untouched as he broke through the defense and returned it all the way for the 99-yard touchdown. The Cubs had a 6-0 lead just 15 seconds into the game.

As the Catholic High offense struggled to get going against the Cubs’ defense, U-High kept rolling when they had the football.

Mike Hollins had touchdown runs of 26 and 31 yards to push the Cubs’ lead to 20-0 with more than 2 minutes still to play in the first quarter.

The Bears showed their mettle on their next possession. Josh Parker did most of the damage on the ground, but Cameron Dartez finished off the drive with a one yard plunge that got Catholic on the board, and cut the U-High lead to 13.

The pace of the game slowed in the second quarter. That was until Braelen Morgan returned a punt 45 yards to set the Bears up on the Cubs side of the field.

Catholic would pull to within six points moments later on a beautiful pitch-and-catch from Dartez to Solomon Singleton for a 34 yard score with 2:57 remaining in the half.

The Bears were looking for one more opportunity to narrow the gap before halftime as they forced U-High to punt on their next drive. However, Morgan muffed the punt leading to a Cubs recovery at the CHS 44 yard line.

With just seconds remaining in the quarter, John Gordon McKernan would find Jordan Clark, who made a leaping catch in traffic, for a nine yard touchdown that sent U-High into the locker room firmly in control with a 27-14 lead.

Catholic turned the ball over on downs after driving to the U-High 28 yard line on their opening possession of the second half.

The Bears responded with an 11-play, 72 yard drive that culminated with a seven yard touchdown pass from Aleksander Popov to Makiya Tongue to make it 34-14.

Another failed fourth down conversion by Catholic High led the the Cubs’ final score of the night. Once again it was Mike Hollins doing most of the damage. Hollins carried the ball six times for 52 yards, including a one yard score to make it 41-14.

A late score from Jackson Thomas to Mike Grizzaffi for Catholic would provide the final margin.

U-High (3-0) goes on the road to face West Feliciana (1-2) next week, while Catholic High (2-1) will look to rebound at St. Thomas More (3-0).