Preview: Rummel vs. Holy Cross
Game two of the eight-game Catholic League Football series at the Shrine on Airline features two teams on the rise, as the Holy Cross Tigers (2-2) take on the Archbishop Rummel Raiders (3-0) on Friday, October 7, kicking off at 7 p.m.
The Tigers seem to have righted the ship after losing starting quarterback Chandler Fields to a broken collarbone in the first game of the season, and subsequently dropping their first two matchups. After using some late special teams play to take down longtime rival Chalmette at Bobby Nuss Stadium, the Tigers ravaged Archbishop Shaw last week, 33-7.
Senior running back Ashton Smith led the way for Holy Cross, rushing for 162 yards on 15 carries, including a 71-yard burst and a touchdown. Landen Bates added 81 yards and a touchdown of his own, with both backs averaging over 10 yards a carry. The Tigers' defense was stifling all night long, holding Shaw scoreless until the final quarter while forcing three fumbles, one of which senior defensive lineman Kenneth Carradine scooped and scored on. Their linebacker core was strong once again, as Tyler Grubbs and Austin Shaw led the team with 10 tackles apiece. Kicker Nolan Heitmeier was perfect on the night, knocking in four field goals, including a season-long 36-yarder.
Before taking on the Raiders, Holy Cross faces the Jesuit Blue Jays this Friday in the oldest rivalry in the state, as these two teams square off for the 97th time in their storied history. Jesuit limps into this one after dropping a heartbreaker to St. Augustine, 27-23, but you can throw all the stats out the window when it comes to this matchup. The stadium will be packed, the bands will be loud, and it will be a tough fight between two teams that look forward to this game every year. Smith, who's nearing 500 yards rushing on the season, will have to handle a bulk of the work load against an always tough Jesuit defensive front, while quarterback Glenn Kramer will be relying on his favorite target, Kym Wimberly, Jr., to make some big plays in the passing game.
Archbishop Rummel is doing what they have always done throughout the years, win football games. Head Coach Jay Roth lost a lot from last season, as team leader and starting quarterback Chase Fourcade left for graduation, along with defensive beasts Kristian Fulton and Briston Guidry. However, Rummel has not faltered, picking up three early wins to start the season before heading into their bye week.
Before the bye, Rummel dismantled Mississippi standout Wayne County, 50-13, as senior quarterback Jacob Palma cemented himself as a true star in the Raiders' offense. The gunslinger threw for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns, including three to his favorite target, Ja'Marr Chase, who had 147 receiving yards in the victory. Keirell Jackson and Dwan Trufant anchor the backfield for Rummel this year, and after sitting as backups for the past season, these two speedsters look primed to keep the Raider train rolling towards the Superdome.
Rummel's defense continues to be stellar as well, as Andre Danove, Aaron Brule, Alex Bollinger, Shahid Reece and Derrick Munson highlight the returners from last year's unit. Rummel takes on an Archbishop Shaw (0-4) team that looks unlikely make any sort of noise in the Catholic League this year. Coach Scott Bairnsfather has gotten enrollment to increase in Marrero, but there is still not enough retention to keep the West Bank boys in contention.
Look for Holy Cross and Rummel to ride into the Shrine with wins on their minds and a showdown set to take place in the midst of district play. The Tigers will need a victory against the Raiders to put themselves in the picture for Catholic League supremacy, and are beginning their toughest part of their schedule with this matchup, playing Rummel, Brother Martin and John Curtis Christian in consecutive weeks.
Make sure to catch this matchup on Friday, October 7, at 7 p.m. For more information on the upcoming Catholic League Football series, including rental of stadium hospitality areas, contact the Zephyrs at (504) 734-5155.