Preview: Holy Cross vs. Brother Martin
The Brother Martin Crusaders (3-3) come back to the Shrine on Airline this week to take on the Holy Cross Tigers (2-4), playing their second of four consecutive games at the ballpark.
The Crusaders snapped a three-game losing streak last week, demolishing Sulphur 58-13 and pitching a shutout in the second half. Despite their blowout victory last week, Brother Martin is 0-2 in the district, and needs a win against Holy Cross to put themselves back in contention for the top seed in the Catholic League. With the playoffs just four short weeks away, the time is now for the Crusaders to flip the script and live up to their preseason expectations.
Quarterback John-Paul Pierce has over 1100 yards on the season, with 10 touchdowns to just one interception, and is leading the team in most offensive categories. ESPN top prospect and Georgia Tech commit Bruce Jordan-Swilling complements Pierce with his 880 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns on the year, making Brother Martin equally deadly through the air and on the ground. Erick Lassair, Pat Hughes and Jeremy Singleton lead the way for the Crusader aerial attack, all corralling around 300 receiving yards on the season. Their defense has been equally as tough, allowing just 18.2 points per game, excluding the offensive shootout against Class 4A powerhouse Edna Karr. Fellow Georgia Tech commit Tre Swilling is the captain of the defense, and head coach Mark Bonis and defensive coordinator Lance Ledet will present a lot of different looks to try and confuse the Tigers.
Holy Cross is reeling after being dealt two district losses in a row, losing to Jesuit 38-0 before dropping their contest at the Shrine last week to Archbishop Rummel, 42-10. Despite their recent struggles, the Tigers got starting quarterback Chandler Fields back last week after he broke his collarbone in week one. While Fields was not his usual self, tossing three interceptions on some well underthrown passes, he flashed signs of brilliance, including hooking up with his favorite target Kym Wimberly for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
The big question this week will be the health of running back Ashton Smith, who sat out last week's contest against Rummel. His absence showed throughout the night, as Holy Cross' offense became entirely one dimensional and the Raiders took advantage. Head Coach Eric Rebaudo said that Smith remains questionable for this week, but will try and practice. He is expected to be a game-time decision.
The other key for Holy Cross to win this contest will be their linebacking corps, led by freshman Tyler Grubbs and junior Austin Shaw, posting a team-leading 44 tackles apiece. If the Tigers' linebackers can stuff the gaps and force Jordan-Swilling to the outside, they may have a chance of limiting his effectiveness, putting the game entirely on John-Paul Pierce. When that has happened in the past, Brother Martin has struggled, notably in their previous game at the ballpark against John Curtis.
This contest should be a good one, kicking off at 7 p.m. CST on Friday night, October 14th, at the Shrine on Airline. For more information on renting our hospitality areas, contact us at (504) 734-5155.