Bogalusa traveling to Independence tonight for District 8-3A contest
Published 2:39 pm Friday, October 24, 2014
Bogalusa hits the road tonight, looking to build off of its last-second win last week as the Lumberjacks take on Independence tonight in a District 8-3A game.
Bogalusa (3-4, 1-1) snapped its three-game losing streak last week with a 14-13 win over Jewel Sumner and moved up 10 spots in the Class 3A power points to 25th.
BHS won last week, 14-13, scoring the winning points on Reggie Roberts’ pass to Tymothy Toussaint. Roberts had the other TD on a run.
Bogalusa coach Craig Jones said the team had just one turnover last week and didn’t give up any big plays.
“Without turnovers and giving up big plays, good things happen,” Jones said. “Our main focus for the last three weeks has been, no big plays on defense and don’t turn the ball over on offense.”
Jones said the defensive line played really well last week.
“They kept the blockers off of the linebackers, and they played well against the run,” Jones said. “We didn’t have to blitz because they were getting pressure with just three and four men rushing.”
Jones also said that middle linebacker William Toussaint, defensive lineman/linebacker Tyran Holloway, lineman Harlum McGee and lineman Rodarrius Pittman all played well for his club.
BHS captured last year’s contest against Independence, 14-6.
Like the Lumberjacks, the Tigers snapped a losing streak last week. Independence’s losing streak had reached five games, but they defeated Albany, 39-16.
“Every week, we’ve shown signs of being really good during parts of the game and then we’ll have physical or mental mistakes and can’t bounce back from them,” Independence coach Keith Carona said.
Offensively, the Tigers use mostly an I-formation or one-back set.
Signal caller Marquell Jackson has thrown for about 625 yards and seven touchdowns this season.Navante Brown begins tonight with 335 rushing yards. He also plays receiver and cornerback. It’s his first year as a running back.
“He’s been a three-year starter for us at cornerback,” Carona said. “He brings senior leadership. We play him at receiver, running back and quarterback. We have packages for him, and we use him everywhere.”
The wide receiver is Jabari Caston.
Defensively, the team bases out of a 4-2-5.
One of Independence’s top players is strongside linebacker Ladarius Wilson.
“He’s just a good hard nosed football player,” Carona said. “He plays hard and physical. He keeps everybody straight and makes our calls.”
Another one of Independence’s top players is free safety Javaris Harris.