Bogalusa looks to keep winning streak going tonight in contest against Albany
Published 3:07 pm Friday, October 31, 2014
Bogalusa returns to Lewis V. Murray Jr. Stadium tonight for its final home game of the regular season and play against Albany in a District 8-3A battle.
The Lumberjacks come into tonight with a 3-5 overall and 2-1 in league play. Bogalusa is on a two-game winning streak after a pair of fourth-quarter comebacks. Two weeks ago, the ‘Jacks defeated Jewel Sumner, 14-13, on a last second touchdown pass. Last week, they trailed, 28-19, heading into the fourth quarter against Loranger, but outscored the Wolves, 18-0, in the final period to capture the victory.
“As I said in the beginning of the year, you really can’t win games by turning the ball over and haven’t been turning the ball over, so in the fourth quarter, we’re still in the ball games,” Bogalusa coach Craig Jones said. “Also, our summer weightlifting program is really starting to take effect. Our energy level is high, and with the close games, our kids really believe they have a chance to win.”
The Lumberjacks continue to move up in the power points rankings and currently sit 23rd for Class 3A.
Bogalusa won last year’s matchup over Albany, 34-8.
Tymothy Toussaint had a big game last week, running 11 times for 136 yards (12.3 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. He was also 6-of-10 passing for 90 yards.
Reggie Roberts scored twice on the ground, and Urian Morris added a 3-yard scoring run in the victory.
Jones said the offensive line has been doing a good job.
“The main difference is that we’re not getting negative plays,” Jones said. “We’ve been on the positive side of the chains and we’re also not turning the ball over.”
Jonathan Simmons is the center. He’s flanked by right guard Zach Saraceno and left guard Jaylon Carson. Devonte Lenoir is the left tackle with Daniel Fairley at right tackle.
Jones said every offensive lineman except for Carson started at least one game last season.
“The games are won in the trenches,” Jones said. “You can tell the difference. They have confidence now. You can see the results. We’re picking up blitzes and we’re able to adjust on the fly. They are gelling really well.”
Defensively, Dionte Fernandez tallied by intercepting a pass and returning it 53 yards to pay dirt to seal the game.
Albany (2-6, 0-3) began the season 2-3, but has lost its first three district games by a combined 115-30 against Sumner, Independence and Loranger.
“It’s tough. We were pretty banged up going into district,” Albany coach Blane Westmoreland said. “We’ve played the last three ballgames minus 10 starters and that makes it tough in this district.”
Westmoreland said their roster has just 47 players.
The Hornets, the 38th ranked team in power points for Class 3A, have a young team and they operate out of the wing-T offense.
The quarterback is sophomore Skylier Lehmann with running backs sophomore Cheyenne Labruzza, freshman Kamryn Mayers and junior fullback Randy Ingram joining him in the backfield.
Seniors Alex Vallo Dalton Cunningham are the receivers.
The Hornets’ top defenders are senior linebackers Luke Callahan and Nathan Harris.