Bogalusa is back home tonight, hosting Salmen in a contest that kicks off at 7 p.m. at Lewis V. Murray Jr. Stadium.
“It’s another big game,” Bogalusa coach David Roberts said. “Salmen’s a good opponent and we’re looking to build on what we did last week and get on the winning side of things.”
Bogalusa is 1-2 and lost 39-30 last Friday to Franklinton. Bogalusa trailed 18-0 late in the first half and made 18-8 by halftime on a pick-six by Chas Smith.
The Lumberjacks scored 14 straight points in the third quarter and eventually closed the gap to 32-30 late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to recover an onside kick.
“The kids played hard,” Roberts said. “They never gave up. It was great game. It was back-and-forth. We got a stop, but we just couldn’t quite get over the hump. Like I tell the kids all of the time, when you’re an underdog, you’re just trying to get the game in the fourth quarter and give yourself a chance to win and that’s what we did. We just came up a little short.”
Diante Lenoir and Jay Baham both saw time at quarterback and the two play other positions when they’re not the signal caller. Lenoir ran for 130 yards and two touchdowns and he threw for 44 yards. Baham threw for 105 yards and a score.
“Lenoir is a heck of a runner and he gives us numbers in the backfield,” Roberts said. “Jay is good at throwing the ball and Jay can run too. If one gets hot, we’ll go with the hot hand. Both play other positions. Jay is one of our top corners too. We feel good with both guys back there.”
Tyrese Rousell posted 84 yards receiving to go with a touchdown.
Roberts said that the defense struggled last week, but added that the team will be getting one of their top linebackers back tonight in O’Trevious Gatlin.
“We also have Keltron (Harry) and both of those guys help us out,” Roberts said. “Last week, we had trouble getting lined up in the first half and having both of them will help with that.”
Salmen won last year’s contest, 16-0. The Spartans led 7-0 through three quarters.
Salmen enters this week with a 2-1 record after defeating Hammond, 7-0, last week. Two of Salmen’s games have been decided by one possession. They opened the season with a 21-20 victory over Madison Prep. Their week two game was a 28-14 loss to Northshore.