Belle Chasse quarterback Blake Matherne demonstrated once again why he was named Mr. Football earlier this year, but even his fourth-quarter heroics weren’t enough to lift Louisiana past Texas in the Bayou Bowl all-star football game.
Matherne rushed for one score and threw a touchdown pass, but after building a commanding 17-0 halftime lead, Texas held on for a 17-14 victory at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown, Texas.
Texas’ second consecutive triumph gave it a 4-3 edge in the annual event.
Louisiana had moved into position for a potential game-tying 40-yard field goal, but with time running out, Matherne lost control of the ball when attempting to spike it. Matherne recovered his fumble, but time had expired.
Matherne finished as Louisiana’s leading rusher and passer. He carried 23 times for 83 yards and completed 4-of-9 passes for 57 yards. That has come to be expected of the 5-foot-9 Matherne, who led Belle Chasse to the Class 4A state title while earning Offensive Most Valuable Player distinction on the all-state team.
Louisiana’s defense fueled its fourth-quarter surge. Notre Dame of Crowley defensive end John Graf returned an interception five yards to the Texas 37-yard line. From there, it took Louisiana 10 plays to score.
Texas helped Louisiana later in the quarter when the home team committed an offsides penalty on fourth-and-one. Once Louisiana regained possession, it marched 65 yards in six plays. Along the way, it gained 15 yards on a Texas facemask penalty. Matherne capped the drive with a 37-yard touchdown pass to Louis Hollier with 2:57 remaining.
Hollier, from Acadiana of Scott, led Louisiana with three receptions for 49 yards. Bradley Brown of Baton Rouge Capitol followed with three catches for 23 yards. Hollier’s touchdown catch of an underthrown pass was made between two defenders.
Texas took its largest lead in the series when Tommy Henshaw kicked the all-star game’s second-longest field goal of 42 yards shortly before halftime.
Texas led the entire game after taking the opening kickoff and reaching the end zone on 10 plays for 85 yards.
Matherne’s second-quarter interception set up Texas for a 28-yard touchdown pass that increased its lead to 14-0.
More Football: West Monroe promotes from within
It’s a good bet this coming season will see West Monroe coach Don Shows come up with the eight victories he needs to reach the coveted 300-win career mark. When he does so, Shows will reach that milestone with the help of a new offensive coordinator in Glen Hunt.
Hunt has spent the last 10 years at West Monroe and replaces Scott Stone, who resigned to pursue administrative opportunities. Stone was a 15-year veteran.
“There was no search; we’re going to use our staff,” Shows said. “I waited around to make sure Scott wanted to leave, and then…I went ahead and made the decision.”
Hunt will continue to coach the offensive line, as he has in the past, Shows said. Todd Garvin will move from coaching running backs to quarterbacks, and Matt Walker will switch from receivers to running backs.
“Coach Shows has seen me work over the past 10 years; he felt comfortable and trusted me with that position,” Hunt said. “I’ve talked to the other assistants and told those guys that this is not just my job. We’re all in this together. The success of us offensively won’t be me, it won’t be Shows, it will be all of us working together."
More Football: West St. John, O. Perry Walker double up in NFL Draft
Edgard West St. John gained a measure of distinction when two of its graduates, Tyson Jackson and Quinn Johnson, were chosen in the recent NFL Draft.
West St. John was one of only 12 high schools nationally to have two of its former players chosen. Jackson and Johnson also were teammates at LSU.
Jackson, a defensive end, was the third overall pick in going to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Johnson, a fullback, was the Green Bay Packers’ fifth-round pick.
West St. John and New Orleans O. Perry Walker were among 12 schools nationally to have at least two players selected.
Former OPW defensive back Keenan Lewis of Oregon State, and Mississippi wide receiver Mike Wallace went to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round.
Track and Field: Corey Mistretta changes course
After winning three Class 3A boys state championships in five years at Baton Rouge Redemptorist, Corey Mistretta has taken over the program at Hammond St. Thomas Aquinas.
“This is something that has been in the works for a while,” said the 42-year-old Mistretta said. “For me, it’s also going back home because I ran for Southeastern (Louisiana in Hammond) when I was in college.
“I know a lot of people already think of St. Thomas Aquinas as one of the top programs in the state. Our goal now is to take it to another level.”
Mistretta also will double as an assistant football coach in charge of linebackers. It is similar to the role he held at Redemptorist where he worked for his brother, Guy.
“This is about going home, but it’s also about me having the chance to do my own thing,” Corey Mistretta said. “Most people think of me as Guy’s brother, which is true, but there are some things I want to accomplish.
“Being able to work at a school that has its own track facility gives me the chance to do that.”
Softball: Patterson receives recognition
New Orleans Mount Carmel pitcher Meghan Patterson was named the 2008-09 Gatorade Louisiana Softball Player of the Year. She is the first player from her school to receive the award.
Patterson finished her junior season at 30-5 with an 0.49 earned run average and 414 strikeouts in 221 innings. She threw 12 no-hitters, including two perfect games. She also hit .345 with 14 doubles and 31 runs batted in.
The award also was based on academic achievement and character. Patterson maintained a 3.75 grade-point average and ha volunteered at local youth summer softball camps.
“Meghan is a phenomenal athlete and a phenomenal person, and that's what this award signifies," Mount Carmel coach Jerry Nugent said. “Meghan loves to win, but she also loves being a part of a team.”
