'Jacks to host Westlake Friday

By CORWIN MURRAY

PATTERSON — The Patterson Lumberjacks welcome Westlake to town Friday after back-to-back wins.

The Lumberjacks’ offense has hit its stride, averaging 48.5 points per game in the last two games. Patterson beat Catholic High-New Iberia 46-25 two weeks ago before unloading on Vandebilt Catholic, 51-19, Friday in Houma.

The Jacks rolled up nearly 500 yards of total offense in last week’s win.

Quarterback Spencer Landry was a dual threat Friday, connecting on 18-of-28 passes for 332 yards and four touchdowns while rushing four times for 41 yards and two TDs.

“We played well offensively,” Patterson head coach Tommy Minton said. “We didn’t turn the ball over, and we cut down on our penalties.”

Landry, the state’s No. 2 ranked passer, has completed 77-of-129 passes for 1,195 yards with 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.

His top targets remain heavily-recruited wide receivers Daylon Charlot and Mykel Jones.

Charlot had four catches for 127 yards and three touchdowns Friday, while Jones had five receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. He also had two carries for 66 yards and a score.

“We thought we had good matchups on the perimeter,” Minton said Friday. “We did a good job of protecting the quarterback and the kids on the perimeter won their battles.”

Jones has 28 receptions for 514 yards (128.5 yards per game) and seven touchdowns this season, while Charlot has 18 catches for 273 yards and five scores.

Jones is ranked third in the state in receiving.

Tristen Ausama (4), Jedrick Gunner (3), D.J. Jones and Rene Maillet (1) also had receptions in the win. Ausuma has 10 catches for 150 yards and a touchdown, while Gunner has 9 for 110 yards and Maillet, 4 for 68 yards.

Patterson’s defense also has played well recently.

“We have a young defense but they have played pretty well all season,” Minton said. “After we gave up 66 (points) to East Ascension, people got down on us, but East Ascension has one of the best offenses in the state.”

The defense held Vandebilt (3-1) to just 7 first downs and 222 total yards (156 passing and 66 rushing). 

Gunner, Nehemiah Augustus and Jerome Jennings all had sacks, while Shea Ragas and Shelby Lavergne had interceptions. Larry Turner also had a fumble recovery for the ’Jacks.

Linebackers Taylor Harris and Malik Bass have been good against the run, while Earl Johnson and Matt Tregle lead the front-seven. Augustus, a rush linebacker, has put pressure on the quarterback all season.

Westlake (2-2) beat Kinder, 18-15, Friday. Patterson and Westlake, a Class 3A squad, have a history as the teams have met three times in the playoffs.

“They beat us in the semifinals in 2007 and again in the second round in 2008,” Minton said. “But we beat them in the first round in 2009. They’re a strong program.”

The Rams are led by 6-foot-5, 220 pound wide receiver Jacory Washington, an LSU commit.

“They try to get the ball to him,” Minton said. “He’s their biggest offensive threat, but they also have a good running back that we must account for in different formations.”

Kickoff is 7 p.m.