Patterson, Berwick to meet Thursday

Berwick and Patterson are playing for more than a local rivalry in Thursday’s District 8-3A game at the Sugar Dome in Patterson.
Patterson (3-2, 1-0) has recovered from an 0-2 start, running off three consecutive wins.
The Lumberjacks opened district play Friday with a 44-24 win against Kaplan.
Patterson blew the game open with a 23-point third quarter. Patterson scored touchdowns on two consecutive drives to distance themselves from the Pirates, who could never get any closer than two scores the remainder of the way.
“Offensively, I think we played really well,” Patterson Coach Chad Blanchard said. “We executed well in both phases, passing and running.”
Quarterback Sirbatian Charles led the way, completing 14-of-16 passes for 225 yards with four touchdowns. He also rushed 11 times for 76 yards and two scores. The senior has completed 59-of-92 passes for 867 yards with 10 touchdowns and two interceptions, and he’s carried 70 times for 333 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Running back Tristen Ausama also carried seven times for 72 yards Friday. Ausama leads the team with 75 carries for 352 yards and six touchdowns. D.J. Jones also has carried 18 times for 138 yards and two scores.
Nehemiah Augustus led the receivers with four catches for 107 yards and a touchdown. The “Menace” has 16 catches for 284 yards and two scores this season.
Patterson’s passing game also got a shot in the arm with the return of standout Mykel Jones from injury. Jones had four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in his first action of his senior year.
“We just need to play our game and execute offensively to have success,” Blanchard said.
Patterson’s offense was balanced Friday with 437 yards (212 yards rushing, 225 yards passing).
The second-year coach wasn’t happy with the ’Jacks’ special teams play. Kaplan returned a kickoff 82 yards to the Patterson 1-yard line and then scored on the next play.
“We had a big special teams bust, and we worked on that the last two days in practice,” Blanchard said. “We have to get better in that area. A bust like that can cost you (a) game.”
Berwick (2-3, 1-1) had a disappointing showing Friday in a 40-14 home loss to Erath.
The Panthers trailed 12-7 at halftime, but the Bobcats came out on fire in the third quarter.
Erath standout running back Elijah Mitchell got going with a 39-yard scoring run with 9:46 remaining in the quarter, and he added two short touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters. Mitchell had 129 yards and three touchdowns, while Scott Moore had 139 yards rushing, including an 86-yard touchdown. Erath had 370 yards rushing and more than 500 total yards.
“I told the kids that we had to (put) it behind us,” Berwick Coach Craig Brodie said. “We played well in the first half, but the game got away from us in the second half.”
Berwick’s offense struggled with 230 total yards (97 yards rushing, 133 yards passing).
“We have to limit our mistakes against Patterson, and when we get in the red zone, we have to score. We had two blank trips there Friday, and that really hurt us,” Brodie said. “We know we have our hands full with Patterson’s speed. They have a great quarterback, running back and wide receivers, so we have to score when we have the opportunity.”
Quarterback Collin Louviere led Berwick Friday, completing 8-of-23 passes for 109 yards and a score as well as an interception. He also carried 17 times for 80 yards and a touchdown.
The sophomore has completed 33-of-76 passes for 553 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions this season. He also has carried 62 times for 254 yards and two scores to lead the team.
“We had to simplify what we do this week because Patterson brings a lot of pressure, and we’ve had trouble against pressure defenses,” Brodie said. “They want to take away the run and make you one dimensional so they can turn up their pressure.”
Berwick standout receiver Audwin Williams was held without a catch Friday. Williams leads the Tri-City area with 22 catches for 415 yards and six touchdowns.
Sophomore standout Kenan Jones had a good game Friday, catching five passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Jones has 12 catches for 254 yards and two scores this season.
“They have a good, young quarterback and two special receivers on the outside,” Blanchard said. “We’ve worked on some things this week to try to take them away.”
Both teams are also in the mix for playoff spots.
“We’ve got five games left, and while we will have our hands full with Patterson, if we can win two or three games, I think we will get in,” Brodie said. “So our team goal is still out there for us.”
Patterson has been a regular in the playoffs and has reached the quarterfinals the last two seasons.
Thursday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.