Patterson defeats Morgan City, 27-12

Patterson used big plays to upend Morgan City 27-12 in the finale of the Taco Bell/KFC St. Mary Parish Football Jamboree Friday at Tiger Stadium.
Patterson took the opening drive and marched down the field on a seven-play, 69-yard series that quarterback Sirbatian Charles capped with a 1-yard run at 12:15. Christian Soria’s kick failed.
After Morgan City’s drive stalled, Patterson got two big plays from Charles, a 23-yard run and 32-yard pass to Daylon Charlot, to set up a first-and-goal at the Morgan City 10-yard line.
Tristen Ausama’s fumble pushed the Lumberjacks back to the 24-yard line, but Patterson regrouped and Charles tossed a 15-yard touchdown to Mykel Jones at 7:22. Patterson’s two-point-conversion run failed, but the ’Jacks led 12-0.
Charles was 5-for-5 passing for 151 yards and two touchdowns in the contest. He also ran for two scores.
“I thought we were productive on offense to a certain extent, but we have some things to clean up penalty wise,” Patterson head coach Chad Blanchard said. “We put ourselves in second- and third- and longs, and I’m not taking anything from them (Morgan City). They’re a good football team, and they will win some games.”
Morgan City had another terrible offensive series with just one positive play before punting.
However, Jones muffed Jaylen Jones’ punt, and Taaj Daniels made an outstanding leaping recovery for the Tigers.
Patterson’s defense held, but Morgan City decided to go on fourth-and-three from the 33-yard line. Morgan City sophomore quarterback Hector Tolento used a hard-count to pull Patterson off sides for a first-down.
Senior running back Kevon Marsh carried four straight times, and the Tigers were aided by a facemask penalty to set up a first-and-goal at the 1-yard line. Jones, now at quarterback, darted in for a 1-yard score with no time on the first-half clock. Mario Sanchez’s kick failed, so Patterson took a 12-6 lead into halftime.
The game turned on Morgan City’s opening possession of the second half. On third-and-seven from its 17-yard line, Morgan City nailed a misdirection play that left Jaylen Jones wide open, but Tolento’s pass went off his fingertips.
Tolento was 1-for-4 passing for 8 yards and a touchdown. Jones also had a completion for 60 yards to Makye Richard.
Morgan City punted, and two plays later, Patterson was in the end zone again. Ausama broke a 36-yard run, and Charles picked up the last 10 on a beautiful quarterback keeper. Charles hit Nehemiah Augustus for a two-point conversion and a 20-6 lead with 13:17 remaining.
Marsh and Jacolbi Francois continued to run the ball well, but Patterson’s defense continued to make key stops. Linebackers Augustus and John Davis both had several tackles for the ’Jacks.
“Because of the offense Morgan City runs, Nehemiah and John were in position to make plays and they did,” Blanchard said. “They had great spring camps, and they have been real productive defensive players for us and we expect that from them.”
Earl Johnson sacked Tolento to end Morgan City’s next possession, and Patterson put the game away.
On third-and-18 from their 12-yard line, Charles found Mykel Jones streaking down the sideline for an 88-yard touchdown with 6:16 remaining in the game. Soria added the kick for a 27-6 Patterson lead. Jones had two catches for 103 yards and two scores.
“We played pretty well, but we made some key mistakes that they made us pay for,” Morgan City head coach Scott Tregle said. “We blew a coverage on that long pass, and you can’t do that against a talented team like Patterson.”
Morgan City added a late touchdown when Tolento connected with Jones for an 8-yard score with 4 seconds left. Sanchez’s kick failed.
“Our kids didn’t give up, and we held the ball,” Tregle said. “We scored on them twice, which is a big accomplishment because we’re real young up front on offense.”
Morgan City will host White Castle in its season opener Friday, while Patterson will welcome Brother Martin Friday at home.