Patterson hosts home opener against Ellender

Patterson hopes the momentum from last week’s heart-pounding 42-41 win against Catholic High-New Iberia carries over into Friday’s home opener against Ellender.
“The kids kept competing when they could’ve given up when we went down 14 (points) twice, and they didn’t,” Patterson Coach Chad Blanchard said. “I think the kids used it (the comeback) to inspire them. We had a really good week of practice.”
Friday’s win broke a three-game losing streak for Patterson, dating back to last season’s Class 3A quarterfinal loss to North Webster.
Patterson quarterback Sirbatian Charles practically willed the ’Jacks to victory against Catholic High, completing 15 of 23 passes for 211 yards with two touchdowns while rushing 17 times for 157 yards.
“He’s been doing stuff like that since he got here,” Blanchard said after the game. “He got us out of some bad situations. It gets to a point that we expect it out of him. I’m happy for him, he’s a good kid.”
Charles has completed 37 of 62 passes for 534 yards with four touchdowns and one interception this season.
He also has 48 carries for 133 yards this season.
“We need him to do what he’s doing,” Blanchard said. “He’s one of our top offensive weapons. A lot of his runs are not scrambles but called runs. It’s something we’re pretty sure we will have success with, and we’re getting better upfront, too.”
The Lumberjacks had their best rushing game of the season Friday. On top of Charles’ 157 yards, D.J. Jones carried three times for 65 yards with two scores, while Tristen Ausama had 17 carries for 54 yards and two touchdowns. Ausama leads the squad with 47 carries for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
Patterson (1-2) also had four receivers with at least three receptions. Jones had three catches for 68 yards, Nehemiah Augustus had four catches for 58 yards while Brennan Gouaux had three catches for 36 yards and a touchdown. Ausama had four receptions for 20 yards.
Jordan Butler also had a 29-yard touchdown reception.
Augustus leads the squad with 11 catches for 168 yards and a touchdown this season, while Gouaux has six receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns. D.J. Jones also has 10 receptions for 138 yards.
Ellender (1-2) beat Bonnabel 34-7 last week. The Patriots are a spread team that looks for big plays downfield.
“They have some real playmakers at outside,” Blanchard said. “They throw it a lot more than they run it. When they’ve had success, it’s because their receivers have been able to make those big plays downfield. They have good size and speed out there. But when they do run the football, they’re pretty good at it because they’re huge upfront.”
Despite last week’s shootout where the ’Jacks’ defense surrendered more than 400 yards, the defense has played well.
“We have to match up with their athletes outside, but we also have to get some pressure on the quarterback to help our young DBs while still stopping the run,” Blanchard said. “We’ll have our work cut out for us.”
The top players for Ellender, according to the Houma Courier, are quarterback/defensive back Curtis Andersen, wide receiver Richard Green and running back Reginald Williams.
Patterson, however, is just happy to be at home in the Sugar Dome. The ’Jacks haven’t played at home since the second-round of the playoffs last season.
“I know the kids are excited and the community, too,” Blanchard said. “I think we’ll have a big, loud crowd out there Friday.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.