Patterson opens district at No. 7 Kaplan Friday

Patterson seeks offensive balance Friday when the Lumberjacks open District 8-3A play at unbeaten Kaplan.
The Lumberjacks’ furious fourth-quarter comeback came up just short last week in a 28-26 non-district loss to Ellender.
But, the ’Jacks’ offense broke a two-game scoreless streak and rolled up more than 400 yards of total offense.
“We have to be balanced on offense again this week,” Patterson Coach Marvin Dantzler said. “They will give us things to exploit in their scheme, but it’s up to us to execute.”
Hector Tolento was 6 of 13 passing for 127 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions in his first action this season. Tolento’s top target was senior Jordan Butler. He had three receptions for 90 yards and a score. Butler has 10 catches for 217 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Patterson (0-4, 0-0) also had its best rushing game this season after going to split backs. Dontre Nicholas and Dajon Richard responded with 174 and 108 yards, respectively.
Quarterback Dillan Giandelone is the team’s top rusher with 43 carries for 209 yards, while Nicholas has 33 runs for 191 yards and Richard, 44 carries for 183 yards and a score.
Kaplan (4-0 overall, 1-0 in district), ranked No. 7 in the latest Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A prep poll, beat longtime Patterson rival E.D. White 34-18 last week.
The Pirates, known for running the football, out rushed E.D. White 387 to 139.
Kaplan also uses two backs, featuring senior Julius Johnson (83 carries for 437 yards and six touchdowns) and junior Mac Thibeaux (59 attempts for 522 yards and five scores).
“They can really run the football,” Dantzler said. “They run it hard, and they run it right at you. The key to the game will be what team can be more physical.”
Kaplan didn’t punt last week and only attempted one pass.
Additional reporting by The Abbeville Meridional