Tigers score 4 times in scrimmage with Panthers

The Morgan City Tigers scored four touchdowns to Berwick’s two in scrimmage action Friday that included a lightning delay early on during action at Geisler Stadium.
While Berwick started the scrimmage with a quick drive capped by a short run by senior quarterback Jeremy Boudreaux, the scrimmage then was halted due to lightning.
“I was very happy with the way we competed,” Berwick coach Craig Brodie said. “We came out of the gate and drove down the field and scored on the first drive and then the lightning hit and it slowed down the momentum, but you got to be careful.”
The delay prompted an alteration of the game plan on the number of plays.
“First-team wise we’re still young, made a lot of mistakes, missed some blocks, missed some tackles on defense,” Morgan City coach Scott Tregle said. “We got to get better tackling. They had some good runners, but we’re going to face some guys that are good coming up on this jamboree, that’s for sure. We just got to get better every week. That’s my focus, to get better every week, and by the end of the season, be a much better football team.”
During second-team action, Berwick had several nice runs by senior quarterback Braden Billiot, sophomore D.J. Robicheaux and senior Draylan West. West had a big run to end the second-team action.
Brodie said with Berwick’s second team quarterback, Cameron Wiley, out with an injury, Billiot started working at quarterback this week.
“I thought he did a great job,” Brodie said. “If something ever happens to Jeremy, I feel confident with him in there.”
Early in Morgan City’s first series, senior running back Kevon Marsh busted a long run for a touchdown for the Tigers.
Also during Morgan City’s first series, sophomore quarterback Hector Tolento completed passes to senior wide receiver Jaylen Jones, including a long completion with Tolento under pressure.
“Hector’s improving on his offensive skills,” Tregle said. “Him and Abram (Hartley have) been battling it out for the No. 1 spot. Hector just has a little more arm strength where he can get the ball to our playmakers.”
While Morgan City moved to the 5-yard line on its first series, the drive stalled on the last play on a fumbled snap.
In second-team action for the Tigers, while the Panthers dominated for much of the time on defense in the run-game, Morgan City sophomore Ethan Scioneaux broke a long run for a touchdown. The Berwick special teams’ unit blocked the extra point.
In the third-string action, Hartley, a junior, completed a pass to freshman Logan Tingle for a big gain, while sophomore Malik Phillips reeled off a big gain to the Berwick 19-yard line.
In the second half, Morgan City scored a touchdown on Scioneaux’s 16-yard run on first-team action, which was set up by a long run by Marsh on the first play of the drive down to the Berwick 20-yard line.
In the live action, Morgan City got excellent field position as Berwick couldn’t get a good punt off, giving Morgan City the ball near midfield.
However, Berwick’s defense stiffened, including a fourth-down stop by senior Zachary Dupuy to thwart Morgan City’s drive.
“We should have capitalized on that block punt,” Tregle said.
Brodie said the fourth-down stop was a good moment for the Panthers.
“Defensively, we haven’t been the best around here, and we gave up a lot of points over the last few years,” Brodie said. “To do that is very encouraging.”
Berwick began an impressive drive to end the game, moving all the way down field with nice runs by senior Justin Morvant, Boudreaux and senior Marquis Rogers, who picked up a fumble well behind the line of scrimmage on a busted play and was able to gain a first down.
The drive ended when Boudreaux connected with freshman Kenan Jones for a touchdown.
“Kenan’s a special player, and we’re trying to work him slowly in,” Brodie said. “He’s still in ninth grade but he is a special player.”
Berwick and Morgan City will return to action this week when both participate in the Morgan City High School Jamboree, which will be held at Tiger Stadium Friday. Berwick will face Covenant Christian at 6 p.m., while Morgan City will square off with Patterson in the nightcap.