Patterson opens season at Central Lafourche

Patterson opens the season playing up in classification Friday at Trojan Stadium in Mathews against Central Lafourche.
Class 5A’s Central Lafourche beat Brusly 18-0 in jamboree action last week. Standout Anfernee Poindexter, a Nicholls State commitment, had an 80-yard interception return for a touchdown and scored on a 10-yard run last week, according to The Houma Courier.
“They are a spread team, but they run old-school powers and traps in the run game,” Patterson coach Chad Blanchard said. “They like to run out different one-back sets. They did a good job of consistently moving the ball against Brusly, and 18 points is pretty good in a jamboree game. They also have a good young receiver, so they have some offensive talent.”
Blanchard, however, thinks the ’Jacks’ defense matches up well with the Trojans.
“If our defensive line and linebackers can shut down the run, then I feel we can out-athlete them at some positions,” he said.
Patterson’s offense started fast in jamboree play last week but was held scoreless in the second half. The ’Jacks had to hold on to beat Morgan City, 13-12.
Patterson took the early lead on a nine-play, 65-yard drive on its first possession of the game. Quarterback Sirbatian Charles dove in for a 1-yard touchdown, and Christian Soria added the kick for a 7-0 lead with 5:17 remaining in the opening quarter.
Patterson’s quick-strike offense added another score when Charles hit D.J. Jones on a 66-yard touchdown pass with 1:42 left in the first quarter.
Patterson led 13-6 at the half.
“Offensively, we need more consistency, to play within ourselves and not try to do too much,” Blanchard said. “We had a few things to work on this week, and the kids responded well.”
Standout running back Tristen Ausama was in and out of last week’s jamboree with a noticeable limp.
“He had a little ankle (injury), but he’s good to go,” Blanchard said.
The senior rushed more than 1,300 yards last season with 20 touchdowns.
“He’s an important part of what we do offensively,” Blanchard said earlier this preseason. “Tristen is not only a good outside runner but he runs well between the tackles, too.”
Patterson’s offensive also missed two big-play receivers, Mykel Jones and Shay Ragas, both out with injuries. Jones, a 6-foot, 180-pound prospect, is rated the No. 32 receiver and the No. 184 overall player in the country, per the 247Sports Composite. Jones recently released his top four schools, Alabama, LSU, Tennessee and Ole Miss, in no specific order.
He had 35 catches for 622 yards and 9 scores last year.
Ragas started alongside Jones and Alabama freshman Daylon Charlot last season. He also was an all-district defensive back.
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.