CCHS will host Ascension Catholic Thursday

In its first two games of the regular season, Central Catholic has faced offensives that like to run the football.
This week, they will get their look at their first opponent who likes to throw much more, as the Eagles welcome Ascension Catholic and their spread offense to Morgan City for a 7 p.m. matchup Thursday.
While in last week’s win against Opelousas Catholic, the Vikings threw more than the Eagle’s week 1 opponent St. John, Central Catholic coach Tommy Minton said from the tape they have watched on them, Ascension Catholic throws as much as it runs.
While Ascension Catholic reached or topped the 50-point plateau in its jamboree win against Houma Christian and in its season opener against Catholic-Pointe Coupee, the Ascension Catholic offense cooled considerably in its 40-14 loss to Dunham last week.
In the loss, Ascension Catholic turned the ball over four times — according to The Baton Rouge Advocate — while Minton also noted that the team’s starting quarterback, Daniel Mattingly, didn’t play a week ago.
Minton said he expects the signal caller to take the field against the Eagles this week.
A week ago, Central Catholic made big plays on offense and defense in its win against Opelousas Catholic.
Stefano Guarisco provided most of the highlights on offense as he returned the opening kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown, rushed 36 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns and caught two passes for 67 yards and another score.
Defensively, the Eagles stopped two late fourth-down stops by the Vikings as they were trying to rally.
“I thought it was one of those games on your schedule that you look to that you’re playing a really quality opponent,” Minton said. “We tried to impress that upon our kids, and they did step up to the plate and answer the challenge.”
This season, Guarisco has rushed 64 times for 549 yards and seven scores, while he has caught three passes for 73 yards and another touchdown.
Through the air, Blake Byrne has completed 9 of 20 passes for 128 yards and one touchdown and interception apiece for the Eagles, while Jalen Johnson leads the Eagles receivers with three catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Central Catholic is averaging nearly 400 yards of offense a game, nearly 300 of that on the ground.
Defensively, Central Catholic has surrendered an average of 271 yards a game.
As for Ascension Catholic, Minton said they have some big-play skill guys to watch out for.
“We gotta be ready, and the No. 1 thing is we gotta tackle,” he said.
Minton said the Bulldogs feature Kaleb Winchester, a senior who stands just 5 feet, 3-inches and weighs 135 pounds. Minton said the Bulldogs use him in multiple ways, including at slot receiver and running back.
“He is quick, quick, quick, and we’re going to have to definitely tackle him,” Minton said.
Also, Javon Yarbrough, who played quarterback for the squad a week ago, is a wide receiver and running back for the team who also can make big plays.
“Those two kids, we got to account for them wherever they’re at,” Minton said.
While Minton said Ascension Catholic mostly runs out of the spread formation, he said they will use some two-back looks, too.
On defense for Central Catholic, Minton said he wants to see his defensive line elevate its play and dominate in the trenches this week.
“I think that’s an area where we have a big advantage, but I want to see us assert that advantage,” he said.
On defense for the Bulldogs, they run a 3-3 stack
“They like to bring some pressure out of that 3-3 stack, with some blitzing with the linebackers,” he said.