Patterson to host E.D. White Friday

The Patterson/E.D. White game always has been a key game in District 8-3A.
But this year, both teams have struggled.
Patterson (0-6, 0-2) lost to longtime rival Berwick, 45-32, Friday for the first time in 20 years.
Leading 14-13 at halftime, Patterson grabbed momentum by stealing the opening possession of the second half with an onside kick.
The ‘Jacks went up-tempo on the drive, which kept Berwick on its heels. Dontre Nicholas capped the six-play, 49-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown with 10:21 remaining in the third to extend Patterson’s lead to 21-13.
But, Berwick recovered Patterson’s second onside kick attempt.
The Panther’s passing game then caught fire, but Patterson made one last comeback.
Patterson recovered yet another onside kick, taking over first-and-10 at the Berwick 47 with 4:23 left in the game. On the series’ second play, quarterback Randy Paul Jr. tossed the ball to Dajon Richard on a beautifully blocked screen pass for a 32-yard score to cut Berwick’s lead to 42-35 with 4:03 left in the game.
The ’Jacks’ went to the onside-kick again, but Berwick’s Cody Roberie snagged the football out of the air for the Panthers. Berwick ran out the clock for the historic win.
Hector Tolento was 13 of 27 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Randy Paul completed 6 of 9 passes for 82 yards and two touchdowns. For the season, Tolento has completed 32 of 67 passes for 455 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, while Paul has completed 6 of 10 passes for 82 yards and two scores.
Standout receiver Jordan Butler led Patterson’s pass-catchers with five receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown last week. Butler leads the team in receiving this season with 21 receptions for 422 yards and four touchdowns.
Dontre Nicholas was the team’s leading rusher with 31 carries for 188 yards and a touchdown last week. It was his fourth straight 100-yard game after moving over from defense. This season, he has carried the football 90 times for 523 yards and two touchdowns.
“We just couldn’t stop them, we couldn’t get off the field when we needed to,” Patterson’s first-year coach Marvin Dantzler said after last week’s loss. “We scored 35 points, the most we’ve scored all year, but they continued to answer.”
Patterson averages just 15.5 points per game and has been shut out twice this year.
“We just have to pick our heads up,” Dantzler said last week. “It’s a young team, but we’re fighting. I’m not going to make any excuses. We just have to keep chopping. Football mirrors life, and this will teach these kids to never give up on the field or in life. This is the time to support the kids, not encourage them to quit. ”
E.D. White (2-4, 1-1) has won consecutive games, including a 59-0 victory against Thomas Jefferson last Friday. The Cardinals scored 39 third-quarter points, while holding Thomas Jefferson to 120 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Hunter Tabor leads the offense, competing 17 of 34 passes for 253 yards with four touchdowns and five interceptions.
However, it’s running backs Brandon Legendre and Michael Clement who have done the heavy lifting for the offense. Legendre has carried 49 times for 437 yards and three touchdowns, while Clement has carried 35 times for 366 yards and three scores. Hayden Tortorich and Nik Shanklin also have rushed for 315 and 283 yards, respectively.
The Cardinals’ top receiver is Ben Eichler with nine catches for 109 yards and three touchdowns, while Blaze Mims has six catches for 107 yards and two scores.
E.D. White is averaging 29.5 points per game after scoring 42 and 59 points, respectively, during its two-game win streak.
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Sugar Dome.
Additional reporting by www.bayoupreps.com