Kaplan routs short-handed Patterson for District 8-3A crown

Shorthanded Patterson took it on the chin in the regular-season finale Friday falling, 56-16 to Kaplan at Patterson High School in the District 8-3A championship.
Patterson (6-4, 4-1 District 7-3A) was without its two big offensive weapons, Dontre Nicholas and Dajon Richard.
“It’s a bad thing moral wise, because the players lean on them and they were not out there,” Patterson Coach Ryan Stewart said. “Whatever happened, we got out (played physically) tonight, and I blamed myself for not getting these kids ready to play. That was on me.
“Defensively, we got to come up with something better than what we did tonight,” Stewart added. “I’ve got to get in there when we see a Wing-T team again. This (game) goes away tomorrow and we turn our attention to the playoffs.”
Nicholas is the team’s leading rusher with 168 carries for 979 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Richard has carried 118 times for 817 yards and seven scores.
Despite their absence, Patterson got off to a fast start Friday behind the running of Jaymioun Butler. The junior had been a backup running back before starting Friday.
Butler and backfield mate Allen Langston were the lone bright spots in the game for Patterson. Butler led the rushing attack, carrying 10 times for 131 including a 57-yard touchdown. Langston had 11 carries for 61 yards and a touchdown Friday.
Kicker Bryce Daigle opened the Lumberjacks’ scoring, converting a 25-yard field goal to cap a seven-play drive for a 3-0 Patterson lead with 8:52 remaining in the first quarter.
Kaplan (7-3, 5-0), the district champ, answered with touchdown on a 4-yard run by running back Braylon Romero with 3:38 remaining in the first quarter. The Pirates missed the point-after attempt but took a 6-3 lead.
Butler jetted 57-yards untouched for a Patterson touchdown on the next series to give the ‘Jacks’ a 9-6 lead after the point-after attempt failed.
In the second half, Kaplan’s ground game began to dominate on the ground. The Pirates’ standout duo of Mac Thibeaux and Braylon Romero both went over 100-yards. Thibeaux carried 16 times for 204 yards and two touchdowns, while Romero carried 18 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns.
Romero scored on a 10-yarder to open the second quarter at the 9:45 mark, and Thibeaux added a 26-yarder at the 7:29 mark to extend Kaplan’s lead to 20-9.
After a Patterson interception, Romero scored again on a 6-yard run to push Kaplan’s lead to 28-9 with 4:12 remaining in the first half. Kaplan capped the quarter with an 8-yard pass from quarterback Trae Case to tight end Quinton Cobb with 39 seconds left. Kaplan took a 35-9 lead into the halftime and continued to overpower Patterson for a 56-16 win.
Kaplan had 368 yards (350 yards rushing) and (18 yards passing).
The district champs got a No. 5 seed in the Class 3A playoffs and will host No. 28 KIPP Renaissance High School.
Patterson finished Friday with 177 yards (131 yards rushing) and (46 yards passing).
Quarterback Randy Paul Jr. completed 8 of 14 passing for 46 yards with two interceptions.
Butler was also the top receiver Friday with five receptions for 22 yards, while Kia Schexnayder had two receptions for 16 yards and Irving Celestine, a catch for 8 yards.
Patterson, the No. 21 seed in the Class 3A playoffs, will travel to No.12 seed Iota (8-2) Friday.