De La Salle Survives Wildcats Comeback Attempt
St. James’ Shamar Smith accounted for three touchdowns in a loss to De La Salle Friday night.
SPORTS SCENE PHOTO/Kenneth Coco
By Lyall Boudreaux
De La Salle held off a late comeback by St. James in holding on to win 21-19 last Friday night in District 10-3A play at Wildcat Stadium in Vacherie.
Kendall Collins, Jr. rushed for three touchdowns as the Cavaliers built a 21-6 lead after three quarters.
St. James (5-3, 2-1) began their comeback bid with under three minutes to play when a bad snap over the punters head set up the Wildcats at the visitors 25-yard line.
The Wildcats needed only five plays to cut into the lead when quarterback Shamar Smith hooked up with Tyshione Williams on a 9-yard touchdown with 1:17 remaining. Alex Mahler made it a one possession game at 21-13 with his extra-point kick.
St. James had another chance when teammates Lamon Lewis and Zachary Folse combined to recover the ensuing onside kick at the De La Salle 37-yard line.
After two completions moved the Wildcats within striking distance, Smith scrambled and hurdled over a defender on a 5-yard touchdown run to pull the Wildcats within a two-point conversation to tie the game with 15 seconds to play.
Smith’s pass on the two-point try to Logan Gravois fell incomplete and the Cavaliers recovered the following onside kick to preserve the two-point win.
De La Salle (5-2, 3-0) took the lead on the opening possession of the game scoring on a 16-yard run by Collins, Jr. to grab a 7-0 lead after Blake Giacone’s extra point kick.
St. James answered in the second quarter on Smith’s 60-yard touchdown pass to Gravois but a failed extra point kick by Mahler left the home team down 7-6.
Collins, Jr. added touchdown runs of 33 and 41-yards setting the stage for the Wildcats dramatic comeback attempt in the game’s final minutes.
Smith finished 15 of 35 passing for 219 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also rushed for 75 yards and a touchdown.
St. James will host Lusher Charter this Friday night in their annual homecoming game at Wildcat Stadium.
De La Salle 21, St. James 19
| Team |
DLS |
SJHS |
| First Downs |
12 |
17 |
| Yards Rushing |
230 |
117 |
| Yards Passing |
32 |
219 |
| Passes (C-A-HI) |
3-10-1 |
15-35-1 |
| Punts-avg. |
6-42.3 |
4-42.3 |
| Fumbles-lost |
1-1 |
1-1 |
| Penalties-yards |
9-62 |
7-50 |
De La Salle 7 7 7 0-21
St. James 0 6 0 13-19
DLS: Kendall Collins 16 run (Blake Giacone kick)
SJHS: Logan Gravois 60 pass from Shamar Smith (kick failed)
DLS: Collins 33 run (Giacone kick)
DLS: Collins 41 run (Giacone kick)
SJHS: Tyshione Williams 9 pass from Smith (Alex Mahler kick)
SJHS: Smith 5 run (pass failed)
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