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Written by Ken Trahan, President--NewOrleans.Com/Sports | Sunday, 08 November 2009 12:26 | Ken Trahan's Blog
I have had the privilege of broadcasting high school football games since 1978. Over the years, I have witnessed many tremendous football games, including John Ehret's 46-45 win over West Jefferson at Hoss Memstas Stadium in 1981, the best offensive game I have ever witnessed.
West Monroe's 34-33 overtime win over St. Augustine in 1994, also at Hoss Memstas, was another that comes to mind immediately. On Saturday, another classic was added to the list.
On the final play of the game, Rummel freshman quarterback Damien Williams connected with Russell Zimmerman on a five-yard touchdown pass to pull Archbishop Rummel within one point of Archbishop Shaw. With no time on the clock, Raiders coach Jay Roth elected to go for the win, rather than kick for the tie with a virtual sure thing in superb kicker Marc Raziano.
It was only fitting that another freshman, running back Terrance Jones, would decide the outcome in this epic battle. Jones raced to the right corner, scoring just inside of the pylon to give Rummel a thrilling 18-17 victory over Shaw to claim the 10-5A, "Catholic League" championship and completing a perfect 10-0 season for Rummel.
The win likely clinched the top-seed in the 5A state playoffs for the Raiders.
Shaw's five-game winning streak came to an end in bitter fashion as the Eagles fell to 7-3. The Eagles will still host an opening round playoff game.
With the win, Rummel claimed the valued "Megaphone," the staple of the rivalry between the two Archdiocesan schools from the East and West Banks, respectively that were born simultaneously in 1962 to serve Jefferson Parish . Their legacies are inseparable. Their coaches, best of friends since serving as assistant coaches at Shaw two decades ago, are inseparable. On this afternoon in Harvey, the two teams were virtually inseparable. If Roth had elected to kick the extra point, they may still be playing. That's how even this game was.
Rummel seized command from the opening kickoff. The Raiders drove 76 yards in seven plays with Raziano booting a 28-yard field goal to give Rummel a 3-0 lead with 8:52 to play in the opening quarter. The big play of the drive was a 40-yard pass from Williams to Zimmerman.
After forcing Shaw to punt on its first possession, the Raiders offense promptly drove 58 yards in six plays, taking 2:23 off the clock and scoring on a six-yard run by J.J. Brown toward the right sideline. Brown scored untouched to make it 10-0 Raiders with 4:29 to play in the opening quarter. Once again, the big play of the drive was a 28-yard completion from Williams to Zimmerman.
Just as Rummel dominated the opening quarter, the Eagles took over in the second quarter behind their big offensive line and the power running of Lawrence Breaud. Shaw drove 61 yards in 10 plays, taking 4:36 off the clock, scoring on a one-yard quarterback sneak by Andrew Starkey to make it 10-7 Rummel with 11:41 to play in the first half.
After getting a stop, the Eagles' offense again converted an opportunity into points, driving 52 yards in 11 plays. Mike Ledet split the uprights on a 35-yard field goal to tie the game 10-10 with 14 seconds to play in the first half.
The third quarter was played on even terms. Then came the decisive fourth quarter. It began well for the Eagles. In a text-book, ball-possession drive, Shaw took 7:57 off the clock, driving 76 yards in 16 plays, scoring on a two-yard touchdown run by Breaud to take their first lead of the game, 17-10, with 8:56 to play. It appeared that Shaw had taken control and that the Raiders' celebrated defense might be wearing down. Think again.
After the Shaw defense forced Rummel into punting from deep in their own territory, Raziano hit a 41-yard punt with no return. The Eagles offense started at their own 44-yard line with 6:28 to play. One more drive would win it for the Eagles. The Rummel defense would not allow it, forcing a three-and-out and a Shaw punt.
Rummel got the football at its own 36-yard line with 4:19 remaining. They would use every second of the clock. Williams completed three big passes on the drive. Brothers Amahad and J.J. Brown contributed key runs. Williams, pressed into action after starting quarterback Luke Cartozzo was sidelined following a blood clot in his leg and a surgical procedure, performed more like an 18-yard old than a 14-year old. On the winning touchdown pass, Zimmerman made a diving catch in dramatic fashion toward the left side of the end zone.
Then came the decision by Roth. "I never hesitated. There was no doubt that we were going for two. Our kids believe that they can execute in such situations. They have done it all season. They believe in themselves and we believe that we can perform under adversity. Raider Pride is real. It has been alive since week one this year. Our kids truly believe in it. When your backs are against the wall, you find a way to get it done. That was instilled at Rummel under Coach Perrett in the early 1970's. It is alive and well.
You saw a great football game, you here? Shaw is an outstanding football team with an outstanding head coach and coaching staff. It is always a pleasure to play against them because they are well-coached. You know that they will play the game the right way and shake hands afterwards," said Roth. "Shaw is a class program."
Adversity came in many forms for Rummel. Along with Cartozzo, star fullback Sam Barnes, tight end Garrett Leroux and senior defensive captain, linebacker Phil Helmstetter, missed the game with injuries. Senior wide receiver Corey Murphy played with an injured shoulder. Shaw was not without significant injuries, either. The Eagles played without nose guard Ian Ott and linebacker Ben Selby.
That the Raiders won it with big plays from a pair of freshmen speaks volume about the poise and preparation of the Raider football team.
This game for the ages harkened back to a 1976 game in this great rivalry. Shaw was a tremendous team, with John Fourcade at quarterback. At Joe Yenni Stadium, Shaw controlled play most of the way against Don Perret's Raiders. A Rummel assistant on that day was Easten Roth, Jay's father. Shaw led 7-0 late in the fourth quarter. Rummel scored late on a halfback pass, a double screen, with Dan Bosse completing the scoring pass to Donny Rice. Without hesitation, Parrett opted to go for the win. Guess what play was called? A halfback pass. On that afternoon, Rummel completed the pass to win 8-7 as Bosse again hit Rice for the winning points.
31 years later, another two-point conversion, on yet another halfback pass call, produced a Rummel win over Shaw, a déjà vu moment. If you live long enough, many things seem to come full-circle.
How even was it? Shaw finished with 238 yards, including 142 rushing. Rummel finished with 221 yards, achieving balance with 112 rushing and 108 passing. Williams was 11 of 17 for 108 yards and a score. Breaud was terrific, taking many huge hits, particularly from a human missile named Carvin Johnson and by linebacker Chris Randle. Johnson, who earlier this week committed to Michigan, returned a punt 69-yards for a score on a brilliant effort but the play was called back for a block in the back by Rummel. Breaud carried 37 times for 138 yards and a score. How even is the rivalry? Rummel's win was their 23rd over Shaw. Shaw has beaten Rummel 23 times. Get the picture?
It is hard to fathom a harder hitting, but clean game than this one. My broadcast partner, Dave Baudry, recalled six different plays where helmets went flying, dislodged from players' heads on vicious hits. These teams left it on the field. When it was over, Rummel had claimed the cherished "Megaphone," a precious ornament that had resided at Shaw since 2003.
In one of the best, surreal and class presentations you will ever witness in sports at any level, close friends Bairnsfather and Roth gathered their teams at mid-field, face-to-face. Roth addressed the Eagles' players, telling them how well they had played and encouraging them. Bairnsfather addressed the Raiders' players, congratulating them for a job well done. Bairnsfather, who played at Shaw in the 1980's, then handed the Megaphone to Roth, who raised it high in the air. Roth took the Megaphone with him, grasping it firmly, shouting joyfully to his players about a game to shout about. There was no shouting by Shaw and Bairnsfather, who accepted the difficult loss with dignity.
"We were disappointed with the start we had but we came back. They made a play at the end and we didn't. It was discouraging. It's time to pick up the pieces and start a new season. I thought if we could run some clock when we got the ball back that we could make a few first downs and force them back with field position, at least.
Breaud had to take the bulk of the load with rushing with Chris Current hurting with a bad ankle. He did a great job. He's very physical. He's a tough kid. Jay and I have wanted this game to be about the kids playing for the Megaphone. Let them play their hearts out. Let them decide who wins and losses. They were always very gracious and humble when they lost. Same with when they win. We are the same way. There is mutual respect." said Bairnsfather.
Shaw's motto is to "soar like Eagles." Rummel's fight song includes the lyric, "onward and upward, we're flying high. The Raiders are out for a victory, it's written in the sky." This one was written in the sky. Both teams soared on this day. This was a classic, a great game, coached by great coaches toiling for their alma maters, played by young men who played high quality football on both sides. It was the best of times and the worst of times--the best of times for a Rummel team that simply refuses to lose and the worst of times for a Shaw team that deserved not to lose.
AREA PREP FOOTBALL SCORES FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7:
Clark 26 Ben Franklin 21 (Clark 3-7, 2-5, B.F. 1-9, 0-7)
Cohen 12 McMain 7 (Cohen 4-6, 4-3, McMain 5-5, 4-3)
McDonogh 29 Carver 0 (McDonogh 6-4, 6-1, Carver 5-5, 4-3)
Rummel 18 Shaw 17 (Rummel 10-0, 4-0, Shaw 7-3, 3-1)
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