When University High opened its season, the Cubs were still uncertain who would be their starting quarterback.
The competition began in the spring, carried over into the summer and into fall camp where junior BLAKE ABNEY ultimately won the job and has gone on to enjoy a banner season.
Abney’s progress continued with undefeated and No. 1 ranked U-High visiting West Feliciana where he accounted for 308 total yards and five touchdowns, leading the Cubs to a 55-28 victory and a share of the District 7-3A championship.
For his efforts Abney was selected the Tiger Rag Magazine/Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Health Shining Star of the Week.
“Blake’s been very consistent for us,” U-High football coach Andy Martin said. “He came out of that (quarterback) competition and since then has really settled in and been steady for us. Every game’s he does what we’ve asked him to do.”
Abney guided U-High to an early 21-0 lead in the second quarter before settling for a 28-7 halftime advantage.
The Cubs had to dig a little deeper in the second half, leading 28-21, when Abney overcame an interception with a pair of touchdown drives to help the Cubs regain control of the game.
Abney completed 17 of 27 passes for 287 yards and 4 touchdowns, two of which went to wide receiver EDAN STAGG (5-107), to go along with a rushing TD.
“After that point (interception) he was right on target the rest of the time,” Martin said. “It was very good to see. There’s going to be ups and downs in a game and you want to see how your team’s going to respond to it and I thought he responded in a great way.”
OFFENSE
D’WANYE WINFIELD, Lutcher, (Accounted for 385 yards, 309 rushing, 76 passing, 6 TDs), ZAE TEASETT, Scotlandville, (Accounted for 362 yards, 337 passing, 25 rushing, 3 TDs), ELI HOLSTEIN, Zachary, (Accounted for 297 yards, 196 passing, 101 rushing, 3 TDs), KHYLAN GROSS, Liberty, (Accounted for 275 yards, 224 passing, 51 rushing, 2 TDs), RICKIE COLLINS, Woodlawn, (Accounted for 234 yards, 198 passing, 46 rushing, 3 TDs), CHANCE WILLIAMS, Scotlandville, (Accounted for 239 yards, 179 rushing, 60 receiving, 3 TDs), CONNOR WISHAM, Zachary, (Accounted for 235 yards, 215 rushing, 20 receiving, 2 TDs), HAYDEN HAND, Dunham, (Completed 10 of 15 passes, 230 yards, 3 TDs), COLE POIRRIER, St. Amant, (Accounted for 223 yards, 178 passing, 45 rushing, TD), MICHAEL MITCHELL, Plaquemine, (Accounted for 209 yards, 116 rushing, 93 passing, 3 TDs), BRYCE LEONARD, Ascension Catholic, (Completed 9 of 13 passes, 198 yards, 2 TDs), KALEB JACKSON, Liberty, (Rushed 19 times, 169 yards, TD), AMANI GIVENS, Woodlawn, (Rushed 22 times, 161 yards, 3 TDs), LEWIS WARD, Episcopal, (Completed 12 of 14 passes, 159 yards, 2 TDs), MARLON GUNN, Scotlandville, (Accounted for 149 yards, 129 rushing, 20 receiving, 3 TDs), ABROM JOHNSTON, Parkview Baptist, (Accounted for 145 yards, 102 passing, 32 rushing, 2 TDs), CAM KELLY, Denham Springs, (19 carries, 126 yards, TD), GLEN CAGE, Central, (20 rushes, 121 yards, TD), KALANTE WILSON, Dunham, (18 rushes, 120 yards, TD), NICHOLAS JOHNSON, St. Michael, (13 rushes, 118 yards, TD), LANDON SZUBINSKIN, Ascension Catholic, (Rushed 7 times, 117 yards, 2 TDs), NOAH LOQUE, St. Amant, (7 catches, 114 yards), BAYLOR LANGLOIS, Dutchtown, (5 catches, 111 yards), JOHN HUBBARD, Scotlandville, (6 catches, 100 yards, TD), BRIAN BECK, University, (Rushed 15 times, 93 yards, TD).
DEFENSE
DAVID CRESSON, Episcopal, (14 tackles), LANDON SZUBINSKIN, Ascension Catholic, (14 tackles), TRAVIS CEDATOL, Ascension Catholic, (13 tackles), PATRICK CANCIENNE, Ascension Catholic, (11 tackles), RICHARD McKNEELY, Liberty, (9 tackles, sack) THOMAS NIZZO, Ascension Catholic, (9 tackles), TAGG NEWTON, Episcopal, (8 tackles, fumble recovery), MATT WEINER, Dunham, (8 tackles), PENA ALBERT, Dunham, (8 tackles, 1 TFL), JERMAINE VESSEL, Catholic, (8 tackles, 2 TFLs), BENJI GORDON, Catholic, (7 tackles), JORDAN OKYE, Liberty, (7 tackles, interception), AMARE BRADLEY, Liberty, (7 tackles), KAMERON HAMILTON, Zachary, (6 tackles, sack), LESTER JONES, Liberty, (6 tackles, 3 TFLs), COLIN BONAVENTURE, St. Michael, (6 tackles, 1 TFL), BRYSON MORGAN, Liberty, (6 tackles), RILEY HOWARD, Zachary, (5 tackles, forced fumble), TA’SHON NELSON, Zachary, (5 tackles), MALACHI JACKSON, Dunham, (3 TFLs, 1 sack).
SPECIAL TEAMS
TYLER HART, Denham Springs, (Punted 4 times, 44-yard average with long of 59), NOAH DETILLIER, Lutcher, (7-7 on PATs, 3 touchbacks, 1 punt for 50 yards).
This is great! Thanks Tiger Rag and OLOL!
That’s fantastic! Congratulations Blake!