Teams victorious in Week 1 play
DUTCHTOWN — The Prairieville Middle School Panthers started their season with a victory last week.
So did the St. Amant Wildcats, Galvez Pirates and Gonzales Bulldogs.
Public middle schools in Ascension Parish began their seven-week football season last week, and they will play games each Thursday until Oct. 18.
The season actually couldn’t have started much worse for the Panthers, as they fumbled the ball at their own 6-yard line on their opening drive of the season. Two plays later, Dutchtown scored to take a 6-0 lead.
Prairieville responded immediately, as Travon Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown to tie the game. The Panthers’ defense pitched a shutout the rest of the game, and Cameron Crawford scored on a run just before halftime to give the Panthers a 12-6 victory.
“I am very pleased with our performance on Thursday,” Prairieville coach Brad Stutzman said. “I am happy to start league play with a win.”
Gonzales and Galvez both picked up big victories, with the Bulldogs beating Central, 32-0, and the Pirates knocking off Lowery 36-16. St. Amant shut out Lake, 16-0, in the league’s other game last week.
Gonzales coach Ruben Ruiz said he was particularly pleased with his team’s performance after missing out on preseason action because of Hurricane Isaac.
“I think we did a little bit better than I thought we would,” Ruiz said.
Galvez held a one-touchdown lead at the end of the first half over Lowery, coach Benny Babin said, and his players were able to fight off the heat and pull away in the second half.
“I was very proud of the kids for working hard and fighting,” Babin said. “They played well in some tough situations.”
James Regina was a standout for the Pirates, returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown and then breaking off a 50-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.