Punter Garrad Lodrigues comes up big with interception return, 50 plus yard punt average

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

JONESBORO– In Jackson last Friday, St. Charles crashed the 2A playoff run of the Tigers with a 48-6 win that confirmed SCC as the gritty, defensive, 10-2 squad that it is.

Forcing six turnovers from the Tigers the Comet defense held Jonesboro-Hodge to 121 total yards and a single score. St. Charles would need just their first score, which came on an 8-yard interception return for a touchdown by Garrett Lodrigues after he had pinned them at their own goal line with a punt. The touchdown gave SCC a lead that never changed hands.

Jonesboro-Hodge did make an effort to keep it within range with a kick return for a touchdown on the ensuing possession, but their conversion failed for a 7-6 score. St. Charles added a pair of TD rushes by running back Chris Jones and a Sutton-to-Chase Fletcher 23-yard connection to go into halftime 28-6.

The second half was much the same as Sutton hit Casey Robottom on a reception that covered 50 yards, and Matthew Walters and Jonathan Cancienne added a pair of short runs for the 48-6 final.

The stats reflected the score as the Comets posted 133 rushing and 96 passing while limiting Jonesboro-Hodge to 24 yards in the air and 97 on the ground. SCC held Charles Scott, and SLU commitment, to 72 yards on 26 carries.

St. Charles now has a chance to play in the title game when they host top-seeded Sterlington (12-1) this Friday. The winner here will advance to see the winner of the Ouichita versus Curtis game.