Northshore’s defense was as stiff as the wind Thursday night at Joe Yenni Stadium in Metairie as the Panthers opened the 2008 prep football season with a 15-0 shutout of East Jefferson.

Last week’s scheduled opener against Salmen was cancelled due to Hurricane Gustav.

The Class 5A Panthers limited the Class 4A Warriors to just 66 total yards of offense while garnering 232 yards of its own. East Jeff also recorded just three first downs, while the Panthers had 14. At the half, East Jefferson had 44 total yards and gained 22 in the second half.

Jervious Epherson

“The defense was my biggest concern coming into the game tonight,” said Northshore coach Mike Bourg. “Our offense needs to take advantage of opportunities when the defense gives you great field position. We should have put some more points on the board capitalizing on the turnovers we had.”

The first quarter saw Northshore get on the board on East Jefferson’s second possession when a host of Panther defenders stopped Warriors’ running back Anthony Holmes in the end zone to earn a safety and a 2-0 lead. On the night Holmes finished with 14 carries for a negative 10 yards.

The only Warrior that had any success running the ball was sophomore quarterback Jarred Lewis who had 11 totes for 47 yards, as well as handling the punting duties.

The Panthers padded their lead to 8-0 as junior signal caller Jervious Epherson capped off a 13-play 79-yard drive with 1:04 left in the second period with a one-yard quarterback sneak. Epherson finished the night rushing for 109 yards on 17 carries along with scoring both Northshore touchdowns. Epherson wasn’t as successful through the air however connecting on 8-of-20 pass attempts with one interception.

“Jervious can throw the ball, he just didn’t get in a groove tonight, and the wind gusting as brisk as it was also a factor in the passing game,” added Bourg.

In the third stanza, Epherson added the second touchdown of the night this one also from a yard away with less than four minutes in the quarter.

Northshore’s score was set up by senior linebacker Chris Ruiz’ fumble recovery and ramble down to the 12 yard line of East Jeff. Tyler Foltz added the extra point bringing the score to 15-0.

In the final quarter, linebacker Taylor Eads picked off a Lewis pass and returned it for an apparent touchdown, which was called back for an illegal block on the return. Eads also handled the punting chores for the Panthers on the evening.

With under a minute to play, senior half back Channing Wise, who ended the contest gaining 73 yards on 14 carries, coughed up the pigskin at the East Jefferson 15-yard line which was recovered by Sargent Huntley, but just as in the three previous quarters the Warriors could not move the ball as time expired dropping East Jefferson to 0-1 on the year.

Northshore returns home next Friday night hosting another Jefferson Parish foe, Bonnabel at 7.