St. Paul’s, the three-time defending district champions, captured last year’s game 21-15.
SPS head coach Ken Sears made a move last week putting sophomore quarterback Alec Duncan (6-1, 175) into the starting lineup. Duncan responded completing 8-of-15 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
  
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Sears said his club piled up 530 yards of total offense last week, including a strong running game with 353 yards. Mikhail Washington rushed for a season high 134 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Josh Pereira rambled for 99 yards on eight carries. Stephon Smith contributed 93 yards on nine rushes scoring twice.
“We were more balanced, and we were able to throw the ball when we wanted to,” Sears added.
He said his defense would have to continue to play strong going against a very potent Slidell offense this week. He said his defense would be a big key, and would have to play at a high level to have an opportunity to win.
“Slidell has a really good quarterback in the Forbis kid,” Sears said. “We have to try and contain him. They have a number of good pass receivers along with plenty of running backs that he can hand it to. I was impressed watching their offensive line play on film last week against Mandeville.”
Sears described Slidell as a very dangerous offensive team. “They are capable of beating anybody in the district. As usual they are another tough team,” Sears added.
Junior defensive end Houston Bates continues his strong play leading the Wolves with 10 sacks. He has recorded 40 tackles to lead the team, including 16 individual stops.
He has nine tackles for loss. He has caused two fumbles, which were both returned by teammates for touchdowns. Senior linebacker Jordan Bodenheimer has registered 34.5 tackles with 28 being individual stops. Senior defensive cornerback Greg Blasiar is next with 33.5 tackles.
Blasiar notched six solo tackles and one assist in the Hammond victory last week.
Senior Beau Trist made a significant contribution in the Wolves’ victory picking off two passes. He has three interceptions on the season, and has broken up six passes.
Slidell second-year coach Artie Liuzza said despite last week’s three-point loss to Mandeville, he was proud of his player’s performance.
“Our players didn’t quit. We were in the game, and had a chance late. We shot ourselves in the foot,” Liuzza said.
“We play a physical brand of football. We get after it. You’ll know you have been in a game based on our physical style of play. Our defense gave a strong effort last week,” Liuzza added.
He said his defensive line did a good job last week, and the linebackers continue to improve their play.
Liuzza said St. Paul’s has a great defense.
“They have a tough front four with good linebackers and guys in the secondary who will hit you. Offensively, St. Paul’s is still a power team, but they are getting in the spread formation more this season.”
Liuzza praised the play of his senior quarterback Blake Forbis. He connected on 23-of-37 passes for 279 yards and two TDs last week.
He had one pass intercepted on a deflection. He hooked up with junior Armand Williams on a 38-yard score, and hit senior Travis Markey on a 42-yard toss with Markey breaking a couple tackles to make his way into the end zone.
“Blake is a mobile quarterback. He has a good command of our offense. He can turn nothing plays into something when you need it,” Liuzza said.
Liuzza said his receiving corps is a hard working group. They definitely put in the effort to get better. They had a strong performance last week.”
Senior receiver T.J. Nunez hauled in nine passes for 90 yards with a long gainer of 22 yards. Williams caught seven balls for 79 yards including his TD. Tyler Ziegler added four catches for 54 yards.
Slidell junior running back Jaron Wiggins tallied the Tigers’ final score last week on a six-yard run with only 1:01 left in the game.
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