Mandeville’s Skippers (6-1, 4-1) square off with the Northshore Panthers (6-1, 4-1) tonight at home with first place in District 6-5A on the line. On paper, the game has the potential to be a closely contested affair, with the victor gaining at least a tie for the district title.

MHS blanked Hammond, 34-0, last week, while NHS defeated Covington, 35-14, to set up tonight’s showdown. Mandeville took last year’s game, 41-8.

Mandeville’s defense, which operates under the direction of defensive coordinator Craig Jones, has been solid this season, posting four shutouts. The Skippers have only allowed 53 points in seven games, averaging 7.5 points per game.

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MHS coach Guy LeCompte has stressed all season the Skipper defense has held up its part of the bargain with consistent, strong play.

Michael Crain tops the Skippers’ defense with 63 tackles, including 32 individual stops.

Crain returned a fumble for a touchdown last week. Austin Storms has recorded 42 tackles and is tied with Jerry Mitchell for the Skippers’ lead with three interceptions. Linebacker Jeff Rebouche has tallied 41 tackles with five stops for losses. He has also recovered two fumbles. Linebacker Hayden Harper has been in on 46 tackles, making five stops for losses.

LeCompte said his offensive unit has improved its performance by reducing mistakes during the past couple weeks.

“We want to try to establish a running game against Northshore. That has been a weak point for us the past couple weeks. We are placing emphasis on getting our running game in gear,” LeCompte said.

Junior Darrell Adams is the Skippers’ leading rusher with 228 yards on 44 carries, or 5.1 yards per rush, with two TDs.

MHS senior quarterback Andy Bertoniere had a strong game last week, throwing for 406 yards. He completed 19-of-23 passes with two touchdowns. Elijah Leveé hauled in eight passes for 107 yards, while Brandon Weeden had five catches for 103 yards. Conrad Houlemard latched on to two touchdown catches covering 82 and 63 yards. Will Bunns added three catches for 23 yards.

Northshore coach Mike Bourg said he feels turnovers will play a key role along with the play of special teams.

“We have done so much better on our turnover ratio this season. We will have to play our ‘A’ game. We will have to play our best against a well-coached Mandeville team. They can move the ball offensively and are very strong on defense,” Bourg said.

“Their quarterback (Bertoniere) is playing with confidence. Hopefully we will match up and can hold them down. Our goal is to win a district championship.”

Bourg praised the play of his team, having a balance on offense and defense.

“Mandeville has put it on us physically the last two years. In the past, we didn’t do a good job of stopping their screen pass. When they are successful with the screen, they start going over the top. If we can stop their screen, hopefully it will control them somewhat,” Bourg said.

Bourg said defensive coordinator Chad Gainey has done a great job along with his coaches.

“We are undersized up front, but our defensive linemen have been relentless getting to the ball. They are overachieving. Our linebackers have been making tons of tackles,” he said.

Bourg said being balanced this year has helped offensive coordinator Christian Munson feel comfortable about making calls.

“Christian has grown so much. He is calling good games. Putting up points definitely makes things easy for the defense. I’m real proud of the ongoing job the coaching staff is doing,” he said.

Junior signal caller Jervious Epherson operates the Panthers’ offense, hitting on 58-of-105 passes (55.2 percent) for 789 yards with nine TDs and three interceptions. Epherson has also rushed for 425 yards and four touchdowns.

“Jervious is a special person and player. He is a quiet leader who gives you everything he has. He plays with confidence and is on a mission for a district title,” Bourg said.

MHS’ LeCompte said the Skippers would have to do a good job containing Epherson.

“He is a dual threat with him back there. It’s like having two running backs. You have to honor their running game. He has big play capability,” said the Mandeville coach.

Epherson hit on 6-of-9 passes last week for 126 yards with two TDs. He completed passes to six different receivers. Breck Kline caught a 52-yard score, and Chris Wade was on the receiving end of a 49-yard strike from Epherson.

Senior receiver Archie Ambo, Epherson’s favorite target, has 17 catches for 236 yards and three TDs. Senior Andrew Cossé has 11 receptions for 137 yards with one score.

Panthers’ senior running back Channing Wise, who is one of the top runners in the metro area, has amassed 984 yards on 126 attempts, averaging 7.8 yards per carry with nine TDs. Wise rushed for 187 yards on 27 carries last week with three touchdowns.

His long score went for 89 yards against FHS. He has only fumbled once on the season. He also has nine catches for 39 yards.

Defensively, strong side linebacker Christian Ruiz, tops the Panthers with 33 tackles, 10 assists, 10 stops for losses, four sacks, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Chris Wade has recorded 36 tackles and two assists. He has 11 stops for losses with five sacks and a fumble recovery for a TD. Junior middle linebacker Taylor Eads comes in with 38 tackles, six assists, eight for losses, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Eads has also recorded a safety and blocked a punt.

Strong safety Quinn Johnson has contributed 25 tackles, nine assists, two plays for losses and one blocked extra point and has broken up three passes.

Junior defensive end Alex Black (5-5, 175) who coach Bourg refers to as being undersized, has registered 15 tackles, five assists, four stops for loss and one sack.