Mandeville’s Skippers (4-3) are in the thick of the District 7-5A race trailing the St. Paul’s Wolves by one game. MHS is at home tonight hosting the Hammond Tornadoes (3-4).

Mandeville edged Fontainebleau 12-10 on the road last week to record its third consecutive district victory and stand at 3-1. Hammond 2-2 in district play came up short last week falling to Covington 20-13 at home.

The Skippers captured last year’s game 34-0, but the Tornadoes are a much improved team after going 0-8 last season.

Mandeville junior receiver Elijah Leveé (1) heads up field pursued by Fontainebleau defender Justin Church during last week's district game at the Dawg Pound. MHS hosts the Hammond Tornadoes tonight in District 7-5A play. (File Photo by Gwen Ladner)

Mandeville coach Guy LeCompte described Hammond as a talented bunch.

“They have good team speed and are playing good football, the best they have in a couple years. The key for us is to play disciplined football,” LeCompte said.

“We want to execute our game plan. As always, we want to minimize mistakes to put us in a position to win. We have to guard against giving up the big play,” LeCompte added.

LeCompte talked about Hammond running a multiple offense.

“They are a capable offense and can throw the ball. Since they can pass and run effectively, you have to be prepared to stop both parts of their offense,” LeCompte said.

Hammond sophomore quarterback Austin Miller (6-2, 225) completed 9-of-16 passes for 117 yards and a 21-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Bridges last week.

Bridges (6-2, 194) caught five passes for 70 yards, while Mikel Henry (5-8, 145) had four receptions for 40 yards. Senior running back Justin Betts (5-9, 197) was the Tors’ workhorse in the running game with 72 yards on 15 carries including a 2-yard TD.

LeCompte said his team continues to show determination.

“Our team has come together as a unit on both sides of the ball. Last week’s victory, and especially the team’s play in the second half, was a defining moment for this team.”

Senior quarterback John Wenzel triggers the Mandeville spread offense. He has connected on 93-of-180 passes for 1,047 yards with five TDs and seven interceptions.

Wenzel, who spreads the ball around, has three receivers with 20 or more catches, led by Chris Houlemard with 21 receptions. Houlemard has picked up 265 receiving yards with two scores. Tyler Spotts has 20 catches for a team-high 352 yards with one TD. Elijah Leveé also comes in with 20 receptions covering 241 yards and leads the Skippers with three receiving touchdowns.

The Skippers’ quarterbacks have been sacked 10 times this season.

Sophomore running back Charles Jones leads the Skippers’ running game with 487 yards on 99 carries and has a team-high six TDs. Wenzel, who doesn’t mind tucking the ball and running, has gained 176 yards on 37 carries with a touchdown. Wesley LaBorde is next with 129 yards coming on 36 rushes.

Defensively, the Skippers have gotten strong, consistent play from its linebackers. Senior linebacker Kris Rice, who scored on an 11-yard rushing touchdown last week in the victory over Fontainebleau, his former team, tops the Skippers with 62 total tackles including 37 solo stops. He has three stops for losses, has recovered three fumbles and forced two. Rice also has three interceptions, one which he returned for a score and has defended three passes. Fellow senior linebacker Zach Ferger, a transfer from Jesuit, is next with 53 tackles of which 30 are individual stops. Ferger has five CBLs with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.