Mandeville takes a win over Panthers

The Mandeville Skippers came to Slidell looking to stay in the hunt for the District 7-5A crown and almost got knocked out of contention by the Northshore Panthers.

But due to some timely turnovers by the Panthers (2-7, 2-4), the Skippers kept their hopes alive with a hard fought 23-14, come- from-behind win on a very wet field.

Mandeville (6-3, 5-1) won the toss and elected to go on defense.

Northshore’s Adam Chopin, back in the lineup from an injury, took the Mandeville kickoff at his own four-yard line and weaved through the Skippers’ special team for a 96-yard touchdown return. Daniel Flot’s PAT made it 7-0 with only 13 seconds gone in the first quarter.

Some stout Northshore defense kept the Skippers from doing anything offensively, as Taylor Eads, Keith Sanchez and James Winther kept the Mandeville off balance on three straight possessions.

With Northshore leading 7-0 in the second quarter, things began to go MHS’ way. At 9:23 Eads punted to Chris Houlemard, who fielded the ball on the Skippers’ 18 and rumbled 82 yards for the touchdown. Kyle Pelligrini’s PAT knotted the score at 7-7.

On Northshore’s next possession Mandeville’s Kris Rice intercepted Chase Compton’s pass to set up the Skipper offense. Three plays later Mandeville quarterback John Wenzel threw a pick of his own as Panthers’ defensive back Renan Vappie pulled it in to stop the Skippers’ drive.

Rice came up big again with his second pick, this time off of Steven Gaines to put the Skippers in position for a field goal with 25 seconds left. Pelligrini nailed the hit from 32-yards out to take a 10-7 halftime lead.

The statistics told the tale in the first half. Northshore could only muster 19 yards on the ground and 50 in the air for 69 yards of total offense.

Mandeville gained just 37 yards on the ground and 37 in the air for 74 total.

But the second half would be much different at least for the Skippers.

Northshore fumbled on its first possession of the third quarter, but still managed to keep the Skippers out of the end zone.

A 61-yard punt by Eads put MHS in a hole on its three. Northshore defensive lineman Terangi Phifer fielded a tipped pass by Wenzel and thundered 23 yards for a huge touchdown to give the Panthers’ their second lead. Flot’s successful PAT put NHS up 14-10 with 40 seconds left in the third.

On the ensuing possession for Mandeville, the Panthers’ defense stood up again to force a punt. Despite the wet conditions Northshore’s special teams attempted to field it. Unfortunately for the Panthers, the ball squirted out and Mandeville fell on it at the Northshore 21.

On the first play from scrimmage Wenzel hit Tyler Spotts with a nice pass and Spotts did the rest taking it 21 yards for the score. Pelligrini’s PAT made it 17-14 and the Skippers never looked back.

With 5:03 left in the game Wesley LaBorde scored the Skippers’ final touchdown, taking it in from two yards out. Pelligrini missed his last PAT of the night to make the final score 23-14.

Northshore didn’t give up and tried to mount a last minute drive. But another Gaines interception by Sam McGivern halted that effort as time ran out.

Mandeville rushed for 145 yards on 35 carries. Charles Jones led the way for with 19 carries for 86 yards.

Coupled by several crucial turnovers and a stingy Skippers’ defense Northshore ended up with only 61 total yards in the game.

Northshore coach Mike Bourg lamented about the play of his team.

“They made plays and we didn’t. We couldn’t catch the ball and we couldn’t tackle either. I have no answers for the way we played.”

On the other side of the field Skipper coach Guy LeCompte felt fortunate to get out with a win.

“Neither offense did much but it was our defense that kept us in the game. My hat is off to our defensive coaching staff led by Craig Jones. Craig and his whole defensive staff put together a fabulous game plan that worked to perfection. His group works well together and I wanted to give them the attention they deserve.”

When asked about his defense the name Rice came up.

“Kris (Rice) came up big for us tonight as usual. He is a big game player who is always around the ball and has a great attitude to go with it.”

Also having an outstanding defensive night were McGivern, Zachary Ferger, Billy Brooks and Joe Quails.

The Panthers will travel across town to take on the Slidell Tigers in their last regular season game next week, while Mandeville will host the Covington Lions. �