PJP II battles to the end in loss

Despite being a 26th-seeded squad in a 32-team playoff bracket, the Pope John Paul II Jaguars gave No. 7 Many High a battle despite coming up short in a 41-21 loss on the road Friday.

PJP II trailed 28-7 in the first half, but wasn’t ready to pack it in and make the long trip back to Slidell.

On a fourth down play, the Jaguars lined up for a punt.

But PJP had some tricks up its sleeve and called a fake from its 25. Senior running back Tyler Lusignan took the snap, found a hole and ran all the way for the score. The PAT made it 28-14.

Lusignan, who scored all three touchdowns, including one from 95 yards. He ran for more than 200 yards and finished the season with more than 1,300. He said the play was called from the sideline by special teams’ coach Daniel Hanlon.

“It was a good call because it’s pretty much a dive play and their guys were rushing from the outside like they were coming to block the punt,” Lusignan said. “I was able to get through the middle and found my way to the end zone.”

The score stayed that way though halftime.

In the third quarter, PJP struck again on another Lusignan TD run and it was 28-21. But Many scored the final 13 points to win it 41-21.

Jaguars’ coach Mark Jeanmard said he couldn’t be any prouder of his team.

“Somewhere in there, we picked up our over level of play and make it 28-21. Credit to them (Many) for being a talented team and pulling off the victory,” Jeanmard said.

On the Tigers’ final touchdown, Tim Turner blocked the extra point.

Many quarterback D.J. Palmer accounted for all six of his team’s scores, bringing his total to 46.

Many coach Keith Menard said the Jaguars never quit.

“We score to make it 41-21 and a kid comes around the end to block the extra point,” Menard said. “We respected them before the game and now we really respect them. It was a hard-hitting football game, but both sides were helping each up and that’s exactly what high-school football is all about.”

The Jaguars wrap up a 5-6 season, while Many (10-1) will take on No. 23 Lake Arthur.