COUGARS UNABLE TO DANCE WITH WOLVES:

First impressions are huge in all aspects of life. They have a tendency to stick with you.

St. Paul left a lasting impression on the first play from scrimmage of its season opener with top-ranked Edna Karr (4A).

Linebacker Ed Duplessis read a flat pass from Jazmen Riley, stepped in front of it and intercepted it, setting up a touchdown as the Wolves jumped on top and never looked back in an impressive, convincing 38-7 victory over Karr at Hunter Stadium.

Physical running back Dylan Long scored twice while the Wolves defense forced four Karr turnovers, including three interceptions to win going away.

Long scored on a two-yard run following the interception by Duplessis to make it 7-0.

The ninth-ranked Wolves (5A) quickly extended their first quarter lead to 14-0 as Marcus Gaines broke a stretch play left, eluded a defender and outraced the remaining Karr defense for a score.

Early in the second quarter, the Wolves stretched their advantage to 21-0 on a six-yard touchdown run by Kris Brumfield on a well executed counter play.

Kicker Trent Domingue completed the first-half scoring with a 22-yard field goal to make it 24-0 at halftime.

The Cougars looked to make a game of it early in the third quarter. Riley drove his team 70 yards in just five plays, scoring on a one-yard run to make it 24-7.

Any hope of Karr getting back in the game ended on the ensuing possession by St. Paul. The Wolves answered with the big play as quarterback Patrick Duncan connected with Marcus Gaines over the middle. Gaines eluded two defenders, splitting them both and outran both to the end zone for a 61-yard score to make it 31-7.

The Wolves wrapped up the scoring in the fourth quarter as Brumfield scored on a counter play left, making a great move to get to the end zone to provide the final margin of victory in the 38-7 win.

Duncan finished 11-of-17 for 144 yards and a touchdown and rushed three times for 33 yards. Long carried 12 times for 51 yards and a pair of scores. Gaines had three catches for 83 yards and a touchdown and rushed five times for 33 yards and a score.

For Karr, Riley was 11-of-22 for 163 yards but suffered three interceptions. He rushed nine times for 12 yards and a score and was sacked three times, including twice by Gustavo Garcia.

Ronell Holmes rushed six times for 40 yards for the Cougars, all in the second half.

St. Paul coach Kenny Sears was pleased with his team's effort.

"Karr is a great team. We capitalized on their mistakes. Our kicking game was outstanding," said Sears. "It was a game of field position. We flipped the field on them a few times. Our defense played outstanding. Holding their skill in check was a Herculean effort. Their three receivers are the best group in the metro area."

Domingue was superb both kicking and punting all evening long. He kicked all but one kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Two of his punts ended up inside of the Karr 10-yard line. He allowed no returns of significance.

Karr's average starting field position was it's own 18-yard line. Conversely, St. Paul averaged starting at their own 44-yard line.

Karr coach Jabbar Juluke gave St. Paul credit for the win.

"It was not any one thing. It was a little bit of everything. They are a very good team," said Juluke. "We agreed to play this game tonight. I don't think a day or two later would have mattered. Give them credit. Our offense cannot continue to put them in bad situations. The four turnovers really hurt," Juluke said.

Both teams cannot rest on their laurels. Karr faces a short week and a long trip to Arlington, Texas to take on highly regarded Bowie of Arlington on Labor Day in the Kirk Herbstreit Classic while St. Paul faces defending state champion Acadiana a week from Friday in the Allstate Sugar Bowl Superdome Classic in a rematch of last year's 5A quarterfinal game, won by Acadiana 41-20. The Cougars bus to Arlington Thursday. "It will be a long bus ride after this one but we will get it right," Juluke said.

St. Paul made a good first impression in the game and left a lasting impression for future opponents with a performance sure to displace Karr from first in 4A while catapulting themselves in an upward spiral toward the top of 5A.

 

FINAL

ST. PAUL'S     14     10     7     7     38

EDNA KARR      0       0     7     0      7

SCORING:

SP--Dylan Long, 3-yard run (Trent Domingue kick)

SP--Marcus Gaines, 18-yard run (Domingue kick)

SP--Kris Brumfield, 6-yard run (Domingue kick)

SP--Domingue, 22-yard field goal

KARR--Jazmen Riley, 1-yard run (Carl Roberson kick)

SP--Gaines, 61-yard pass from Patrick Duncan (Domingue kick)

SP--Brumfield, 27-yard run (Domingue kick)

 

FIRST DOWNS:  SP 13  KARR 9

RUSHING:         SP 195  KARR 98

PASSING:         SP 144  KARR 163

TOTAL YARDS:  SP 339  KARR 261

PASSING:         SP  11-of-17 for 137 yds. & 1 TD, KARR 11-of-22 for 163 yds. & 3 INT.

TURNOVERS:     SP 1     KARR 4

PENALTIES:      SP 6 for 53 yds., KARR 7 for 63 yds.