By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
Calvary coach Rodney Guin said it doesn’t matter who gets the ball – or the credit – when it comes to playoff time.
But in a 38-0 second-round Select Division III playoff win against No. 14 seed De La Salle (6-6), the defense set the tone and finished the job with the shutout at Jerry Barker Field.
Braylon Huglon started the scoring with a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown three minutes into the game, and the third-seeded Cavs (9-2) didn’t let a ball-control De La Salle offense off the mat from there.
“We dominated up front, and our guys in the box whipped them,” said Calvary coach Rodney Guin. “We tackled very well, too.”
“It’s probably the most complete game we played in terms of offense, defense, and special teams.”
Calvary applied relentless pressure, racking up five sacks just in the first half.
The Cavaliers’ offense certainly did its part as James Simon IV rushed for two first-half 1-yard scores to give Calvary a 21-0 edge.
The second touchdown came with 39 seconds left, and the 21-0 lead was key in building and protecting Calvary’s lead.
“That score was the other really big play because the way De La Salle plays offense, they weren’t going to score a whole bunch very quickly,” Guin said. “So to go up 21 before the half was big.
“Our offense played well, and at this point, you don’t worry about who gets the ball. It’s all about winning. Simon ran well and ran really, really hard. That’s what happens when he gets into playoff attitude.”
Calvary quarterback Abram Wardell picked up the scoring in third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Kaleb Tucker for a 28-0 lead.
The Cavs scored their final 10 points on a Ty Wright field goal and a Z’Ryan Miles 20-yard touchdown run.
Calvary continues defense of its 2023 state championship at home next Friday against sixth-seeded Episcopal of Baton Rouge (9-2) in a quarterfinal contest. Episcopal controlled the second half in a 24-7 homefield win in the second round over Pope John Paul II.
Contact Matt at sports@journalservicesllc.com