Warriors, Tigers take it to the horn

• Advocate news services
• Published: Nov 3, 2009 - Page: 8C

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The annual Amite-Independence rivalry has provided its share of instant classics, but the final minute of Thursday’s 9-3A showdown before a packed crowd in Independence was one for the ages.

Desmond Copeland bulled across from 3 yards out with 41 seconds left to seemingly give fourth-ranked Independence a 10-7 victory.

But the Warriors’ Latarvias Robertson returned Indy’s subsequent pooch kick 22 yards to the Tigers’ 43, and a 15-yard penalty for an Independence player without his mouthpiece moved it even closer to the Tiger 28.

Quarterback Joe Mason then lofted a perfect 28-yard strike that 6-foot-2-inch Thomas Hart caught over a smaller defender in the end zone with 22 seconds left for a stunning, 14-10 victory.

“It was such a great game; it was a shame someone had to lose,” Amite coach Alden Foster said. “For our young team to go into that hostile environment and win against a great, experienced Independence team is just huge.”

The ninth-ranked Warriors (7-2, 4-0) can sew up the league title at home Friday against Loranger (0-9, 0-4). Foster knows he might have to face the Tigers (7-2, 3-1) again in the 3A playoffs.

Thief in the night

Although St. Thomas Aquinas junior Hunter Reid was moved from tight end to free safety before the season began, he continues to catch passes game after game. They’re just from the other team.

Reid, who also plays basketball, leads the state with nine interceptions. According to Falcon coach John White, the safety’s 6-foot-4-inch frame, long arms and leaping ability don’t hurt at all.

Reid’s latest theft occurred in the Falcons’ 10-0 conquest of Northlake Christian on Friday night, giving St. Thomas (6-3, 4-0) its third straight District 8-2A title. The Falcons, who began the season 0-3, wind up the regular season at home Friday against Pope John Paul (5-4, 2-3) for the Catholic Cup.

More at stake

Normally at this time of the season, six-mile rivals Hammond and Ponchatoula duke it out for bragging rights and to see who finishes last in District 7-5A. Not so this year, as a 5A playoff spot could be on the line for the Tornadoes (4-5, 3-3) or the Green Wave (4-5, 2-4) when they square off at Ponchatoula.

Where’s the hop?