• By SCOTT HOTARD
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 3, 2009 - Page: 8C

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At any given Donaldsonville football practice, a receiver may drop a pass or a lineman may blow an assignment.

“Remember, 34-32,” coach Terence Williams will say.

Three weeks later, Capitol High Academy’s 34-32 triumph in overtime remains Donaldsonville’s only loss.

The Tigers have turned the heartbreaker into a positive. They recall all the little things — a dropped pass here, a missed block there — that cost them victory.

“It’s been a great teaching tool for us,” Williams said.

The Tigers are 2-0 since Capitol celebrated on their home field. Not even the absence of star running back Bryant Dunn, who suffered an ankle injury against University High two weeks ago, slowed them in Friday’s 30-16 victory over Episcopal.

In bouncing back, Donaldsonville has inched forward in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s state rankings. The Tigers, who host The Dunham School to close the regular season, moved up one spot to No. 6 in this week’s Class 2A poll.

Capitol is ranked fourth, falling one spot after a 39-20 loss to 5A power Central in nondistrict action.

Donaldsonville (8-1, 4-1) and Dunham (7-2, 4-1) share second place in the 7-2A standings. Capitol (8-1, 5-0) has already clinched at least a share of the league championship and owns victories over both second-place teams.

Dunham’s loss to Capitol came in the final minutes as well.

“We’re going to see 22 robots,” Williams said, “a team that does everything right.”

The good news: Williams expects Dunn back in the lineup this week.

More good news: Dunn’s injury could benefit the Tigers in the long run.