Central steams by Zachary

• By CHARLES SALZER
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Oct 17, 2009

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CENTRAL — Central High School wasted little time taking control of its District 5-5A contest against Zachary on Friday night. Boosted by a 29-point first quarter, the Wildcats were never threatened en route to a 58-0 win.

Fourth-ranked Central (6-1, 4-0) was led by quarterback Will Briscoe, who completed 14-of-20 passes for 266 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. Defensively, junior end Taylor Jenkins had two tackles for losses and a key early interception.

“We played well in all phases. I’m proud of the boys,” Central coach Sid Edwards said. “I have no complaints. There were a couple of dumb penalties, but that’s something we can fix.”

Zachary (1-6, 1-2) found success between the 20s, but faltered in scoring range. The Broncos picked up 11 first downs, but gained just 122 total yards. ZHS ran 54 plays, but 14 went for negative yardage.

“I was surprised that we didn’t come out and execute as well as we had practiced all week,” said Zachary coach Neil Weiner, a former assistant at Central under Edwards.

“Without a doubt, Central is very good and they deserve their ranking. We came out and looked unsure, and gave them some good opportunities to blow it up pretty quick.”

One of those was Jenkins’ interception, which set up Central’s second score less than three minutes into the game.

And, combined with a clicking Central passing game, the Wildcats defense left little chance for Zachary to pull close in the second half. It was also a time for Central to show no mercy for its former offensive coordinator.

“That goes out the window (when the game starts),” Edwards said. “But I love Neil and the guys on that staff. The big thing I would say to Zachary is be patient because greatness is coming.”

Central scored enough points in the first quarter alone to net the victory. The Wildcats had scored touchdowns on a long pass play and a punt return. They had also set up a score with an interception return to the ZHS 1, and converted a 2-point try on an underhanded, behind-the-back pass by quarterback Will Briscoe.

Zachary had a chance to cut into that deficit late in the first half after forcing a Central fumble. The Broncos drove to a first down at midfield, but Taylor Jenkins threw Zachary’s Dedric Heard for a loss on fourth-and-1.

McKenzie Price then scored on a 48-yard screen pass from Will Briscoe on the next play providing a devastating blow, and a 36-0 halftime lead.

Central took the opening kickoff and moved 63 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead. Will Briscoe’s 38-yard completion to brother Wes Briscoe on a deep out pattern was good for the touchdown.

Jenkins intercepted Zachary quarterback Mason Pace on the Broncos second play, and returned it 24 yards to the ZHS 1. Will Briscoe sneaked in on second down for the score. After an offside penalty on Zachary, he tossed a behind the back pass to Shedrick Davis for a two-point conversion.

Later in the quarter, Central forced a Zachary punt on the Broncos third possession. Josh Veals fielded the ball at the ZHS 48, and split the Broncos coverage team racing up the middle for a touchdown.

On again on its next possession. Central took over at the CHS 48, and scored its fourth TD six players later. Will Briscoe had completions of 31 and 10 yards before finding Gregg Morris for a 7-yard scoring pass.

Central 58, Zachary 0

Team    ZHS     CHS

First downs      11        12

Yards rushing   54        128

Yards passing   68        266

Passes (C-A-HI)          9-13-1 14-21-1

Punts-avg.        6-28.5 1-27

Fumbles-lost     5-2       2-1

Penalties-yards 4-31     6-70

SCORING SUMMARY

Zachary            0 0  0 0 —0

Central 29 7 14 8—58

CHS: Wes Briscoe 38 pass from Will Briscoe (Matthew Thibodeaux kick)

CHS: Wi. Briscoe 1 run (Ed Cutno pass from Wi. Briscoe)

CHS: Josh Veals 48 punt return (Thibodeaux kick)

CHS: Gregg Morris 7 pass from Wi. Briscoe (Thibodeaux kick)

CHS: McKenzie Price 48 pass from Wi. Briscoe (Thibodeaux kick)

CHS: Cutno 27 pass from Wi. Briscoe (Thibodeaux kick)

CHS: Safety: Daryl Dewey tackled in end zone.

CHS: Zach Hetrick 38 fumble return (run failed)