Mandeville’s Skippers looking to chart a steady course in 2009 will have their hands full hosting the defending Class 2A state champion John Curtis Patriots at Sidney Theriot Stadium tonight with kickoff set for 7 p.m.

Mandeville downed the Holy Cross Tigers 22-7 last week in the first game of the Covington Jamboree, while Curtis turned back a stubborn CHS Lions club 21-16 in the second game.

MHS senior quarterback John Wenzel was in regular season form in the Skippers’ jamboree victory as he connected on 10-of-15 passes for 201 yards with two long touchdowns one to junior Sylvester Martin covering 50 yards and senior Chris Houlemard for 43 yards. Both receivers finished with two catches.

Mandeville senior quarterback John Wenzel (18) prepares to release a pass being pressured by Holy Cross' Julian Saltaformaggio during Friday's jamboree played at Jack Salter Stadium. The Skippers host John Curtis tonight at 7. (File photo by Mike McCall)

Curtis coach J.T. Curtis who is in his 41st year of leading the Patriots shared his thoughts about the Mandeville Skippers, which he referred to as a very good football team.

“Watching Mandeville play in the jamboree before us and watching film really confirmed what we thought. Their quarterback (John Wenzel) is a nice player who throws the ball well and has experience. He reads defenses well and we were impressed with the way they moved the ball,” Curtis said.

Curtis said Wenzel did a nice job spreading the ball around and running the ball he is another weapon on the field.

“He can scramble up in there. He is a big body and not easy to bring down.”

Wenzel also rushed the ball seven times for 44 yards including a one-yard touchdown.

Coach Curtis said he was impressed with what the pair (Martin and Houlemard) did after catching the ball.

“Their yards after the catch were really impressive. You want to limit their yards after the catch. They present a challenge to our defense,” Curtis said.

Mandeville rushed for 131 yards on 21 carries in the jamboree. Robert Jones gained 38 yards on five carries followed by Wesley LaBorde with 28 yards on five totes. Houlemard rushed for 14 yards on three carries.

MHS head coach LeCompte said he was pleased with the Skippers’ running game.

“Our offensive line did a good job opening holes and our backs ran hard to pick up good yardage. Curtis is a ball control type team so we’ll have to make the most of our offensive opportunities when they come our way,” LeCompte said.

LeCompte said his club must be focused.

“The first thing about playing Curtis is you know what you are going to get. They don’t make mistakes and seem to be able to force teams into mistakes. We have to avoid mental mistakes and be consistent,” LeCompte added.

“We don’t want to get behind the chains and have to face third-and-long situations. We want to play the percentages and try to be in short third-down yardage situations,” LeCompte said.

“You don’t want to give Curtis’ defensive players an opportunity to pin their ears back and rush all out in long-yardage situations.”

LeCompte said senior defensive end Everett Ellefsen played a strong game. Ellefsen was the Skippers’ leading tackler with three solo stops and three assists. He also had one stop for a loss.

Senior linebacker Billy Brooks recorded two individual tackles and three assists with a stop for a loss along with causing two fumbles. Derek Brown was in on five tackles, while Jesuit senior transfer Zach Ferger, a linebacker, had four stops to include a tackle for a loss. Carter Knight made three individual stops.

The Skippers’ picked off three passes one each by Jerry Peterson, Sam McGivern and Kris Rice.

LeCompte said the Skippers’ linebackers would have to come up big Friday night to stop Curtis’ ball control offense.

Coach Curtis said he thought his team played well defensively against Covington High until the second part of the jamboree with the Lions scoring on their final two possessions in the last 1:29 after recovering an on-sides kick.

“We lost our edge and kind of relaxed. That is a maturity factor all teams go through early in the season. Our players have to realize the game is never out of reach. Teams like Covington, Mandeville and Salmen, who we also play (Sept. 18) can put points on the board,” Curtis added.

Curtis said the jamboree is a chance to have some learning experiences before getting into the real battle when the season opens.

Curtis said he was pleased with the play of his senior first-time starter Bryce Jenkins at quarterback, who completed 5-of-9 passes for 76 yards and one TD.

“He handled the offense well,” he said.

Curtis also cited the strong play of junior wide receiver Josh Hanberry (5-9, 170), who had a couple good catches including a 19-yard TD from Jenkins.

“Josh is a solid receiver with good hands who is capable of making big plays,” Curtis added.