Brother Martin senior running back Dante Butler carried the load in the first half rushing the ball 11 times for 115 yards and three TDs to help spark the Crusaders to their shut out victory. The Bulldogs’ defense didn’t have an answer for the running back, who scampered through some gaping holes en route to his three-score performance in just the first half. The Crusaders’ offensive line did a good job creating running lanes for Butler and he made the most of his opportunities averaging 10.4 yards per carry. Butler also had a 60-yard scoring run called back due to a block in the back penalty.
Fontainebleau won the toss and deferred.
 FHS junior quarterback Conner Smith is in the grasp of Brother Martin linebacker Chris Sutton (22) during Friday’s jamboree. The Crusaders earned a 24-0 victory in the second game of the jamboree. (Photo by Gwen Ladner) |
Butler praised his offensive line.
“They block well for me every night. Without the offensive line none of what I do would be possible. I pay my dues, and I run like that for my offensive line,” Butler said.
“All the credit goes to my amazing running back’s coach Steffon Gray. He drills us at practice. Actually he played at Shaw (2006 graduate). He was a great back himself and I saw him play when I was a freshman. I just want to live up to his expectations and reach my potential,” Butler added.
FHS second-year coach Mike Materne described Butler as a phenomenal runner.
“We knew he was a good back. We couldn’t touch him. He is a heck of an athlete and their quarterback (Ronnie Arant) wasn’t bad either,” Materne said.
“Their line also played well and they just kicked our butts. It was a jamboree, but we have a lot of questions to be answered before we open the season next week against Biloxi. It is a case of urgency and we have to pick up the pace,” Materne added.
Materne said his team has to pick up its intensity level at practice and has to focus better.
After Brother Martin scored on its first drive, Fontainebleau fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by Christopher Williams at the Bulldogs’ 20. Butler breezed by the defense on first down to make it 13-0 with McCarthy adding the PAT with less than five minutes gone in the opening half.
FHS muffed the next kickoff, but was fortunate enough to recover to maintain possession. Brother Martin smothered the FHS offense forcing a three-and-out.
Following a punt, Butler raced 60-yards for an apparent score, but the play was nullified on a penalty. Butler forced his will on the Bulldogs’ defense carrying the ball three more times for 13, 10 and a 25-yard tally to build a 21-0 advantage following McCarthy’s third point after with 5:43 left in the opening 15-minute half.
The Crusaders’ defense continued to stymie the Bulldogs forcing another three-and-out.
Brother Martin picked up 11 first downs in the first half and held the Bulldogs without one, taking the 21-point lead to the locker room.
Brother Martin senior quarterback Ronnie Arant did a good job running the Crusaders’ offense, but was only able to connect on 3-of-10 passes for 26 yards in the rainy conditions. He also rushed the ball five times for 12 yards.
Brother Martin junior RB John West, who had one carry for 28 yards in the first half, spelled Butler in the second half, finished with 51 yards on seven carries.
FHS’ Darius Hill tried to give the Bulldogs some momentum as he returned the second half kick off 30 yards out to the 35-yard line. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs couldn’t generate anything and were forced to punt from their own 31. Punter Jordan Bourgeois bobbled the snap and under immense pressure was able to avoid a couple rushing Crusaders and made an athletic move being able to get off the punt while on the run.
The Crusaders were in business at the Bulldogs’ 41. West carried the ball six times for 23 yards. With 9:17 left, Brother Martin moved the ball down to the five and had a first-and-goal situation. To the Bulldogs’ credit they stiffened. Following an incompletion on first down, Brown was held to just two yards on second down. On third-and-goal from the three, FHS’ pat White and Rashad Boatner teamed up to snuff Brown for a two-yard loss, putting the ball back at the five.
Brother Martin second-year coach Mark Bonis, a Slidell resident, decided to go for a field goal. Senior Kevin Francis booted the ball through connecting on a 22-yard field goal for a 24-0 lead with 7:15 to play, which closed out the scoring.
Bonis described Butler as one of the best backs he has ever coached.
“I’ve been around some really good ones during my time at Shaw and obviously some good ones at Brother Martin. He runs behind a great offensive line. We did some positive things, but we have a lot of things to clean up before week one,” Bonis said.
“We had some guys go down, but I don’t think it was anything too serious, but we will have to evaluate that when we get back to school,” Bonis added.
Bonis said Butler averaged about 22 carries a game last year, but he feels he has a three-headed monster in the running game.
“We have two other good backs in Chris Sutton, who played running back for us last year, who also plays linebacker. To keep Dante (Butler) fresh we’ll use him and John West showed he can run the ball as well,” Bonis added.
Bonis said he was impressed with his defense.
“They flew around the football. I don’t think they gave up a first down in the first half. They played fast and they are buying into the things we are teaching them. They executed very well defensively,” Bonis said.
Fontainebleau took over at its 29 following Francis’ field goal with 7:01 remaining. Senior RB Ryan Brooks earned two tough yards on two plays. Bulldogs’ junior signal caller Conner Smith hooked up with James Kinter on a 16-yard play moving the ball to the 47, giving FHS its initial first down with 5:32 left. Following two short running plays, the Crusaders were penalized for being offside, which put the Bulldogs in a third-and-8 situation at their 49. Smith converted finding Brooks with a nine-yard reception. On the play, Brother Martin was guilty of a personal foul, moving the ball down to the Crusaders’ 27 with 3:40 left. Tanner Brignac was held to one yard and Brooks was stopped for no gain. The Bulldogs misfired on a pass play setting up fourth-and 9 from the 26 with just 2:22 to go. Senior kicker Greg Atkinson attempted a 43-yard field goal, but the kick fell short and wide right.
Brother martin ran out the clock running three more plays to close out the shut out victory.
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