Covington’s Fighting Lions open the season tonight at Jack Salter Stadium hosting the St. Amant Gators.

CHS (4-6) dropped a high scoring contest to the Gators in last year’s opener, coming up short 56-33.

Covington played Class 2A state runner up John Curtis tough last Friday in the Covington Jamboree before falling 14-0. CHS third-year coach Malter Scobel said his club has to execute better on offense.

Covington senior wide out Jay Bickham picks up yardage after a reception being chased by John Curtis’ Duke Riley in Friday’s jamboree game played at Jack Salter Stadium. Tonight the Lions host the St. Amant Gators in the season opener. (File Photo by Mike McCall)

“We had too many missed blocking assignments and mental busts by our young freshmen running backs in our jamboree,” Scobel said.

“Our players competed, but we were undersized especially along the defensive line. They fought hard the whole game and gave it all they had. We don’t believe in moral victories, but against a quality Curtis team that would have been the closest thing to it,” Scobel said.

Scobel said last year’s game with St. Amant was one that featured big plays.

“They scored on two or three long plays last year and they returned two kicks for touchdowns,” Scobel added.

“Defensively, we have to be option sound. We didn’t react to the dive play a couple times in the jamboree against John Curtis and they scored on both of those plays.”

St. Amant’s quarterback (Jaylin LeBlanc) is a really good athlete.

“He scares me especially when he gets on the outside edge. They run a double slot option. You have to make the proper defensive reads to stop the dive or the quarterback pitch,” Scobel said.

Offensively, senior wide out Jay Bickham had four catches for 50 yards in the jamboree. Junior QB John McDowell completed 5-of-9 passes for 60-yards in the Lions’ short passing game, while the Lions rushed for 85 yards.

Scobel credited defensive ends Eric Crouch and Bradley Bellanger along with nose guard Daniel Larocca for holding their own against Curtis’ big offensive line.

Scobel said he is looking forward to the return of senior linebacker Bubby Keen, who was out last week with a fractured hand. Two other players offensive lineman Reed Woessner and fullback/tailback Deonte Casnave are also expected back after missing last week.

Scobel said he is looking forward to playing in dry weather.

“We hope to come out injury free and want to get the season underway playing Covington Lions’ hard-nosed football.”

St. Amant head coach David Oliver is entering his third-year with the Gators, which finished 5-5 last season just missing out on post-season play, losing to Destrehan 34-33.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs this season. We were knocking on the door last year and now its time to kick it down and make it into the playoffs,” Oliver said.

The Gators have 17 seniors on this year’s roster. St. Amant returns six starters on offense and a like number on the defensive side of the ball.

Senior QB Jaylin LeBlanc runs the Gators’ double slot, multiple triple option offense. LeBlanc started at free safety last year and started a number of games at quarterback due to injury.

“We consider Jaylin a returning starter because he was in the lineup due to some injuries with our starter last season. He brings big play capability. He is an exciting player and if he gets in the open field he can do some damage,” Oliver said. .

The Gators feature two senior wingbacks in Daniel St. Pierre and Britton Day, who both serve as team captains.

Senior wide out Dalton Alexander and senior receiver Shaft Graves are St. Amant’s two top threats in the passing game.

Oliver said he has one of the best kicking duos around with senior place kicker/punter in (All-State First Team) and verbal commitment to the University of Louisiana at Monroe and senior short and long snapper Logan Boudreaux.

“They are both awesome. I think Justin is the best kicker in the state,” Oliver said.

Manton kicked three successful field goals of over 50 yards last year including a school record 54-yarder in a victory over Bonnabel.

Defensively, the Gators are led by senior inside linebacker Marlon Bourgeois (team captain), who is a returning all district player. Senior outside linebacker Landon Henry is another key player.

“I think we have more size this year and the guys know how to rally around the football. On paper, this is the best defense we have had in my time here.

We are kind of the no-name defense with a number of guys, who can step up and get the job done,” Oliver said.

“We watched Covington play John Curtis in their jamboree. We are expecting to see an aggressive, hungry team at Jack Salter Stadium in the opener. We have a little familiarity with them from playing them last year,” Oliver said.

Oliver said it seems like Covington wants to pound the ball at you where as last year they were more of a passing team.

“Being able to contain No. 3 (Jay Bickham) on the outside, who is elusive after the catch is a key. He did some damage in their scrimmage and jamboree. He is definitely a threat,” Oliver said.