SHREVEPORT, La. — Lafayette’s goal to gain additional respect for its program and the state of Mississippi was accomplished on Saturday afternoon with a thrilling come-from-behind win over perennial power Evangel Christian Academy (Shreveport, La.) in the inaugural Battle on the Border High School Football Showcase.
Adjustments made on offense and defense ultimately made the biggest difference in the No. 1 Commodores earning the 35-34 win over the Eagles in the first of three games played at Independence Stadium, but Saturday’s win was also about rising to a challenge and good, old-fashioned smashmouth power.
After playing a little slower, a little more tentative than everyone has come to expect from the Commodores (4-0 overall) in the first half, they rolled over the Eagles (0-2) in the second half like they have every opponent in Mississippi the past two-plus seasons.
LHS quarterback Jeremy Liggins ran as hard and as physical as he has in 2011 as he totaled 126 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Fellow backfield mate Demarkous Dennis trucked Evangel defenders en route to 134 yards and one touchdown on 26 carries. While those two stalwarts on offense played the role of hammer, the high-flying Commodore defense played the role of anvil the final 24 minutes as they all but stopped the Eagles high-powered passing attack.
LHS coach Anthony Hart talked about how his team was able to overcome a 28-14 deficit at the half and said the key was to refocus and do the things that always worked well for his group. (September 12, 2011, Page 1B)
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