by Wyatt Vaughn, Senior, Holy Cross
After a great week of Louisiana football, this Tuesday’s Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Quarterback Club convened for their weekly meeting. This week is especially big because of the implications in Louisiana football this Friday, when one of the biggest high school rivalries is renewed when Holy Cross and Jesuit face off. Also on Friday, the Tulane Green Wave begin conference play with a big matchup against Memphis. Saturday the Tigers of LSU look to stay undefeated when they host Ole Miss. And to end the weekend the Saints travel to the MetLife Stadium to take on the New York Giants.
To kickoff the luncheon, the Week 5 Prep Player of the Week was announced, St. Paul’s Quarterback Jack Mashburn. Mashburn led his team to their first win of the season, a 45-16 drubbing of Northshore. Mashburn had multiple rushing TD’s in the game and a passing touchdown. St. Paul’s looks to start a win streak this week when they face Hammond on Friday. Mashburn will be honored at the year-end luncheon of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Quarterback Club on Dec. 11 at Rock’n’Bowl at 3016 South Carrollton Avenue, where the club meets each Tuesday during the football season.
This week’s speaker lineup started off with 1st year Holy Cross Coach Guy Lecompte. He was very adamant when talking about the Holy Cross community that they have welcomed him with open arms. He also praised the dedication of the Tiger fans wherever he goes. He even said that the community is, “almost like a cult.” Those fans are going to have to show out in big numbers Friday night as 4-0 Holy Cross plays their biggest game of the season, arch rival Jesuit. Although he has never coached in the game before he said that it is a very friendly rivalry with respect flowing both ways.
Following Lecompte was Jesuit head coach Mark Songy. Before comparing the atmosphere for this Holy Cross game at Tad Gormley on Friday to a state championship type crowd, Coach Songy expressed how extremely important this game is to both schools and that is what makes it so special. He was very adamant that he fully expects QB, Robert McMahon and DE Perry Ganci to make huge plays in this game to help the Blue Jays win the game.
On the collegiate front, Tulane assistant coach Alex Atkins spoke about the disappointing results for Tulane recently. Atkins was not worried saying that “they are developing very good players and that it will take time”. Taking a quote from Head Coach Willie Fritz’s playbook, Atkins reemphasized that they “are trying to build a great program, not just a great team”. He was adamant that Tulane players and coaches are extremely excited and confident heading into their week 5 showdown against Memphis confidently closing with “This is a big test for the Green Wave”.
LSU assistant director of player personnel Nathan Triche represented the Tigers this week, following their win against Louisiana Tech. Adding to his praise for Coach Ed Orgeron changing the culture at LSU, he touched on four main things Coach O wanted to change:
1. Run the ball well: Coach O has had 5 different 100-yard rushers.
2. Red Zone Efficiency: LSU leads the country in this stat.
3. Get better at special teams: 2nd in nation in field goals, 6th in country in touchbacks.
4. Turnover ratio: +8 this season and 4th in nation.
Triche was very reassuring when saying that these things are the main reasons that LSU is off to a surprising 4-0 start, and why they will be successful under Coach O. LSU has a tough matchup this week as they host the high-powered offense of Ole Miss on Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
For Saints talk, WGNO sports director Ed Daniels spoke to the audience of roughly 50 members and guests about the Saints’ need to be less quarterback dependent. Specifically, he would like to see a better running game and overall defense. He also highlighted that the draft class hasn’t had much production yet, which is opposite from last year. He was very adamant that they need to get better on defense and that is the only way for the Saints to be a consistent contender.
Every week, Chevron and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation also recognize a male and female Scholar Athlete of the Week, for excellence in the classroom as well as on the fields of athletic competition. Additionally, each recipient will be recognized on field during the 2018 R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, on December 15th. Finally, all winners will be invited to a future Pelicans basketball game where there will be a drawing for one male and one female to receive a $5,000 scholarship. This week’s recipients were:
Gabrielle McDonald , Ecole Classique High School
- Cumulative GPA: 4.0
- 24 ACT Score
- Key Club President
- National Honor Society Member
- Apprentices of Ecole
- High School choir
- Member of the volleyball, soccer, cheerleading, softball and track team.
- Volunteer for the Dawn Busters Kiwanis club, Boo at the zoo.
- Awarded Scholastic Award for all sports, outstanding secretary award, and highest-class average.
- Plans to study accounting in college
Robert Mays Jr. , Riverdale High School
- Cumulative GPA: 3.8
- Varsity Basketball Captain
- 2015 & 2016 A honor roll
- Volunteer for New Orleans Sheriff’s office Thanksgiving Gala
- Considering attending LSU, UNO or Xavier and study psychology/pre-med
The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Quarterback Club promotes amateur and professional sports in the Greater New Orleans area on a weekly basis. The luncheons are open to the public and take place every Tuesday at 12:00 pm in the The Cannery at 3803 Toulouse Street. For tickets, visit www.GNOSports.com or www.RocknBowl.com