Lumberjacks come up short in the Dome

This time, Patterson’s comeback fell just short.

With the Lumberjacks trailing 24-20 with just more than two minutes to play in the Class 3A State Championship game against Parkview Baptist, Patterson had the football at their own 29-yard-line.

The situation was reminiscent of several others the team has faced this postseason, as the Lumberjacks had come from behind three times in their four prior postseason games.

“There was actually 2:06 when we got the ball back,” Patterson coach Tommy Minton said following the game. “And there were no doubts. I thought we were going down there and score.”

But this time, it wasn’t meant to be, as Lumberjacks junior quarterback Justice Jones was picked off by Eagles’ linebacker Brooks Godbery with just more than a minute to play, virtually sealing the deal for Parkview.

The Lumberjacks got the football back with just seconds left and a desperation heave by Jones was also intercepted to end Patterson’s dream season with a 24-20 loss in the state finals.

The win marked the third-ever state title for Parkview, while also marking the third time Patterson advanced to the State Finals n walking away without the big trophy each time.

“I thought this was a great football game,” Parkview coach Kenny Guillot said. “And my hat’s off to Tommy Minton and those Lumberjacks who did a great job. It’s just such a shame that somebody has to lose a game like this.”

The Lumberjacks players walked to their sideline following the game, heads down and not a dry eye in sight.

Minton said he told his players after the game not to fight the hurt they feel, because that’s how to measure that one was truly a member of the Lumberjacks’ team.

“I told them that there’s nothing I can tell them that’s going to make them feel better,” Minton said. “Time will heal and they’re going to realize they made lifetime memories. And we’ll bounce back.”

Guillot agreed, because he knows a thing or two about that feeling. He and his Eagles were there just one year ago as Parkview lost in the 2009 state finals to Notre Dame.

He said from studying the Patterson player’s emotions and body language after the game, he knows the Lumberjacks aren’t losers, but are rather a team that just fell short of their season-long goal.

“[Losing one like this] is kind of like a death in the family,” Guillot said. “There’s really nothing you can say to make them feel better. But we have a little slogan we talk about a lot around here, ‘No Regrets,’ and I watched those Patterson boys just now walk out of here and they didn’t have a drop of energy left. They left it all out on the field. That’s all you can do n do the best you can and have no regrets and you’ll win when you walk off the field whether you won the game or not.”

As they limped back home, the Lumberjacks were met by their humongous following, who overtook the Superdome with their loud cheers in support of their team.

Patterson players were given a standing ovation as they walked off the field in defeat, and were met outside their team bus with the same reception.

“Our community supports us like crazy,” Minton said. “I thought we got great support and they did a good job of being behind us all year.”

The game ended the career for several Lumberjack seniors, including All-American and future LSU standout Kenny Hilliard.

Minton said the mark the Class of 2011 left on the program will last far beyond this state championship game.

“I think these seniors left a big imprint,” Minton said. “They brought the program to another level. You look at it, we played on national TV this year, we went to the state championship football game and this group left the young kids something to build on and something to look forward to.”

And with the tears still flowing in the Patterson community, the Lumberjacks’ always-ready coach said he’s already ready for next year.

“The recovery process starts tomorrow,” Minton said. “We’ve got our big boy pants on. We’ll be all right.”

Patterson senior wide receiver Dexter Aucoin receives counsel from Lumberjacks Assistant Coach Dickey Clayton as the final seconds tick off the team’s loss in the state championship game. CASEY GISCLAIR