St. Augustine ends Edna Karr's 35-game winning streak

Edna Karr's 35-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Saturday when St. Augustine defeated the Cougars 52-14 at Tad Gormley Stadium. The defeat marked the first time the team has lost a game since a state semifinal matchup against No. 8 Acadiana in 2023. For the current senior class, who were freshmen during that 2023 loss, this result represented a new experience on the gridiron.

The margin of defeat was driven by turnovers and special teams errors. Edna Karr threw three interceptions on consecutive possessions, with one being returned for a touchdown. The Cougars also failed to field a kickoff that bounced near the sideline, allowing St. Augustine to recover the ball at the 6-yard line. St. Augustine scored a touchdown two plays later on that possession, extending their lead decisively.

Coach Brice Brown addressed the team immediately after the final whistle, emphasizing the need to move forward quickly. The Cougars are scheduled to play Jesuit on Thursday. Jesuit defeated Rummel on Friday in a game that featured a late-game comeback. Brown told his players that they cannot spend too much time lamenting the loss. He noted that St. Augustine, a well-coached team, earned the win through effort and execution.

Brown credited the coaching staff of St. Augustine for their performance. He acknowledged that while turnovers were a factor, the opposing team's play was also a key component of the outcome. The coach framed the loss as a lesson in responding to adversity, noting that the winning streak was always expected to end at some point. He pointed out that St. Augustine had lost to Edna Karr twice the previous year and returned with a different approach.

The roster changes this season were substantial. Edna Karr started the year without 25 players who departed to play college football after the previous season. Despite the turnover, the team compiled an 8-0 record in district play before the loss to St. Augustine. The Cougars had relied on late-game heroics in several of those victories, including a fourth-quarter drive by junior quarterback Marlon Jones against Ruston and an 85-yard interception return by junior defensive back Ty Williams against Brother Martin.

The season began with a 27-game winning streak, which the team extended to 35 before Saturday. The Cougars' record in Class 5A since 2022 stands at 55-4 on the field, excluding three forfeited losses. They are 30-2 in district games during that span. Edna Karr has not lost two regular-season games in the same year since 2019. The team has not lost successive games since a 0-3 start in 2015, a season that concluded with a trip to the Class 4A state finals.