Stars top Bobcats to take possession of second place in DIII Southern League
Agassi Prep had a true homecoming game Friday against White Pine, as the Stars sixth game of the season was their first home game of the year.
But for running back Stephan LauShaul, the venue didn’t matter, as he continued his recent habit of visiting the end zone frequently.
LauShaul scored four touchdowns for the second consecutive game to lead the Stars to a 40-12 victory over the Bobcats at Rancho — Agassi Prep’s home field.
LauShaul, who had 20 carries for 157 yards for Agassi (5-1, 5-1 Division III Southern League), deferred credit to his teammates blocking in front of him.
“I felt good, but I give all the credit to my offensive line,” said LauShaul, who had touchdown runs of 10, 40, 11 and 21 yards. “We had a lot of mental issues in the first half. But in the second half we were able to wear them down and play Stars football.”
Agassi controlled the game in the first half and took an early 14-0 lead. But Cody Bennett hauled in a 26 yard pass from Monty Moore for a touchdown for White Pine (4-2, 4-1) with 38 seconds left in the second quarter that allowed the Ely squad to trim the Stars’ advantage to just 14-6 at halftime.
But LauShaul — who was also crowned homecoming king during halftime festivities — capped the Stars first drive of the second half by taking a direct snap out of the Wildcat formation at the Bobcat 40 and racing up the middle to the end zone to push the lead to 20-6.
Kezaun Cooper then came up with a fumble recovery for Agassi at the White Pine 36, and five plays later Laushaul scored on an 11-yard run to increase the Stars lead to 26-6 with 3:34 left in the third quarter.
Cooper said Agassi’s defense came together as a unit, and it was enjoyable to see.
“On defense, everyone stuck to their assignments tonight,” Cooper said. “No one was selfish and we were all playing as a team. We never let each other down.”
LauShaul had an interception and a fumble recovery for the Stars, who forced five turnovers. Jonas Patterson and Oziah Manor also had fumble recoveries for Agassi.
“We just came out and gave it all,” added Cooper, who also had a 19-yard TD reception in the first quarter and rushed for an 11-yard score in the third. “For the seniors it was our last ‘first home game,’ and I just feel like we had a lot of fun tonight.”
Agassi had won one game by forfeit that was scheduled for home against Calvary Chappell, and played a “home game” that was actually held at Needles, Calif., where the Stars fell 42-19 for their only loss of the season.
LauShaul said after Friday’s long-awaited home game, the team is confident in its prospects for finding even more success the rest of the season.
“We are just sending out a message to the rest of the league,” LauShaul said. “We feel very confident that we will not lose (again) after this.”