lonny23
12-16-2005, 04:49 AM
This is a good article about your 20-time champs from River Ridge, Louisiana. I became a John Curtis fan when I moved to New Orleans in 1982.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2259022
http://eteamz.active.com/jcfootball/index.cfm
This stuff is off the Team's Football website, with the numbers and colors Curtis-sy of me!!:D
TWENTY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
1975
1977
1979
1980
1981
1983
1984
1985
1987
1988
1990
1993
1996
1997
1998
1999
2001
2002
2004
!2005!
We're #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On August 27th the John Curtis Patriot football team finished up practice on a Saturday morning following the Jamboree game against Fountainebleu and began preparations for their next opponent, Cottonwood, Utah. On December 9th, the Patriot team celebrated it's 20th state title in the school's history with a 31-6 victory in the championship game against St. Charles Catholic. Seems ordinary enough for a Patriot football team, considering it's the school's 20th title in 30 years. However, what happened in between those two games was anything but ordinary! We all know the devastation of Hurricane's Katrina and Rita and how it changed so many lives and so much of our everyday normalcy. What the 2005 Patriot football team accomplished should be applauded and commended twice over. Not one senior football player missed out on their senior season, as all of them made it back from evacuation and returned to their "homes"...either their residence or our school. It seemed to be a fitting end for these seniors, when three months ago their were so many questions and trials that each was facing. Their dedication, hard work, persistance and love of the school and it's program is what drove this senior class to record it's state record 20th championship. We, as a school, will be eternally grateful for them and love each one of them very much. Now, on to the game.
The setting was quite different than any championship game each team member had ever been a part of. Their was not one thing about the game that was routine in any way. It was cold, outdoor, sunny, no Mr. Curtis, Sr. in his white suit, and the Patriots donned red pants for the first time ever. However, once the game started, the Patriots were about as routine as could be. The defense was the story of the day as it dominated the Comets from the start. The Patriots held the Comets to just 178 yards of total offense, with 91 of those coming on the last drive of the game, and just 55 yards total rushing. The defense kept the Comet offense off of the scoreboard, with the Comets only points coming on a fumble return for a TD. The defense also produced points on a Jacob Dufrene sack and score in the second quarter.
The Patriot offense moved the ball well early in the game, but two turnovers deep in Comet territory evaporated Patriot drives. The defense forced three straight 3-and-outs and Joe McKnight hauled in a punt at the Patriot 45 yard line. Three fierce blocks by Colby Arceneaux, John Ruttley and Jonathan English sprung McKnight loose and he made the punter miss and waltzed into the endzone for a 6-0 lead. Kelby Weurtz then intercepted a Comet pass and ran 31 yards to set up Kyle Collura's 3 yard QB sneak for a 12-0 lead, following two missed extra point attempts. Dufrene's touchdown gave the Patriots an 18-0 lead. On the try for two points following the TD, Kyle Collura's pass fell incomplete and his head fell victim to the Independence Bowl turf. Collura took a good hit and his head whiplashed to the ground and was knocked coo-coo and was taken out of the game by the John Curtis medical staff. To end the first half, the Comets faced third and goal from the Patriot three yard line with just :09 seconds remaining and out of timeouts. The Comets tried to pass, and under heavy pressure, the Comet QB threw to their star player #5 Casey Robottom. McKnight stepped in front and hauled in the pass and raced down the Patriot sideline for an apparent 97 yard TD. However, the TD was called back on a penalty, but the Patriots had sapped away any momentum the Comets tried to get. In the second half, on the Patriots' first possession of the third quarter, QB Matt Saucier threw a hitch pass to McKnight and sophomore P.J. Smith had a great block and McKnight found his way into the endzone for a 24-0 lead. A fumbled pitchout was then returned for a TD by the Comets and following a failed 2-point attempt, the Patriots led 24-6. The nail in the coffin was hammered down, again by Joe, with a 58 yard TD run, which sealed his MVP performance voted on by the media covering the game. Joe shifted the accolades to his teammates quoting that the defense played so well that the entire defense deserved the award and that the punt return was set up by great blocking. Also, on his yards, the O-Line had great blocking and P.J. had a great block on the hitch pass. All he had to do was run to the endzone. Junior running back David Seeman finished with 89 yards rushing on 13 carries. Contrast that to the MVP performance by St. Charles Catholic running back who had 62 yards rushing on 13 carries.
The Patriots were truly an unstoppable force in this year's playoffs. Yes, the Patriots struggled to find their groove in early Post-Katrina games against East St. John and Choctawhatchee, Florida. But, I don't think anybody will argue with the end result. Clearly, the Patriots established themselves as not only the top team in 2A, but possibly the top team in ANY classification. Thank you to the seniors of 2005: Randelle Leggette, Lance Frazier, Alvin Scott, Scotty Encalade, Blaine Roberts, Tony Friedman, Scott Makepeace, Josh Medley, Matt Snyder, John Ruttley, Chris Tusch, Steven Kurtz, Stephen Champagne, Oscar Ponce deLeon and Mike Klein. To the juniors, it's your turn to continue the legacy laid before you and try to duplicate or excede what the seniors before you have done. To the rest of the underclassmen, don't take a day for granted, because there are 15 guys listed here who would love to do it all over again!
Go be with the Lord Mr. Curtis, Sr.!!
Reverand John T. Curtis, Sr. has fought his last fight, won his final battle (his championship, if you will). He has passed on to be with the Lord, his Saviour, on this Monday evening at approximately 6:30 P.M. with his family in his home and by his bedside. Mr. Curtis triumphantly returned to his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, with honor, dignity, and elegance. He is unlike any human being we have ever known. He will be remembered and missed by all involved in "our" John Curtis Christian School family. Thank you to all of those people who have shown their support during Mr. Curtis' time of sickness. The family is truly blessed to have people like you in our lives. Mrs. Merle is at peace and is doing fine, so don't worry about her.
John T. Curtis, Sr. realized his dream in 1962 when he started John Curtis Christian School from scratch on the untraveled ground on Jefferson Highway and Manguno Road in tiny River Ridge. With five children and a faithful, loving, devoted wife, he became the "father" of so many students that came through "his" doors and attended his school. To those parents and students...thank you for entrusting yourselves to the Curtis family and look forward to continuing the legacey that Mr. Curtis started 43 years ago.
Mr. Curtis, Sr. was the pastor of Coliseum Place Baptist Church for 30+ years, and started countless other churches doing missionary work all around the United States when he was a young pastor. He is survived by his wife Merle Phae Manguno Curtis, sister Ruth Barcelona, brother Harold Curtis, sons J.T. and Leon, daughters Debbie Curtis Eutsler, Kathy Curtis Rickner and Alicia Curtis Naccari, grandchildren Joanna Curtis Fabacher, Johnny Curtis, Jeff Curtis, Preston Curtis, Matt Curtis, Steve Curtis, Lance Rickner, Ashley Rickner, Robby Eutsler, Rebekah Eutsler, Paul Naccari, and Sarah Naccari, great-grandchildren, Reaghan Fabacher, Rylee Fabacher, John Thomas(Jay) Curtis IV, Michael Curtis, Anna Curtis, Abbi Curtis and Zoe Curtis.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2259022
http://eteamz.active.com/jcfootball/index.cfm
This stuff is off the Team's Football website, with the numbers and colors Curtis-sy of me!!:D
TWENTY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS!!
1975
1977
1979
1980
1981
1983
1984
1985
1987
1988
1990
1993
1996
1997
1998
1999
2001
2002
2004
!2005!
We're #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On August 27th the John Curtis Patriot football team finished up practice on a Saturday morning following the Jamboree game against Fountainebleu and began preparations for their next opponent, Cottonwood, Utah. On December 9th, the Patriot team celebrated it's 20th state title in the school's history with a 31-6 victory in the championship game against St. Charles Catholic. Seems ordinary enough for a Patriot football team, considering it's the school's 20th title in 30 years. However, what happened in between those two games was anything but ordinary! We all know the devastation of Hurricane's Katrina and Rita and how it changed so many lives and so much of our everyday normalcy. What the 2005 Patriot football team accomplished should be applauded and commended twice over. Not one senior football player missed out on their senior season, as all of them made it back from evacuation and returned to their "homes"...either their residence or our school. It seemed to be a fitting end for these seniors, when three months ago their were so many questions and trials that each was facing. Their dedication, hard work, persistance and love of the school and it's program is what drove this senior class to record it's state record 20th championship. We, as a school, will be eternally grateful for them and love each one of them very much. Now, on to the game.
The setting was quite different than any championship game each team member had ever been a part of. Their was not one thing about the game that was routine in any way. It was cold, outdoor, sunny, no Mr. Curtis, Sr. in his white suit, and the Patriots donned red pants for the first time ever. However, once the game started, the Patriots were about as routine as could be. The defense was the story of the day as it dominated the Comets from the start. The Patriots held the Comets to just 178 yards of total offense, with 91 of those coming on the last drive of the game, and just 55 yards total rushing. The defense kept the Comet offense off of the scoreboard, with the Comets only points coming on a fumble return for a TD. The defense also produced points on a Jacob Dufrene sack and score in the second quarter.
The Patriot offense moved the ball well early in the game, but two turnovers deep in Comet territory evaporated Patriot drives. The defense forced three straight 3-and-outs and Joe McKnight hauled in a punt at the Patriot 45 yard line. Three fierce blocks by Colby Arceneaux, John Ruttley and Jonathan English sprung McKnight loose and he made the punter miss and waltzed into the endzone for a 6-0 lead. Kelby Weurtz then intercepted a Comet pass and ran 31 yards to set up Kyle Collura's 3 yard QB sneak for a 12-0 lead, following two missed extra point attempts. Dufrene's touchdown gave the Patriots an 18-0 lead. On the try for two points following the TD, Kyle Collura's pass fell incomplete and his head fell victim to the Independence Bowl turf. Collura took a good hit and his head whiplashed to the ground and was knocked coo-coo and was taken out of the game by the John Curtis medical staff. To end the first half, the Comets faced third and goal from the Patriot three yard line with just :09 seconds remaining and out of timeouts. The Comets tried to pass, and under heavy pressure, the Comet QB threw to their star player #5 Casey Robottom. McKnight stepped in front and hauled in the pass and raced down the Patriot sideline for an apparent 97 yard TD. However, the TD was called back on a penalty, but the Patriots had sapped away any momentum the Comets tried to get. In the second half, on the Patriots' first possession of the third quarter, QB Matt Saucier threw a hitch pass to McKnight and sophomore P.J. Smith had a great block and McKnight found his way into the endzone for a 24-0 lead. A fumbled pitchout was then returned for a TD by the Comets and following a failed 2-point attempt, the Patriots led 24-6. The nail in the coffin was hammered down, again by Joe, with a 58 yard TD run, which sealed his MVP performance voted on by the media covering the game. Joe shifted the accolades to his teammates quoting that the defense played so well that the entire defense deserved the award and that the punt return was set up by great blocking. Also, on his yards, the O-Line had great blocking and P.J. had a great block on the hitch pass. All he had to do was run to the endzone. Junior running back David Seeman finished with 89 yards rushing on 13 carries. Contrast that to the MVP performance by St. Charles Catholic running back who had 62 yards rushing on 13 carries.
The Patriots were truly an unstoppable force in this year's playoffs. Yes, the Patriots struggled to find their groove in early Post-Katrina games against East St. John and Choctawhatchee, Florida. But, I don't think anybody will argue with the end result. Clearly, the Patriots established themselves as not only the top team in 2A, but possibly the top team in ANY classification. Thank you to the seniors of 2005: Randelle Leggette, Lance Frazier, Alvin Scott, Scotty Encalade, Blaine Roberts, Tony Friedman, Scott Makepeace, Josh Medley, Matt Snyder, John Ruttley, Chris Tusch, Steven Kurtz, Stephen Champagne, Oscar Ponce deLeon and Mike Klein. To the juniors, it's your turn to continue the legacy laid before you and try to duplicate or excede what the seniors before you have done. To the rest of the underclassmen, don't take a day for granted, because there are 15 guys listed here who would love to do it all over again!
Go be with the Lord Mr. Curtis, Sr.!!
Reverand John T. Curtis, Sr. has fought his last fight, won his final battle (his championship, if you will). He has passed on to be with the Lord, his Saviour, on this Monday evening at approximately 6:30 P.M. with his family in his home and by his bedside. Mr. Curtis triumphantly returned to his Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, with honor, dignity, and elegance. He is unlike any human being we have ever known. He will be remembered and missed by all involved in "our" John Curtis Christian School family. Thank you to all of those people who have shown their support during Mr. Curtis' time of sickness. The family is truly blessed to have people like you in our lives. Mrs. Merle is at peace and is doing fine, so don't worry about her.
John T. Curtis, Sr. realized his dream in 1962 when he started John Curtis Christian School from scratch on the untraveled ground on Jefferson Highway and Manguno Road in tiny River Ridge. With five children and a faithful, loving, devoted wife, he became the "father" of so many students that came through "his" doors and attended his school. To those parents and students...thank you for entrusting yourselves to the Curtis family and look forward to continuing the legacey that Mr. Curtis started 43 years ago.
Mr. Curtis, Sr. was the pastor of Coliseum Place Baptist Church for 30+ years, and started countless other churches doing missionary work all around the United States when he was a young pastor. He is survived by his wife Merle Phae Manguno Curtis, sister Ruth Barcelona, brother Harold Curtis, sons J.T. and Leon, daughters Debbie Curtis Eutsler, Kathy Curtis Rickner and Alicia Curtis Naccari, grandchildren Joanna Curtis Fabacher, Johnny Curtis, Jeff Curtis, Preston Curtis, Matt Curtis, Steve Curtis, Lance Rickner, Ashley Rickner, Robby Eutsler, Rebekah Eutsler, Paul Naccari, and Sarah Naccari, great-grandchildren, Reaghan Fabacher, Rylee Fabacher, John Thomas(Jay) Curtis IV, Michael Curtis, Anna Curtis, Abbi Curtis and Zoe Curtis.