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Battle of the Birds ...
Hawks down Falcons.
by Jim Henderson
HAMMOND—The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcon football team suffered a 34-7 loss to the Archbishop Hannan Hawks in a non-district contest played at Pete Valenti Field. The victory improved Hannan to 2-3 on the season while Saint Thomas fell to 0-5. Breast Cancer awareness was recognized as Falcon players displayed pink colors on their home uniforms.
“We just got to keep getting better,” said STA coach Boomer Nunez. “It sounds like its same old song and dance every week. We just gotta keep getting better and correct our mistakes. We’ll get better from this, and we’re going to keep working and keep grinding.”
The Falcons took the opening kickoff and went three-and-out to start their first possession of the game. The visiting Hawks took possession at their own 48-yard line to begin their first series. Hannan marched 52-yards in seven plays for the game’s first score. The drive ended on a two-yard touchdown run by running back Hunter Lay. Dylan Robles kicked the PAT to give the Hawks a 7-0 lead with 6:12 left to play in the first quarter. Highlighting the drive was running back Riley Jones who had runs of 13 and 16 yards that moved the ball down to the STA five-yard line
Following the kickoff, the Falcons put together a six-play drive that reached near midfield before being forced to punt.
Hannan took possession at their own 37 and marched 63-yards in eight plays for its next score. The drive was culminated by a nine-yard touchdown run by Jones. Robles booted the PAT to make it 14-0 with 11:44 left to play in the first half
Following the kickoff, the Falcons put together its best offensive drive reaching the Hannan 25-yard line. Highlighting the drive was quarterback Chase Oalman who had runs of 12 and 13 runs moving the football down to the Hawk 25. However, the drive stalled and Oalman was called upon to attempt a 32-yard field goal. The field goal attempt was blocked by Hannan ending the Falcon scoring threa
The Hawks were forced to punt on its next series. The snap from center went over the punter’s head and STA took possession on downs at the Hannan 32-yard line.
St. Thomas failed to take advantage after not picking up a first down on a fourth-and-7 situation.
Hannan took over on downs and mounted a seven-play, 74-yard drive that was capped by 17-yard touchdown pass play from quarterback Braden Sprang to Carter Speerly. St. Thomas blocked the PAT attempt leaving the score 20-0 with 1:11 left to play in the half. Spearheading the drive was a 18-yard pass completion from Sprang to Hunter Lay.
In the third quarter, the Hawks took the second half kickoff and marched 80-yards in five plays scoring on a six-yard touchdown run by Lay. Robles kicked the PAT to make it 27-0 with 9:41 left to play in the period. Highlighting the drive was a 37-yard gain on a pass from quarterback Braden Sprang to Hunter Lay
St. Thomas mounted a 70-yard,12-play drive that reached the Hawk five-yard line. Two plays later, the Falcons scored on a three-yard touchdown run by running back Jeremiah Bess. Chase Oalman kicked the PAT and St. Thomas trailed 27-7 with 2:40 left in the period. Highlighting the drive was Bess who had runs of 13, 7, 9 and four yards.
Following the kickoff, the Hawks answered with a six-play, 55-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown run by Riley Jones. Dylan Nobles added the Pat to make it 34-7 with 11:21 left to play in the game.
St. Thomas mounted a eight-play drive reaching the Hawk 45-yard line. But the drive stalled when Oalman was tackled for no gain on a fourth-and-5 situation. Hannan took over on downs ending a scoring threat.
The Hawks turned the football over on downs on its next series and STA took possession at the Hannan 47.
Oalman connected with Grant Forrest on a 16-yard gain that gave St. Thomas the football at the Hawk 11. But Bess was held for no yardage and Oalman threw incomplete. Oalman tried to run for first down yardage on fourth down but was tackled short giving Hannan the football on downs.
St. Thomas would not threaten the rest of the way as the Hawks went on to win 34-7 ending a three-game losing streak.
“It’s a good win,” said Hannan coach Steve Soper. “Our offensive front did a couple things, but I was proud of the kids tonight. Our defense is really the strong suit of our team we really rely on them. Our defensive unit played well keeping them for the most part of their side of the field.”
Rebela roll past Falcons.
Riverside defeats Saint Thomas 41-0.
by Jim Henderson
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcon football team suffered a 41-0 shutout loss to the Riverside Academy Rebels in a non-district contest played at Pete Valenti Field.
The loss dropped St. Thomas to 0-4 on the season while the Rebels improved to 2
“We just got outmatched,” said STA coach Boomer Nunez. Really not much to say. We didn’t show up to play. We got to take emphasis on the blocked punts that we had and take care of that for next week. We just got to get better all around. We just got to get the kids to buy in and believe that they can do it. We’re going to get back and look at the film and see what we can correct.”
The Falcon special teams help contribute to a pair of Riverside touchdowns early in the game. Two blocked punts by the Rebels gave Riverside a short field for their offense to score two touchdowns to set the tone of the game. STA took the opening kickoff and were forced to punt five plays later. The punt attempt by Chase Oalman was partially blocked and the Rebels took over on downs at the Falcon 25-yard line. Three plays later the Rebels scored on a 24-yard touchdown run by running back Jayden Obiekwe who went into the end zone straight up the middle untouched. Will Rauch kicked the PAT to make it 7-0 with 8:15 left to play in the first quarter.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Falcons went three-and-out but the punt on fourth down was partially blocked giving Riverside possession of the football at the Falcon 29-yard line. On the very next play quarterback Brock Bourgeois connected with Kenric Johnson on a 29-yard touchdown pass play. The PAT by Rauch was blocked by the Falcons leaving the score 13-0 with 5:41 left in the perio
St. Thomas went three-and-out on their next series. Riverside began their next possession at their own 38. The Rebels needed just two plays to score. Riverside scored on a 10-yard touchdown pass play from Bourgeois to Johnson in the end zone. The PAT by Rauch was successful making it 20-0 with 2:57 left in the quarter. Highlighting the drive was a 21-yard gain by running back Caleb Williams that moved the football to the Falcon 10-yard line.
St. Thomas turned the ball over on downs on its next series. Oalman was stopped short of first down yardage and the Rebels took over at the Falcon 35. Eight plays later the Rebels extended its lead when Obiekwe went in on an eight-yard draw play for a touchdown. Rauch kicked the PAT to make it 27-0 with 9:13 remaining.
Following the kickoff, the Falcons put together a drive reaching the Riverside 45-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-2 situation, the Falcons had a middle screen pass play from Oalman to Luke Lambert that gained 15-yards for a first down at the Riverside 37. Five plays later the drive stalled and STA opted to go for a 24-yard field goal attempt by Oalman. The field goal by Oalman was short giving the Rebels the ball on downs with 1:58 left to play in the first half. Riverside scored two plays later. The touchdown drive ended when quarterback Brock Bourgeois rifled a 79-yard touchdown pass to Kenric Johnson. Will Rauch booted the PAT to make it 34-0 at the half.
In the third quarter, the visiting Rebels took the second half kickoff and began their next possession at their own 28. Two plays later Riverside scored on a 63-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Brock Bourgeois to Chris Becknel. Rauch kicked the PAT to make it 41-0 with 10:23 left in the period.
By rule the game clock was running the rest of the way.
St. Thomas was forced to punt after the ensuing kickoff. Riverside took over at its own 11-yard line and punted for the first time in the game after five plays. The punt attempt was shanked giving STA possession at the Rebel 35 with 9:56 left to play in the game.
STA inserted backup quarterback Joel Dupuy to run the offense. Dupuy found Kaden Dennis on a 16-yard pass play that moved the ball to the Riverside 18-yard line for their deepest penetration of the game in Rebel territory.
But the drive stalled as time expired making the final score 41-
“I thought we played good in all three phases of the game,” said Riverside Academy coach Lee Roussel. “Our defense has been playing well during this part of the regular season. Anytime you have big plays on offense and you get the ball to your key players hands makes play calling a little bit easier. We got the ball mostly on their side of the field, so we took advantage of a short field to score.”
Ascension Catholic start fast dominate Falcons.
Saint Thomas hosts Riverside Friday.
by Jim Henderson
The Saint Thomas Aquinas Falcon Football team suffered a 43-7 loss to the Ascension Catholic Bulldogs in a non-district clash played at Pete Valenti Field. The loss left the Falcons winless at 0-3 on the year while ACHS improved 2-1. Ascension Catholic scored early and often in building 15-0 lead in the first period and then added three touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 36-0 lead at the half. The Bulldogs completed their scoring with a touchdown in third quarter. ACHS used a powerful ground attack to subdue the Falcon defense. Special teams also helped the visiting Bulldogs blocking two punt attempts in which one was returned for a touchdown.
“We just didn’t come prepared,” said first-year STA coach Boomer Nunez. We didn’t get to practice all week because of lightening on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but I don’t want to use that as an excuse. We just let this one slip through our hands. Defensively, we were on the field a lot. We have to take care of the football. We have to change some things on our blocking schemes. But we’re going to be alright. We just got to keep working.”
ACHS waisted not time getting on the scoreboard taking the opening kickoff and scoring in three plays. The drive covered 80-yards and was culminated by 63-yard touchdown pass play. The two-point conversion was successful giving Ascension Catholic an 8-0 lead with 11:17 left to play in the first quarter. The Falcons received the ensuing kickoff and put together its best drive of the first half reaching the ACHS 46-yard line. But the drive stalled and St. Thomas punted. The punt attempt was blocked giving ACHS possession on downs at their own 37.
The Bulldogs needed just three plays to score their second touchdown of the game on a 58-yard touchdown run. The PAT was successful to make it 15-0 with 8:55 left to play in the period.
The Falcons punted again on its next series. ACHS fumbled the return and Colton Boudreaux of St. Thomas recovered the ball at the Bulldog 46. STA went three-and-out giving ACHS possession on their own four-yard line. Seven plays later, the Bulldogs punted for the first time giving the Falcons the ball at their one-yard line.
The Falcons could not get anything going offensively being forced to punt deep in their own territory. ACHS took possession at the Falcon 36 with field position. The Bulldogs needed eight plays to score their next touchdown. The drive ended on a six-yard touchdown run. The PAT was successful giving ACHS a 22-0 lead with 7:45 remaining in the first half.
Following the kickoff, the Falcons went three-and-out and the punt attempt by Chase Oalman of STA was blocked. The ball was recovered and ran back eight yards for a touchdown score. The PAT was successful making it 29-0 with 6:14 left to play in the half.
The Falcons mounted a six-play drive that reached the ACHS 43-yard line. The drive was aided by a personal foul penalty on Ascension Catholic. However, the Falcon offense struggled the next three downs forcing a punt by Oalman that put the football down to the Bulldog five-yard line.
ACHS marched 95-yards in seven plays for its next score as the drive ended on a five-yard touchdown run. The PAT was successful giving the Bulldogs a commanding 36-0 lead at halftime
In the third quarter, the Falcons went three-and-out for the fourth time and ACHS took over at its own 26. The Bulldogs marched 74-yards in eight plays culminating the drive with a 29-yard touchdown run. The PAT was successful making it 43-0 with 6:12 left to play in the period. By rule a running game clock was instituted for the remainder of the game.
Saint Thomas put together a six-play drive that reached the ACHS 45 before being forced to punt. The punt return was fumbled and the football went out-of-bounds at the Bulldog six-yard line giving STA their first scoring opportunity.
STA could not move the football forward in three plays. A field goal attempt from 27-yards out by Chase Oalman was blocked by ACHS ending the scoring threat.
ACHS took over on downs at their own 12-yard line with 1:15 remaining to play. Two plays later, the Bulldogs coughed up the football and Jeremiah Bess of the Falcons recovered it and returned the ball nine yards for a touchdown. Oalman provided the PAT and the Falcons avoided a shutout making the final score 43-7.
The Falcons will host Riverside Academy (2-1) on Friday Sept. 26.
There has been a “Boom!” in the 2025 Falcon Football Program.
Boomer Nunez takes over as head coach and roster explodes as numbers increase.
With the arrival of Gary ’Boomer” Nunez the Saint Thomas Aquinas football program has seen a resurgence in the roster as the number of players out for the 2025 campaign has reached over sixty and growing. The Falcons struggled over the past two years to maintain enough players to provide depth with a handful of players doing the ironman role playing both ways. Nunez, a native of Chalmette and a Northshore alum, brings nearly two decades of coaching experience in both football and baseball to STA. As the Archbishop Hannan High School head baseball coach, he compiled a 129-99 record. In 2023 he was named Lakeshore head baseball coach and guided the Titans to the championship game with a 23-13 season mark. Nunez arrived on campus last year assisting with Falcon baseball and is now the head coach of both football and baseball at STA.
“We are up to sixty-five guys now and it took a lot of work in the classroom and just talking to guys trying to get them to come out,” explained Nunez. “Since the summer the coaching staff has done a great job of working with kids and getting them to join the team. It has been a collective effort in getting more kids to play and making them want to be a part of the change.”
Indeed the efforts of Nunez and his staff has paid dividends as the roster has grown from a low of just under forty to over sixty. “I have always lived by the philosophy that people do not care how much you know until they how much you care,” added Nunez. “Building relationships with the young men is key in getting them to come out and be a part of the program.”
Nunez, who is now the head baseball coach as well, believes this has helped in getting more guys to come out for football. “I have always coached both and I think it helps that the baseball players see me out there with them during the grind and not just me trying to talk them into doing it,” said Nunez. “It is still a work in progress to get more baseball guys to come out but I think in the future you are going to start seeing more and more guys come out.”
The Falcons with a small roster last season were often out-matched up front where it all starts and finished with just one win. Brodie Crouch, a big piece that was missing on the line last season, is back having recovered from a soccer injury and Nunez expects he will help shore up the lines on both sides.
“We had one eight grader, two freshmen and a sophomore working on the defensive line last year,” said Nunez. “They got a lot of experience in the trenches and some of those guys are now backups with the numbers we have now. This summer these younger guys are more mature and already have learned a lot. With Brodie back it is huge for us with his experience and aggressiveness definitely on the defensive side having a bigger body and more physical guy will help us both ways.”
Nunez sees one of the strengths of the defense this season is in the secondary. ”We have an abundance of secondary guys having a bunch of safety-corner types but the way will play defense will we move a lot and try to show different looks to give us an advantage with those safety-corner type bodies,” said Nunez. “We are going to be an attacking defense making decisions quick and be known for effort getting eleven guys at the football. We will focus on stopping the run and if teams beat us passing then we tip our cap to them.”
On offense the Falcons will emphasize the run but Nunez expects to use the passing game as well. ”We will be run-heavy but having participated in some seven-on-seven drills this summer for the first time in a while we are switching from the wing-t back to the spread. We will rely on the run but be able to throw it.”
Nunez plans to use a two quarterback system. Senior Chase Oalman worked the job for most of last season. “Chase is a solid game manager and smart and while I do not like to pencil in a quarterback as a two-way player, he going to play linebacker and kick and do a lot for us,” continued Nunez. “We still have a quarterback competition going and are fortunate that we have a quarterback for each grade so we have guys developing at every level.”
At running back senior Josh Carballo is expected to be the day one starter. ”Josh is penciled in right now on paper as the starter but he is also one of those guys that can play defense too. We have three or four guys that we are confident in that we can rotate in to run the ball.”
Senior Jack Beard will head up the receiving corps. “Jack is another guy that we worked hard to get back as he brings experience and some size,“ said Nunez. “I love basketball players that play football because they know how to use their body to get position and such. Another big guy we have out is Grant Forrest. Which gives us two six-three, six-four guys which make big targets. Grant is still a work in progress in his first year out learning to run routes and being able to use his height like he does in basketball. Also, senior Parker Roubique will be in the mix as well working a running back and a swing man.”
With the growth in the roster and now having double-digit seniors on the team the Falcons will be able to field a more mature squad and yet, Nunez views this year’s team as a young team as far as experience with some of the older guys just coming out. “Experience-wise we are going to be very young, but the good side of that is out of the sixty-five guys thirty of them are eighth and ninth graders so we can build on that thus, we are putting an emphasis on developing our younger guys and keeping them around. We do not have tackle football in most of our feeder schools so it is good to have a group young guys that will be in our system for four and five years so when they are juniors and seniors you will start to see the program develop all the way down the grades. The inexperience will become experience,” continued Nunez.”
Nunez added that with the better numbers the junior varsity will play six games and the eighth graders with play four. He and his staff are in the progress of shoring up these schedules for the coming season. “We want our younger guys to have the opportunity to compete and gain experience at their level,” explained Nunez.
The Falcons hope to have fewer guys having to go both ways this season but Nunez still expects he will have to use a few guys on both sides. ”Going in we will have four or five guys that will play a lot on both sides, but this year will be able to give them a blow with some backups that will be able to fill in for a play or two and give our starters a breather. Certainly conditioning is huge and it helps all sports at a school if you have a full-time strength and conditioning coach.”
With a large group of seniors on the squad, leadership is key, but with a lot the seniors just now coming together to play football it is not a group that has been together for three or four years. “This group is coming together, but I don’t think we are quite there yet,” said Nunez. “The ones coming from other sports have been coached hard and they are used to it and know the expectations. They are all trying to lead but it is work in progress in coaching them up as to how to lead the right way.”
The Falcons will have a good bonding opportunity in late July when to travel out of state to have their own camp. “We have scheduled a camp July 23-26 at Pearl River Community College and it is going to be no phones, distractions just straight football for three days.”
Scheduling-wise Nunez inherited a schedule already set but he is able to have input and develop the slates for the next two years. “This program needs to get back to learning how to win,” said Nunez. “We are making our future schedules more competitive for us.”
The District the Falcons play in has always been competitive. Nunez expects it to be again this year with a nod towards Northlake Christian and Saint Helena. ”I would think that Northlake would be a front-runner in our district,” said Nunez. “They have good players returning, a good quarterback and are well-coached. Saint Helena as well always has good athletes so you have to look at those two. Of course Coach (Sam) Messina is going to do a good job at Independence.”
Success in wins and losses is a work in progress and requires time and the process of some ups and downs, but the 2025 Falcons are on track to build now and in the future as the resurgence has begun.
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