Notre Dame's Stoma runs wild against Panthers

CROWLEY – Notre Dame quarterback Brad Stoma has been more than efficient in the passing game this season, completing just over 60 percent of his passes for 461 yards and four touchdowns in five games.
Recently, the junior added another element to the Pios’ offense with his ability to run the football.
“We’ve put in some more runs for him this year,” said ND coach Lewis Cook, who watched Stoma rush six times for a season-high 116 yards and two touchdowns in the Pios’ 44-24 victory over Catholic High of New Iberia last Friday.
“We’re running a little bit of an option deal now and we’re running a few more keeps.
“Last year, he started running more once we got into the playoffs, but, now, with a year under his belt, we’re having him do a little more because he really is a pretty good runner.”
Stoma had a 30-yard gain in the first quarter on a pass play on which he pulled it down and ran for 30 yards. He also broke loose on a fourth-and-short play and picked up another 30 yards.
But his biggest play of the game occurred in the third quarter, again on a fourth-and-short situation, when he broke free for a 21-yard touchdown to give the Pios a 30-15 advantage.
“Brad is really a good runner with the football,” said Cook. “I don’t want to put him out there too much (running), but he’s such a weapon, we’re trying to utilize it a little bit.”
Stoma also completed 10 of 14 pass attempts for 112 yards and a touchdown in earning top billing on this week’s Acadia Parish standouts for Week 5.
John Michael Besse also had a huge game for the Pios. The senior running back racked up 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries.
“John Michael is looking like he is finally feeling pretty good,” said Cook of Besse, who has been hampered by a shoulder injury since early in the season and who also suffered a mild concussion in the opener against LaGrange. “He made some big runs for us (Friday), breaking tackles and making people miss. He had a really good game.”
Crowley High quarterback Pate Broussard and running back Chris Lewis also turned in impressive performances last week in the Gents’ 41-6 victory over Opelousas.
Broussard completed nine of 14 pass attempts for 132 yards and two touchdowns, both to receiver Jerry Dregin. Lewis, who missed last week’s contest with an injury, ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. He also hauled in three passes for an additional 69 yards.
Running backs Trent Duhon of Rayne and Deion Monroe of Church Point also had impressive outings last week.
Duhon helped lead the Wolves to a 14-12 come-from-behind victory on the road against LaGrange by rushing 23 times for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Monroe picked up 80 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Bear’s 16-14 victory over North Vermilion.
Iota’s Adam Ardoin and Nick Sloane also fared well in the Bulldogs’ 38-13 loss to Kinder.
Ardoin, returning for his first game since the jamboree, rushed for 89 yards on 17 carries while Sloane picked up 58 yards on 11 carries to go along with two receptions for 30 yards.