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Deion Sanders remains upbeat after Prime Prep drops opener to Parish Episcopal, 50-6

The hyped debut of Deion Sanders’ new charter school was as ugly as many of the headlines that preceded it.

Prime Prep was outmatched in every phase of the game and burned for 329 rushing yards Friday in a 50-6 loss to Parish Episcopal at Gloria H. Snyder Stadium.

But Sanders, who wore a headset and called plays, never looked flustered on the sideline. He remained patient with his young team and upbeat after the lopsided loss.

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“I just wanted to see them try to fight to the end,” said Sanders, who helped found the school. “I thought they did, and they scored.”

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Two weeks ago, Prime Prep was banned from District 11-3A competition by the district executive committee, a ruling the school has appealed. On Wednesday, Prime Prep players made news by confronting a TV reporter after practice.

Sanders said he’s keeping his focus on the field, where he’ll have his work cut out.

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The score was 43-0 after a lackluster first half in which Prime Prep struggled to communicate plays or line up correctly. Sanders said he was seeing many of his players for the first time Friday, and several more had been on the team only a week.

Twenty-five of the 35 players on Prime Prep’s roster are freshmen and sophomores.

Marcus Holcomb, one of three seniors, scored Prime Prep’s lone touchdown with a 2-yard run late in the fourth quarter. It followed a 65-yard catch and run by James Proche, who had two catches of 40 yards or more.

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The Parish running back tandem of Zach Shelley and Tre Vance owned the night. The two ran for 248 of their combined 251 rushing yards in the first half.

Shelley scored five touchdowns — four rushing and one receiving — all in the first half.

“They make me look like I know what I’m doing,” Parish coach Scott Nady said of his running back duo. “They’re special. I’ll coach a long time if I always have two in the backfield like them.”

Prime Prep moved the ball on several drives but couldn’t finish. The team fumbled nine times and lost possession on five. Also, quarterbacks Kennon Washington and Joshua Davis threw one interception apiece.

Freshman running back Ja’quan Sheals stood out with 124 rushing yards, including a 74-yard run midway through the second quarter. But Prime Prep couldn’t convert on fourth-and-goal from the 2-yard line.

“I can’t wait to watch the film so we can teach them,” Sanders said. “That’s what it’s all about, teaching them.”

Prime Prep firsts

First roster: 35 players — 14 freshmen and 11 sophomores

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First play: Gave up 7 yards on a run by Parish RB Zach Shelley

First offensive play: A 2-yard run by RB Marcus Holcomb

First score allowed: Parish RB Tre Vance ran 15 yards for a touchdown with 7:22 to go in the first quarter.

First touchdown: A 2-yard run by Holcomb with 2:24 remaining in the fourth quarter.

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First turnover: On the second play of Prime's second possession, RB Desmond Bowdon fumbled on the PPA 46.