Tulane had zero success on fake punts this season, but then, the Green Wave did not have {db}Sherman Badie{/db}.

Badie, a recent threes-star Green Wave commitment and star running back for local prep powerhouse John Curtis, called a fake on his own in the second quarter of the Class 2A state championship game on Saturday at the Superdome. He took a direct snap on fourth-and-4 from the Curtis 48 and lofted a 28-yard pass that set up another touchdown in the Patriots' 35-13 victory against Evangel Christian.

It wasn't coach J.T. Curtis' decision. It was all Badie.

"I looked to the outside and I saw the receiver open," he said. "I just called it and went with the play. I knew I was ready to do it, and it was a perfect pass."

J.T. Curtis provided assurance Badie wasn't exaggerating his role in the decision even if he went a bit overboard in his description of the throw. The coach labeled it good, not perfect.

"It's something we practice every week," J.T. Curtis said. "It popped open, and they were able to take advantage of it. It really was his call. I'd like to tell you it was a brilliant call on my part, but what it is is preparation. We go through that scenario every week at some point in time in practice."



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