A daunting challenge awaits the Ville Platte High Bulldogs tomorrow night, as they host the defending Class 3A state champion Eunice Bobcats (2-0) in the Dog Pound.
In order to face that challenge head on, Ville Platte (1-1) must regroup after a 22-7 loss to Grand Lake this past Friday night. Game time for the Bulldogs and the Bobcats is set for 7 p.m.
According to Ville Platte head coach Jorie Randle, Friday night’s loss to the Hornets was about two things; not playing up to the challenge that Grand Lake presented and turnovers.
“I have to give my hats off to the players and the coaches from Grand Lake, they came to play and we were not ready for their aggressiveness,” stated Randle. “They basically punched us in the mouth and we did not respond. Their offensive line was one of the best I have seen around the area in a long time. They controlled the line of scrimmage all night long and we helped them keep the ball with our three interceptions.”
“You cannot turn the ball over against good teams,” Randle continued. “We have to do a better job of protecting the ball. Our defense had to stay a long time out on the field because of that. We put them in some tough situations. I thought that our defense played well for the situations that we were in.”
Offensively, Ville Platte did not do much against the Hornets. The same Bulldog offense that ran rough shod over the Sacred Heart Trojan defense just the week before only managed 208 yards of rushing against Hornets; something that was not lost on Randle.
“When we are able to establish a running game, we are able to do a lot more in terms of passing the ball,” said Randle. “There is no doubt that we want to put the ball in the hands of Jahmal (Byers) and let him make things happen. Once he starts to take over the game then we can begin getting the ball to our big receivers, because the defense has to start stacking the box.”
The passing game that Randle referenced was non-existent against Grand Lake. In the game, Ville Platte threw for only six total yards on 11 attempts. The Bulldogs completed two of those 11 passes.
Eunice comes into the game looking like they have not slowed down since their championship run a year ago. The Bobcats put up 73 points against the Northwest Raiders in week one and brought down perennial powerhouse Jennings 19-7 this past Friday night.
Traditionally Eunice is a run heavy football team that operates out of the Wing-T. However, Randle sees a slight change in the offensive philosophy that head coach Paul Trosclair
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX Sports Editor