The 2018 season for the Basile Bearcats has been almost a mirror image of the 2017 campaign.
Last year Basile finished the year 7-3 and entered the Class 1A playoffs as the No. 7 seed.
This year, the Bearcats ended the regular season 8-2 and will begin the post-season as the No. 6 seed in Class 1A.
With that No. 6 seed Basile will host Tensas High School tomorrow night for the first of what Bearcat head coach Kevin Bertrand hopes is many victories in the playoffs. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“We have an experienced team this season,” stated Bertrand. “These seniors have been through the grind of the playoffs every year since they entered high school. At practice, you can feel they understand what’s at stake. They know if they slip up, the season is over for them. They do not want that to happen.”
Offensively, Basile struggled at the start of the season to get things going. In the first five games of the year, the Bearcats averaged 17.6 points per game, but was only able to score more than 13 points in any one game twice in that stretch.
Lately though, Basile has found their grove. Following a 2-0 forfeit win over South Cameron in week six, the Bearcats have averaged 42.8 points per game.
Basile is led by running back Andre Reed. The two-way senior player has rushed for 627 yards on 60 carries and scored eight times on the year. Senior quarterback Dawson Ashford has completed 50 percent of his passes for 335 yards.
“Offensively, we just needed to get into a rhythm,” said Bertrand. “The first couple of weeks of the season was us trying to find that rhythm. We are healthier on that side of the ball than we have been all year long and it is starting to show.”
Defensively, Basile has been about as good as it gets. The Bearcats only surrender 11.7 points per game and have held five of their ten opponents to one touchdown or less.
“We knew we were going to be solid on the defensive side of the ball this year, but for us to continue to play this way week in and week out has been tremendous to watch,” commented Bertrand. “Our offense feeds off of the defense. When we are getting the ball back for our offense, they respond in big ways.”
Basile’s opponent this week, Tensas, comes into the game with an overall record of 1-9. The Panthers average a meager 9.4 points per game on offense and give up 41.8 points per game on offense. Tensas has allowed 50 points or more four times this season.
“We know that despite our opponent, we have to come out and play full speed for 48 minutes,” said Bertrand. “If we take anyone lightly, we can go down in a heartbeat. Playing at home will give us a big advantage because we get to keep our routine the same. I believe we will be ready to play.”
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX Sports Editor