Basile storms into playoffs riding six game win streak

When Basile began the regular season, there were high hopes that 2017 would bring the type of success that the Bearcats have tasted in the past.
However, after the first four games, Basile was looking at a 1-3 record and wondering if the hard work this summer would pay off when the playoff brackets were announced at the end of the year.
Jump ahead six games later, and we see that the Bearcats have not only turned the season around, but have turned it into season to remember. Since week five, Basile has reeled off six wins in a row and have put themselves in a position to do a ton of damage this post-season.
Because of their turn around year, the Bearcats have earned the number No. 7 seed in the LHSAA Playoffs and will host No. 26 Slaughter Charter tomorrow night in a first round game. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“It has been a season of improvement for us,” stated Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand. “We started off slow against some really tough competition, but we have steadily gotten better and better each week. Right now, I think we are playing our best football we have played all year long and that is exactly what we need heading into the playoffs.”
One big factor in the Bearcats turn around has been the evolution of the Basile ground game. The Bearcats have rushed for close to 2,000 yards this year with running back Andre Reed leading the way. Reed has toted the ball for 1,011 yards on 126 carries and 10 touchdowns.
“Our offensive line has played really well these last six games,” commented Bertrand. “Because of that we have been able to control the ball on the ground and kept it away from opposing offenses. When we run the ball successfully, every part of our game benefits.”
Basile will utilize that vaunted running attack against an outmanned Slaughter Charter Knights.
“They don’t have the numbers that other teams have because they are so new to football,” said Bertrand. “However, they are very athletic and can hit you on big plays if you let your guard down.”
“We are going into this game with the same mentality as last week,” Bertrand continued. “We will try to weather the storm for the first quarter when they are fresh, limit the big plays and hopefully wear them down.”
The Knights come into the contest with an overall record of 2-8 and have played one similar opponent to Basile, the Sacred Heart Trojans. Both Slaughter and Basile lost to Sacred Heart, with the Bearcats falling 42-14 and the Knights going down by the score of 47-14.
Slaughter averages 18.9 points per game on offense and give up 38.6 points per game on defense. The Knights have surrendered 40 points or more six times and 50 points or more on five occasions.
“Their offense is weird,” commented Bertrand. “It is like they run three different offenses, depending on which quarterback is in the game. But, they do look well coached and look like they have a plan on the defensive side of the ball. We are just going to have to get after them.”