Defining moment

BASILE -- It would be hard to believe that a game this early in the season could become a defining moment in the 2018 gridiron campaign. But, tomorrow night’s contest between the 2-0 Sacred Heart Trojans and the 1-1 Basile Bearcats at Bearcat stadium sure feels that way. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“Right now we are playing well on both sides of the ball,” stated Sacred Heart head coach Josh Harper. “This game just feels like one of those toe-to-toe battles between two teams that have a ton to gain with a win. We can’t have a let down after a big win last week. We are going to have to come in and play this game like it is a playoff game.”
Basile head coach Kevin Bertand also knows how important this game is to his ball club.
“Last year we started 1-3 and lost to them (Sacred Heart),” said Bertrand. “We know in order to put ourselves in a better position if we make the playoffs, this is a must win in terms of power points. Beating a good team like Sacred Heart would be a huge feather in our cap.”
Last week the Trojans made a huge statement to the rest of the area teams that they will be a force to be reckoned with down the stretch, defeating their most heated rivals, the St. Ed’s Blue Jays 10-3.
Against St. Ed’s, Sacred Heart turned up the defensive pressure, holding the Blue Jays to 137 yards on 54 plays; which amounts to a woeful 2.5 yards per play. On top of that the Trojans stymied St. Ed’s top player, quarterback Brad Miller, stonewalling him to only 45 yards rushing and 15 yards passing.
“Not a whole lot of people gave us a chance at the beginning of the season when we lost one of our best players,” commented Harper. “But I think the last two games the guys have come out and played with a chip on their shoulder. Our defense has played extremely well the last two weeks and with them doing what they have it fuels the rest of the team.”
Offensively, Sacred Heart showed a passing game that was not a part of the game plan in week one versus Ville Platte. The Trojans threw the ball 11 times, connecting on five of those passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. Quarterback Wesley Launey found open receivers and made the most of it by hitting them on stride.
“For three weeks we really hadn’t shown our passing game much,” stated Harper. “But, it has kind of been in our back pocket. But, we continued to work on it at practice last week and hammered on it hard to get that phase of the game going. Wesley is a veteran quarterback and he showed it last week.”
On the other side of the ball, the Basile Bearcats rebounded in a huge way after a tough loss to Iota in week one by pounding the Mamou Demons 36-0 this past Friday night. In that game, the Bearcats rushed for 301 yards and scored in all quarters of the game.
“The biggest thing to come out of the Mamou game was that we had some guys step up and make plays,” said Bertrand. “All off-season long and into the scrimmage and jamboree, we were hoping that younger players would be able to come in and make a difference for us. This past week, I think we may have found those players.”
To show the diversity of the Basile offense, four different players toted the ball this past Friday night, with Logan David and Isaiah Ceasar leading the way collecting 88 and 85 yards respectfully. Quarterback Dawson Ashford was five of nine passing for 70 yards and one touchdown.
“Our offense has matured a ton since last season,” commented Bertrand. “Even in the loss to Iota, we were able to move the ball on the ground and through the air. We just need to continue to control the football and eat up the clock. If we can do that and hold on to the ball, we will be able to move forward with some success.”
The Bearcat defensive unit has also been holding their own this season. Against a powerful Iota club, Basile held the Bulldogs in check for most of the game. And, last Friday, that unit held Mamou in check, only allowing 155 total yards and also picked off two passes.
“We have a ton of experience back on defense,” said Bertrand. “That allows us to be fast because we are not having to think on the field. A lot of times, those guys are making calls and adjustments themselves. That right there shows you they are understanding what we are coaching them up on during the week.”
The two coaches are very cognizant of the depth and talent that their opponent brings to the table. Both Harper and Bertrand expound complete admiration for the other’s team.
“Basile will be a tough task for us this week,” stated Harper. “They are very physical and have some super athletes. They can put up the yards on the ground but also throw it well enough for you to have to respect their passing game. Defensively, they are very sound and do not allow you to get away with mistakes.”
“Sacred Heart is 2-0 for a reason,” said Bertrand. “They do not beat themselves. The offense that they run will lull you to sleep and catch you making an assignment mistake. When that happens, they will hit your for a big play. Defensively, they are solid from the line to the secondary. They tackle well and keep you out of the end zone. It will be a challenge tomorrow night for sure.”
Despite who comes up victorious tomorrow night, one imminent fact remains; the winner of this game will definitely have the momentum going forward.