Identity renewal

The Ville Platte High Bulldogs have had a rough going over the last two weeks of the season.
After a lackluster performance against Grand Lake and a loss at the the hands of the defending Class 3A state champion Eunice Bobcats, Bulldog head coach Jorie Randle is looking for his team to renew their identity.
“We are not necessarily looking at tomorrow night as a rebound game, but more of a reclaiming of our identity,” stated Randle. “We have to get back to the solid running game that we showed in the first game of the season. That is who we are. We have to get back to doing what we do well.”
Ville Platte (1-2) will take that attitude of identity renewal on the road tomorrow night when they visit the winless North Central Hurricanes. This past Friday North Central fell to Mentorship Academy 60-0.
The Hurricanes have been outscored 112-16 in their three games played this season. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The running game that Randle is referring to was solid in Ville Platte’s 34-14 win over Sacred Heart in week one. In that game, the Bulldogs rushed for close to 300 yards.
However, in the losses to Grand Lake and Eunice it seems Ville Platte’s ground game has come to a screeching halt. In the two games combined the Bulldogs do not have 200 yards of rushing.
“When we run the football effectively, it takes a lot of pressure off of our passing game,” said Randle. “We want to be able to dictate when we throw the football. If we cannot run the ball with consistency, then we become a one-dimensional team. That will be a major key for us against North Central. We are going to have to have ball control with our ground game.”
According to Randle, North Central is a team that can beat you if you go into the game with complacency. Despite their record, the Hurricanes did manage to play Grand Lake to a six point ball game.
“They have a ton of athletes,” stated Randle. “They spread you out and hope to get those athletes in space. They like to throw the ball around a lot, especially because their quarterback has a cannon for an arm. But, they can run the ball when necessary.”
“We cannot go in there and have another game like we did against Grand Lake,” Randle continued. “We have to be ready to play from the start. If you keep them in the game, they can beat you.”