Sacred Heart takes three game win streak into district

The Sacred Heart Trojans have come a long way since the beginning of the season.
After starting off 0-2, the Trojans have reeled off three wins in a row, including their dramatic 14-12 win over Mamou this past Friday night.
Sacred Heart will not take that win streak into district play when they host the Catholic of Pointe Coupee Hornets tomorrow night at Soileau/Landry field.
According to Trojan head coach Josh Harper, winning the last three games seems to have eased the minds of his players.
“It is a whole lost easier to motivate players when you are on a win streak,” stated Harper. “Now, as a coaching staff, we don’t have to sell them on what we want done. They are seeing that the schemes that we are giving them are working. Our team is building a ton of confidence in themselves and practices have become much looser than they were three weeks ago. It is a great feeling to see all of that happening.”
One thing that has helped Sacred Heart on their three game win streak is that they have found an identity on offense. That identity has come in the form of a rushing attack that has overwhelmed their opponents with the type of control the football offense that has defined the Trojans in Harper’s tenure.
Over the past three contests, the Trojans have hauled in close to 550 yards of yardage on the ground. Couple that with long sustained drives, and you have the recipe for winning.
Take the game against Mamou. In that contest, the Trojans two scoring drives consumed 19 total plays and a ton of clock. In fact, Sacred Heart had four drives of nine plays or more in the first half.
This week the Trojans will need that running game in order to keep the ball away from Catholic and their high scoring offense. The Hornets (3-2) come into the game averaging 33 points per game on offense. Catholic has twice score over 40 points this season.
“Catholic looks as good as they have ever looked,” said Harper. “They have a senior heavy team, so they are going to be battled tested. They want to play smash mouth football and run the ball right at you. Then when your defense commits all out to the run, they will hit you with a big play in the passing game. We have played them tough in the past, so we know what to expect. We are going to have to come out ready to play and not let them dictate the game from the start.”
Probably the biggest Achilles’ heel for the Hornets is their proclivity to give up points on the defensive side of the ball. Catholic has surrendered 113 points this season, an average of 22.6 points per game.
Harper is excited about beginning the district part of his schedule and starting the journey toward a possible league title.
“When district starts, everything seems to amp up,” commented Harper. “It is like a new season begins. We just want to continue playing the way we have over the past three games and make sure that we do not make the mistakes that can hurt us.”