Taming a Tornado

Basile, Haynesville tangle in second round game
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Tomorrow night, the Basile High Bearcats will walk right into the den of the Tornado, as they travel to Haynesville for a second round Class 1A playoff game.
Haynesville is a 17 time state champion and an 10 time state runner-up. The last time the Golden Tornado played in the state championhip was just one year ago. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“Haynesville is a traditional powerhouse program that has a ton of history behind them,” stated Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand. “They have proven themselves year in and year out. This year is no execption. They have a really good football team and have lost to some even better football teams. It is going to be tough to go into Haynesville and come away with a win. It will take all that we have.”
Haynesville comes into the game with an overall record of 6-4. Last week, the Golden Tornado had a bye in the first round of the post-season.
Haynesville’s wins come mostly in district competition. The Golden Tornado began the year with three straight losses. Included in those losses were Class 3A North Webster, Class 4A Minden and an out of state opponent, Junction City, Arkansas.
Haynesville then reeled off five wins in a row, beating Plain Dealing, Magnolia School, Arcadia Linclon Prep and Ringgold. The Golden Tornado then fell to Calvary Baptist and finished the regular season with a win over Homer.
Haynesville comes into the game averaging 24.1 points per game. However, in their four losses, the Golden Tornado have only scored a total of 17 points.
“Offensively, they are big up front and run the same scheme (Wing-T) they have been running for ever,” said Bertrand. “When you have a system that has been taught to your players since they were freshmen, then you know they are going to run it well. Defensively, we are going to have to make sure that we play sound technique and get our assignments right.”
Defensively, Haynesville gives up 23.5 points per game. The Golden Hurricane have had times were they have shut down opponents, but they have also had opponents score three touchdowns or more in six of their contests, including giving up 70 points to Calvary Baptist.
“We have been playing some really good offense lately,” commented Bertrand. “Our job tomorrow night will be to keep possession of the ball and not make any mistakes. If we can run the ball with some effectiveness and gain an advantage in field position, we will be in good shape. The most important thing will be for us to finish drives with points.”
There is no doubt that Basile has done a tremendous job with the football over the past six games. During that span, the Bearcats have put up an average of 21.3 points per game.
The biggest difference for Basile during the second half of the season has been the change in the offensive scheme and the fact that most of their players are completely healthy.
In the first part of the year, Basile tried to run a version of the Wing-T. But, after a 2-3 start, Bertrand and his coaching staff decided to go to a traditional Wing-T scheme, and it has paid off.
Over the last six games, Basile has accumulated 2,054 yards of offense; an average of 342.3 yards per game. The bulk of that offense has come on the ground, with the Bearcats gaining 1,752 yards rushing; an aveage of 292 yards per game.
The biggest contibutor for the Basile rushing attack has been Isaiah Ceasar. The senior tailback has rushed for 1,099 yards on the year on 131 attempts.
Two other Bearcats rushers, Logan David (647 yards) and Izzy Drehemsis (730 yards) also help carry the load for Basile. Despite the heavy-handed running game, the Bearcats can also throw the ball when needed, as quarterback Cole Manuel has thrown for 714 yards this season, completing 36 of 82 passes.
“This game will come down to turnovers and time of possession,” said Bertrand. “The team that makes the least mistakes and the team that can put together drives that result in points will take the win and advance on.”