The last time Ville Platte entered the playoffs was the 2015 season when the Bulldogs came in as the No. 29 seed that faced a loaded Patterson Lumberjack team.
In that game, Ville Platte almost shocked the LHSAA world, as the Bulldogs came within one play of defeating Patterson in a wild 21-16 game.
Move forward two years to 2017 and the Bulldogs find themselves in an eerily similar situation. Ville Platte enters this post-season as the No. 29 seed and has to travel to Many tomorrow night to take on a super talented Tiger teams ranked No. 4 in the playoff bracket. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“It is kind of weird that it is falling the same way it did two years ago,” stated Ville Platte head coach Jorie Randle. “Some of these guys were on that team that almost defeated Patterson, so they know what it will take to come out ahead tomorrow night. We will be ready to play, that is for sure.”
Many has been one of the top teams in Class 2A for the last 10 years. The Tigers come into tomorrow’s contest with an overall record of 8-2 and average 40.6 points per game on offense.
Many gives up a paltry 7.8 points per game on defense, including six shutouts.
The Tigers are lead by UCLA commit Shacori Collier who has rushed the ball 177 times for 1,410 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. Running back AJ Carter has added another 1,223 yards on 133 carries and 15 touchdowns.
“Their two running backs are very good,” said Randle. “But, it is their offensive line that scares me the most. They are not real big up front but are tremendously good. They get to the linebackers well and run the kick outs to perfection. The offensive line has some true athletes.”
“Many runs a two-tight, split back set and is very methodical on offense,” Randle continued. “They run the ball so well, that you are forced to load the box, and that is when they will hit you on the big pass play. They have scored on most of their passes this season.”
What Randle and the Bulldogs are hoping for is to hit the Tigers for some big plays to counteract their run game.
“It looks like they are susceptible to the big plays,” commented Randle. “A key for us will be if we can hit them down the field and maybe even score on special teams.”
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TRACEY JAGNEAUX