For the Ville Platte Bulldogs, making the LHSAA Class 2A playoffs may come down to one thing; a win over the No. 5 ranked Welsh Greyhounds on the road.
As of Tuesday, Ville Platte (3-6, 0-4) resided in the No. 32 spot of the power ranking (according to Louisianasportsline.com). That means if the playoffs were held this week, the Bulldogs would be the last team in.
However, the post-season does not begin for another week and Ville Platte is still hoping for a shot at another week of football. A win over Welsh (6-3, 2-1) would surely put the Bulldogs into the next season, but even if they fail this week against the Greyhounds, Ville Platte may still find their way in. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“Last year we won three games and got in,” stated Ville Platte head coach Jorie Randle. “The thing about it, is our schedule has been so tough again this season. A number of the teams we have played so far are in the top 20 of their respective power ranking. But, we cannot rely on that. We have to come out to play and get this win so that we know for sure we have a spot in the playoffs come next week.”
Last Friday night, Ville Platte took care of business, picking up a 33-13 homecoming win over Ascension Christian. The Bulldogs were able to score early and hold the Lions down offensively for the most part.
“Offensively, I thought we move the ball effectively,” said Randle. “We were able to get both the running game and the passing game going. When we are balanced on that side of the ball, we can be very successful. Except for two break downs in coverage, we held them (Ascension Christian) down. Our defense has played really tough all year long.”
Tomorrow night, Ville Platte will have to deal with a Welsh team that has lit up the scoreboard this season, averaging 33.1 points per game. The only thing that has held the Greyhounds back on offense so far in 2018 was a 2-0 forfeit to Rayne in week one for an ineligible player, a seven point performance in a loss to Kaplan and a goose egg put up against one of the best teams in the state, Notre Dame.
“Offensively, they are so sound,” commented Randle. “We are going to have to strap it up and get ready to play if we hope to slow them down. They have some really talented players on that side of the ball and it shows by the numbers they have been putting up all season long.”
Welsh allows 17.1 points per game defensively. And aside from their 57-0 loss to Notre Dame, the Greyhounds have held opponents to 12 points or less five times.
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: TRACEY JAGNEAUX Sports Editor