Three Parish Teams Remain In Contention for District Titles

Photograph: Eunice High senior standouts Heyden Darbonne and Tylon Cooper. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)

BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer

The possibility of obtaining a district championship remains all too real for three St. Landry Parish football teams who face key games during Week 9.

Opelousas High, Opelousas Catholic and Eunice High are still in contention as all three engage in key league games that determine in any of them captures district titles.

For the remainder of the nine Parish football teams, the final two weeks of the regular season will include competing for position and hoping they have obtained enough power points to squeeze into the playoffs.

Opelousas has the highest power point ranking (No. 2 in Division II of non-select teams), while the rest of St. Landry will enter postseason competition potentially playing road games at least during the first round.

At this point the parish is almost divided among teams with winning records and those who are struggling to reach .500.

Last week parish teams finished 3-6, with Opelousas, Opelousas Catholic and Northwest High winning games.

Let’s look at the impending situations for Week 9.

ST. LANDRY NOW GAME OF THE WEEK

Leesville (7-1, 3-0) at Eunice High (4-4, 2-1)
This is a key District 3-4A contest that is crucial for both teams. Eunice has been enigmatic at times this season, but the Bobcats have a chance to claim a slice of a district title by defeating Leesville at home Friday night. Leesville is the only undefeated team in the district, while Rayne, Eunice and DeRidder are all 2-1. A loss will probably kill any hope that Eunice has for a championship, while a win by Leesville gives the Wampus Cats at least a piece of the trophy. If it rains, look for Leesville to have the advantage, but Eunice makes a stand and somehow wins this one.

Opelousas High (7-1, 2-0) at Breaux Bridge (4-4, 1-1)
All Opelousas High needs is a win to claim a championship that has eluded the program since the days of Larry Dauterive. There’s a lot to like about the Tigers’ offense, but the defense is what will give Opelousas the chance to put a district trophy on display. Opelousas loves to squeeze the game clock seconds with the running game and throw when needed. Breaux Bridge is still learning a new offensive system. There’s no reason why Opelousas can’t win this game.

Sacred Heart (6-2, 2-1) at Opelousas Catholic (5-3, 3-0)
There’s also a lot resting on this game for both teams. A Sacred Heart win will throw the district into a potential four-way tie, depending upon other outcomes involving 6-1A teams. Opelousas Catholic is riding a four-game winning streak with a defense that has allowed eight points in four games. The Vikings are doing enough offensively to succeed and let the defense do the rest – a championship prescription. Sacred Heart meanwhile has displayed an impressive offense, so the matchup in this game is quite obvious. Opelousas Catholic should win if the Vikings control the line of scrimmage on both sides.

Hanson Memorial (7-1, 3-1) at Beau Chene (1-7, 0-3)
Beau Chene moves out of district-caliber competition to meet Hanson, a Division IV non-select team that that nurtured a seven-game winning streak before losing to Central Catholic (42-6) last week. This is one of the better teams Hanson has featured during the past decade. Beau Chene meanwhile has experienced defensive problems. The Gators have allowed 40 points or more during the past six weeks. Offensively Beau Chene has scored touchdowns only twice in the last two games. Hanson should be considered the favorite.

Catholic Pointe-Coupee (7-1, 2-1) at North Central (3-5, 0-3)
Catholic Pointe-Coupee remains eligible to win a share of the district title, provided Opelousas Catholic loses a league game. Otherwise CHPC will finish amid the quagmire in 6-1A. Look for the Hornets to get another needed win. North Central meanwhile has won more games this season than during the past eight years combined. There is a football program now at North Central, but there needs to be more buy-in from the school supporters to continue that success. Catholic PC wins easily.

Northwest High (4-4, 2-2) at Ville Platte (2-6, 2-2)
This game might be more competitive than in recent seasons. Northwest has struggled to escape from injury issues, and as a result the Raiders need to run the district table in order to reach the playoffs. That task shouldn’t matter, because it’s something the Raiders have done during the last two seasons. Ville Platte is attempting to revive football and the Bulldogs have responded with wins in district games two of the last three weeks. Northwest wins a tight one.

Iota ( 6-2, 4-0) at Port Barre (0-7, 0-4)
Iota (six straight wins) is looking ahead to the matchup against Church Point next week in a game that decides a district title. The Bulldogs enjoy the power running game, so Iota with a relatively high power ranking, will look to run the game clock and pound the ball. Port Barre had a chance to win a district game in Ville Platte last week, but the Red Devils couldn’t complete the deal. This will be senior night at Port Barre. Iota wins this contest.

St, Edmund (4-3, 1-2) at Westminster Christian (2-6, 1-2)
The Blue Jays and Westminster contain two of the youngest starting lineups in the parish. For St. Edmund offensively, the Jays have unveiled freshman running back Kevon Johnson, whose 1,254 net rushing yards rank among the leaders statewide. Westminster can expect a heavy dose of Johnson in addition to a passing game featuring quarterback Kane West. WCA appears healthier now than the Crusaders were earlier during the season, with young offensive weapons in quarterback Stephen George and running back Michael Cunningham. Josh Cassimere has become a receiver to watch. This could be a close game that St. Edmund wins.