OHS Ready For Playoffs
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
If you don’t know the whole story, it would appear the Opelousas High football team would be a non-qualifier next week when the football playoff pairings are announced.
With possibly three wins in nine games, most might say the Tigers should be turning in their equipment following a regular-season-ending game with Beau Chene this Friday night.
However few teams have played the Tigers’ non-district schedule, which includes four teams currently power-ranked among the top 10 in their classifications and a cumulative 30-5 record.
Two of those defeats came against Alexandria and Teurlings Catholic, which are a combined 17-1 and currently seeded numbers two and three in Division 1 select.
Opelousas is currently ranked No. 20 in Division II non-select, a position which first-year head coach Harry Coleman feels will put his team on the road for the duration of the postseason.
The Tigers’ victories have occurred in two of the last three games — both district contests —, which Coleman says is a culmination of his players’ attitudes.
“All season we have said to our guys that there is so much that we can control. I think we have keep moving forward over the season and we will probably be a low seed if we win this week,”
Coleman said he and his players agreed they were not going to use the schedule as an excuse.
“That has been the message all year. We weren’t going to complain or cry,” Coleman said.
All but one of the six Opelousas losses have come at opposing stadiums, something Coleman thinks could benefit the Tigers in the playoffs.
“We’ve been road warriors all season and if we keep advancing then that’s how we’re going to get it done. I think with what we went through this year, we are prepared to play anywhere. Actually I think we play better on the road, because there aren’t as many distractions,” Coleman said.
Win Number Two
Last Friday night Opelousas defeated Breaux Bridge (42-21) in a district contest played at Donald Gardner Stadium.
The Tigers led 21-7 at halftime, sustained the lead despite consecutive Breaux Bridge touchdowns and added another two TD’s in the final 12 minutes.
Jaylon Owens had the featured offensive night for Opelousas, catching four passes for 70 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 78 more yards on five rushing attempts.
Quarterback Collin Rideau was involved in three Opelousas touchdowns, passing for 105 yards on 10 completions.
Corey Major gained 49 rushing yards. Major also caught three passes for 60 yards and one TD.
Overall Opelousas passed for 253 yards and rushed for 168.
Breaux Bridge gained 172 rushing and another 96 passing.
How The Game Unfolded
Rideau put Opelousas in front following touchdown runs of two and one yards.
Owens caught a 40-yard pass from Rideau to create a three-touchdown lead for Opelousas.
Breaux Bridge cut the score to 21-7 before halftime and then moved closer with a third quarter touchdown on a 19-yard pass.
Rideau and Owens connected on a five-yard pass in the third quarter that gave the Tigers a 28-14 advantage.
In the fourth quarter Opelousas scored consecutively on a 44-yard Marley Richard reception from Rideau and another of 31 yards to Carren Coleman.
