OHS Works On Consistency
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
One week it’s defense. The next week it’s the offense.
Then there is the prevalent kicking game issue.
The confluence of those problems aren’t providing a optimistic recipe for an Opelousas High football team that seeks to repeat as a state champion, says head football coach Jimmy Zachery, Jr.
Zachery, whose team is 1-3 and in the middle of a three-game road trip, will perform another self-examination process before the Tigers play at Natchitoches Central this Friday night.
“What we need right now is to get all three of the phases together so we can play through each game. Right now it’s all about consistency,”” Zachery admitted after a 24-6 Opelousas loss at Zachary last Friday night.
Offensively the Tigers experienced obvious issues against Zachary, the No. 8-ranked team in Class 5A, something Zachery attributed to blocking difficulties, turnovers and assorted mistakes.
Against Zachary, which scored three straight touchdowns after a scoreless first half, Opelousas engineered a 6-3 lead in the third quarter following a 78-yard, De’Shaun Ford touchdown run.
That however was the only scoring highlight for the Tigers, who experienced a potential touchdown drive stall at the Zachary 4-yard line on the final play of the first half.
Ford gained 121 yards on 17 carries. Wide receiver Korey Fontenot caught four passes for 84 yards.
Starting quarterback Zack Malveaux left the game with back spasms.
Opelousas also relinquished possessions following a fumble and interception.
“Last week we had the defense giving up (43) points and this week the defense played well against Zachary. However they were on the field too long,” Zachery added.
The defensive effort was the high point of the loss, considering Zachary started nine of the Broncos’ 11 possessions inside Opelousas High territory.
Opelousas High also had two potential punts blocked by Zachary. Against ASH last week, the Tigers lost a potential offensive possession by failing to recover an onside kick.
“We need to work on things with the kicking game, clean up that area of special teams. It seems that we are beating ourselves with mistakes,” added Zachery.
Opelousas’ three defeats have come against ranked teams from Class 5A and Class 4A.
“Right now we are beating ourselves with mistakes. Our non-district schedule has been brutal, but we know that. I think what we re doing with our schedule is going to benefit us.
“What is important to note is that all the games we lost have been winnable,” Zachery said.
