BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Unless you were Eunice or Port Barre, the first week of regular season St. Landry Parish high school football probably brought the need for local coaches to consider reshuffling aspects of their football teams.
Parish teams opened 2023 a collective 2-6. That overall record might appear dismal – which it was. However many of the St. Landry schools played Week 1 opponents which are still ranked and favored even before the ball was kicked off to start the season.
Port Barre, with a deep level of experience and an essentially all new coach staff, defeated Class 4A Livonia High, while Eunice outscored Church Point to open the season in Acadia Parish.
Both of those victories were impressive, especially for Port Barre, whose program has long needed an infusion of optimism.
So now that Week 1 is a rearview mirror experience, how are the St. Landry football teams expected to perform this week?
GAME OF THE WEEK
Beau Chene (0-1) at Port Barre (1-0)
Each of these teams won just once in 2022.
While Beau Chene continues redesigning the football program, Port Barre has seemingly established a temporary appearance of stability, with a large senior class that appears dedicated towards redirecting what happened in previous seasons. The only win for Beau Chene last year occurred by defeating Port Barre. Will that happen again? This game will be close and perhaps low scoring. Look for a Beau Chene win.
THE REST OF ST. LANDRY
Opelousas High (1-0) at Natchitoches Central (1-0)
After what has become a traditional season-opening loss at Teurlings Catholic, Opelousas High heads north for a second segment of the Tigers’ 2023 roadshow which continues until Oct. 13 when OHS first appears for a home game this season.
In terms of scheduling, there’s no reasoning with this regular season for the Tigers.
Natchitoches Central opened with a win over Woodlawn-Shreveport. Don’t know if Natchitoches throws the football, but the Tigers had copious secondary problems in the loss to No. 9 Teurlings.
Opelousas came into 2023 confident and well-hyped. Look for the Tigers to win in Week 2.
Ascension Catholic (1-0) at Opelousas Catholic (0-1)
Don’t know much about OCS this year. New coaching staff for the Vikings and a Week 1 loss to highly-rated Oak Grove
If you’re looking for OCS Week 1 results, so is St. Landry Now.com.
Ascension Catholic defeated the Vikings twice last season and ACHS began 2023 with a shutout of West St. John. That result doesn’t appear favorable for the Vikings who will drop to 0-2.
Northwest (0-1) at Crowley (0-1)
Crowley has been somewhat of a nemesis for Northwest in recent seasons, defeating the Raiders three straight times.
Crowley experienced a five-score loss last week to a good St. Louis team, while Northwest experienced an impressive number of penalty yards (123) against an improving Northside program.
The Gents are having problems with program numbers, but Crowley also has some talented offensive players who will give Northwest some problems. The Raiders however will win this one. This game will be a battle.
Jennings (0-1) at Eunice (1-0)
There is no doubt Eunice can score this season. The Bobcats have offensive line experience and backs that have a number of varsity carries. This contest, one of the oldest continuing series statewide, will be spirited and close as usual. Look for Eunice to win against a new Jennings coaching staff.
Grand Lake (1-0) at Westminster (0-1)
Westminster played a close game last Thursday against an improved Jeanerette team which is considered capable of making another postseason playoff appearance.
Wish we could have provided more clarity about that game for the St. Landry Now.com readers, but WCA, like OCS apparently had technical difficulties when it came to providing statistics and information.
Grand Lake opened with a 34-20 win over Hamilton Christian. WCA has a chance to win this one, but we like Grand Lake in this one.
Gueydan (0-1) at North Central (0-1)
Both of these teams opened this season with losses. North Central was defeated by Merryville (38-7), while Gueydan was a loser against Ascension Christian (37-0).
North Central has some talented athletes, something that was evident in the jamboree. However the Hurricanes need some coaching stability to put all of that potential together. If the program can achieve that, things could come together.
This game is winnable for the Hurricanes and North Central will leave Week 2 with a victory.
