Photograph: Northwest High School key performers: Javian Reese, Wesley Moore and Haywood Gallien. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
There was some improvement among St. Landry Parish high school football teams during Week 2 as Eunice, Opelousas and Beau Chene emerged as winners in their non-district games.
Still parish teams were 3-6 last week, giving St. Landry football a 4-13 overall record two weeks into 2022.
For at least two of the parish teams there were disappointments as Northwest High and Opelousas Catholic lost contests by a combined three points.
This week interesting matchups will include a couple of intra-parish contests as Beau Chene visits Northwest and Opelousas Catholic goes to Port Barre.
Here’s what to look for in Week 3.
ST. LANDRY NOW GAME OF THE WEEK
BEAU CHENE (1-1) at NORTHWEST (1-1)
Beau Chene and Northwest will provide an in-depth look at two parish teams that have not played often during the regular season.
The Gators handled Port Barre easily last week, while Northwest was defeated by Crowley in a game that was decided primarily by the Raiders’ propensity for turnovers. It’s been hard to get a true picture of Beau Chene so far, after the Gators lost 39-0 in the opener to Rayne and then shut out Port Barre 24-0. Northwest began the season with a victory at Northside. Go with Northwest in this game.
OPELOUSAS CATHOLIC (0-2) at PORT BARRE (0-1)
When is the last time these two teams met when they were winless? Well, it’s been a while. That’s the situation for both teams however as they play again in Port Barre Thursday night. This has become one of the oldest parish football rivalries dominated recently by Opelousas Catholic. Port Barre is hard to gauge right now, since the Devils have played only four quarters of 2022 football and haven’t scored. OCS has been allowing points (85 in two games) against two quality opponents. It’s hard not to like OCS in this one.
LAKE CHARLES COLLEGE PREP (1-1) at OPELOUSAS HIGH (1-1)
The Tigers looked synchronized offensively and defensively against Natchitoches Central last Friday night. LCCP will come to Donald Gardner Stadium with an impressive resume including a No. 7 ranking in the latest Louisiana Sports Writers’ Association poll and a close loss at Westgate. If Opelousas can stay away from silly mistakes they can win. A victory here will say a lot about Opelousas. Pick the Tigers in a close contest.
AVOYELLES (1-1) at EUNICE (1-1)
It’s always intriguing when you play Avoyelles in football. Avoyelles, a spectators’ favorite do to their unconventional style, does not punt and most assuredly they will run the football quite often. It’s a system unlike no other in Louisiana and one that Eunice has to encounter at Bobcats’ Stadium Friday night. Did the Eunice offense really experience a breakout game in the win against Jennings? Expect the Bobcats to continue winning.
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN (0-2) at HANSON MEMORIAL (2-0)
The Westminster offense has had difficulties getting into the end zone this season, scoring only once offensively in eight quarters. That doesn’t help the Crusaders since Hanson has scored 90 points in the first two games. Will that trend extend to this week or will the Crusaders explode against Hanson? Going with Hanson until Westminster fixes the offensive problems.
THRIVE ACADEMY (0-1) at NORTH CENTRAL (0-2)
North Central flirted with a first win in three seasons at Merryville but lost handily at Gueydan last week. Thrive Academy gives the Hurricanes the best chance for a victory. North Central obviously needs to become more consistent. This game goes to North Central in a close one.
WESTMINSTER-LAFAYETTE (1-0) at ST. EDMUND (1-1)
The Blue Jays played in Dallas last week and come back to a game against a start-up program. Look for an easy St. Edmund win.
LAST WEEK’S PREDICTION RECORD: 5-2
