Photograph: North Central High School Football Team from 36-0 win over Northwood HS. Used with permission by North Central High football coach Jacob Carruth.
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
It was light jacket weather for the Week 5 St. Landry Parish Football games, a climatic trend which usually indicates the arrival of district games.
That was the case last Thursday and Friday nights, which made spectator viewing comfortable unless you persisted in wearing a t-shirt and shorts.
Moving backward for a moment, it was again exciting to see the overflow attendance for the Opelousas High Homecoming game last week, as thousands poured into South City Park to capture the festive experience both inside and outside the stadium.
Casting a glance at his week reveals all but one of eight St. Landry football programs are now immersed in district championship competition.
Last week parish teams were 5-5. An overall record compilation can be obtained by reading further and discerning the predictions and St. Landry game previews what can be expected during Week 6.
The state power rankings for the non-select and select divisions crafted recently by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association have been out for several weeks, but it’s not normally necessary to consider their impact until around midseason, since that’s when discussions about playoffs begin.
Nonetheless Opelousas High is ranked No. 1 in the current LHSAA Division II non-select power rankings, an achievement that’s’ a first for the football program.
Here’s what you can expect this week as the season moves forward.
ST. LANDRY NOW WEEK 6 GAME OF THE WEEK
Iota (3-2, 0-0) at Northwest (3-2, 1-1)
There were several worthy parish Game of The Week candidates, but this one at this point has serious district title implications. The district is ruled by three dominant teams annually and two of them play in Prairie Ronde Friday night. Iota is a program that has accumulated a wealth of talent from all over Acadia Parish and the Bulldogs are on a three-game winning streak. Northwest meanwhile has been back and worth during the first half and the Raiders have two of the best running backs (Javian Reese and Donovan Thomas) in St. Landry. Iota and the Raiders have similar power rankings in Division III. Northwest takes this one in a close contest.
New Iberia (1-4) at Opelousas High (4-1)
On paper this resembles a classic mismatch. Doing the homework, it becomes obvious that New Iberia has four losses against Westgate, Acadiana, Southside and Carencro. For Opelousas High supporters it’s hard not to get euphoric over the Tigers’ early success. How well the Opelousas coaching staff makes the Tigers forget about their four-game winning streak will be crucial. This could be considered a trap game however, despite comparing the records of both teams. In previous seasons, Opelousas would be considered the trap team. Warily I am picking Opelousas in this one.
Opelousas Catholic (1-4) at Westminster (1-4)
This crosstown rivalry recently dominated by OCS has been cast as a mismatch, but a closer look reveals the Crusaders are ahead slightly in the Division IV select power rankings. WCA head coach Travis Blaize upgraded the schedule in order to move into playoff contention and he believes that so far the decision has been beneficial for a very young team that has experienced its share of injuries. OCS, which has been fire and ice so far, has more experience, especially up front on both sides of the ball and that’s where this game will be won for the Vikings. OCS will open district with a win.
Rayne (2-3) at Eunice (2-3)
These are programs that perhaps should feature better records, but as coaches like to say, “It is what it is,” or as former Saints’ coach Jim Mora once said, “Your record says who you are.” Eunice lost to a previously winless Catholic-New Iberia team has week in humiliating fashion, so what version of the Bobcats appears this week is up for speculation. Rayne was expected to be better, but the Wolves are just as enigmatic. This one is a tough call, but I am picking the home team – Eunice.
Beau Chene (1-4) at Livonia (1-3)
This is one of the most interesting of the Friday matchups. Beau Chene has defeated winless Port Barre, while Livonia has lost three straight and allowed 88 points doing that. Strength of schedules seems similar and it’s time for the Beau Chene offense to emerge. I think Beau Chene wins this one as the Gators open district with a victory.
Port Barre (0-4, 0-2) at Church Point (5-0, 1-0)
If there is a mismatch of the week, this game qualifies. Church Point has been dominant, especially offensively, as the Bears are averaging nearly 40 points with a Wing-T offense that features triple threats. Port Barre on the other hand, has scored 14 in the last three week. This one goes to Church Point, which is headed towards another district title.
North Central (3-2) at St. Edmund 1-2)
It’s been a statement season so far for North Central, as the Hurricanes have a three-game winning streak for the first time ever and three wins for the first time since 2000. The Hurricanes are searching for more, says NCHS head coach Jacob Carruth, who brings his team to Eunice in an attempt to win a first district game in recent memory. St. Edmund running back D’Von Johnson has nearly 1,000 yards, but the young Blue Jays have only one win and that’s been against a developing program. St. Edmund wins this game however.
Last week prediction record: 4-3
Overall season record: 22-7.
