BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
It’s been awhile since the Port Barre football program has featured three victories at this point in addition to contemplating a chance to win two of the final trio of games before the regular season ends.
That discussion however has validity and is occurring, as the Red Devils are 3-4 with a pair of District 4-3A victories.
Winning at least a pair of the final three games might even provide the Devils with a playoff appearance.
How long has that been?
Port Barre head coach Brent Angelle is doing the research and back in 2015 the program won at least two of three games or a pair of successive contests.
“Right now we are hoping to go at least .500 and if we do, we could get into the playoffs,” says Angelle, whose team defeated Ville Platte 28-6 in a district game Friday night.
Port Barre has Basile, Iota and Pine Prairie remaining. All but the Basile game are in 4-3A.
In district the Devils have also defeated Mamou. The other win came in the opener against Livonia.
Ascending regularly into what he calls the top tier of the district has been difficult, Angelle says.
Eventually Angelle said he would like to see the Devils compete regularly among Iota, Church Point and Northwest, which have recently dominated the upper hierarchy of the league.
“There’s Church Point, Iota and Northwest and the rest of the teams in the district are there, trying to claw their way out the bottom. Right now we want to be at a place where we are the best of the rest,” Angelle said.
Port Barre goes to Basile this Friday night to face a Class 1A program that routinely reaches deep into the playoffs.
Against Ville Platte
The Port Barre offense received an extra asset against Ville Platte with the return of senior running back Markell Mallet, who gained 132 yards on 13 carries.
It was the first game of 2023 for Mallet, who has been sidelined with a broken wrist.
“Markell came in and he really took over the second half. It was exciting to see the enthusiasm among his teammates when he got the ball,” Angelle added.
Port Barre running back Keenan Hardy, who has also been hurt much of the season, gained 56 yards on 10 carries.
The combination of Mallet, Hardy and quarterback Tylus Metrejean, enabled the Devils to gain 322 total yards. Port Barre rushed for 214.
Metrejean threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Adam Barron, while Hardy and Mallet also scored TD’s.
Ville Platte was limited to 133 total yards.
NEXT WEEK: Port Barre goes to Basile.
