This is a week for choices and those don’t necessarily mean ones dealing with just high school football.
There is no doubt about the importance of some important district Week 7 games involving parish schools. For some league schedules are just beginning, while in other cases the quests for championships are well underway.
Those will be examined below.
Now for those other options.
Many spectators for those games include eligible voters. There is an election on Saturday involving state, parish and local officials, so don’t let that cloud attendance at the polls the following day.
Candidate signs now obliterating every intersection and roadside are a testimony to that. I mean how can you not be aware? There are 92 precincts, 53 polling locations, Only 10 percent of those registered voted early. Inexcusable. Sample ballots are available. No excuses on Saturday.
The weather forecast is again suitable for sausage, andouille and either hen or chicken feasting, but don’t forget about the polls.
Time to talk parish football
Donald Gardner Stadium will be lighted with what bulbs are still working for two district games Thursday and Friday.
Opelousas hosts a long-awaited home game Friday. It’s also the Tigers’ Homecoming game which has proven to be a spectators’ marquee worth experiencing, especially if you want to visit old friends and stop for a beverage or two.
Chances are all the leg quarters, pork steaks and roux in connection with Opelousas High are already purchased and ready for the pots or pits that will surround the stadium.
Catholic Pointe Coupee arrives for a major Thursday night game with Opelousas Catholic at The Gardner, while Church Point comes to Northwest for an impact contest that has serious championship consequences. Those two series have become one of the most locally anticipated.
So pick your venue. This is definitely a week that provides a clearer lens about who wins a title.
ST. LANDRY NOW GAME OF THE WEEK
Church Point (3-3, 3-0) at Northwest (4-2, 1-0)
This was a hard choice. I’m going with Northwest and Church Point however. Both are undefeated in district.
A Northwest victory is crucial for the Raiders and Church Point. The caveat is no matter what, is Church Point still has to play Iota, while the Raiders settled their part of the issue last week.
Church Point is under a new head coach (Rob Poole) and the Bears seem to have found their mojo after the 0-3 start.
It’s also a battle of the Reese family (Church Point quarterback Jaden Reese and Northwest running back Javian Reese) Both are 200-pound-plus loads to tackle and if either or both get lathered, it will be high scoring. So who wins? The Raiders are overdue in this series.
OTHER PARISH GAMES
Catholic Pointe Coupee (4-2, 1-0) at Opelousas Catholic (3-3, 1-0)
Both teams delivered District 6-1A statements in Week 6. Catholic High hung 42 points on Sacred Heart. OCS rang up 41 on Westminster Christian.
Could this be a defensive game? Probably not. The two offenses have recently produced prolific scores during the past three weeks (116 points for CHPC, OCS has scored 111). Both teams started with difficulty but have been impressive the last two. With a coin flip, it’s the Vikings. I like the OCS defense.
Livonia (2-4, 1-0) at Opelousas High (4-2, 0-0)
Opelousas is scoring at a high level (96 points the last two weeks). Livonia has trouble getting through the scoring zone. The Tigers are salivating to finally touch the Donald Gardner grass, so their emotions will be high out the locker room. Opelousas lets the Homecoming crowd celebrate until dawn.
St. Edmund (5-1, 1-0) at Sacred Heart (2-4, 0-1)
The Blue Jays have an offense that is entertaining, a running back breaking his own school records and a passing game that is putting up big numbers. Defensively the Jays are playing better too. Sacred Heart meanwhile has lost the last three. Unlike St. Edmund the Trojans have had issues with scoring. However Sacred Heart has recently owned the series between the teams. The Jays should reverse that Friday night in this district game.
Westminster Christian (3-3, 0-1) at North Central (1-5, 0-1)
Big game for both teams. WCA needs to win in order to have a chance of at least a runner-up spot in 6-1A. North Central needs to work on scoring and scoring prevention. The Hurricanes have been outscored 114-16 in recent weeks. Center snaps have been a problem for both teams. If Westminster can protect the quarterback, he might have time to hang numbers. Shorter passing routes might be the Crusaders’ solution. Look for a WCA victory in a game that will never be reported to St. Landry Now.
Eunice High (4-2, 1-0) at Washington Marion (1-5, 0-1)
The Bobcats are out the blocks towards a second straight championship. The offense and defense seem better synchronized now. Washington-Marion has scored six points in the last three games. Can’t convince me the ‘Cats can’t win this game.
Ville Platte (2-4, 2-0) and Port Barre (2-4, 1-2)
For those who thought Ville Platte would be an easy win, think again. Ville Platte is undefeated in district, while the Devils have lost two league games. The records speak for themselves. Both teams have already defeated winless Mamou. This should be an entertaining game. Ville Platte has some playmakers and the Devils will have to energize the offense to match. Port Barre wins this close one.
