Photograph: North Central quarterback Craig Malveaux moves around the edge of the Westminster Christian defense last week. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
The eighth week of high school football always summons thoughts of an impending postseason.
It’s trending that way again for St. Landry Parish teams who have begun to scan power points of other prospective playoff opponents in addition to calculating how they will finish during the regular season.
In Opelousas this week there is plenty to consider as both Opelousas Catholic and Opelousas High have chances to win district championships. That prospect hasn’t happened often during the past 25 years, but there is at least hope on each campus that might occur.
Eunice High has begun to emerge from a pre-district schedule as a team to consider for the District 3-4A title. If the Bobcats win at DeRidder this week, Eunice will have a chance to play a game with title implications against Leesville.
During Week 7 St. Landry Parish teams finished 4-5, as Opelousas High opened 5-4A with a win and Opelousas Catholic vaulted to 2-0 in 5-1A.
St. Edmund dropped a key game to Sacred Heart-Ville Platte, which has continued as a district title contender along with Catholic-Pointe Coupee.
Power points among teams in the OCS-Westminster Christian district are interesting. If the playoffs were this week, several of the teams in that league would be matched in a bi-district round.
Enough about speculation and what occurred last week. It’s time to look at what’s happening in St. Landry during Week 8.
ST. LANDRY NOW WEEK 8 GAME OF THE WEEK
Cecilia (6-1, 2-0) at Opelousas High (6-1, 1-0)
To say this game won’t determine the outcome of 5-4A would be ludicrous. In fact this is the game of the year so far in the district. Cecilia has owned Opelousas since 2017, beating the Tigers five straight in games that featured lopsided outcomes. The Bulldogs visit Donald Gardner Stadium with an impressive 2022 resume, losing only to Class 5A Southside. Opelousas will have to contain Cecilia’s Germonie Davis and Ridge Collins, while staying away from penalties and turnovers offensively. Opelousas seems determined to win a title this season. We see no reason to cancel that thought, but take the over in points.
Catholic-PC (6-1, 1-1) at St. Edmund (4-3, 1-1)
The loser of this game can forget about winning a district title outright. Catholic PC lost a big game in New Roads to Opelousas Catholic last week, so the question for the Hornets is can they rebound? St. Edmund lost a key district game at home to Sacred Heart, as the Blue Jays’ offense had trouble finding traction. Look for Catholic PC to win this high-scoring game.
Opelousas Catholic (4-3, 2-0) at North Central (3-4, 0-2)
OCS seems to be playing defensively better now, as the Vikings have allowed 28 in the last five games. The Vikings will get a look at a North Central offense that has been impressive, featuring Craig Malveaux and Devion Lavergne, two players to watch parish wide. North Central lacks a cohesive running game to match the passing attack, while the Vikings have the ability to grind it out. Look for OCS to win by four touchdowns.
Eunice High (4-3, 2-0) at DeRidder (4-3, 1-1)
After losing to what was then winless Catholic-New Iberia, the Bobcats have changed directions since the start of District 3-4A and have defeated Rayne and Washington-Marion. The Washington-Marion was a surprise score, but Eunice managed enough points to keep poised to win a title. This is a key game for Eunice, since a loss would drop the Bobcats among the rest of the teams in the district. Eunice should win this game provided the Bobcats aren’t looking ahead to Leesville.
Basile (6-1, 2-0) at Port Barre (0-6, 0-4)
Basile is ranked among the Top 10 teams in Non-Select IV. The Bearcats have also won five straight and seem ready to make a district championship statement. Port Barre meanwhile has played better the last two weeks, but the Red Devils missed a chance to capture a first win in Ville Platte last Friday night. This used to be one of the competitive geographic rivalries back in the day when the teams were in the same district. Basile should win this one.
Breaux Bridge (3-4, 0-1) at Beau Chene (1-6, 0-2)
Beau Chene has a chance to move up in the district standings with a victory. So far the season has been the reverse of what the Gators were expecting, especially defensively. Breaux Bridge meanwhile is rebuilding under head coach Zach Lochard, who is running more of a spread offense. Breaux Bridge should win this one however.
Pine Prairie (0-7, 0-3) at Northwest (3-4, 1-2)
Northwest has been besieged with injuries lately, but the Raiders in their usual fashion, are regrouping to perhaps run the table at the end of the season. Northwest needs this win and two others in order to have any hope of playing past Week 10. Pine Prairie meanwhile has having a miserable season. Northwest moves forward with this victory.
Westminster Christian (2-5, 1-1) at Sacred Heart (5-2, 1-1)
Westminster has a number of players at this point who are done for the year with injuries, but the Crusaders have been finding ways to compensate. Freshman quarterback Stephen George is a player to watch, as he is discovering new targets offensively. Sacred Heart is a good football team and the Trojans are a contender for at least a share of the district title. Sacred Heart should win this one.
Last week prediction record: 7-1
Overall season prediction record: 35-9
