Tom Dodge
It could be the toughest test the Bobcats have faced all season as No. 9 Eunice visits No. 8 Bastrop for a second round match-up.
“We will have to have a great overall team effort,” Eunice High head football coach Paul Trosclair said. “That is the only way a win is going to happen as Bastrop is the toughest team we have faced this season.
“We will need to perform well in all three phases of the game,” he said. “There are no easy wins with 16 teams left in the playoffs.”
Bastrop began the season 4-0 with wins over Wossman (42-13), Evangel (32-25), Carroll (52-28) and Richwood (45-12).
After a 35-26 loss to Ouachita Parish, Bastrop recovered for District 1-4A wins over Huntington (40-6), Franklin Parish (34-0) and Minden (22-8).
The Rams closed the regular season with a 19-14 loss to district champion Neville.
“They are talented at every position and there are no weaknesses on the team,” Trosclair said of the 8-2 Rams. “Their defensive linemen having closing speed.
“Their quarterback can get it to his four talented receivers at any time and they have a good running game,” Trosclair said. “It is a real problem when you look a the balance of their offensive attack.”
Bastrop (8-2) opened the playoffs with a 59-14 win over No. 25 North Vermilion.
Last season, the Rams grabbed wins over McDonough 35 (44-16) and Westgate (40-14) before falling to top-seed Edna Karr, 48-19 in the Class 4-A quarterfinals.
After winning the Class 3-A championship last season, the Bobcats went 8-2 in their first season back in Class 4-A.
“It was a battle,” Trosclair said of the Bobcats’ 35-27 win over No. 24 Plaquemine in last week’s playoff opener. “We caused two turnovers in the fourth quarter so that was big as the game was tied at the time.”
“We had two red zone stops in the second half,” the coach said. “For the most part, our offense moved the ball at will - we just had a couple of turnover which hurt us.”
The Bobcats have used a balanced offense and a steady defense to win games this season.
Quarterback Siemon Ardoin has completed 74-of-125 passes for 1,103 yards with 13 touchdowns and four interceptions.
He has gained 455 yards on 82 carries with five touchdowns.
Deon Ardoin has gained 881 yards on 152 carries and 12 touchdowns.
Jeoul Hill has rushed for 777 yards on 81 carries and 13 touchdowns, while Devin Richardson has contributed 602 yards on 84 carries and four touchdowns.
Trelyn Cooper leads the team with 22 receptions for 30 yards and two scores, while Jahiem Mitchell has 14 catches for 108 yards and four scores.
Deon Ardoin has nine catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Dylan Guillory has eight receptions for 216 yards and four touchdowns this season,
“We will have to move the ball to have a chance,” Trosclair said. “I think we will be able to move the ball if our offense is clicking like it has been.”
Eunice faced Bastrop twice in the playoffs – a quarterfinal win in 1997 and a home win the 1998 semifinals.