Tom Dodge
The 2018 Class 3-A state champions Bobcats open the Class 4-A playoffs Friday with the hopes of a return trip to the finals.
“It helps that our guys have a lot of big game experience,” Eunice head coach Paul Trosclair said of his team. “They have the ability to turn it up a notch when necessary.
“We were able to beat some really good teams this year which was an accomplishment.”
No. 9 Eunice (8-2) will entertain No. 24 Plaquemine (5-5) 7 p.m. Friday at Bobcat Field.
“They have a lot of speed and a lot of good athletes,” Trosclair said of the Green Devils. “They are a good football team.
“To win this game, we will have to earn it.”
It was a season of streaks for Plaquemine as the Green Devils lost five in a row but rebounded for a four-game winning streak.
Plaquemine opened the season with a 38-7 win over Livonia, but then lost to Ferriday (48-14), St. Thomas More (51-16), West St. John (30-16), Central (41-17) and St. Michael (31-14).
After a 1-5 start, the Green Devils earned District 7-4A wins over Belaire (53-6), Istrouma (14-12), Broadmoor (41-7) and Tara (21-12).
“They struggled early on because of tough competition,” Trosclair said. “But when they got to district, they pretty much dominated.”
In the eight seasons at Plaquemine, head coach Paul Distefano has led the Green Devils to five District 7-4A titles in the past seven years, that also includes a quarterfinal and semifinal playoff berth in Class 4A during that time.
This season, Plaquemine (5-5, 4-1), St. Michael (6-4, 4-1), Istrouma (4-6, 4-1) finished for a three-way tie atop the district standings.
“They run the ball from a spread look,” Trosclair said. “Hopefully we can contain them and limit the big plays.”
Plaquemine offensive players to watch are running back Melvin McClay, quarterback Troy Washington and wide receiver Darius Cyprian.
DeKeion Dupuy and Cullen Scott are two of the defensive leaders for the Green Devils.
“Their defense is very aggressive – we expect a challenge from them,” Trosclair said.
“We know we are in for a battle, but we will continue to do what got us to this point – run the ball and play good defense.
“Our defense chases the ball well and really hustles,” Trosclair said. “They have really improved over the course of the season and kept us in a lot of games.”
With a win over Plaquemine, the Bobcats would face the winner between No. 8 Bastrop and No. 25 North Vermilion.
“We have to be prepared for the task at hand,” Trosclair said. “In 4-A football and the playoffs, there is no over looking anybody.
“They are all good enough to beat you and Plaquemine is a very talented team.”
The Green Devils finished 8-3 in 2018 with a 56-35 loss to Westgate in the first round.
Plaquemine was upset in the first round in the 2017 playoffs to Belle Chasse (21-19).
The Green Devils advanced to the quarterfinals in 2016 with wins over Breaux Bridge (31-8) and Woodlawn- Shreveport (71-30) before falling to McDonogh 35 (26-25).