Tom Dodge
The Bobcats are right where they want to be with two games left on the district schedule.
After earned a 32-27 stunning non-district win over previously unbeaten Tioga, Eunice (6-2, 1-1) travels to North Vermilion (5-3, 2-1) for a key District 4-4A battle.
“Everybody played hard from start to finish,” Eunice head coach Paul Trosclair said of the win over the Indians.
“Our guys were prepared and gave a great effort,” the coach said. “These guys can really rise to some pretty high levels and they did that against Tioga.
“I’m hoping we continue to play at that high level,” Trosclair said.
North Vermilion trailed 28-14 with seven minutes left last week against one-win LaGrange, but the Patriots rallied to force overtime and then stopped a two-point conversion attempt to earn a 35-34 win.
Darius Gilliam rushed for 200 yards and threw for another 54 yards in the win.
Benny Freeman rushed for 136 yards on 28 carries and scored three touchdowns.
“They have a good quarterback,” Trosclair said of Gilliam. “He will present us some problems as they run an offense that is difficult to defend.
“They will present a challenge as a five-win football team.”
North Vermilion opened the season with a 36-7 win over Abbeville before losing 32-7 at Kaplan.
The Patriots then earned wins over Ascension Episcopal (23-22) and Erath (34-27).
North Vermilion then suffered losses to Iota (30-7) and LaGrange (32-14), but rebounded with wins over Rayne (27-0) and Washington-Marion.
Eunice has gained over 300 yards rushing the last two weeks and Trosclair said the ground game will be important again against North Vermilion.
“The offense and defense are complementing each other pretty good right now,” the coach said. “We need to see that continue.”
Trosclair said the district race has been a close one as each team has a loss.
“If Washington Marion can beat Rayne in the last game and we win out, we could be district champs,” Trosclair said.
“If we win the two games we are looking for a home game to open the playoffs,” the coach said. “We can hope for the bracket to work in our favor.”