Tom Dodge
The run to the championship game for the Bobcats has been an impressive turnaround from the 5-6 finish in 2017.
“This has been a great season,” EHS head coach Paul Trosclair said. “We are playing good football.”
Eunice opened the season with wins over Opelousas (53-26), Jennings (33-23), Rayne (36-14) and Crowley (36-32 ) before the Bobcats lost a 22-20 heartbreaker to district rival Church Point.
Eunice then grabbed four straight wins over Port Barre (30-0), Pine Prairie (35-6), Mamou (49-12) and Northwest (37-14).
The Bobcats’ only other loss of the season was against No. 1 Iota, 35-34.
No. 2 Eunice has earned playoff wins over Brusly (34-20), Wossman (13-12), Madison Prep (41-12) and Kaplan (19-0).
No. 4 Sterlington opened the playoffs with a 49-0 win over Cohen College Prep and then earned a 57-56 overtime win against Church Point.
The Panthers grabbed 13-12 win over district rival Union Parish in the quarterfinals.
Sterlington upset No. 1 Iota in the semifinals as the Panthers’ option offense racked up 272 yards on the ground behind the backfield trio of running back Dallas Raegor, fullback Jordan Townsend and quarterback Hayes Crockett.
Raegor led the team with 114 yards on 24 carries including a five-yard touchdown run
Townsend finished with 90 yards on 13 touches with a four-yard score.
Crockett added 54 yards on seven attempts, the bulk of which came on a 20-yard touchdown.
Sterlington (12-2) turned two of its three first-half takeaways into points.
Iota running back Luke Doucet finished with 169 yards on 28 carries against the Panthers.
Sterlington won the Class 2A championship in 2016 and was state runners-up in 2002 and 2003.
The Panthers have made 27 playoff appearanced and have won 11 district championships including the past three seasons.
Sterlington opened the 2018 season with wins over West Ouachita (35-21) and Ouachita Christian (22-20) before a 20-14 to Oak Grove.
A 34-13 win over Loyola Prep was followed by a 37-20 loss to Class 2-A powerhouse Calvary Baptist.
The Panthers’ nine-game winning streak began with a sweep through District 5-3A including wins over Carroll (52-26), Wossman (43-24), Madison (45-0), Union Parish (31-20) and Richwood (48-21).
“They have a strong running attack and can also throw the ball well,” Trosclair said. “We have our hands full as they have a complete offensive team.”
Trosclair said he expects his offense to perform well against the Panthers.
“They haven’t seen a whole lot of the Wing-T offense,” the coach said. “I hope that works to our advantage.”
“We have several guys who contribute on offense which makes it more difficult to defend.”
Eunice has two running backs that have gained over 1,000 yards so far this season.
Deon Ardoin had gained 1,203 yards on 225 carries with 13 touchdowns this season for the Bobcats, while Jeoul Hill has rushed for 1,039 yards on 108 carries and six tocuhdowns.
Avery Lee has 812 yards on 120 carries with a team high 14 touchdowns.
Jordan Ledet has 32 catches for 465 yards ad four touchdowns.
Trosclair said it will be all three phases that will help win the championship.
“If we lack in any one area, it will be difficult to win,” he said. “Sterlington does everything pretty good.
Last week, the Bobcat defense held Kaplan to 81 rushing yards and 112 yards of total offense.
Eunice finished with 223 yards rushing, led by Hill’s team-high 104 yards.
Trosclair said he is proud of the team’s efforts, especially the senior leadership.
“They have done a super job of getting every body mentally ready and they have led the way,” the coach said.