Showdown in B-Town

For the second time in three weeks, the Basile Bearcats and the Oberlin Tigers will square off in a crucial and decisive game that will determine the fate of each team’s season.
In the first meeting between the squads on November 8, it was the District 4-1A championship on the line. In that game, Oberlin held Basile to 153 total yards and handed the Bearcats a 41-13 loss.
This time around the stakes are higher, as the winner moves on to the Class 1A semi-finals and the loser packs up the equipment for the rest of the season.
Game time is set for 7 p.m. in Basile.
“Last time we played them, they beat us up front all game long,” stated Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand. “We did not do a very good job of blocking and we also got caught out of position on defense when they decided to run up tempo. But, we are looking at this week as a brand new game and another chance to correct the mistakes made the last time we played them.”
Last week, Basile made very few mistakes in their 28-27 last minute upset win over No. 7 Haynesville. In that game, the Bearcats committed one penalty and did not turn the ball over the entire game, as they rolled up 318 total yards of offense.
“As much as our running game has been really good over the past seven or eight games, we are going to have to be able to throw the ball more effectively against Oberlin,” said Bertrand. “We are going to have to protect our quarterback better, something we did not do the first time. The more balance we are, the better chance we will have to pick up the win.”
One thing that Basile did do against the Golden Tornado this past Friday night was control the ball. Not only were the Bearcats were able hold the advantage in time of possession, keeping the ball for 25:03, but they also were four for nine on third down conversions and one for one on fourth down conversions.
It will take that and more if Basile hopes to upset the No. 2 team in the state. In the previous meeting between the Bearcats and the Tigers, it was the Oberlin offense that made things happen.
In that contest, the Tigers held the advantage in first downs (23-7) and third down conversion percentage (54% to 27%). Oberlin also reeked havoc on the ground, rushing for 351 yards. But, the Tigers were also able to throw the ball to keep the Bearcats off balance, picking up 79 yards on four for eight passing.
“In the first game, they caught us off guard on defense by playing fast,” commented Bertrand. “We were not ready for it and were trying to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage while they were snapping the ball. That is one thing that we are going to be working on this week for sure.”
Oberlin comes into the game a perfect 11-0 on the year. After getting a bye in the first round of the playoffs, the Tigers blasted past Gueydan 42-0 in this past Friday’s second round post-season contest.
Oberlin averages 38.72 points per game on offense and only allows 10.6 points per game on defense. The Tigers given up three touchdowns in a game twice this season.
“This is a game that our players will be extra motivated to play because they want to prove that we are a better team than what we showed the first time we played them,” stated Bertrand. “It will be great to be at home and have a familiar routine instead of having to be on the road. Our guys will be ready to play. We have been through some important games this year and I think all of those times have prepared us for tomorrow night. We just have to come out and play our game.”