Blue Jays, Bearcats battle for district

When St. Edmund started the season with a 1-4 record, not many gave the Blue Jays a fighting chance to make the playoffs.
But Friday night, St. Edmund (4-5, 3-1) is battling to defend its district title as No. 9 Basile (8-1, 4-0) visits Blue Jay Field.
“We are where we want to be,” St. Edmund head coach Thomas David said. “We are excited to play for the title.”
The Jays’ non-district schedule included losses to 3-A Northwest (66-32), 2-A Opelousas Catholic (48-26), 3-A Port Barre (39-18) and 4-A Beau Chene (21-12) with St. Edmund’s only win coming in the second week over Iota (8-0).
The turnaround began with a 50-0 win over False River followed with victories over Westminster (32-20) and North Central (42-8).
Even with the 44-30 loss at Catholic High of Pointe Coupee, the Blue Jays have a chance to share the District 5-1A title with a win over the Bearcats.
Basile’s only loss came against Port Barre (18-7), while the Bearcats have rolled through district with victories over North Central (34-0), WCA (33-13), FRA ( 57-0) and last week the Bearcats sealed a share the district title with a 10-0 win over CHPC.
Against the Hornets, Basile gained 249 yards of total offense and allowed 233 yards.
“It will come down to how well we stop the run,” David said. “The last two years we faced Kendrick Ceaser and now Gabe Fontenot.”
Fontenot gained 195 yards on 21 carries and scored the game’s only touchdown in the Bearcats’ win last week.
“He is a physical back who makes good cuts and has good vision,” David said.
So far this season, Fontenot has 1,394 yards on 165 carries with 18 touchdowns.
“If we can stop the run game and make them do something else, then we give ourselves a chance.”
Since the renewal of the rivalry in 2013, the Bearcats have won both games, 29-22 and 42-20.
“I think it will be a tight ball game,” David said. “Which team does a better job of moving the ball.
“It will be the kind of ball game where you can’t give away any red zone opportunities,” he added. “It will come down to turnover and who does the best job of converting in the red zone.”
So far this season, St. Edmund quarterback Drake Brunet has completed 118-of-223 passes for 1,671 yards with 13 interceptions and 13 touchdowns.
Gibson LaFleur has 58 receptions for 868 yards and five touchdowns.
LaFleur also has 621 yards rushing on 92 carries with 13 touchdowns this season to lead the Blue Jays.
Presently, the Blue Jays are No. 10 in the Division IV power ranking with 16 Select teams making the playoffs.
The Bearcats are No. 3 in the Class 1-A power rankings with the top 24 Non-select teams earning playoff berths.
“It will be a challenge, but it think our guys are ready,” David said. “We are facing a rival for the district title on our own field.”
The playoff brackets will be released Sunday by the LHSAA.