Bobcats brace for Wildcats

For the second week in a row, the Bobcats will face a team from District 9 in the Class 3-A playoffs.
Last week, No. 2 Eunice battled to a 22-18 win over No. 31 Eleanor McMain.
The Bobcats (10-1) will now face No. 15 St. James (8-3) and the top-rated dual threat junior quarterback in the country.
Lowell Narcisse, an 2017 Auburn commit, passed for 2,500 yards and rushed for 1,000 more as a sophomore before tearing his ACL five months ago.
Narcisse returned to the field for the first time this season in the Wildcats’ 34-21 playoff win over Green Oaks.
“He is one of the best quarterbacks in the state,” Trosclair said. “He is a superior quarterback who presents a lot of problems.”
St. James rolled up 410 yards of total offense as Narcisse accounted for three scores (two rushing and one passing) and finished the night with 135 total yards in just 16 plays.
The Bobcats put up 319 yards of total offense in the win over the Mustangs, led by Nick Powell’s performace as he gained 212 yards on 33 carries and scored on a 10 yard run as well as a 80-yard kickoff return.
“There is no easy draw in the playoffs unless you are just head and shoulders above everybody else,” Trosclair said. “The talent in that district is unbelievable.
“McMain was fourth and St. James beat them by 30 points (44-14) and that is who we play next,” he said. “The playoffs are not easy.”
Top-seed Lutcher (10-1) is the District 9-3A champion after beating McMain (68-20) and St. James (32-0).
De La Salle (9-1) is the No. 3 seed in the Division II playoffs.
“We feel good about advancing in the playoffs,” Trosclair said. “A win is a win no matter how you do it.
“McMain was very talented and we knew they would battle us.”
The Bobcats limited the Mustangs to just 16 yards rushing although Darnell Williams completed 18-of-30 passes for 329 yards in the loss.
“We needed to use the clock up with drives to keep their quarterback off the field,” Trosclair said. “We stopped the run and won the special teams battle so those two things helped us to win.”
St. James has won four state championships including 1959, 1960, 1966 and 1979.
The Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals the past two seasons, losing to the eventual state champs Kinder (21-13) and Many (28-14).
Trosclair said even with the challenges St. James presents, he is confindent his team will perform well.
“We need to make some big plays, force a couple of turnovers and we will have a chance.”
“This a great group with a strong work ethic,” the coach said. “I know how badly the seniors want to win this game.
“We will show up, play hard and not be intimidated by anyone.”