Blue Jays face rival Bearcats

Every Blue Jay and Bearcat fan knows how important the St. Edmund – Basile game is each year.
Bragging rights are important to the fans, but gaining a favorable playoff spot is crucial to the coaches.
Both Basile (3-6, 2-2) and St. Edmund (3-6, 2-2)struggled this season but that won’t matter Friday when the Jays visit Bearcat Field.
“It is a rivalry game and that makes it tougher than usual,” St. Edmund head coach Andy Hargroder said. “Basile has a lot of good athletes so we will have play mistake-free.”
The Blue Jays rolled to a 41-12 win over North Central last week and Hargroder is hopeful that helps propel his team moving forward.
“Anytime your team does well it always builds confidence,” he said. “
Basile opened the season with back-to-back losses to Vinton (33-7) and Ville Platte (28-0) before earning a 27-0 win over South Cameron.
The Bearcats then suffered two more losses to Logansport (40-6) and Port Barre (13-6)
Basile opened District 5-1A play with wins over North Central (49-14) and Westminster Christian Academy (14-12) as the Bearcats were in posttion to defend its district championship.
Basile is on a two-game losing streak after falling to False River Academy (14-13) and Catholic High of Pointe Coupee (21-13).
Presently Basile is No. 16 in the Class 1-A standings, while St. Edmund is No. 13 in Division IV.
A win by the Blue Jays would not move them up high enough to earn a first-round home game, but a Bearcat win could help Basile grab a higher spot.
“We are two or three plays away from our record being a lot better than it is right now.
“We are excited about our chances in the playoffs.”
St. Edmund is holding teams to 19.1 points per game, while scoring 11.6 points per game.
The Jays average 207 yards per game, while allowing 274 yards per game
Opponents have gained 2,466 yards of total offense, while the Jays have gained 1,868 so far this season.
“Luke Docuet (133 carries for 773 yards, 6TDs) is running the ball well,” Hargroder said. “Peter Miller (24-of-64, 316 yards passing) is improving every game at quarterback, and we have seen improvement at the offensive line.”
Miller has also gained 262 yards on 128 carries with five touchdowns.
“Our defense and special teams are much improved and that keeps us in games,” Hargroder said.