Bobcats brace for No. 3 Eagles

Some teams get a chance to face a lesser opponent for their homecoming game.
Eunice High will entertain the No. 3 Vermilion Catholic Eagles Friday night at Bobcat Field.
The Eagles (6-1, 4-0) are the defending Division IV state champions and defeated the Bobcats 21-6 last season.
“We don’t have an easy game on our schedule,” Eunice head coach Paul Trosclair said. “Most people get an easier opponent for homecoming and we didn’t want to play a district game for homecoming.”
Vermilion Catholic opened the season with a loss to still undefeated Catholic of New Iberia (42-14) before rolling to six straight wins over Welsh (32-26), Erath (35-30), Lafayette Christian (48-7), Central Catholic (29-22), Gueydan (48-0) and Highland Baptist (46-21).
“They lost a lot of good senior players from last year’s championship team,” Trosclair said. “But they are still a good football team who knows how to get things done.”
In the win over Highland, the Eagles finished with 299 yards passing and 110 yards on the ground.
Hunter Frith completed 18-of-34 passes for 281 yards including three touchdowns through the air and a 13-yard run for another score.
Emile Trahan had six catches for 108 yards, while Tyler Derouen had four catches for 95 yards and two touchdowns.
“They are pretty balanced on offense but their quarterback can throw it pretty well,” Trosclair said. “He will be a challenge for our secondary.”
In the 20-13 loss to Rayne last week, Alex Richard completed 9-of-17 passes for 93 yards and scored on a three-yard run.
The Bobcats put up 121 yards on the ground, led by Nick Powell (6-28), Darin Serie (2-37, TD), John Ardoin (4-26), Ty Ceaser (6-15) and Triston Frye (4-20).
“I was pleased with the effort and the heart,” Trosclair said. “I thought it was our best defensive effort against a good team.
“We still need to eliminate the critical mistakes, that is our final hurdle.”
VC allowed Highland to gain 233 yards on the ground and another 124 yards passing.
“We have to win one before we can win two,” the coach said of their chances of making the playoffs.
Presently the Bobcats are ranked No. 39 in the Class 4-A power rankings with the top 32 earning playoff spots.
“Every play in every game counts,” Trosclair said. “I think we can move the ball, but unless we can finish drives with touchdowns it does us no good.
“A couple of wins would get us in the playoffs,” he said. “We just need to get a big win this week against a quality opponent.”