Bobcats host Erath in 3-A playoffs

By: John Burson
Sports Writer
The Friday battle between Eunice High and Erath High will feature the battle of the Bobcats.
But the two teams have more in common than just the name of their mascots. Both teams had their ups and downs during their 2016 football seasons.
Coach Paul Trosclair’s Bobcats opened their season with a 34-6 win at Opelousas High, although they would have to forfeit the game due to use of an ineligible player. Coach David Comeaux’s Bobcats opened their season with a 40-7 victory over Delcambre.
On the second playing date, the two teams tasted defeat. Erath fell to Catholic of New Iberia by a 54-14 margin. Eunice lost a 40-27 contest to Jennings. Both teams rebounded for wins in week three, with Eunice clipping St. Martinville 20-16 and Erath rolling over Vermilion Catholic by a 41-0 margin.
Both teams claimed wins in week four. Eunice downed Crowley 27-22 and Erath routed North Vermilion 34-0. In week five, Eunice lost a heartbreaking 28-27 decision to Rayne, while Erath won a shootout 55-36 over Berwick.
In week six, both teams claimed easy wins, with Eunice downing Ville Platte 45-14 and Erath thumping Franklin 41-6. In week seven, Eunice dropped a 14-7 decision to Northwest. Erath won another shootout, this time a 54-40 decision over South Plaquemine.
In week eight, Patterson defeated Erath 45-35. Eunice claimed a 21-14 wiin over Church Point. In week nine, Eunice downed Port Barre 35-16, while Erath fell to Kaplan by a 39-14 margin. Each team won their season finale. Erath beat E.D. White 40-28 and Eunice slammed Pine Prairie 54-6.
For the season, Erath averaged 36.8 points on offense compared to 27.1 points for Eunice. On defense, Eunice gave up an average of 20.2 per game while Erath averaged 25.5 per game.
The top star for Erath is senior running back Elijah Mitchell (5’11”, 215) who has rushed 194 times for 2,088 yards and 31 touchdowns. In his career, Mitchell, a UL Lafayette commintment, has rushed for 4,045 yards and scored 50 touchdowns.
“It will be a challenge for our defense, but we’ll attempt to hold Mitchell down”, said Eunice head coach Paul Trosclair. Mitchell was held to 51 yards rushing in Erath’s loss to Catholic of New Iberia.
“It’s a good matchup and should be a good game,” added Coach Trosclair. Game time is set for 7 o’clock at Bobcat Feild.
Eunice will rely on junior quarterback Jaden Brasseaux and sophomore running back Avery Lee on offense. Brasseaux had completed 62 of 110 passes this season for 1,021 yards and eight touchdowns. Lee has rushed 182 times for 1,083 yards. averging 5.9 per carry. He has scored 11 rushing touchdowns and added another by way of a 60-yard reception.
Eunice also has senior Georrein Dupre and junior Trevin Ceasar as running threats. Dupre has averaged 7.6 yards per carry and Ceasar has averaged 7.2 per carry.