Basile was expected to be good and is living up to expectations, while Hamilton Christian has exceeded last season’s win total and is looking to make some noise in the District 4-1A race.

The teams will meet Friday at Cougar Stadium in an early district showdown. Basile is 4-0, 1-0 in district and ranked fifth in the state 1A poll. Hamilton is 3-1, 1-0.

In other district games, Oberlin visits Elton and Grand Lake hosts South Cameron.

Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand said the Bearcats have been winning with defense.

“Our defense has bailed us out of a few games,” he said. “Our offense is taking a little time to come around.”

Bertrand said Hamilton’s hot start is legitimate.

“They are a good team,” he said. “You can tell their young guys have grown up a whole lot. They are a well-coached ball club that does things the right way. They take care of the football, tackle on defense. It is going to be a tough task.”

Warriors head coach Tim Sensley said his team is improving.

“We have been staying healthy and executing,” Sensley said. “Chemisty is starting to develop between the players. I think our defense is the strong point for us. Offensively, we have a lot of weapons. We would like the chemistry to be there, but it hasn’t quite took yet.

“Hopefully, we will peak at the right time.”

Now would be a good time with the Warriors facing a string of games against Basile, East Beauregard, Elton and Oberlin. Those teams have a combined record of 17-3.

“Those teams are the preseason picks (to win the district),” Sensley said.

“I told the team that we control our own destiny, so therefore let’s play hard, go out there and execute and win on Friday. The key will be not doing anything to hurt ourselves. If we continue to play hard and execute from whistle to whistle, we have a great chance against any opponent we may face in the upcoming weeks.”

Sensley said the Warriors will need discipline to slow down Basile’s offense.

“They are athletic,” he said. “A lot of attention is given to (tailback Kendrick) Ceaser, but Gabriel Fontenot, the fullback, is a great runner as well. Basile has a good squad. They went deep in the playoffs last year and return a lot of starters. We have to make sure to play assignment football, stay in our lanes, because Ceaser can turn a nothing play into a big gain.”

Ceaser has run for 615 yards and Fontenot has 505. Each has six touchdowns. Kaylon Leblanc leads Hamilton with 353 yards rushing and three TDs.(Rick Hickman/American Press)