Takes aim at high-octane Lake Arthur

Iota’s defense has delivered in each of the first two weeks of the high school season, helping the Bulldogs to a 2-0 start by holding opponents to 17 points.

<p class="indent">This week the Bulldogs face a big test when they visit Lake Arthur, which is also 2-0 thanks to a bruising, three-pronged ground game.

<p class="indent">The Tigers have run for 498 yards and averaged 44 points per game in wins over Elton and Pickering. Quarterback Deuce Duhon threw for 148 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 46-7 win over Pickering.

<p class="indent">Iota head coach Josh Andrus said his team is stressing the basics.

<p class="indent">“Defensively we have been tackling better since the scrimmage, getting better each week,” Andrus said. “I hope that continues against Lake Arthur. They have good running backs that can go, plus a quarterback that can throw and run it too.

<p class="indent">“Tackling is the biggest part of trying to slow them. We have to make sure we are tackling properly. You can’t just hit them because they bounce off so many tackles. You have to wrap them up and make sure you get them down.”

<p class="indent">Torrell Levias leads the Tigers with 216 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Daylon Charles has 144 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Tory Levias has 85 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

<p class="indent">Iota has taken a more balanced approach to offense. Kollin Guillory (147 yards, 3 TDs) and Luke Doucet (128 yards, TD) lead the ground game while quarterback Trae Rambin has thrown for 291 yards and four TDs.

<p class="indent">Andrus said Rambin’s impact goes beyond numbers.

<p class="indent">“It is not just the yards he throws for but his handling of the ball and the guys on the field,” Andrus said. “He gets us into the right plays. He tells the other guys what to do if they have a question about a particular play.”

<p class="indent"><span>Elsewhere</span>

<p class="indent">The Welsh Greyhounds (1-1) host Loreauville (0-2). The teams met in the Class 2A state championship baseball game last season with the Tigers taking the title.

<p class="indent">Kinder (2-0) travels to face Breaux Bridge (0-2) while Rosepine looks to remain perfect when it visits Elton (0-2). Vinton (2-0) will look to continue its offensive fireworks when it hosts Opelousas. The Lions have averaged 46 points per game in wins over Grand Lake and Highland Baptist.<p>Vinton’s Jaden Carrier catches a pass in front of East Beauregard’s Jordan Wilkerson for the touch down during the SPOT Jamboree at Matt Walker Stadium in Sulphur, on Thursday, August 23, 2018. (Dennis Babineaux/Special to the American Press)</p>Dennis Babineaux/Special to the American Press