Basile-Oberlin, Kinder-Welsh highlight slate
In this edition of the Three Point Stance, Warren Arceneaux and Rodrick Anderson discuss the Week 8 games involving area small schools.
What is the best game on the schedule?
WA: Basile at Oberlin. The District 4-1A rivals have both lost to St. Edmund already and the loser will need a miracle to remain in the title chase, while the winner will just need the Blue Jays to slip up once. Both teams are strong on defense and feature a physical ground game on offense. RB/LBs Andre Reed of Basile and Collin Chatman of Oberlin are among the area’s top two-way players.
RA: Kinder at Welsh. The rivalry has intensified in recent years with both teams winning a state championship recently. Welsh is the defending 2A champ while Kinder won in 2013 and 2015. Kinder’s season has had some highs and lows since starting out 2-0 but is coming off a 20-8 win over Ville Platte. Welsh has won five straight and needs to win to set up a showdown with Notre Dame next week for the District 6-2A championship.
What is the best in-game matchup?
WA: Lake Arthur WR Tavaris Achane vs. Rams DB Tim Jourdan. Jourdan propelled the Rams to a win over Jennings last week with a pair of special teams touchdowns, but his range on defense will be important this week. Achane is the home run threat for the Tigers. Jourdan will have to play with discipline and not allow Achane to get behind him so the Rams front can focus on stopping the Tigers powerful run offense.
RA: Oakdale RB Javon Hayward vs. Rosepine defense. Hayward, a senior, has been the Warriors workhorse this season, averaging 25 carries and 97 yards a game. He has had three games over 100-yard, including 149 and 2 touchdowns against Ville Platte in Week 5, but will face the Eagles defense this week. Undefeated Rosepine hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher this season and is limiting opponents to 10 points a game.
Who is a player to watch?
WA: Merryville’s Stefon Williams. The Panthers have won two straight, scoring 81 points in the process. Williams has been a big part of the offensive explosion, catching four passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in the win streak while also rushing for 57 yards and two more scores.
RA: Kinder RB Ty Fuselier. In four starts, the sophomore has become the anchor of the Yellow Jackets run game with four straight 100-yard games. He has rushed for 527 yards and 6 touchdowns on 72 carries.