The Basile Bearcats enjoyed quite a bit of success in the last decade under former head coach Kevin Bertrand. They will pivot to first-year head coach Dale Guillory, who wants to keep that going.

Basile made the quarterfinals in seven of 10 seasons with Bertrand.

“Well, I plan to do the best I can to model what I have seen for 20 years at Eunice and apply it there, and hopefully that means the program grows,” Guillory said. “I think it’s been a nice transition.

“They really seem to have bought in and we are excited and pleased with that. It hasn’t been a struggle yet, so that’s positive. You know, the staff seems to be right there, bought in, ready to go. It’s been a good transition thus far.”

The Bearcats are coming off their 17th consecutive playoff appearance and will have a strong line on both sides led by a pair of returning all-district second-teamers in offensive lineman Pierre Berzas and defensive lineman Scott Berzas. Also back are senior offensive lineman Da’Shawn Randell (5-8, 197), Alijah Hardy (6-1, 245), Romyn Cortez, who will start on both sides of the line, plus Jackson Courville on the defensive line.

“I think our offensive line and defensive line is going to be an area of strength, and I think that in the backfield we’ve got a couple of guys that I think can run the ball pretty well, so I guess that would be the strength right now,” Guillory said. “They’ve got some experience.

“They have some good size, and I guess that would be the main thing. You know, they’ve played before. They had that experience of playing last year. Some of them have played more than one year.”

The Bearcats starting defensive linemen all placed at the Louisiana High School Athletic Association state wrestling meet in February. Cortez was the 285-pound runner-up, Courville was sixth at 157 and Berzas was fourth at 215.

The Bearcats return seven starters on offense and eight on defense, but Guillory will make a few changes on both sides.

Offensively, they will move from the Split-back veer to the Wing-T with senior Bryan Hardy returning at tailback after rushing for 739 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior.

“Anytime we have a practice or get together to work on something with football, he’s there,” Guillory said. “I’ve been real pleased with his effort, and his attitude.

“He looks good physically. He’s got a little bit of a burst to him. He’s probably, all the way around, probably our most explosive guy. So, I’m hoping for real good things from him.”

Courville was the Bearcats’ quarterback last year but will move to a wingback/fullback position but could still split time with new quarterback Sage Smith.

While the Wing-T is a run-oriented offense, Guillory hopes to develop a passing game as well and has a returning wide receiver in Austin Ashford.

Defensively, Guillory is putting the Bearcats in a 3-4 defense with some 4-2-5.

“Some people like to get in these different open looks and spread you out and stuff and more receivers on the field,” Guillory said. “With this 3-4, this version of the 50 defense, you have an extra defensive back and one less lineman, but I just find it easier to adjust your secondary people.”

“We are nearly where we want to be, but I like that we’re communicating and we’re working our eyes the right way. We don’t have a lot of blown assignments in the secondary right now. And we seem like we run to the ball very well, like we’re very aggressive, so I like that a lot.”

Besides the three returning starters up front, other defensive returners include linebackers Tanner David and Carter Darbonne and defensive backs Kye Smith, Pierson Comeaux, a second-team all-district safety, and Ashford.

BASILE

Mascot: Beacats.

Home stadium: Hanson Field.

District: 4-1A.

Playoff division: Nonselect Division IV.

Head coach: Dale Guillory.

Head coach career record: 0-0.

2023 record (Dist.): 5-6 (4-2).

Last time in playoffs (round): 2023 (bi-district)

Returning starters (offense/defense): 7/8.

Key players lost: Wyatt Bertrand (OL/DL), Ross Cortez (PK/P), Tucker LeBlanc (RB/LB), Tyler Newman (DB).

Top returners: Pierre Berzas (OL), Scott Berzas (DL), Pierson Comeaux (DB), Roman Cortez (OL/DL), Bryan Hardy (TB).

Schedule

Sept. 6 vs. Lake Arthur

Sept. 13 vs. Mamou

Sept. 20 vs. Sacred Heart

Sept. 27 at Highland Baptist

Oct. 4 at Ville Platte

Oct. 11 vs. Merryville*

Oct. 18 at Grand Lake*

Oct. 25 at Elton*

Oct. 31 vs. Oberlin* (Thurs.)

Nov. 7 at Hamilton Christian* (Thurs.)

*District 4-1A game