DeQuincy, E. Beauregard square off in rematch
In this edition of the Three Point Stance, Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux discuss the small school football playoff brackets.
<strong>What is the best first round game?</strong>
<strong>RA</strong>: DeQuincy at East Beauregard. It will be a District 5-2A rematch this week in Dry Creek. East Beauregard soundly beat DeQuincy in the regular season 30-8, but it is always tough to beat a team twice in one season. Vinton beat DeQuincy in the 2016 regular season last year 42-34, but the Tigers returned the favor with a 42-7 win in the first round of the playoffs. DeQuincy had won 10 in a row over the Trojans before the loss win Week 7.
<strong>WA</strong>: Merryville at White Castle. The Panthers came on strong in the second half of the season. White Castle is a traditional power that slumped to a 3-7 record this season. Merryville has a balanced offense and the trip isn’t so long as to sap the Panthers of energy before they get off the bus.
<strong>Which area team will make the longest playoff run?</strong>
<strong>RA</strong>: Rosepine. The Eagles are 10-0 for the first time every and have a potent offense (40.9 ppg) and a stingy defense (13.6 ppg). Running back Seth Shirley and quarterback Seth Ducote have both cracked 1,200 yards and combined for 41 touchdowns behind a massive offensive line that is at least 6-1 and 220 pounds across the board. Rosepine has been to the regional round three times since 2012, and is looking to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in school history.
<strong>WA</strong>: Basile. The Bearcats seemingly always get to the quarterfinals and have enough talent and experience to finally clear that hurdle this year. Basile has a great senior class led by QB Dawson Ashford and RB/LB Andre Reed and reaching the semifinal round or better would allow them to add to their legacy. The Bearcats have the most underrated program in the area. They are consistent winners and this year’s team is capable of doing something special.
<strong>Which area team is most likely to pull an upset this week?</strong>
<strong>RA</strong>: Merryville. Since starting the season 0-5, the Panthers are 4-1. Merryville will hit the road to take on a 14th-ranked White Castle team that has lost its last three games by a combined score of 146-6. The Panthers reached the regional round last year for the first time since 1992 and has an offense that has put up more than 30 points four times this season led by running back Cam’ron Williams (910 yards, 11 TDs) and quarterback Connor Pruitt (52-97-9, 940 yards, 11 TDs).
<strong>WA</strong>: Oakdale. The Warriors have a game-changer in RB Javon Hayward, who has run for 927 yards and 9 TDs over the last six games. If the Warriors defense can keep it close, Hayward can make enough plays on offense to leave the Vidalia faithful crying over something other than onions.