Basile falls to Kentwood again in quarterfinals

The Basile Bearcats traveled to Kentwood on Friday to try and exact some revenge on the Kangaroos in a class 1A quarterfinal playoff game. The Kangaroos had eliminated the Bearcats the last two years in this same quarterfinal round. Basile could not come up with enough firepower, as the Bearcats once again came up short against Kentwood, losing 40-18. The Bearcats end the season with a 10-2 record.
Kentwood used a quick, swarming defense and an athletic offense to advance to the semi-final round of the playoffs. Basile could not mount any substantial type of drive until the second half of the game. The Bearcats defensive game plan was to blitz and try to get to the Kangaroo quarterback, Jaleel Hampton. However, Hampton was still able to make big plays with his arm and legs, even with Basile defenders breathing down his neck.
The Kangaroos were able to put up the first points of the game. After holding the Bearcats and forcing them to punt, Kentwood went on a long drive and wound up at the Basile eight yard line. On third and goal, Lorenz Morrison caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from Hampton on a tipped ball in the back of the end zone. Shyhein Carter added the extra point and with 44 seconds left in the first quarter, Kentwood led 7-0.
The second quarter would see the Kangaroos tack on two more touchdowns. With 8:05 left in the second period, Hampton hit Darriyn McKnight on a 16-yard touchdown pass. Carter was true on the extra point and Kentwood now led 14-0. Hampton and the Kangaroos were not done. Kyvan Trout streaked down the seam and hauled in a 33-yard pass from Hampton with 2:11 left before halftime. Carter added the extra point and Kentwood extended its lead to 21-0. The second quarter would end with that same score.
The third quarter started the same way that the second quarter ended, with Kentwood adding two more scores before the Bearcats could put points on the board. Carter used his legs on the next Kangaroo touchdown, as he rumbled from 33 yards out. Carter would add the extra point and with 8:52 left in the third quarter the Kangaroos pushed their lead to 28-0.
The Bearcats fumbled the ensuing kickoff giving the ball back to Kentwood. The Kangaroos took advantage of the turnover and scored on their next possession. Kentwood drove the ball down to the Basile seven yard line. On second down and goal, Hampton floated a perfect pass to Morris in the corner of the end zone. The extra point was no good; however, Kentwood now led 34-0 with 6:09 left in the third stanza.
The Bearcats would get on the scoreboard in the third quarter. Using a loaded backfield formation, Gabe Fontenot took a Mark Ivory handoff, broke a tackle, and scampered 70 yards for the touchdown. The extra point from Mark Ledoux was no good. Basile now trailed 34-6 with 3:09 left in the third quarter. Basile got the ball back and started the fourth quarter with a bang. On the very first play of the quarter, Kendrick Ceasar sprinted his way to paydirt from 58 yards out. The extra point failed, but the Bearcats had now cut the lead to 34-12 with just 12 seconds gone in the fourth period.
It did not take Kentwood long to push the lead back to 28 points. A recovery on the attempted Basile onside kick gave the Kangaroos the ball at their 42 yard line. On the very first play of the possession, Hampton dropped back to pass. Seeing no one open and feeling the Bearcat pass rush, Hampton took off and sped his way for a 58-yard touchdown run. Once again, the extra point was no good, but Kentwood pushed the score to 40-12 with 11:30 left in the fourth quarter.
Basile did not quit, as they mounted one more drive of the evening. Gabe Fontenot would cap his career off with an eight-yard touchdown run. The Bearcats went for two, but the run was stopped short of the goal line. The touchdown brought the score to 40-18 where it ended as the final seconds of the game ticked off.
Basile Head Coach Kevin Bertrand had high praise for his seniors and their accomplishments. “For this group of seniors to do what they have been able to do in their career is amazing,” said an adamant Bertrand. “I told them afterward that one game does not define their careers. To be able to make it to the quarterfinals three years in a row is an amazing feat. I am so proud to have been able to coach these great young men.”
The offseason starts now for the Bearcats. They will look to replace some very talented senior players. If the last three years is an indication, Basile will not just rebuild but they will reload.