Basile High: Bearcats hoping to get better one day at a time

By: TRACEY JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

According to Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand, if there were a theme for the Bearcats in 2015 it would be “getting better one day at a time.”
“That has been what we have preached since the first day I got here,” said Bertrand. “We don’t talk about the end of the year goals. We want to win this week; we want to be undefeated this week. If that doesn’t happen, we have a chance to reach that goal again next week. We just want to get better every day and see what happens at the end of the season.”
That consistent theme had done the Bearcats well over the past three years. Basile has reached the quarterfinals under Bertrand and his brother Tony in each of those years. In order for the Bearcats to make another deep run in the playoffs, Coach Bertrand will rely heavily on his defensive unit that returns nine players.
“We are not a very big team, but we have some speed that we can utilize,” stated Bertrand. “It helps to have nine guys returning on defense, they know the system and that allows them to be able to attack and react.”
Basile will rely on that defensive unit, especially early in the season, as they will face some challenging non-district opponents. The Bearcats open with a tough Vinton Lion squad and will play up against some stiff Class 3A teams in Ville Platte and Port Barre.
The Bearcats also enter a new district that takes them east rather than the western route they have been accustomed to the last few years. Among their district competition will be a familiar foe, the St. Ed’s Blue Jays.
“It will be different for us being in a new district,” commented Bertrand. “We are going to approach each district game as a playoff game, because we are not as familiar with these teams as we have been in the past. We will just have to be ready for those guys when the time comes.”

Closer look
on offense
Basile will show a different look offensively, attacking from a pro twins formation rather than the I formation they have been famous for. However, the actual plays themselves will look similar.
The return of 1,000 plus yard rusher Gabe Fontenot will be a huge asset for the Bearcats. New quarterback Trey David will be at the helm for Basile. The Bearcats return only two starters up front in tight end Ty Walker and tackle Garret Johnson.

Closer look
on defense
Not only does the scheme stay the same for Basile on defense, so do the faces. The Bearcats return nine starters from last year’s squad that made it to the quarterfinals.
Basile has a lot of speed on the defensive side of the ball and will utilize that speed to remain the attacking group they have become known for.
With the return of so many players on defense, Basile will be on top of their game come the start of the season. The Bearcats will rely heavily on the defensive unit to take control of another playoff run.