Basile hits the road for first playoff game; faces Linclon Prep

The question was not whether the Basile Bearcats (3-7) would be in the 2016 Class 1A playoffs, but whether they would be able to maintain a top 16 power ranking and get the opportunity to host a first round contest.
That question was answered this past Friday, as the Bearcats fell in a gut-wrenching double over-time 29-28 loss to their long-time rival the St. Edmund Blue Jays. With that loss, Basile dropped to No. 18.
Now, Basile will have to take the long haul to Grambling to take on the Lincoln Prep Panthers. Lincoln Prep is a charter school that replaced the former Grambling Lab High School. The Panthers come into the game with an overall record of 4-6. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
“We knew we would more than likely drop out of the top 16 if we lost,” stated Basile head coach Kevin Bertand. “But, we are in the playoffs and we continue the season, unlike a number of teams that did not qualify. The regular season is over, and it is a new ballgame. Being playoff veterans I think will give us an advantage.”
Basile is not exactly on a roll coming into the post-season. The Bearcats have had a rocky year, finishing the regular season on a three game skid. Because of that Bertrand knows his team must find a way to recapture the momentum they had at the beginning of district.
“We have not been consistent all year long,” commented Bertrand. “It seems as if every time we would play a complete game, we would turn around and just lose our way. After starting 2-0 in district, I thought we had the kinks of the pre-district worked out, but it did not turn out that way.”
If Basile wishes to regain that killer instinct, they first must fix the driving force behind successful Bearcat football; a devastating run game. The Bearcats have rushed for less than 350 yards in the last three games, including a paltry 25 yards against the Blue Jays.
“No doubt about it, we have to be able to run the ball better than we have been doing at the end of the season,” said Bertrand. “Our line will have to be more consistent in their blocking and the running backs will have to a better job of hitting the holes. If we can establish our type of run game, we give ourselves the best chance possible.”
Lincoln Prep comes into the contest averaging only 14.2 points per game and have scored over 20 points four times this year. Defensively, the Panthers give up a whopping 24.7 points per game and have only one technical shutout, winning a forfeited game in week five.
“They are very big up front,” said Bertrand. “Running the football is their main priority. They have some very good athletes and can bust it open if you give them the space. Their defense is a little shaky at times. Our goal is to control the ball on the ground and not make the big mistakes we have made in the last few games.”
Travelling for a game, especially the distance that the Bearcats will have to travel, could be a distraction for most teams. However, Basile is no stranger to distant road trips this season and Bertrand believes his team can handle it.
“We have been to Logansport and to New Roads twice this season,” commented Bertrand. “Our players are use to the long road games. I do not think that will be an issue for us.”
Hopefully not, because if the Bearcats win, the next trip would more than likely be back to Logansport.