Bearcats, Indians duel

The Basile Bearcats and the Elton Indians have battled each other for decades. With the schools only three miles apart from each other, the game between the two rivals is one that a person should experience themselves once in their lifetime. The 2014 version takes on a whole new atmosphere, as both squads bring identical 4-1 district records into the contest. The Bearcats are 7-1 overall on the season and the Indians are 6-2. Playoff implications are on the line in this possible gridiron classic. Basile needs the win to stay in the hunt for a top six seed in the power ratings. This will give the Bearcats a first round bye and an ever-important second round home game. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Basile is coming off of a barn burner against a much improved East Beauregard football team. The Bearcats slid past the Trojans 13-12 last Friday. Offensively, Basile did just enough to win the game, scoring with a little over five minutes left to seal the win. The Bearcats could only manage 224 yards of offense. Leading the way for Basile was Gabe Fontenot, who rushed for 112 yards on 14 carries. Returning all-state performer was limited to 24 yards on six rushing attempts.
The Bearcat defense was its usual stingy unit. The Trojans were held to 261 total yards of offense. The vaunted rushing attack of East Beauregard could only manage 229 yards on the ground. It was a total defensive effort that stopped the Trojans from only scoring 12 points in the game.
The one question on the mind of the Basile coaching staff going into the Elton game is how to stop the state’s leading rusher, Marcus Lemoine. The Indian running back has accounted for 1,650 yards on 193 carries after the seventh game. Lemoine has also scored 19 times. Holding down the best back in the state, regardless of class, will be a tremendous challenge.