Defensive struggle

With two of the better defenses around the area, both Ville Platte and Basile knew it was going to be a struggle to put points on the board.
In fact Basile used its defense to score the only points of the game, as they took a 7-0 win over Ville Platte Friday night at Bulldog stadium.
For Bearcat head coach Kevin Bertrand there was only one word to describe the game against Ville Platte.
“Survival,” said Bertrand. “Our defense played exceptionally well tonight. Offensively, we put our defense in some tough situations tonight and when it counted our defense rose to the occasion. They put up some yards tonight on offense, but the key was to get them to have ten play drives, not one play drives.”
There is no doubt that Ville Platte held the edge up front. The Bulldog offense controlled most of the first half, getting inside Bearcat territory on three of their first five possessions.
What that did was not allow Basile any time with the football. The Bearcats touched the ball three times in the first half for 11 total yards, including a negative one yard passing.
Ville Platte’s defense was on point Friday night. The Bulldogs only let Basile into their territory twice all game long.
However, it was mistakes that cost Ville Platte a chance to get any points on the board. The Bulldogs let several opportunities slip past them, as they marched inside the Basile 30 yard line six times.
Each time either penalties or negative plays hindered Ville Platte from getting into the end zone.
The Bulldogs won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. Ville Platte quickly showed their dominance on the front line, as they marched to the Basile 40 yard line in six plays.
An incomplete pass on third down resulted in a punt and gave the Bearcats the ball at their 25 yard line.
Basile’s first possession of the game looked promising as well. The Bearcats picked up 17 yards on six plays, but could not convert on third down and was forced to punt.
Punter Blaise Hebert booted a beautiful 55 yard punt that drove back Ville Platte’s Terez Alfred, who fielded the ball on the five yard line. Alfred was tackled at the Bulldog 10 yard line where Ville Platte began their next drive.
After a five yard penalty, Ville Platte picked up eight yards on the next two plays. Facing third and two at their 18 yard line, Bulldog running back Jaishaun Doucet took the handoff and was stripped of the football.
The ball rolled into the end zone where Devin Bazinet jumped on fumble and recovered it for the touchdown. The extra point kick by Tray David was good and Basile had the 7-0 lead with 2:56 left to go in the first quarter.
Ville Platte got the ball back at their 42 yard line after a 20 yard return by Brandon Freeman on the ensuing kickoff. The Bulldogs went right back to work on the ground, picking up huge chunks of yardage.
Ville Platte marched the ball all the way down to the Bearcat three yard line in nine plays, all runs. The first quarter came to an end and the Bulldogs began the second quarter facing a third and two situation.
On the very next play, Alfred took a sweep around the left side for an apparent Ville Platte touchdown. However, a holding penalty negated the score and backed the Bulldogs up 10 yards.
After an incomplete pass on third and 12, Alfred was sacked for a 12 yard loss on fourth down, forcing the Bulldogs to turn the ball over on change of possession.
Each team traded possessions the rest of the second quarter. Ville Platte did manage to get to the Basile 30 yard line, but neither squad was able to make headway on the scoreboard. The first half ended with the Bearcats leading 7-0.
Basile took possession to start the second half. After gaining only five yards on two plays, the Bearcats had the ball on their 28 yard line facing a third and five situation.
David dropped back to pass and lost the football on a big hit from Tralon Thomas. Bulldog defensive end Vondarius Freeman recovered the fumble at the Bearcat 19 yard line.
The Bulldogs were now in business. Two runs by running back Daylon Jones netted eight yards and put the ball at the Bearcat 11 yard line. Ville Platte ran the ball on the next two downs, gaining zero yards and giving the ball back to Basile on the change of possession.
After forcing the Beacats to punt, Ville Platte took over possession at mid-field. Five plays later, the Bulldogs faced a fourth and four at the Basile 26 yard line. Alfred dropped back to pass and was intercepted by Roger Spell to end the Bulldog threat.
Ville Platte got the ball back almost immediately, as Bulldog defensive back Trevor Ardoin returned the favor, intercepting David on the second play from scrimmage.
The Bulldogs once again were on the move. Ville Platte put together an 11 play drive, bringing the ball down to the Bearcat seven yard line.
However, on fourth and one, quarterback Rodricus Fontenot was stopped for no gain, once again turning the ball over on downs.
Basile took the ensuing drive up to their 27 yard line. But, Ville Platte stripped the ball once again and Jamerson Leday jumped on the loose ball on the Bearcat 26 yard line to give the Bulldogs once last shot at trying to tie the game.
Basile’s defense came to life one more time, stopping Ville Platte in four plays. The last play was a sack by Lane Joubert to kill any hopes of a Bulldog comeback.
“Hats off to those guys,” said Bertrand. “They played well on the defensive end. Their linebackers did a tremendous job scraping to the ball. (Vondarius) Freeman is a great player.”
On the night Ville Platte had 144 yards rushing on 41 carries. The Bulldogs were three of thirteen for 37 yards through the air.
Leading the way on the ground was Daylon Jones, who collected 100 yards on 19 rushing attempts.
Basile managed only 66 yards of total offense. The Bearcats rushed for 63 yards on 31 carries and were two for four for two yards through the air.
Leading rusher for Basile was Gabe Fontenot who carried the ball 12 times for 49 yards.
“Offensively, we didn’t panic,” stated Bertrand. “We only had the ball a couple of times in the first half. So at halftime we just made some adjustments and was able to move the ball some in the second half.”
“We definitely have some corrections to make up front,” continued Bertrand. “We missed some assignments and that hurt our chances of getting something going on offense.”
Bertrand was pleased with the effort of his special teams, especially his punter Hebert.
“I told Blaise that it was his punt that set up the touchdown,” said Bertrand. “It’s something we work on everyday at practice and we take pride in.”
Bulldog head Coach Jorie Randall had no comment after the game.
Ville Platte (1-1) will host Lafayette Christian next Friday, while Basile (2-0) will travel to South Cameron on Thursday.