Learning what’s needed

Two things were proven for all of the teams participating in the 2016 Evangeline Parish Jamboree; there were flashes of good solid football and there is a lot of room for improvement.
Probably the biggest surprises of the night were the play of the Mamou and Pine Prairie offenses. Both squads showed some much needed improvement from last season, especially considering the records of both teams in 2015.
Now all four teams know where they stand and where they need improvement before the season opener next week.

PPHS 6, VPHS 0
In the first contest of the evening, Pine Prairie showcased their new wishbone offense and took their opening drive down the field to put up the only points of the contest in a 6-0 win over Ville Platte.
“I am so happy for the kids,” Panther head coach Yves Prince said after the game. “This was our first jamboree win. Plus, it was a win over a quality team like Ville Platte. I thank the Lord for the victory.”
Ville Platte won the toss and elected to receive the opening kick off and brought the ball up to the 48-yard line. After a huge 10-yard run from Martin Jason, the Bulldogs were able to pick up three more yards on the ensuing down. On second and seven, an errant snap was recovered by the Panthers right at the mid-field stripe.
Pine Prairie proceeded to march down the field using their newly installed wishbone offense. With the Panther big offensive line leading the way, running backs Jarrod Sims and Clint Graser took turns chewing up yards against the Ville Platte defense.
On the eighth play of the drive, Sims took the ball over the right side for 11 yards and the score at the 10:01 mark of the first half. The extra point was no good, and Pine Prairie led 6-0. Sims had four carries for 38 yards on that drive.
Ville Platte was able to get down deep in Pine Prairie territory twice; once toward the end of the first half and once again on the first possession of the second half. Both times their drives ended with a turn over on downs at the Panther 25-yard line.
Even though Ville Platte was guilty of three turnovers and some drive ending penalties, head coach Jorie Randle was very optimistic after the contest.
“The scoreboard did not reflect it, but we played tough,” stated Randle. “We were short a couple of starters and players with experience. But, that is how a jamboree can be helpful. We were able to get some younger players in the game.”
Ville Platte will travel to Mamou next week and Pine Prairie will go to Bunkie for their opening game.

Basile 21, Mamou 0
Jarred Belle rushed for 92 yards on nine carries and one touchdown to lead the Basile Bearcats past Mamou in the nightcap of the 2016 Evangeline Parish Jamoree.
Belle scored on an 11-yard run and fullback Jaylon Thomas added another 29-yard scoring jaunt for two of the Bearcat touchdowns. The other score was a fumble recovery in the end zone on a Belle fumble.
However, it was the surprising play of Mamou sophomore quarterback Landon Deshotels that had everyone talking after the game.
Deshotels, taking the place of injured starter Levi Fontenot, was five for 10 for 75 yards in the loss.
After the game, Mamou head coach Brian Brumfield talked about Deshotels play.
“He really stepped up tonight and played like a veteran,” said Brumfield. “He did not panic and handled the pressure with maturity. It is nice to know that we can utilize him during the season if we need to and that he will come to perform.”
The first half was not very productive for either team with the exception of the one lone score from Basile.
On Mamou’s second possession of the night, facing a second and 11 from their 16-yard line, the Demons mishandled an exchange between Deshotels and running back Ronnie McBride. The Bearcats promptly pounced on the ball at the Mamou 11-yard line.
On the first play following the fumble recovery, Belle took the ball over the right side to the Demon two-yard line and was hit by a Mamou defender. The ball popped loose and traveled into the endzone where it was recovered by one of the offensive linemen for the score. Matt Fontenot added the extra point and with 8:30 left in the first half Basile led 7-0.
The Demon offense was able to move the ball with some effect in the first half, but several mishandled snaps led to turnovers.
Basile opened the second half with a eight play 42-yard scoring drive that was capped off by Belle’s 11-yard run. Fontenot was true on the extra point and the Bearcats were now on top 14-0. In that drive Belle carried the ball five times for 43 yards.
The final scoring drive for the Bearcats was typical Basile football, as they took the ball 48 yards on seven plays and reached pay dirt with a 29-yard run from Thomas.
After the game, Basile head coach Kevin Bertand was just happy to be on the field after their scrimmage was washed out.
“It felt good to finally get on the field,” commented Bertand. “Nothing can simulate a real game. I am proud of the way our team played, but we have a long way to go.”
Mamou will host Ville Platte next week, while Basile will travel to Class 2A Vinton in their opening contest.