Make or break?

Not to be overdramatic, but in the short history of the Mamou versus Pine Prairie football rivalry, this week’s contest between the two schools may be the most significant in terms of making or breaking a season.
The two teams will square off in Mamou tomorrow night. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
For the Mamou Demons, a team that has not garnered a win in 2016, a win over Pine Prairie would inject a boatload of confidence in a very young but talented squad. The Demons have not beaten the Panthers in the last three seasons and have not had a break even record since 2009.
“Winning this week would hopefully put us on the right track for the rest of the season,” said Mamou head coach Brian Brumfield. “Right now I believe we are farther along than we were last season. Getting that first win could give us the momentum we need going forward.”
Mamou has shown flashes of what could be this season. After a dismal week one performance against Ville Platte in which the Demons totaled a meager 37 yards on offense, Mamou rebounded with a 209 yard effort against East Beauregard.
This past Friday, Mamou once again fell anemic on the offensive side of the ball, collected a mere 84 yards against Oberlin. On top of that the Demons turned the ball over four times, with two of those turnovers resulting in touchdowns in a 25-0 loss to the Tigers.
“I thought we played well enough defensively to win the game,” stated Brumfield. “We just turned the ball over too many times. Every time we would get the offense going, we would make a costly mistake. We never could gain any momentum. It really put our defense in some bad spots.”
For Pine Prairie, the season looked like it may yet be the most fruitful in the history of the program. The Panthers took a fourth quarter come from behind win over Bunkie in week one. But since that game, Pine Prairie has not produced much in the way of offense, losing the next two games by a total combined score of 60-6.
“The last two games, we have made a number of mistakes that have cost us,” stated Pine Prairie head coach Yves Prince. “With the offense that we run, trying to control the ball, if we give the other team extra snaps we diminish our chances of winning. We have to play solid defense and be patient on offense.”
In their last game, a 21-6 road loss to Pearl River, Pine Prairie was able to move the ball on the ground somewhat; gaining 145 yards on 34 carries. However, the Panthers gave up 236 total yards to the Rebels and had six fumbles in the game.
“We took the opening drive down the field and scored,” said Prince. “When you do that you should be able to continue doing that throughout the game. But, we gave them a short field all game long by turning the ball over. I don’t know what it was, if it was the long trip or the rain, but we just can’t continue to do that and expect to win.”
Both coaches know how important this game can be to the rest of the season. And, both coaches know what to expect in this friendly rivalry that has produced some epic battles.
“When we play Pine Prairie, it is like playing Ville Platte because all the players know each other and talk all the time,” stated Brumfield. “Not only are we playing a rival, but it is homecoming for us. We know that Pine Prairie is big up front and they like to pound the football at you.”
“They have some very good running backs,” he continued. “We are going to need to keep the ball away from them by running it more effectively. I think it will come down to who makes the least number of mistakes.”
“Mamou will try to throw the ball against us,” commented Prince. “We are just going to have to put pressure on their quarterback and hope he makes a mistake. Offensively, we have to get to their linebackers. They are really good. We are not taking anyone for granted, that’s for sure. I am always nervous when I play them.”