Bulldogs, Panthers battle in big district contest

In the past the game between Ville Platte and Pine Prairie would have probably only meant something for the Bulldogs. However, with the Panthers at 3-3 and the Bulldogs coming off of a big district win on Friday, this game has now become one of importance for both squads. Ville Platte is searching for that second district win and Pine Prairie wants to keep their hopes alive for a possible playoff spot. The game will be played on Thursday in Pine Prairie. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The Bulldogs were in total control of the game against Port Barre on Friday. Ville Platte picked up 275 yards on 37 plays, almost all of it on the ground. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Terez Alfred who carried the ball 20 times for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Ville Platte defense flexed its muscles all night as the Red Devils were only able to earn 27 total yards on 38 plays. The Bulldogs forced four turnovers, two fumbles and two interceptions.
“This was a much needed win for us,” stated Ville Platte Head Coach Jorie Randle. “Not only does this win make us 1-0 in district, it also gives us some important power points. Our kids were very familiar on how to defend their style of offense. It gave us the ability to play fast to the ball. I was really proud of how our defense did not bite on their trick plays. Offensively, we played well. We just need to find some consistency on offense and be able to sustain drives. We will need to be able to do that against good teams. We can’t just live on big plays.”
The Panthers were completely dominated by the seventh ranked Church Point Bears on Friday. Pine Prairie could only muster 99 yards of offense on 35 plays. The Panther run game was especially dominated by Church Point, as Pine Prairie carried the ball 23 times for a negative 18 yards. One bright spot for the Panther offense, Dylan Doucet did pass the ball for 117 yards on three completions. The Pine Prairie defense was outmatched, as the Bears amassed 562 total yards of offense.
“Church Point has a really good football team,” admitted Pine Prairie Head Coach Yves Prince. “They do a lot of things on offense and they do them well. We could not stop them. Offensively, we could not get anything going. The only play that was really positive was the long touchdown pass. I thought our only chance against them was to throw the ball.”
Ville Platte Head Coach Jorie Randle and Pine Prairie Head Coach Yves Prince both have mutual respect for each other’s teams. “Ville Platte is a team you cannot take lightly,” said Prince. “They are big up front and play hard. Their quarterback can definitely run the ball. We need our defense to show up and play against those guys. This game could decide the path to the playoffs for both teams.”
“Pine Prairie has some good athletes. They play very hard on both sides of the ball. They are like us in that they play a lot of kids both ways. Coach Prince really has them believing in themselves. Defensively, they play fast to the ball. They are a very scrappy team. I think it will be a good match-up.”
Each team still has playoff aspirations. The Bulldogs gained some much needed power points with their win over the Red Devils Friday. The Panthers will probably need to win a couple of more games to garner enough power points to make the playoffs. With a lot riding on this game, both teams will come ready to play. Which team will prepare best on a short week? That question will be answered on Thursday. Once again an inter-parish contest has major playoff implications.