Bearcats travel to Kentwood for quarterfinals

If it was not amazing enough that the Basile Bearcats have now made it to the quarterfinals of the LHSAA playoffs three years in a row, what may be more amazing is that their opponent will be the same for three years in a row; the Kentwood Kangaroos. If Vegas had a line on this phenomenon, the odds were probably a million to one.
The Bearcats have lost to Kentwood the last two years in a row. Whether it was fate, divine intervention, or blind luck that pits these two teams together once again, we know it is going to happen Friday night. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
The Bearcats are coming off of a dominating performance against the LaSalle Tigers in the regional playoff game this Friday. Both the offensive and defensive units of Basile were outstanding in their play against the Tigers.
Offensively, the Bearcats rolled up 464 yards of total offense. Of that total, 422 yards came on the ground. Kendrick Ceasar was spectacular in the contest rushing for 321 yards on 18 carries and five touchdowns.
The Basile defense was just as impressive. The Tigers may have passed for 179 yards, but the Bearcat defense used the bend but don’t break mentality in holding LaSalle to only 13 points. The last Tiger score came at the end of the game against mostly freshmen for Basile. When the Bearcats needed a stop, the defense came up big, stopping LaSalle twice inside the 10 yard line. The defense also recorded four turnovers.
The Kangaroos come into the game with an overall record of 8-2, which includes a regional playoff win against the Oberlin Tigers 46-16. Kentwood averages 26.4 points per game on offense. The only two times that the Kangaroos have not scored 20 points or more in a game, they faced a team that is still in the playoffs, Southern Lab and West Feliciana. Kentwood resides in district 6-1A.
Defensensively, the Kangaroos give up an average of 16.3 points per game. Kentwood has not had a shutout this year on defense. They have held their opponent to two touchdowns or less five times this season.
The Bearcats, by comparison, average 31.5 points per game on offense and have scored 40 points in games on three different occasions this year. Defensively, Basile only gives up an average of 11.5 points per game. The Bearcats have held their opponents to one touchdown or less five times this season.
In order for Basile to break the trend and defeat Kentwood Friday night, they must use the same formula that has been used all season long. Offensively, they must control the football on the ground and keep the ball out of the Kangaroos hands. Defensively, the Bearcats will have to keep everything in front of them and not give up the big play.
The special teams could play a factor in the game and Basile has had very good special teams play this year. Can the Bearcats break the Kangaroo jinx? Is the third time really the charm? Those questions are unclear. What is clear is that Basile will get another shot at proving Kentwood does not have their number.