Basile secures 5-1A title with 20-14 win

EUNICE -- Great teams play great in big games. That is why they are considered great teams.
The Basile Bearcats proved Friday night that they are a great team this season.
With the District 5-1A title on the line, Basile produced a huge 20-14 win over long time rival St. Ed’s to sew up the championship.
With the win, the Bearcats improve to 9-1 on the season and must wait until Sunday to find out who they will face off against in the Class 1A playoffs.
If Basile can secure the number two power ranking, they will assure themselves a first round bye; something that Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand is looking forward to.
“Tonight was a big win for us,” said Bertrand. “We not only won the district title outright, but put ourselves in a position to have a first round bye. That would give us a chance to heal up before the second season begins.”
At the start of the game it looked as if St. Ed’s came prepared to rumble.
The Blue Jays took the opening kick off and promptly drove the ball 65 yards in 10 plays to put the first points on the board.
Cullen Brown capped off the drive with a nine-yard touchdown reception from Drake Brunet. The two-point pass play failed giving St. Ed’s the 6-0 lead with 8:46 left in the first quarter.
Basile would have to punt on their opening possession, but got the ball right back when Devin Bazinet recovered a Brunet fumble at the Blue Jay 38-yard line.
Three plays later, Tray David rolled to his right and found Jarred Belle on a crossing route. Belle out raced everyone for the 33-yard touchdown reception.
David added the extra point and with 3:59 left in the first quarter Basile took the 7-6 lead; a lead they would not relinquish.
The Bearcats would add to their lead at the beginning of the second quarter.
Basile opened their third possession of the game at their three-yard line. On third and five, Gabe Fontenot broke off a 65-yard run down to the Blue Jay 27-yard line.
Two plays later, Fontenot would gallop in from 28-yards out. David connected on the extra point and the Bearcats now led 14-6.
Neither team could produce any points for the rest of the half.
After an uneventful third quarter, Basile tried their best to ice the game in the final quarter.
On only the second play of the fourth stanza, Gabe Fontenot broke loose on a 71-yard jaunt to up the Bearcat advantage.
The extra point was wide left by David. However, Basile now led 20-14.
St. Ed’s attempted to mount a comeback towards the end of the quarter, scoring on a Brunet to Brown pass from 23-yards out.
The Blue Jays converted on the two-point pass to cut the lead to 20-14.
Basile recovered the ensuing on side kick and ran the out the clock to seal the win.
Fontenot finished the game with 187 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.
David was two for six for 71 yards and a touchdown passing.