Bearcats silence Lions’ offensive power

All season long, Basile has been known for their defensive power. The 2013 defensive group has been giving up less than eight points a game. With Plain Dealing coming to Basile, it was going to be a tough test. The Lions were putting up 30 points or more a game. Basile’s defense proved once again that defense is what wins games. They held the Lions to just one score in their 42-8 victory in the second round of the Class 1A championship game.
“If you would have told me that we would hold them to just one score before tonight I would have said no way,” said Basile Head Coach Tony Bertrand. “Our defense really stepped up. They continue to impress me week after week.”
The Lions came out early and managed to keep up with Basile. It first appeared that the Bearcats would be in a for a fight. Each team fumbled the ball in the early goings of the game, perhaps a little bit of jitters.
Basile got on the board first. A big run by Kendrick Ceasar set up the Bearcats deep in Lion territory. That run tacked on 15 more yards after a horse collar penalty. Basile was now inside the Lions’ red zone. Gabriel Fontenot, a sophomore, moved the ball to the 12 yard line. Moments later, Ceasar capped the drive with a one-yard run.
Plain Dealing found themselves down 6-0 as the first quarter came to a close. They also recognized the Basile defense was getting more and more aggressive. So on four down and eight yards to go, the Lions perfectly a fake punt and picked up the first down. Back to back pass plays moved the Lions inside the Basile red zone. The drive ended with a passing strike in the corner of the end zone. The visiting team converted a two-point conversion, giving the Lions a temporary lead.
As the second quarter moved on Basile’s offensive line began to dictate the tempo. The fact that Bertrand used a stable of running backs also showed signs of wearing out the Plain Dealing defense. That would really become a factor in the second half.
Mason Deshotel intercepted a pass in Basile territory and moved the football back to mid-field. The run back was extended because of a facemask penalty. After that, the Lions received a heavy dose of Ceasar to the left and Ceasar to the right. Finally, a five-yard run by the junior tailback put Basile back on top. He also helped to convert the two-point conversion.
Basile took a 14-8 lead into the locker room at the half way point. When the Cats came out, they brought their grinding attitude.
The Lions also though they would try a trick or two early. They converted an onsides kick and had the ball in good position. However, the BHS defense thought other wise and quickly got the Lions off the field.
At that point, Bertrand went into his own bag of tricks. He put the Cats in a Wildcat formation with Ceasar as the signal caller. He took the snap from shotgun and galloped for 56 yards and six points. The extra point kick was missed, but Basile was now up 20-8 early in the third quarter.
The BHS defense forced another three and out, giving the football back to the offense. This time it was the passing attack that got Basile on the board. Quarterback Mark Ivory hit Ceasar on a wide receiver screen and Deshotel connected on a freeing block. The block sprung Ceasar for 52 yards and a six more points. On the two-point conversion, Ceasar hit Blaise Hebert in the corner of the end zone to make it a 28-8 contest.
In the fourth quarter, the Basile offensive line pushed the Plain Dealing defensive line backwards over and over again. That set the stage for Fontenot to do his thing. The shifty power runner broke tackle after tackle, gobbling up over 100 yards. He also scored on runs of 15 and 28 yards respectively.
When it was all said and done, Basile had sent a message to their next opponent, Kentwood, letting them know it would be a battle next week.
“Our kids did a lot of good things tonight,’ Bertrand commented. “We made some small adjustments and they just went with it.”
Next Friday’s match up with Kentwood will make the fifth time in eight years the two schools meet in the post-season.
“Our kids know what to expect,” the humble coach said. “They knew from the beginning it could happen, but I think this year they see it differently. We are going to prepare and make sure our boys are ready to go. If we line up right and do the things we have to do we will be fine.”
Kentwood beat Oberlin 53-30 Friday night in Kentwood. Last year, Kentwood eliminated the Cats in the quarter-finals 47-14 in Basile.
“Things feel different this year,” Bertrand said. “Last year we did not have the confidence that we have this year. Like tonight, our boys came out flat, but then they stood up and took it to them (Plain Dealing). I think its going to be fun and exciting. The community is positive, the kids are positive and our coaches are doing a great job of having our boys ready to play.”
Kentwood is the fifth seed in the playoffs and come back to Basile next Friday.