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Sacred Heart goes on the road; looks to cement home game

By: TRACEY
JAGNEAUX
Sports Editor

Two things come into play for the Sacred Heart Trojans (7-2, 3-2) as they travel to Opelousas to take on the Westminster Crusaders in the final game of the regular and district seasons. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
First, Sacred Heart is hoping to finish the year as it began, on a four game winning streak.
Secondly, the Trojans are looking to keep themselves in the top eight of the Division IV playoff power ranking so that they will be able to host a first round playoff game next week.
“One of the main goals coming into the season was to be able to host that first round of the playoffs,” stated Sacred Heart head coach Josh Harper. “Right now we are at No. 7. We know a win will keep us close to that No. 8 spot. There are a lot of other factors that go into where we will eventually end up at, but without a win on Friday it becomes a mute point because I think we will definitely drop out of the top eight.”
Sacred Heart has done its part the last three ball games. The Trojans have defeated all three opponents they have faced in the last weeks by a combined score of 149-43. But, Harper knows that execution is only one part of the game.
“Our players know that this is a winnable game for us,” said Harper. “We just have to show up mentally prepared for them. If we come out sluggish and not ready to play, they have the capability to take it to us.”
“One thing that has been clicking for us the last few weeks has been the play of the defense,” Harper continued. “They are really looking good. The defense is playing with a ton of confidence and flying to the ball with a ton of aggressiveness. Offensively, we are still trying to clean up some things, but it is getting better and better each week.”
Westminster is 2-7 on the season and 2-3 in district competition. The Crusaders average 12.2 points per game on offense and give up 28.8 points per game on defense.
“They are a team that will give you a ton of formations,” commented Harper. “It is literally everything in the book. They run some option and some zone read. The biggest key for us this week is to line up correctly against all of those formations. They don’t have a ton of speed, but play really hard. On defense, they run a 3-3 stack and blitz at least one player on every down. Our offensive linemen are going to have to pick those things up.”

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