Pios square off with Breaux Bridge tonight

CROWLEY – If you enjoyed the defensive ride that was Notre Dame’s 3-0 win at Breaux Bridge last season, hold on tight for what could be a replay when the teams renew their week two rivalry for the eighth straight season this time in a Thursday game at Gardiner Stadium.
The last time Breaux Bridge traveled to the Pios’ home turf, Notre Dame trailed 21-2 with eight minutes to play in the third quarter and rallied with scores on three of four possessions while shutting down the Tigers offense. Fullback Austin Thibodeaux scored with 1:47 on the clock for a 24-21 win.
That game set a theme of revenge for returning Breaux Bridge players when the Pios traveled for last season’s memorable battle. Pios kicker Dustin Reiners split the uprights on a 20 yard field goal with 2:36 left on the clock for a 3-0 win. Coach Lewis Cook expects another tough battle against a team his troops have managed to come out on top of in six of the last seven seasons.
“Every time we have played it has been a physical, hard fought game. It’s unusual to be in a game with as much scoring as two seasons ago and we were fortunate to turn that game around and come out on top. I expect this game will be more like the tough struggle of last season.”
Last year, Breaux Bridge was held to 149 yards of total offense, possessed the ball for less than a third of the game clock, and saw its running game shut down to the point of abandoning it with 52 yards on 22 carries. The Pios came up empty on an 11 play first quarter drive and Breaux Bridge saw its only threat of the half end on a sack as time ran out. With eight minutes to play, Tigers QB Lane Landry was intercepted on a deep pass at the Pios goal line, one of two picks on a night the experienced senior starter was held to just eight completions in twenty six pass attempts.
“We saw last week against LaGrange what can happen when you give up a big play. Breaux Bridge has athletes that can make those types of big plays and change a game. If we can limit those big plays and opportunities for them to create those plays, life will be a lot tougher for them.”
Many of the key performers in that game will have a chance to face off again. Offensively, Pios QB Brad Stoma engineered the 12 play, 62 yard winning drive with a clutch 17 yard completion on third down and was 10-of-18 for 118 yards passing. RB Damon Comeaux had a 13 yard run and Joe Faulk was the leading Pios rusher with 37 yards including a 16 yard burst to the Breaux Bridge 21.
Dustin Reiners not only kicked the only points with a field goal, he also punted five times for a 44 yard average, pinning the opponent with punts at the Breaux Bridge 9, 12 and 27 yard lines with two rolling for touchbacks. Defensively, Nate Link and Connor Kirsch controlled the front with six tackles and two sacks each and each pressured Landry to throw incomplete passes on the final series.
Points may again be at a premium and the game may end up more resembling those of earlier in Cook’s tenure at N.D.
“Breaux Bridge has changed to a two back offense that is more similar to teams we have played in the past. They aren’t spreading it out as much, doing things a lot more like we do on offense. We have to play our game, protect the ball, finish drives and play our style of football better than they do.”
EXTRA POINTS
The Pios head coach sits at 299 career wins and has the chance to join an elite group of only six other Louisiana high school football coaches with a win over the Tigers.
“It’s a great feeling to have that honor and our guys I know are aware of it and realize they will be a part of something special to all of us when it happens. We are focused on the game itself and they aren’t going to hear anything about it from me, but I have heard it talked about and so I know they have also. Probably my biggest concern is friends that want to be at the game when it does happen. It would be even more special to get #300 against a program like Breaux Bridge, so I hope we can get it done and move forward and don’t have to keep asking everyone to come back next week.”
SCOUTING REPORT
Breaux Bridge closed the 2013 regular season with a 21-17 win at St. Thomas More to earn a share of the District 5-4A championship. The Tigers beat Tara (35-0) in the playoffs before falling in the second round to DeRidder (24-0).
Breaux Bridge opened this season with a 22-3 win at New Iberia. The Tigers converted three NISH errors into scores, turning a fumble into a short TD drive, blocking a punt for a safety and scoring after another turnover.
The Tigers held NISH to minus yards rushing and just 49 total yards in the game. Breaux Bridge rushed for 204 yards, but fumbled four times to hamper the offense.
Head Coach Paul Broussard (35-15) returns seven starters on a defense being talked about as one of their best ever. The defense starts seven seniors and four juniors and will be counted on early as Broussard has some holes to fill on offense.
Two year starting QB Lane Landry and tight end Demontreal Babineaux were the only returning starters last season. Both have graduated and left perhaps the two biggest voids in the Tigers offense.
A three-way battle for the quarterback position is being led by junior Drake Guidry (5-10, 150). Junior Kaelen Onezine (5-11, 215) moves in to start at tight end. Quick and athletic senior Javeyon Williams (5-9, 145) returns at wide receiver with senior Javin Derousselle (5-11, 150) on the other side.
The backfield returns senior starters Edward Batiste (5-7, 180) at halfback and Marquis Demonter (5-9, 195) at fullback. Demonter led the Tigers with 76 rushing yards on 12 totes last week in the win at New Iberia and Batiste gained 62 yards on 10 carries, while backup Ruben Hypolite rushed for 67 yards.
Senior Daniel Williams (6-2, 212) moves from starting center to guard. The only other lineman back to start is junior guard Cody Broussard (5-11, 245). Stepping in up front will be Jalen Goodie (6-0, 285, Sr), Taylor Louvierre (-11, 215, Sr) and Kenneth Davis (5-10, 325, Jr).
The picture is a lot clearer on defense where senior Orel Ledet (6-0, 200) leads a fast and athletic group of eight experienced and battle tested returning starters. Rounding out the linebackers are Korey Louis (6-1, 175, Jr) and Brandon Toussaint (5-11, 185, Sr).
Senior Keithan Cormier (5-11, 270) returns at tackle and will pair with Brandon Alexander (6-1, 265 Sr) who started as a sophomore and missed last season with an injury. The ends will be Diondre Wilson (5-10, 220) and Daryon Wiltz (5-6, 208, Jr).
Senior safety Joseph Williams (5-9, 180) starts for the third year after picking off seven passes last season and returning three for touchdowns. Junior Izrael Ledet (5-5, 135) takes over at strong safety. Senior Quinton Thibodeaux (5-11, 160) and junior Xavrian Antoine (5-9, 155) man the corners.