Week Seven: Rivalry Week

Looking over the slate of games we have coming up this week there were two rivalry match-ups that stand out to me.

1). The Battle on the Bayou 

Cecilia vs. St. Martinville. It's the parish rivalry pitting the Bulldogs against the Tigers in this match-up. Cecilia had a good bit of hype behind them coming into this 2017 season but the hype train was slowed to just about a screeching halt when the team began the season 0-4. But since then its been two straight wins for coach Dennis Skains squad and they're starting to feel good about themselves. On the other hand for St. Martinville, its been a roller-coaster of a season quite literally. The Tigers have had a trend all season long of losing one, winning one and its continued all the way through the first six weeks of the season to leave them at 3-3. The battle on the Bayou will pit two teams against each other who are both looking to sustain consistency this season.

What Happened Last Year:

This one was close throughout and relatively low scoring early on where both teams were feeling each other out much like a big fight. However, this one really opened up in the 4th quarter and St. Martinville would top Cecilia 44-41. The big offensive star in this one would be the Tigers running back, Travien Benjamin who totaled 245 yards on 26 carries and five touchdowns. On defense, defensive end Kevin Batiste had seven tackles, three of them for loss, and two big fourth quarter sacks.

2). Teurlings Catholic vs. St. Thomas More

This is one of the rivalry match-ups that you just can not ignore. Two private schools squaring off seeing what's-what, both with a proud tradition, history, and legacy. For Teurlings things couldn't have started off better in terms of wins for new Head Coach, Dane Charpentier. He and his squad were 2-0 and ready to embark on a tough schedule. However, that tough schedule got the best of the Rebels as they dropped three straight until getting back to their winning ways last week against Rayne. For STM its been all about success this year. The Cougars started out the year by shutting out and dominating their first three opponents before suffering a setback at Catholic B.R. as Head Coach Jim Hightower was going for win number 400. Which we all know was on-purpose so coach could get his 400th the next week at home. Of course I'm kidding but all jokes aside its been a very good season so far for STM and another tough task against Teurlings this Friday.

What Happened Last Year: 

The Cougars bested the Rebels, 42-14, thanks to Nate Cox's four touchdown passing performance and the STM defense. Linebacker Paul Laborde had a huge interception return for a touchdown and a forced fumble, and he spearheaded a defensive attack from STM that took Teurlings out of their element.