Article Image Alt Text

Central Catholic quarterback DeDe Gant attempts a pass under pressure during the Eagles' week 1 contest against Pine. Gant has completed 11 of 24 passes this season for 158 yards and a touchdown and also rushed 20 times for 145 yds and a score. Central Catholic will return to action Thursday when it hosts Southside High School in nondistrict play. (The Daily Review/Mico Aloisio)

CCHS will host Southside Thursday

After two rough fourth quarters in its first two games sunk their chances at a 2-0 start, Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said emphasis this week in the squad’s nondistrict contest against Southside High is for his squad to finish the ball game.
Combined in the first two games of the season, the Eagles have been outscored 44-0 in the fourth quarter, falling to Class 2A Pine 40-34 in week 1 and Class 3A Archbishop Hannan, 34-14 in week two.
In both of those contests, the Eagles (0-2) led heading into the final quarter, including a 14-12 lead a week ago.
“Once again, we played well for three quarters,” Minton said of last week’s contest against Hannan. “We were leading going into the fourth quarter (and we) didn’t hold the lead. One of the things that we really focused on this week is just finishing. Finishing every drill, finishing every tackle.”
Thursday, the Eagles will face a unique situation in its third contest of the season as it welcomes Youngsville-based Southside High School, who won’t become a full-fledged Louisiana High School Athletic Association member until next season. The Eagles scheduled the game after False River elected not to play a varsity schedule this season.
“There weren’t very many options out there to get a game,” Minton said. “Everybody else was tied into contracts, so it’s an opportunity for us to … to work on the things we need to work on and get better.”
While Southside (1-0), a new school in its second year of existence, may have just a freshman, sophomore and junior class, it already has approximately 1,300 students. The school will add a senior class next year when it begins competing for postseason honors as a Louisiana High School Athletic Association member.
The team dresses out 72 players for its varsity squad.
Although the contest will count on Central Catholic’s record, it will not be used towards power points.
As for the Sharks, offensively, the team runs a spread offense.
“The quarterback’s a young talented kid,” Minton said. “He’s a sophomore. He started for Comeaux last year as a freshman. … He’s got a couple of receivers that he throws the ball to that are very good athletes.”
On the other side of the ball, the Sharks line up in a 50 defense.
“They’ll mix it up between playing a soft cover 4 and man coverage,” Minton said. “I think we’ll see a lot of man (coverage) because they’re going to want to put extra people at the line of scrimmage because we run the ball so much.”
Davidyione Bias leads the Eagles’ ground game with 52 carries for 279 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback DeDe Gant has rushed 20 times for 145 yards and a score.
Through the air, Gant has completed 11 of 24 passes for 158 yards, two touchdowns and thrown two interceptions.
Brooks Thomas leads the teams’ receivers with five catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.
Thursday’s contest at Tiger Stadium in Morgan City is set for a 7 p.m. start.

ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255