By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
There’s only one game to attend in Rapides Parish tonight as the Buckeye Panthers take center stage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Panthers (6-4), the No. 15 seed in the Division II Select playoffs, play host to 18th-seeded Booker T. Washington of New Orleans (4-6) at 7 p.m. with the chance to possibly clinch a berth in the quarterfinals if the court is their friend.
The last time the Panthers hosted a playoff game was 11 years ago, when they fell to North Vermilion, 24-20, as a 6 seed. They have hosted several playoff games in the past, including Booker T. Washington in 2008, a game in which the Panthers lost 20-13 as an 8 seed.
“It’s been a big buzz this week,” said Buckeye coach Aaron York, adding he hopes that buzz carries over into the stands tonight. “Everybody has been talking about it around here – at the school, in the community, The kids have heard it from every which direction. It kind of plays on your mind and puts a little bit of extra stress.”
BTW is similar in style to one of the Panthers’ district opponents, Marksville. The Lions like to spread defenses out and get the ball to senior running back Demeico Barnes, allowing him to make plays in space.
“They’ve got kids that can beat you,” York said. “Our challenge is we’ve got to contain their speed. On the flip side, we’ve got to be physical up front.”
York said the Panthers need a big night from senior running back Jim Burlew, who has been the team’s workhorse for the past two seasons.
“I told Jim earlier this week that this is his type of ball game right now,” York said. “I’ve challenged our offensive line up front that as they go we go. If we can play physical football, limit turnovers and bottle up their running back, we have a chance. We’re going to have to lean on 34 (Burlew).”
Buckeye has never won a playoff game in school history, but a win tonight might be the equivalent of two playoff victories.
Awaiting the winner of tonight’s game is No. 2 seed University Lab, which filed suit against the Louisiana High School Athletic Association after having to forfeit seven victories for allegedly using ineligible players.
University’s temporary injunction allowed the Cubs to have their wins restored and be put in the playoff bracket, but if the school loses its hearing next week, the LHSAA could remove University from the playoffs and move the Buckeye-BTW winner into the quarterfinals.
In order for that to happen, though, the Panthers must do something they have never been able to do before – win a playoff game.
York said he hasn’t discussed that situation with his players because he didn’t want to place any more pressure on them, but the coaches are certainly aware of the possibility.
“Nothing matters unless you win this ball game,” he said.
The only other playoff game tonight featuring a Rapides Parish team is the Division III Select game between No. 22 Menard (4-6) and No. 11 Pope John Paul II (8-2) in Slidell.
“We are the 22 seed, but we’re not facing a top-8 or a top-10 team,” Menard coach David Perkins said. “They’re the 11 seed. We’ve watched them on film and feel like that’s a team we can play with.”
The Jaguars feature a run-heavy Wing-T offense behind senior quarterback Blaze Rodriguez, which Perkins believes could play into the hands of the Menard defense.
Sophomore middle linebacker Sam Brocato, who doubles as a running back and rarely leaves the field, is the Eagles’ top tackler on the season with 75. Jacob Jeanise and Jack Simpson lead the team with six tackles for loss apiece, while freshman Austin Parra has a team-high three interceptions.
Junior quarterback Jake Vaughn has been the leader of the Eagles’ offense this season, throwing for 689 yards and five touchdowns while also being the team’s top rusher with 427 yards and two touchdowns.
Brocato and junior Aidyn Moran have combined for 644 rushing yards and three touchdowns out of the backfield, while five different players have caught a touchdown pass, including leading receiver Cutter Knowles (25-189).
Perkins said the addition of freshman Aiden Burch at tight end has played a key role in the Eagles’ improved passing game in recent weeks.
Menard is seeking its first road win of the season as well as consecutive victories for the first time. Perkins said he expects the Eagles’ defense to keep them in the game, but they need Vaughn and an improved passing game to score some points this week.
“Maybe this is the time that the stars align,” Perkins said.
Only three of the parish’s eight football teams made the playoffs this year. Alexandria Senior High (10-0) is the No. 2 seed in the Division I Select playoffs and received a first-round bye. The Trojans will host No. 18 Evangel, a 58-48 winner over Captain Shreve Thursday night, in the second round next Friday.