Vermilion Catholic defenders Jackson Trahan (60), Jackson Dubois (61) and Andrew Prejean (12) line up against Loreauville during a game on Sept. 8. The Eagles take on Erath at 7 p.m. Friday at home.
VC Eagles maintaining focus on game, expect exciting environment Friday
The Vermilion Catholic Eagles face one of their biggest rivals this week when the Erath Bobcats come to town, but VC head coach Broc Prejean isn’t concerned that his players will lose focus on what’s important about the game.
“We’ll continue to preach ‘keep football about football,’” Prejean said. “That’s what our job is, is to play a game, and that’s all we’re going to worry about this week, but it’s an awesome game.
“I think there’s a ton of mutual respect amongst the programs and amongst the fan bases, and the reason the game is so exciting is because of how passionate the communities are about high school football and how much they support these kids, so it’s just a great game to be a part of. It’s awesome that we get to keep revisiting this game every year and it’s going to be an exciting environment.”
The Eagles had to overcome five turnovers and 90 yards in penalties this past week to beat Loreauville 27-21 on the road.
But VC did get a win, and the effort his team put into the game is what makes him proud.
“There was a lot of mistakes out there last Friday, but we’re excited that our kids found a way to win,” Prejean said. “There’s a lot of character in that. There’s a lot of positives to take from that.
“But obviously our focus is going to be cleaning up a lot of that this week and keeping ourselves in the best position to be successful. To beat a really solid Loreauville team and overcome those mistakes was a great thing for us.”
The coach said Will Simon has been doing a great job at linebacker for the Eagles, and had a chance to come in and contribute at quarterback against Loreauville with some solid throws that sparked the team.
“I think defensively we played pretty well for the most part all around, despite having to get sent out there in some tough situations,” Prejean said.
“I thought Tyjh (Williams) got going (at running back), and we were able to distribute the ball to some wideouts. I think it was a team effort, and that’s what we’re looking for.”
Williams rushed for 92 yards and a TD on 13 carries.
“He showed how electric he can be when he gets space, and he really capitalized on some opportunities,” Prejean said. “His touchdown run in the second half was pretty special, and we know he can do those things, so we want to make sure we continue to give him those opportunities.”
Simon has shown in practice that he’s a good quarterback, Prejean said, and bringing him in there gives him a chance to show that, as well as giving opponents something to think about with starting QB Jonathan Dartez split out wide at receiver.
“Will’s a great quarterback,” Prejean said. “He’s shown that in practice over and over again. Jon-Jon’s an absolute phenomenal quarterback in his own right, and we’re blessed that we have those opportunities. We’ll continue to try to use them when the situation fits.”
Dartez leads Vermilion Parish with 607 yards on the ground and seven touchdowns, including a 359-yard effort two weeks ago against Ascension Episcopal. He’s also thrown for nearly 300 yards and three VC receivers — Ross Dartez, Dane Richoux and Ethan Landry — are among the top 10 in the parish in receiving yards.
Prejean said he expects to get Erath’s best effort this week.
“I don’t think to this point they’ve played their very best,” he said.
“We know they’re a great football team that’s going to find it sooner rather than later, and our job is to make sure that hopefully it’s not this week. But we anticiate seeing the best that the Bobcats have, and we’re going to have to try and deal with that, so it’s going to be very challenging.”
