Kaplan playing ‘bonus football’

KAPLAN — Friday’s Non-Select Division II playoff game at Jennings will be a new experience for many of Kaplan High’s starting football players.
It’s an experience the Pirates and head coach Cory Brodie are looking forward to after Kaplan narrowly missed the playoffs in 2022.
“Not making it last year, a lot of these guys didn’t play in the (playoff) game two years ago,” Brodie said. “For most of our starters, it’s their first playoff game, their first playoff experience. It’s always good to be playing bonus football, so we’re excited for the opportunity.”
The Pirates are 7-3 overall and earned the No. 23 seed for the playoffs. Kaplan finished 4-1 in District 5-3A, dropping a close 18-14 decision to Abbeville this past Friday in a battle of teams that were unbeaten in district.
“I thought it was a pretty even game,” Brodie said. “I think we kind of dominated the first half, and they had a big fourth quarter. We also turned the ball over twice late in that game. It came down to what I thought it was — the team that made the fewer mistakes won. They had one turnover and we had two.
“It was just a really good high school football game. I expect the same thing again in the first round of the playoffs. The more we’re tested like that, the better it’s going to be for us down the road. I think it’s a good test for us.”
Brodie said the loss stung for a bit but the players have done a good job of moving on to preparations for the playoffs.
“When you get to keep playing, at this point we know teams around the area aren’t playing in the playoffs, so we’ve got to be appreciative of what we’re doing and staying focused on the goal in hand,” he said. “We’re a 23 seed this year, and last year North Vermilion was a 23 seed and made a run to the quarterfinals. We’re just taking it one game at a time and one matchup at a time and not looking too far ahead or looking behind us is definitely the focus this week.”
Kaplan’s three losses have been by a combined 11 points, and three of their wins have been by a combined 11 points, so the Pirates have been tested already.
“We’re 7-3 and we’re 11 points away from being 10-0,” Brodie said. “The real difference from last year is we’ve won some close games this year. The last two years we found a way to lose those close games. We’ve lost some close games too but also we beat Erath by 3 and Crowley by 4, and then beat St. Martinville with 50 seconds left. I think Friday night’s going to be another example of two teams that are going to battle it out. Expect (a score) more in the low 20s and running the football. They’re pretty similar to Abbeville with their style.”
Both teams will try to run the ball. Kaplan’s offense is led by wingback Daylon Landry with 1,060 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, second in the parish rushing totals, and 261 yards and two TDs on 11 receptions, third in the parish in receiving yards. Fullback Jed Devoltz, who missed a few games with an injury, is fifth in the parish with 823 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.
Quarterback Sabe David has thrown for 578 yards and six touchdowns, fourth in the parish in passing yards. Brayden Bearb (273 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 113 yards, 1 TD receiving), Wyatt Hebert (230 yards, 2 TDs rushing), Dane Frick (175 yards, 1 TD rushing) and André Marceaux (105 yards, 1 TD receiving) add to a potent offense for the Pirates.
Jennings forces teams to play sound defense, the coach said, much like North Vermilion and Abbeville, two teams the Pirates have played this year.
“They’re an option team,” he said. “They have a really good fullback over there that has created some problems for some people. The biggest thing about them is they’ve got a coach that’s won a couple of state championships at Kinder, and his first year going 7-3, obviously he’s doing a great job over there.
“They’re just a super disciplined team that if we don’t match that level of mental toughness and discipline, they can run away with the game,” Brodie said. “It’ll be a good test for us seeing where we’re at, preparing for a team that’s usually in contention for making a run in the playoffs.”
Brodie said he’s glad to see Kaplan having only a 45 minute drive to get to the first-round game. The Pirates were nearly paired up with Franklin Parish, a 3 1/2 hour drive away in Winnsboro.
“Being closer, I think it definitely benefits us just because we’re going to get more of our fans in the stands,” Brodie said. “Being in Jennings is a blessing just because a lot of people who want to go to the game wouldn’t have been able to drive three or four hours will be able to travel 45 minutes down the road.”
The winner of Friday’s game advances to the winner of the opening round game between No. 7 Leesville and No. 26 St. Martinville.