By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Calvary coach Rodney Guin likes that his team is living in the present but is glad they remember the past – specifically, this time a year ago.
The reigning Select Division III state champions put their crown on the line again tonight at Jerry Barker Stadium when Episcopal of Baton Rouge visits for a 7 p.m. quarterfinal contest.
Last year’s playoff run is absolutely a factor for this year’s Cavaliers, said Guin.
“Going through that – one, they understand how fun it is when you get to go to the Superdome. They know we have to play very, very well. It does help us focus in, because they know what it’s gonna take to get there.”
Calvary (9-2) is the third seed in the bracket and dominated De La Salle 38-0 last Friday night. Episcopal (10-2), seeded sixth, took control in the second half for a 24-7 second-round win over Pope John Paul II.
Tonight’s winner will either go to No. 2 Newman in New Orleans or host seventh-seeded Catholic-New Iberia in next week’s semifinals.
Now that only eight teams remain in contention in every division, Guin said nearly every playoff game is a “50-50” tossup – “you don’t know who is going to win,” he said.
He’s confident in his Cavaliers.
“I feel good. We’ve had another good week of practice. The kids are really focused in and I believe we’ll really play well,” said Guin.
While Louisiana Football Magazine’s Lee Brecheen and others forsee another overwhelming Calvary victory tonight, Guin believes a fundamentally-sound Episcopal team provides a challenge.
“I think we’re a little faster than them, but we’re going to have to make plays. They’re very sound, and they’re not going to make any mistakes. They’re not going to give us anything. I can tell that by watching them.”
However, this is not the right time to line up against Calvary.
“We’re playing very well on the line, both offense and defense. I’m really pleased with that, because that’s the key in the playoffs,” said Guin. “We’re able to run the football well, and stop the run. I think that’s super key for us going through Friday.”
Senior running back James Simon IV, who tweaked an ankle during another Calvary run through District 1-2A, is back and in peak form after being little used in the second half of the regular season. In fact, he averaged just 10 carries a night until last Friday.
“He’s fully healthy. He had 22 carries last week, which is probably about four games worth in the regular season. I really expect him to get 20-25 carries, and Julius (Moss) another 10, hopefully, because running the ball is key for us,” said Guin.
The Cavaliers don’t stop there, with offensive balance that any team at any level would envy. Senior quarterback Abram Wardell hasn’t thrown nearly as much as last season, but he’s still completing 71 percent of his tosses and has 36 touchdowns – one every 6.3 attempts. He averages 17 yards per completion.
Five players, including Simon, have at least 21 receptions, led by senior Kolby Thomas (48 for 1,070 yards, 22 yards per catch, and 16 TDs).
“We’re right where we need to be,” said Guin “We could go out and throw the ball 40 times, but in the playoffs, that’s hard to do. I have full confidence in Wardell. He’s a proven winner. We’re going to throw it when we can, run it when we can, try to be balanced, and that makes it difficult on a defense.”
Speaking of defense, Calvary’s stout there. Since allowing 115 points in the first three games (62-41 win over Division III quarterfinalist Oak Grove, 42-38 loss to Class 5A quarterfinalist Neville, 32-28 loss at Division II quarterfinalist Franklin Parish, teams with a combined three losses), the Cavs have given up only 8.6 per contest after last week’s shutout.
“We’re tackling very, very well, which we haven’t in the past. We’ve struggled a little bit. When we do that, and they’re playing so hard getting to the ball, getting lots of pressure from the front guys, the past 6-7 weeks those guys have just done an exceptional job.”
The non-district schedule included Division I playoff winners Neville and Huntington (knocked out last week), Oak Grove and Franklin Parish, and new district foe Union Parish, in the Non-Select Division II quarterfinals. Those encounters, and last year’s 14-0 finish, have Calvary geared up.
“We test our guys throughout the year with the schedule, so we’re never going to be overwhelmed thinking about a game,” said Guin. “We’ve played in big games. We don’t get worried about who we play, or where we play. We just go out and play.
“We love this time of year at Calvary.”
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com