Kaplan, Erath to square off Friday night

KAPLAN — Kaplan’s run defense was on the mark against Crowley to open the District 5-3A slate this past Friday with a 22-13 win.
The Pirates (5-1 overall, 1-0 in district) are looking to maintain that tough defensive effort this week when they travel to face Erath in another district game. Kaplan has allowed only 13.8 points a game this year, including surendreing only 13 to Crowley.
Kaplan also limited star running back Omar Butler to 77 yards on 15 carries.
“I was very happy with the way the defense played,” Kaplan head coach Cory Brodie said. “Our run defense has been pretty good for us the last couple of weeks overall. Offensively, we’ve just got to score when we’ve got a chance in the red zone.”
Outside linebacker spearheaded the defense with 13 tackles, a fumble recovery, four tackles for loss and two sacks, earning Gulf Coast Bank Defensive Player of the Week honors.
“He played really well for us, especially considering he’s a guy that has such a high motor and he plays offensive guard for us too,” Brodie said.
Kaplan amassed 321 yards on the ground and had a big edge in time of possession. Fullback Jed Devoltz returned from injury to lead the Pirates wth 116 yards and two TDs on 22 carries, mostly in the second half.
Brodie said he wasn’t sure before kicking if Devlotz would play or how many carries he would get, but after carrying twice in the first half, he got the ball 20 times in the second half.
“He had a lot of success running the ball in the second half,” Brodie said.
Daylon Landry added 70 yards on eight runs and Wyatt Hebert (7-62) and Bradyn Bearb (12-59, 1 TD) aos had over 50 yards each. Bearb is averaging a touchdown a game.
Landry is third in Vermilion Parish with 641 yards (averaging 8.9 yards per carry) and six TDs rushing on the year, and leads the parish in receiving yards with 214 and two TDs on nine catches. Devoltz is fifth in the parish with 410 yards and four TDs on the ground despite missing most of four games.
Brodie said the Pirates are preparing for a tough game against Erath, which is 1-4 and 0-1 but has battled injuries this year.
“I know we’re going to have a tough time with them,” Brodie said. “Peoople might think I’m crazy for saying this, but I consider them the favorite. They beat us the last two years. It’s at their place. We’re definitely not going into it thinking we’re 5-1 and they’re 1-5 or anything else. It’s rivalry game and they’ve had our number the last two years, so we’re treating it from that aspect.”
Brodie said the Pirates are preparing for Erath to have senior receiver Christian Pillette back after missing five games with injury. Pillette is fifth in the parish in receiving yards with 147 yards despite playing one full game.
Kaplan also is unsure if Erath will start senior quarterback Lynkon Romero, who was hurt against St. Martinville last week, or sophomore Jack Landry, who played after Romero went down.
“I don’t think they want to change the offense a lot” whether it’s Romero or Landry playing, Brodie said. “I saw (Landry) last year. To me, he’s a great passer. He has a smooth release. Whoever they put out there is who we’re going to play against and our kids are going to be ready. We don’t want to do too much at practice focusing on this guy or that guy. We’ve just got to play our game, and play what we play on defense.”
The Pirates will look to control the ball again, as they did with a big time of possession edge on Crowley, and just punch the ball into the end zone more when they have the opportunity, Brodie said.
“I think it’s going to be a good atmosphere in Erath on Friday night,” he said. “I think they were considered the best team in the parish last year, public school-wise, and coming into this year, so it’s going t be a great chance to show the parish what we can do. Hopefully we’ll leave there 2-0 in district.”