After his Block Bears fell to 0-4 to start the season, Block head coach Benny Vault didn’t whimper.

Instead, he made another bold prediction.

“When the rest of these kids stay at home in December, we will still be playing,” said Vault, who said his team would win the state championship before the season began.

Vault’s words come after a 50-31 loss to 4A Peabody, but Vault’s Bears were without leading rushers Raymond Plummer and Taylor Perron-Krause, who sat out for the second straight week. Perron-Krause will have an MRI this week to determine whether or not he suffered a concussion two weeks ago, while Plummer is still nursing an ankle sprain.

Shavarick Williams, who was Plummer’s replacement at halfback, sprained his ankle against Peabody

“Right now, we can’t get over injuries,” Vault said. “I was down to my third-string running back, and though he’s gotten a lot of practice time, he hasn’t played in the game. Well, we found out what he could do tonight.”

Jacoby Norl stepped in and provided 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Bears.

Vyn’quez O’Steen threw for 100 yards in the loss, which was one of the bright spots in the game for Vault.

“That’s like throwing for 300 yards for us,” Vault said.

Vault said without Plummer and Perron-Krause on defense, the Bears struggled to get off the field defensively. Peabody converted key third downs and extended drives.

“We have guys getting reps in practice time, but they don’t understand game time situation or speed,” Vault said. “There were some plays that Ray or Taylor would have made if they were in there.”

Vault said he will rest his injured players against Bossier High School next week, saving them for the first district game, which will take place the following week against St. Mary’s High School.

“We’re getting experience, and we’re going to get healthy,” Vault said. “We’ll be playing around Thanksgiving.”