Vidalia seeks to avenge loss to Buckeye

Published 12:50 pm Thursday, October 10, 2024

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VIDALIA, La. — The Vidalia High School Vikings will look to keep the momentum going from last week’s win when they travel to Buckeye, La. to take on the Buckeye High School Panthers Friday night in the LHSAA District 2-3A opener for both teams.

Kickoff between Vidalia (2-3, 0-0) and Buckeye (3-3, 0-0) is slated for 7 p.m. Last week, Vidalia won a shootout at home over Delhi High School 55-40 while Buckeye defeated Holy Savior Menard High School 27-20 on a touchdown and extra point in the final minute of the game.

Last year, when Vidalia was still in Class 2A and Buckeye was in Class 3A, the Panthers cruised to a 55-18 win over the Vikings at home on Friday, Sept. 22. But a lot has changed for both programs since then, as Vikings head coach Josh West pointed out.

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“When we saw them last year, I was a new coach. We didn’t have 7-on-7, just lifting weights. This year, we know who we are. They (Buckeye) lost a lot of players from last year. Their entire offensive line was seniors,” West said. “We were young up front last year and they weren’t ready. Last year, we lost not because of what Buckeye did, but because of what we did wrong. We gave up a lot of big plays. If we can eliminate those mistakes and run our offense with our identity, with the familiarity of who we’re playing, I think we’re in a better position to compete.”

West then added, “The head coach from last year, he’s now the head at Louisiana Christian. They have a new head coach. The run a spread offense with trips-double. They were built more to run the ball last year. This year they like to throw the ball more and move their quarterback around. They were so physical up front (last year). We had freshmen, big freshmen, but they weren’t ready. We lost a lot of players in that game. I’m looking forward to going down there this time.”

He also said that the Vikings are nursing a few injuries this week, including junior running back/wide receiver/defensive back Michael Randall Jr., who will play and is expected to have another big game Friday night.

“Michael needs to play well. Breaking tackles and being a dynamic player with the ball in his hands in space,” West said.

And while this will be the first game for Vidalia in not only a new district but being in Class 3A for the first time since 2016, West said he welcomes the challenge. And he expects the Vikings to compete with every team in District 2-3A.

“It’s definitely different. We’re the smallest school in Class 3A. We’re in 3A because we gained six students. But as far as competition-wise, it better suits us. Just because of the class, it does not define the football program. The class doesn’t necessarily scare us,” West said. “The other programs, I feel like we can compete with them. Jena, they’re an established program. We played them in a JV game last year. So, we actually got to see some of their younger guys. It’s just taking it week by week. It’s a lot better to see who you’re going to see than be blind-sided and caught off guard.”

When asked what concerns him the most about Buckeye on each side of the ball, West said, “Offensively, the counter. They have big running backs. They’re going to challenge us physically on the inside. I would rather see them throw the ball. We have good secondary players who can play the ball. Defensively, they want to blitz a lot and bring a lot of pressure. You want to blitz us, fine. We’ve got answers for the pressure they’re going to send. We saw that last week (against Delhi) They want to pressure, we’ll beat them and make them cover us. Can we continue the momentum with the passing game? We didn’t have just one or two receivers contribute last week. Every receiver did was ready to contribute.”

West said that that he expects the Panthers to run a 3-front defense with two overhangs to try to contain junior quarterback Elmari “Juice” Lewis and not let him get out on the perimeter.

“We have to spread the front and move them laterally. They have two linebackers who blitz a lot. Bully ball, so to speak. We want to slow them down. The only way to do that is spread them. They can’t blitz and cover at the same time,” West noted.

As for who will need to have a big game for Vidalia if the Vikings are to start 1-0 in district play, West said, “The offensive line as a whole needs to play well. Obviously, Elmari needs to play well. Defensively, Jayden Gaines. Last year, he gave up some big plays. He’s looking forward to the opportunity to play them again. Marc Perkins, he needs to make big plays in the passing game. I’ll need him to cover to the strength of the formation. Where we may think the ball is going. Christopher Kennedy, he needs to make plays and not allow them to get behind him. He was playing corner last year and they beat him last year. His job is not to let them get behind him. Not to let them have those opportunities this time around.”