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In the locker room following the first loss of their varsity careers, the Bastrop Rams’ reaction varied from player-to-player.
Some fought back tears. Looks of disbelief could clearly be seen in the eyes of some. Others, with blank looks on their faces, weren’t sure how to react.
Naturally, the locker room was quieter, but the players did not clear out any quicker than normal. Several made their way to the training room.
If a silver lining could be found, there was no finger-pointing or bickering going on.
A somber Rueben Randle and coach Brad Bradshaw patiently met with reporters after the game.
As heartbreaking as it was to have the 49-game winning streak end — on top of that it was the Rams’ first home loss since the 2002 quarterfinals — it doesn’t signify the end of the season.
The streak is over. History. What’s important now, is how the Rams handle the adversity of their first loss since 2004.
That question will be answered Friday night when the Rams visit District 2-4A rival Neville (6-1).
“We’re still good,” said senior defensive end D.D. Jones. “A loss is a loss. You can’t dwell on it. You have to work harder to win the next one. We’ll come back here Sunday and start getting ready for Neville.”
For Jones, it was the first time he had tasted defeat since his freshman year at Delta prior to the consolidation of Morehouse Parish’s two public schools.
Senior linebacker Tai (Speedy) Alford had never experienced a loss as a varsity player.
“It hurts real bad, but sometimes the best teams have to lose one time. You have to learn from your mistakes,” said Alford, who played the entire game despite favoring a tender ankle.
As painful as the loss was, Alford understands the big picture.
“We have a lot of football left. We have to take every game one by one,” Alford said. “(Going undefeated) wasn’t the main goal. The main goal is holding up that trophy in New Orleans.”
WHAT NEEDS FIXING: Clearly, considerable progress must be made in order for the Rams to make a fourth straight trip to the Superdome.
A drastic reduction in penalties would be a great place to start. You don’t beat a team like Evangel (or Neville, or Eunice, or Leesville, or Benton, etc., etc.) with 17 penalties for 130 yards.
In the locker room following the first loss of their varsity careers, the Bastrop Rams’ reaction varied from player-to-player.
Some fought back tears. Looks of disbelief could clearly be seen in the eyes of some. Others, with blank looks on their faces, weren’t sure how to react.
Naturally, the locker room was quieter, but the players did not clear out any quicker than normal. Several made their way to the training room.
If a silver lining could be found, there was no finger-pointing or bickering going on.
A somber Rueben Randle and coach Brad Bradshaw patiently met with reporters after the game.
As heartbreaking as it was to have the 49-game winning streak end — on top of that it was the Rams’ first home loss since the 2002 quarterfinals — it doesn’t signify the end of the season.
The streak is over. History. What’s important now, is how the Rams handle the adversity of their first loss since 2004.
That question will be answered Friday night when the Rams visit District 2-4A rival Neville (6-1).
“We’re still good,” said senior defensive end D.D. Jones. “A loss is a loss. You can’t dwell on it. You have to work harder to win the next one. We’ll come back here Sunday and start getting ready for Neville.”
For Jones, it was the first time he had tasted defeat since his freshman year at Delta prior to the consolidation of Morehouse Parish’s two public schools.
Senior linebacker Tai (Speedy) Alford had never experienced a loss as a varsity player.
“It hurts real bad, but sometimes the best teams have to lose one time. You have to learn from your mistakes,” said Alford, who played the entire game despite favoring a tender ankle.
As painful as the loss was, Alford understands the big picture.
“We have a lot of football left. We have to take every game one by one,” Alford said. “(Going undefeated) wasn’t the main goal. The main goal is holding up that trophy in New Orleans.”
WHAT NEEDS FIXING: Clearly, considerable progress must be made in order for the Rams to make a fourth straight trip to the Superdome.
A drastic reduction in penalties would be a great place to start. You don’t beat a team like Evangel (or Neville, or Eunice, or Leesville, or Benton, etc., etc.) with 17 penalties for 130 yards.
Five of those flags came on one drive.
After Bastrop tied the score at 14-14 midway through the third quarter, the Rams committed five infractions for 35 yards, helping Evangel reclaim the lead on an 80-yard touchdown drive.
Bastrop also has to get better at defending the pass.
Statistically, the Rams did a better job against the pass against Evangel than Rayville (Rayville rolled up 377 passing as compared to 287 for Evangel). Still, the Rams allowed the Eagles to convert too many third down situations.
On the offensive side, the Rams must provide pass protection. Randle was sacked four times. A less nimble quarterback would have been sacked several more times.
“Evangel has two corners that can play man, which frees up other people,” Bradshaw said. “(Evangel’s front seven) was more physical than our offensive line was able to deal with.”
Overall, the offense needs to find some consistency.
While the Rams produced 349 yards (194 passing, 155 rushing) of total offense, over one-third of that total came on two plays — Randle’s 74-yard run after he eluded a sack and a 48-yard catch and run by Jevante Watson.
BRIGHT SPOTS: Although the Rams abandoned the PAT altogether against Evangel, Bastrop’s maligned kicking game proved to be an asset Friday night.
Kicker Desmond Wilson booted all four kickoffs inside the five, including two for touchbacks. He also averaged a respectable 35 yards on six punts.
Senior wide receiver Hunter Freeland had a career night with five catches for 63 yards. Another senior receiver, Preston Coleman, added five catches for 35.
Defensive stats were not immediately available, but senior defensive tackle Josh Downs had a strong game.
WHO GOT IT? Downs was credited with the first touchdown of the game after forcing a fumble in the endzone.
If there was a statistic for shared touchdowns, Downs and end D’Andre (Buck) Bradshaw would have awarded 3 points apiece.
When asked who recovered the fumble, Downs said, “Me and Buck.”
When asked the same question, Buck replied, “ Me and Josh.”
SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Morehouse Parish’s Special Olympic athletes walked out with the Rams prior to the game.
Local law enforcement officers passed the hat in the stands to raise money for the organization.
HIGH PRIEST: Bobby Priest was also given some props prior to the game. A 1958 BHS graduate, Priest has been a member of the chain crew for 45 years.
ON THE SIDELINES: Numerous scouts and media were on hand, including Louisiana Tech recruiting coordinator Conroy Hines and Kenneth Ramsey of kenramsey.com.
MISERY LOVES COMPANY: Bastrop wasn’t the only No. 1 to go down Friday night. Acadiana, the No. 1 team in 5A, fell to Barbe 24-20.
AROUND 4A: No. 10 Northside edged No. 7 Teurlings Catholic 30-27 in double overtime in the 4A thriller of the night.
Shaw, meanwhile, trimmed previously unbeaten Belle Chasse 28-27. It was the Eagles’ second straight victory after an 0-4 start.
Losses by Bastrop and Belle Chasse left Eunice, Benton, Pearl River and McKinley as the only remaining undefeated teams in 4A.
No. 2 Eunice handled Class 5A Lafayette 29-14, No. 3 Benton doubled Northwood 50-25 on Thursday, No. 12 Pearl River blasted Riverdale 42-6 and No. 13 McKinley squeaked by St. Michael’s 24-20.
