Berwick will conclude nondistrict schedule at LCA

Berwick’s young players are making the most of unexpected playing time, but injuries remain an issue.
Despite being shorthanded, though, the Panthers upended district rival Franklin Thursday.
In addition to its first district win this season, Thursday’s victory was the Panthers’ first district victory in a few years.
“We played a team that was so much bigger and faster than we were, and we just played team football and worked together,” Berwick head coach Craig Brodie said after the game.
Freshman quarterback Collin Louviere didn’t attempt or complete many passes during District 9-3A opener but the one’s he did complete were big ones. Louviere, who was the third quarterback the Panthers have used this season in an injury-plagued season, tossed two touchdown passes, senior Braden Billiot rushed for another touchdown and Berwick’s defense held Franklin down as the Panthers topped the Hornets 23-14.
Louviere completed just 3 of 6 passes for 54 yards but for two scores.
“I can’t say enough about my freshman quarterback,” Brodie said after the game. “(He) went in there and relieved Braden (Billiot) different times during the game, threw a couple touchdown (passes).”
Billiot led the Panthers on the ground with 30 carries for 92 yards and one score. The senior is the Tri-City area’s leading rusher, carrying 86 times for 576 yards with four touchdowns.
“He really carried the load for us,” Brodie said. “Our freshman quarterback (Louviere) allowed us to move him around so they couldn’t just key on Braden.”
Berwick won a week ago without the services of eight players, some who are two-way starters.
“The young guys really stepped up, and I think we played our best game so far,” Brodie said. “We didn’t have the turnovers, which has been a big issue for us, and the defense and special teams played well while the offense moved the ball just enough to put points on the board.”
Berwick was limited to just 152 yards of total offense (98 rushing and 54 passing), but the Panthers’ defense limited Franklin to 218 total yards (152 rushing and 66 passing).
Berwick’s offense should get a spark this week when senior quarterback Jeremy Boudreaux returns to the starting lineup Friday. Boudreaux has completed 33 of 71 passes for 432 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions.
But it’s not all good news for the Panthers with a trip to Lafayette Christian looming Friday.
“We lost Brandon Naverro to a broken finger, so that’s a blow,” Brodie said. “Our senior class has been decimated by injuries. We will also be without out our kicker, Roger Rodriguez.”
Lafayette Christian (2-4) comes into the game following a last-second 28-21 loss to Ascension Episcopal.
Tied at 21, Ascension Episcopal converted a pass for 42 yards and a first down at the Lafayette Christian 1-yard line. One play later, Ascension Episcopal scored the game-winning touchdown.
The Knights also were without numerous starters last week due to injuries.
“They beat us 28-24 last year, and we had the game under control for the majority of the night,” Brodie said. “So we want to have a better showing this year because we felt they kind of got one over on us last year.”
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Additional reporting by www.theadvertiser.com.