Berwick to host Brusly in 3A playoffs

The town of Berwick has Panther fever after a record-breaking season.
Berwick (8-2) is in the playoffs for first time since 1996 and improved on last year’s 3-7 finish.
Berwick carries the momentum of an exciting last-minute win in last week’s regular-season finale as the Panthers edged North Vermilion, 31-30, on a game-winning field goal by John McCorkle.
“It’s electric around here, a very exciting time,” Berwick Coach Eric Holden said. “But, the playoffs will be the new normal here soon enough. Anytime you win a close game, it’s good for a team’s morale. I knew when we got to the 20-yard line that my kicker could nail the kick, so I took two shots at the end zone and I brought John in.”
Berwick’s spread offense is led by quarterback Mitchell Sanford, who has completed 70 of 144 passes for 1,473 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Collin Louviere also has completed 67 of 147 passes for 986 yards with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Kenan Jones and Josh Carver are the Panthers’ dynamic duo at wide receiver. Jones has 48 catches for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Carver has 51 catches for 925 yards and 12 touchdowns. Toby Everage also has 12 receptions for 252 and four scores.
The team’s top rusher is Josh Jones. Jones has carried 96 times for 586 yards and six scores. Louviere also has carried 62 times for 193 yards.
Berwick’s offense averages 350.6 yards per game (245.9 passing yards and 104.7 rushing yards).
The Panthers are the No. 11 seed in the Class 3A playoffs and will host Brusly, the No. 22 seed, Friday.
Brusly (7-3, District 6-3A) beat Baker, 34-14, last week.
“The quarterback is a great athlete, and they have a ton of other weapons,” Holden said of Brusly. “I coached against them last year at Port Allen. Port Allen-Brusly is a big rivalry game out there. They will be tough, and the hostile environment will not affect them as much because they play in a district where nearly every game is a rivalry.
Friday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Geisler Stadium in Berwick.