Berwick to open district play versus Franklin

By CORWIN MURRAY

Berwick (2-3) and Franklin (2-3) open District 9-3A play Thursday in Franklin.

Berwick won its second game in a row Friday, overpowering Jeanerette 47-20. The win comes a week after Berwick defeated KIPP Renascence 7-0 Sept. 27 for the Panthers’ homecoming.

“It has been a long time since Berwick had two wins in a row,” third-year Berwick coach Craig Brodie said. “This is the first time since I have been here, and it is a new experience for these kids.”

The last time the Panthers won at least two games in a row occurred during the 2008 season when Berwick defeated Hanson and West St. Mary in consecutive weeks. The two wins were the final two in a four-game winning streak for the Panthers, who also defeated Central Catholic and White Castle during the streak.

The shutout against KIPP Renascence was the Panthers’ first since a 33-0 victory against Hanson Memorial on Oct. 2, 2009.

While the Panthers have had recent success, looking ahead, though, the Panthers schedule gets more difficult as district play begins.

“We know we face an uphill battle in district,” Brodie said. “It’s hard to win when the teams are bigger, stronger and faster.”

Brodie knows firsthand what Franklin brings to the table as he was an assistant coach on the Hornets’ staff in 2010.

“Most of those kids have played since they were freshmen, so I know them all really well,” he said.

In last week’s win against Jeanerette, the Panthers totaled 344 yards on the ground.

Justin Morvant led Berwick with eight carries for 93 yards, while Jeremy Boudreaux carried seven times for 67 yards and a score and Drew Landry had three rushes for 66 yards and Bobby Boudreaux scored three times to lead the Panthers’ ground game.

Brooks Richard is the team’s leading rusher this season with 21 carries for 280 yards and two touchdowns, while Bobby Boudreaux has 70 carries for 269 yards and six scores. Morvant had 28 carries for 228 yards and Jeremy Boudreaux, 21 totes for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

That ball control offense will be key if Berwick hopes to pull off the upset Thursday.

“We have to run the football and keep it away from their offense because the quarterback and running backs are really good,” Brodie said.

Franklin showed its rushing prowess last week netting nearly 200 yards in a 30-6 win over Morgan City.

“They run two different offenses, and if they don’t work, they get into double tight ends and pound the ball right at you,” Brodie said.

The Hornets have two outstanding running backs, Brandon McFarlane and Brian Robertson, both being heavily recruited.

Each scored two touchdowns in the second half as the Hornets turned a 3-0 deficit into a win.

Robertson rushed six times for 90 yards and two scores in the victory, while McFarlane carried 13 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

“We have to adjust to their different formations and play assignment football in order to have a chance to stop them,” Brodie stressed.

Defensively, the Hornets held the Tigers to a pair of field goals and 87 yards of total offense (63 rushing and 24 passing).

Thursday’s kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Additional reporting by Sports Editor Geoff Stoute