Berwick rallies to defeat Franklin 23-14

Berwick High School freshman quarterback Collin Louviere didn’t attempt or complete many passes during Thursday’s District 9-3A opener against Franklin.
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.
In addition to its first district win this season, Thursday’s victory was the Panthers’ first district victory in a few years and the first under Berwick head coach Craig Brodie, now in his fourth year with the program.
The Panthers did it without the services of eight players out, some who are two-way starters.
“I can’t say enough about the kids’ effort,” Brodie said. “I just asked them. I said when you have eight kids down and several starters not playing (that) play both ways, we all have to play better and we all have to coach better and we all have to do better than we’ve ever done to make up the difference.”
Specifically, Brodie praised the job of Louviere.
“I can’t say enough about my freshman quarterback,” Brodie said. “(He) went in there and relieved Braden different times during the game, threw a couple touchdown (passes). Things are looking good for that little boy.”
As for breaking their losing streak in district, which dates back at least as far as Brodie has been coach beginning in 2011, Brodie said it was a “big deal” to break the losing streak.
“We played a team that was so much bigger and faster than we were, and we just played team football and worked together,” Brodie said.
In Thursday’s victory, Berwick overcame a 14-10 deficit in the fourth quarter for the win.
In a back-and-forth-game, Franklin took the lead with 11:09 remaining in the fourth quarter when Theirlrland Armstead scored on a 20-yard run. De’jhon Parker’s two-point run gave the Hornets (0-6), a 14-10 lead.
However, the Panthers came right back with an 11-play, 59-yard drive.
While Braden Billiot, who also saw time at quarterback for Berwick, carried the bulk of the time for the Panthers, Louviere completed two passes on the drive, including a 22-yard completion to Audwin Williams that gave Berwick a first down at the Franklin 27.
After five straight Billiot carries netted 20 yards down to the Franklin 7, Berwick called timeout with 5:14 remaining while facing a 4-and-2 situation at the Hornets’ 7 yard line.
On the fourth down play following the timeout, Louviere completed a 7-yard pass to Williams for a touchdown.
Shannon Theriot’s extra point gave the Panthers a 17-14 lead with 5:09 remaining in the ballgame.
Louviere completed 3 of 6 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns for Berwick, while Williams caught three passes for 54 yards.
On the ensuing kickoff, Louviere made his mark on special teams as he recovered a sky quick and Berwick maintained possession with 5:07 remaining.
While the Panthers were forced to punt after four plays, Billiot pinned them deep with a 45 yard punt that was downed by Williams at the Franklin 2.
That’s where Berwick’s defense stood tall, stopping Franklin a yard short on a 4-and-3 situation, giving the ball back to the Panthers’ offense with 2:28.
Two plays later, Billiot scored on a 4-yard touchdown run with 2:07 remaining.
While Berwick holder Cody Roberie couldn’t get a handle on the snap for the extra point, Berwick still led 23-14.
Billiot led the Panthers on the ground with 30 carries for 92 yards and one score.
Franklin drove down the field on its final drive, but the possession stalled on a fourth down pass out of the back of the end zone from the Berwick 25.
While Berwick was limited to just 149 yards of total offense (95 rushing and 54 passing), the Panthers’ defense limited Franklin to 218 total yards (152 rushing and 66 passing).
Brodie credited his defensive coaches for the job they did with the defense.
“Did you see the size of those guys?” Brodie asked of Franklin. “I got a 135 pound linebacker. We’ve had trouble defending athletic teams all year, and tonight was no different as far as athleticism and size, so for us to finally do it was good.”
For Franklin, the loss kept them winless this season.
“When you don’t concentrate and you don’t do what you’re coached to do, you won’t have a chance to win,” Franklin coach J Ina said. “(That’s) pretty much it. That’s pretty much been our M.O. the entire season: lack of concentration and not doing what you’re coached to do. So I don’t know. That’s just how it is. It’s a tough one.”
Early on in Thursday’s game, both teams were locked in a defensive struggle as neither team could get on the scoreboard.
Berwick finally got the game’s first break when Franklin punter Allen Randle couldn’t get a punt off on fourth down at the Franklin 41 following a fumble and instead ran with it.
He was dropped for a six-yard loss, giving Berwick the ball at the Franklin 35.
Seven plays later, Berwick senior kicker Rogelio Rodriguez connected on a 25-yard field goal with 11:55 remaining in the second quarter for a 3-0 Berwick lead.
Franklin responded late in the second quarter when La’Darrius Davis took the ball in from 1 yard out for a Franklin touchdown. David Kinchen’s two-point conversion pass was no good, but Franklin led 6-3.
Berwick received the ball to open the third quarter and moved down the field to retake the lead.
Berwick was aided by a crucial penalty for running into the kicker that turned a Berwick turnover on downs in to a first down at the Franklin 25.
On the first play after the penalty, Louviere connected with Williams for a 25-yard score.
Theriot’s extra point was good for a 10-6 Berwick lead with 7:03 left in the third quarter.
Armstead lead Franklin with nine carries for 53 yards and a score, while Parker had six carries for 31 yards and Davis, eight totes for 20 yards and a touchdown.
Berwick will return to action Oct. 17 when it travels to face Lafayette Christian.