It’s a battle on the border tomorrow night when Evadale travels across the state line to take on the Merryville (LA) Panthers. The kickoff is set for 7 PM.
Evadale Rebels
Last season, the Evadale Rebels avoided a lot of distractions to earn a spot in the playoffs. 11 starters return to make that climb back up to the top of the 12-2A-II mountain. A new head coach will be on the sidelines for Evadale-Jay Buckner. He was the head coach at Warren previously.
Senior QB Chase Smith returns to guide the Rebel offense, one of six starters returning.
RBs Nathan Englemann and Trenton Lyles and junior back Casey Lewis are a trifecta of running power. WR Jody Isbell was 1st team all-district as a junior. WR Ethan Buford and TE Jaxon Sylvester will be prominent fixtures in the passing offense. The offensive line will have veterans like Drake Hart (1st team all-district) and Brandon Montalvo (2nd team all-district), and junior lineman Landon Johnson and Hunter Hebert providing protection.
The defense returns five starters for 2021. Montalvo (2nd team all-district), Hart (1st team all-district), Johnson, and Hebert are the two-way players. Englemann and Sylvester will pull double-duty as well on the defensive front. Lyles and Lewis, Smith, Isbell, and Buford (2nd team will see playing time on the defensive side of the ball as well.
Last Week vs Kelly Catholic
The Rebels couldn’t do anything against Kelly Catholic last week, managing just six points. They mustered only five first downs and committed seven penalties for 45 yards in a 49-6 loss.
REMAINING SCHEDULE
Sept. 9 – at Merryville, 7:00 pm
Sept. 17 – Cushing, 7:00 pm
Sept. 24 – Lafayette (LA) Acadian Christian, 7:00 pm
Oct. 1 – OPEN
Oct. 8 – at High Island, 7:00 pm*
Oct. 15 – Hull-Daisetta, 7:00 pm*
Oct. 22 – at Deweyville, 7:00 pm*
Oct. 29 – at Sabine Pass, 7:00 pm*
Nov. 5 – Burkeville, 7:00 pm*
Merryville Panthers
Merryville went just 1-7 in a COVID impacted 2020 season. Their lone win coming against Geydan in a 48-3 victory. Merryville will be led once again by running back Cam’ron Williams.
The Panthers opened their 2021 season last week against Pine Prairie.
Who wins this border battle? Leave a comment below?
