Their reasoning is sound in each case. Loreauville and Delcambre, each 2-1 on the season, have two of the best running games in the area, though the Tigers and Panthers use different formations to achieve their means, Loreauville from a spread or pro formation and Delcambre from multiple formations including the wishbone.
“Our offense is going to have to step up,” said Delahoussaye. “The best defense we can have is our offense staying on the field.”
 Delcambre’s Josh Ruiz (14) brings down Loreauville running back B.J. Greene (5) during the Iberia Parish Sugar Cane Jamboree in late August. The two teams, longtime rivals and former district opponents, meet again Thursday at LHS in a non-district game. - Lee Ball / The Daily Iberian Advertisement
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“Greene is a heck of a running back,” said Delcambre. “We’re working on trying to make sure we’ve got more than one guy around him.
“But we can’t just concentrate on him because their quarterback (Ross Durke) does a good job running the counter.”
Greene, who missed last week’s win over West St. Mary, had rushed for 443 yards and eight touchdowns through two games. Though Delahoussaye said Greene would not practice again until today, he fully expects to have Greene available when the two former district rivals meet at Loreauville’s Tiger Stadium.
“He says he can go,” said Delahoussaye. “He was fine in the game, he just kind of fell on it again.
“I’m expecting him to play on Thursday. He really wants play bad.”
“It will be a challenge facing a big back like that,” said Delcambre.
Even in Greene’s absence, the Tigers were successful running the ball. Sophomore Nicholas Julien netted 133 yards against West St. Mary.
“Nick Julien’s a real talented kid,” said Delahoussaye. “He’s a sophomore, so he’s really just learning how to run. We saw glimpses of that (two weeks ago) against Hanson when B.J. went out at halftime with an ankle.
“It’s really our offensive line. We can just plug in running backs and be successful. And Coach (Rhett) Peltier does a real good job with the offense, preparing for what the other team is doing.”
But Delahoussaye has his own worries when it comes to Delcambre’s prolific running game that features four strong runners in quarterback Josh Ruiz, running backs Jorey Renard and Tyler Hotard and fullback Drey Landry.
“That offense is really scary,” Delahoussaye said. “That’s big concern of ours.
“Last year we jumped on them early (20-6 at halftime), then they got in their wishbone and went on two 90 yard drives (to tie the game up late).”
“I think some of the moves we made complimented what we did last year,” said Delcambre. “It put us back in the same mold where we don’t have just one or two running backs. We have four running backs who can do the job. People are going to start putting eight and nine in the box, so we have been working on passing game. But we’re going to rely on our running game.”
Facing a rival usually means a good, hard-fought game, and both coaches expect the same this year. The players know each other, Delcambre said, and playing in the same parish helps foster the rivalry.
“The kids, just like you said, Delcambre’s going to bring their best game, there’s no doubt about it,” said Delahoussaye. “They always do. It’s always a tight game.”
The game is one of four involving area teams on Thursday because of the Sugar Cane Festival.
Also playing Thursday, New Iberia plays host to Franklin, Catholic High is at home against Central Catholic and Highland Baptist plays at Natchitoches Christian.
On Friday, St. Martinville opens District 6-4A play at home against Teurlings Catholic, Erath travels to face West St. Mary and Hanson Memorial plays Merryville for homecoming.
Area teams on the road Friday include Westgate at Eunice and Jeanerette at Morgan City.
Franklin at New Iberia
New Iberia looks to remain unbeaten after opening the season with wins over Tara (41-6), Byrd (21-12) and St. Martinville (44-8).
NISH quarterback Jordy Joseph has thrown for 511 yards and 11 touchdowns while completing 33 of 42 passes. Velot Khammany leads the team with 138 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Two other backs have more than 100 yards rushing also, Desarie Sam (19-136) and Tevin Archon (18-103, 2 TDs).
Jontrae Rhoades has 119 yards and two touchdowns on four catches and Dalario Austin leads the Jackets with nine receptions for 110 yards and two TDs. Zane Migues and Kyle Lamothe also have two TD receptions each.
Franklin (1-2) beat St. Martinville (7-2) in week two, losing to Central Catholic (41-7) in the opener and to Kaplan (52-7) last week.
Tremayne Johnson leads the Hornets with 208 yards and a touchdown on 44 rushes. Darius Henry has five catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns.
Central Catholic at Catholic High
Catholic High (2-1) suffered its first loss of the season last week at the hands of St. Louis when a late drive was stopped at the 1-yard line on a fourth-down attempt. The Panthers opened with wins over Jeanerette (63-24) and Erath (35-6).
Prolific quarterback Taylor Bullock, a Tulane commitment, has thrown for 984 yards and 11 touchdowns, completing 61 of 90 passes. His primary targets are Thomas Theriot (17-199, 3 TDs), Cory Brodie (19-239, 3 TDs) and Devin Boutte (17-397, 5 TDs).
Central Catholic (3-0) is ranked eighth in Class A after wins over Franklin (41-7), Christian Life (38-26) and Berwick (53-7). Andrew Templet has completed 70 of 101 passes for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns with only one interception for the Eagles.
Highland Baptist at Natchitoches Christian
Highland Baptist (2-3) earned the first varsity win in school history with a season-opening 26-20 thriller over Natchitoches Christian earlier this year in New Iberia.
The teams compete in the Louisiana Christian School Athletic Association.
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