By Shawn White
(Under the Radar NWLA)
One of the big gripes from fans about the current format of the LHSAA playoffs is that in the current alignment, 1A and 2A schools are mixed in the playoffs. Homer and Haynesville fell victim to facing 2A Oak Grove enroute to the state championship. The Arcadia Hornets were even prey to this scenario last year as they had fallen in the quarterfinals to Mangham, a team that district colleague Homer took care of in the semi-finals.
The divisions are broken into four equal counts for each division. So the mix of 1A and 2A does occur. 2A schools had a 9-7 record against 1A schools last season in the playoffs. In the playoffs this season, the 2A schools are currently 4-0 against 1A opponents.
Although not an excuse, the Arcadia Hornets (7-4) were one of those four opponents as they fell 22-6 to General Trass Panthers (6-5) in the first round of the playoffs. The Hornets had the early 6-0 lead in the first half but then gave up 22 unanswered points in the first round exit.
The Hornets outdid the Panthers on offensive yards with 273 to 260. Arcadia even had more first downs with 15 to the Panthers’ 14. The problem comes when you look at the penalties. Arcadia had 11 penalties for 75 yards while General Trass had 4 for 25 yards.
The Hornet offense had a strong showing from Junior Bratreviauntae Ferrell who had 19 carries for 130 yards. Rodtravous Jackson scored the sole touchdown for Arcadia in the first half.
Defense held the Panthers strong. Senior Dmitri Carr II collected 7 tackles (3 solo, 8 assists) and a sack in his last game as a Hornet. Omarien Carr also had 7 tackles (4 solo, 6 assists). Tyreun Fields grabbed a fumble recovery along with 6 tackles (4 solo, 4 assists). Ryheem Abney added 6 tackles (4 solo, 4 assists)
The lone score in the first half was credited to Arcadia as Jackson entered the end zone on a 6-yard run. Arcadia maintained the 6-0 lead from the first quarter.
The Panthers came back in the third quarter as they crashed into the end zone on a 2-yard run to tie the game at 6 apiece. General Trass took the lead later on a 3-yard run to get the lead at 14-6 at the end of the third quarter.
The nail in the coffin for the Arcadia season came in the fourth quarter when General Trass made a scoop and carry for a 45 yard fumble recovery touchdown and locked in the 22-6 win.
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