Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 11 - November 15, 2024

Overall Record: 187-33 Last Week: 15-3 Featured games: 6-4

#20 BASTROP RAMS (7-3) @ #13 OPELOUSAS TIGERS (6-3)

The 2024 season has been a tale of ups and downs for both the Opelousas Tigers and the Bastrop Rams, but on Thursday night, one team’s season will end unexpectedly early. Bastrop entered 2024 as one of the most talented teams in the area on paper. An influx of transfers strengthened an already stacked roster, setting the Rams up for a potential title run in Division II. However, a series of injuries, as well as some late-game inexperience, has left the Rams sitting at #20 in the power rankings, and they will now travel in Round 1 with a chance to keep their season alive.

Opelousas finds itself in a position similar to last year as it heads into the postseason. In 2023, three regular-season losses placed the Tigers as the 12th seed in Division II, but Coach Jimmy Zachery’s team managed an incredible run through the bracket, ultimately securing a state title. QB Zack Malveaux and ATH D’Shaun Ford saved their best performances for the playoffs and were unstoppable en route to the championship. However, Zachery’s title didn’t come without controversy. In February, the LHSAA forfeited every Tigers win, stripping them of the trophy and placing Zachery on probation for the 2024 season. Nevertheless, in late April, the Tigers' administration appealed the ruling and was granted the title, though Zachery’s probation remained in place.

The Tigers have been fueled all season by the controversy surrounding last year’s title run, and nothing would make them feel more vindicated than another title in 2024. Ford, who has received Division I offers from schools like USC and Alabama, has yet to announce his commitment. Malveaux, a three-year starter at QB, runs the Tigers’ offense with precision and can defeat opponents with both his legs and arm. Of the Tigers’ three losses in 2024, all have come against title contenders: Alexandria, Teurlings Catholic, and Zachary. Although Bastrop’s schedule hasn’t been as challenging, they are still battle-tested. Sterlington transfer Dylan Downs seems to be back to full strength and will need an A+ game to advance to Round 2. Former Wossman WR Trae Mason also enters the game nearly fully recovered from mid-season bruises.

This matchup favors the Tigers in many ways, particularly with the game being played in St. Landry Parish. However, if anyone can overcome that obstacle, it would be an Alex Washington-coached team. Talent will be abundant on the field Thursday night, but when the dust settles, Ford is expected to be too much for Bastrop to handle. Opelousas advances, bringing the Rams' impressive season to a close.

OPELOUSAS 38 BASTROP 20

PLAYER OF THE GAME: D’SHAUN FORD – 18 CARRIES, 187 YARDS, 3 TDS

On Wed, Nov 13, 2024 at 2:25 PM [email protected] wrote:

Here is the fron part

Mr Pickem’s Weekly Football Predictions

Week 11 November 15, 2024

Overall Record: 187-33 Last Week: 15-3 Featured games: 6-4

#20 BASTROP RAMS (7-3) @ #13 OPELOUSAS TIGERS (6-3)

The 2024 season has been a tale of ups and downs for both Opelousas Tigers and the Bastrop Rams but on Thursday night one team’s season will end unexpectedly early. Bastrop came into 2024 as one of the most talented teams in the area on paper. An influx of transfers strengthened an already stacked roster setting the Rams up for a potential title run in Division II. A ratio of injuries as well as some inexperience late in games has these Rams sitting at #20 in the power rating and will now travel in Round 1 with a chance to keep their season afloat.

Opelousas sits in an almost similar position as they did last year, heading into this post-season. In 2023, three regular season losses landed the Tigers at the 12th seed in Division II, but Coach Jimmy Zachery’s bunch managed to pull off an unthinkable run through the bracket on their way to a state title. QB Zack Malveaux and ATH D’Shaun Ford saved their best performances for the playoffs and could not be touched enroute to the championship. Zachery’s title didn’t come without some controversy though, in February the LHSAA forfeited every Tiger win, stripping them of the trophy as well as placing Zachery on probabtion for the 2024 season. However, in late April the Tigers administration’s attempt to appeal the ruling was granted and Opelousas was awarded the title but Zachery’s punishment would stay.

The Tigers have been motivated all season by the controversy they swarmed after their title run a year ago and nothing would make them feel more vindicated than another title in 2024. Ford has offers from Division 1 schools from USC to Alabama, but the 5’11, 225lb man-child has yet to give his commitment. Malveaux, a 3-year starter at QB, runs the Tigers offense to perfection and can beat teams with his legs and arm. Of the 3 Tigers losses in 2024, all three have come to title contenders: Alexandria, Teurlings Catholic and Zachary. Although Bastrop’s slate hasn’t been as challenging, they’re still battle tested. Sterlington transfer, Dylan Downs seems to be back to full-strength and will need an A+ type of game to advance to Round 2. Trae Mason, former Wossman WR, also comes into the game at near full-strength after battling some mid-season bruises. This matchup favors the Tigers in a lot of ways with the main one being that it’ll be played in St. Landry Parish. If anyone can overcome that obstacle it would be an Alex Washington-coached ball club. There will be talent a plenty on the field Thursday night, but when the smoke settles, Ford will be too much to overcome. Opelousas advances and the Rams’ great season comes to an end.

OPELOUSAS 38 BASTROP 20

PLAYER OF THE GAME: D’SHAUN FORD – 18 CARRIES, 187 YARDS, 3 TDS