Week 6 October 6, 2023

#9 Wossman Wildcats (4-1) @ Carroll Bulldogs (3-2)

It's that time of the year. Leaves are falling, the temperature's are dropping and the annual Cat vs Dog fight is in full effect. The Baby Bayou Classic aka Wossman vs Carroll will occur Friday night on Renwick Street with yearly bragging rights on the line. A season ago, the Bulldogs came away with the win in an epic overtime game that most people thought Carroll would run away. Amaryea Greely and Demardrick Blunt spearheaded the 'Dogs to the win but will no longer be available as both are now playing on Saturdays. Carroll has managed to play above .500 football so far by starting the season with 3 consecutive wins., however over the past 2 weeks a stagnant offense has contributed to 2 straight losses vs Sterlington and Bastrop. WR Nate Roberts has played up to the preseason standards set upon him and leads the 'Dogs in touchdowns but an inconsistent supporting cast is cause for concern. Carroll also has a little bit of instability in the coaching staff. After losing Brandon Landers weeks prior to the season-opener, offensive coordinator David Williams stepped down to pursue a career in coaching in Texas leaving the Bulldogs in scramble mode again.

Wossman on the other hand has been the feel-good story of the area. A strong road win over North Webster last Friday has the 'Cats sitting at 4-1 on the year as they head into week 6 vs their biggest rival. Senior QB Tristan Wooten leads the way for the Wossman offense, and he has a slew of weapons joining him. WRs Travis Lynch, Trae Mason and Zion Weeks provide Wossman with speed and quickness on the perimeter while RBs Eric Griffin and Antron Mason provide the ground yardage. Not to be overlooked is a stout Wossman defense that has not allowed over 21 points in any game this season. DT/OT Jaylen Williams has also lived up to the pre-season hype on both sides of the ball and will be counted upon heavily as the 'Cats prepare for a long post-season run.

Although a lot of things have changed for Carroll over the past 3 months, one thing that remains the same is the hate for Wossman, therefore we can all disregard the records when predicating this game. Coach Gary Hines has tinkered with a 2-QB system of the past couple weeks and that may be the X-factor on Friday night. Defensively, Carroll has speed and size but a lack depth has gotten the best of them over the past 2 weeks. On the flip side, where Carroll is weak, the 'Cats are strong and that may become a problem as the game progresses. Defensive coordinator, Greg Boxley has Wossman's defense as swarming and opportunistic as the teams he coached when he was at Carroll. In week 4, Wossman held a strong Calvary offense to just 21 points on the night which had to open a few eyes around the state. Carroll has also shown a propensity to turn the ball over and once Boxley finds the Bulldogs weaknesses, he'll look for a couple of takeaways of his own. With all, nothing in this game ever goes as planned. If Carroll wins it'll be because they were able to penetrate the Wildcat secondary which means time for Carroll's QBs to throw and after watching film, I can't see that happening. Williams, RJ Wilson and Jevontae Spears will lead the Cats into Bulldogs country and steal a road win and control bragging rights for another 365 days.

Wossman 30 Carroll 20

Player Of the Game: Tristen Wooten – 13/17 215 Yards, 2 TDs – 7 Carries, 60 Yards, 1 TD

Area Scores:

Top Ten

#1 Ruston 30 Alexandria 14

#2 OCS 45 St Fred 21

#3 Neville 47 Peabody 13

#4 West Monroe 49 Pineville 7

#5 Sterlington 31 Bastrop 14

#6 West Ouachita 24 Ouachita 20

#7 D'Arbonne Woods 40 Lakeside 20

#8 Oak Grove 26 Haynesville 23

#9 Wossman 30 Carroll 20

#10 Union Parish 48 North Webster 28

Other Games:

Franklin Parish 46 Grant 23

Bunkie 34 Caldwell 28

General Trass 44 Ferriday 40

Madison Parish 30 Rayville 29

Mangham 35 Vidalia 23

Delhi Charter 30 Delhi 22

Delta Charter 40 Tensas 8

Block 25 Sicily Island 12

Mr. Pickems Top 10

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. OCS Eagles

3. Neville Tigers

4. West Monroe Rebs

5. Sterlington Panthers

6. West Ouachita Chiefs

7. D'Arbonne Woods Wolves

8. Oak Grove Tigers

9. Wossman Wildcats

10. Union Parish Farmers

Just Missed It: Franklin Parish, St. Fred, Carroll, Caldwell, Beekman Charter

Dispatch

Neville # 6 Celebrates a touchdown with teammates

MR PICKEMS G.O.AT. OF THE WEEK

JY'MARION ISLAND, RB

- UNION PARISH FARMERS -

28 CARRIES, 291 YARDS, 2 TD (2 – 2PT CONV.)