VC prepares to soar past Tigers

The Vermilion Catholic Eagles are gearing up for a quarterfinal match-up against the St. Mary Tigers, tonight.

This is a big game for the Eagles, but not because it’s one step closer to the ultimate goal of the state championship.

This is a homecoming of sorts. The head coach of St. Mary’s is Charlie Cryer.

The same Charlie Cryer that won a VC’s only state championship, a decade ago.

“It is kind of a big deal, but at the same time we have to look at it like any another game,” Vermilion Catholic Head Coach Russell Kuhns said. “None of these kids were here when he was here. So it shouldn’t effect us at all.”

Coach Kuhns has his team ready to play.

“I mean it is kind of special having the only coach to win a state title coming back,” defensive lineman Braxton Cessac said. “This is new VC though, he represents old VC, and we want to prove that we are just as good if not
better then that team. I see no better way to do that than beat St. Mary’s.”

Coach Cryer is the one that will more than likely have some sort of emotional response to returning to his old stomping grounds.

“Abbeville and VC will always have a special place in my heart,” coach Cryer said. “It will be nice to see some friendly faces, but we have to remember that we are down there on a mission. This isn’t a goodwill trip. We want
to win.”

The Eagles are hoping to send coach Cryer and his Tigers home back to Natchitoches with a loss, and to do so they know they are going to have to bring their A-game.

“St. Mary’s is a good team,” Kuhns said. “You don’t make it to the quarterfinals of the playoffs without being a good team. They play good defense and can burn you offensively. We are going to have to play our game and
be sound on the defensive side of the ball.”

Along with being sound on the defensive side of the ball, coach Kuhns knows that they will have to play well offensively.

“It all starts with our offensive line,” Kuhns said. “If they play well then we should have a good game offensively.”

Along with the offensive line the Eagles will be looking for its other offensive stars to perform.

Starting with running back Mike Campbell. Campbell finished the season with 1,307 rushing yards and 24 rushing touchdowns.

In the Eagles win of Central Catholic he had 124 yards on the ground on 17 carries.

Along with Campbell the Eagles are going to need solid play from starting quarterback Brennan Gallet.

Gallet finished the regular season with 2,089 passing yards and 24 touchdowns.

He also had a huge game against Central, where he threw for 170 yards and five touchdowns.

For Gallet to have a good game he is going to need help from wide receiver Connor Menard.

Menard broke the record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,038. He also added 13 receiving touchdowns.

“They have a lot of weapons on offense,” Coach Cryer said. “They are a tough team to prepare for. If you try to stop the run, they will just throw it and vice versa.”

Despite coach Cryer coming back to the team he won a state championship with, both he and coach Kuhns realize that there is still a goal to obtain.

“We just have to put all of the history behind us,” Kuhns said. “We just have to go out there and play our game. If we do that we will be alright.”

VC will host St. Mary’s of Natchitoches tonight at Eagle stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor