Eunice determined to get back to higher level by emphasizing the details

WHAT WE KNOW

The Bobcats went through a lot of trial by fire last year in discovering who they want to be.

“We're trending in the right direction,” coach Andre Vige said. “I liked the attitude in the summer and the attitude since we've started fall camp. I think the work ethic is there and our kids are hungry after what we went through last year.”

Along the way, they discovered a huge weapon in quarterback Montana Brown's legs.

While Eunice attempted to use him as a manager of the wing-t offense and a pocket passer to start the year, by season's end they used more shotgun formation and Brown's legs to spearhead an offensive improvement.

“We have five starters back, but we've got some weapons,” Vige said. “Montana showed us last year that he can really run the football. It's an added dimension.”

Eunice isn't Eunice without the Wing-t, though, and Vige is confident in the depth in the backfield again this year.

“We run two-deep at every position and they all bring a little something different to the table,” Vige said.

The return of junior wide receiver Brighton Laday, whose season ended early last year with a torn quad, adds a vertical element to the passing game the Bobcats lacked last year.

Those things, coupled with a defense that played a lot of sophomores last season, should provide Eunice with tons more stability.

WHAT WE DON'T KNOW

The Bobcats are never the biggest team on the field, so losing an all-district offensive lineman like junior Tyler Coward for the season is a big blow.

The Bobcats, once again, will have to forge some depth and experience as they go through the season. It's not an ideal situation for a team that hangs its hat on the running game to be in.

There's no better way to put it. Last year, the Eunice Bobcats severely underachieved in 2024.

The conclusion he came to was that the devil was in the lack of details and commitment in the weight room.

HOW WE SEE IT

Eunice will be better this season. The commitment to conditioning and improvement was evident in a scrimmage win against Kaplan.

Still, this is a schedule that barely has any breathers on it. Eunice's non-district stretch of Northwest, Jennings, Erath, Kinder and Welsh provides an opportunity to either forge a really good team or have its confidence teetering on the bring early on.

What Eunice went through last year was heartbreak. The Bobcats lost three games by a touchdown or less to three playoff teams in the first half of the year – Northwest, Erath and Kinder – before injuries caught up to the Bobcats and derailed the season.

That schedule, which was rated as the second toughest in Division II, is still in tact. But the Bobcats are positive that they're more ready for it this season because of the productivity of the offseason.

FIVE TO WATCH

Montana Brown

Quarterback, Sr.

A three-year starter, Brown has all the tools to be a great high school quarterback. His dual-threat should provide the Bobcats with an extra gear this season.

Brighton Laday

WR/S, Jr.

Laday is the home run threat in Eunice's passing game and is shifting over to free safety on defense. Vige believes the junior's length and athleticism in centerfield can help mold Eunice's defense in a big way this year.

Jacobie Fontenot

Linebacker, Jr.

Fontenot came on late as a starter last season and was one of the players Vige was most impressed by in the offseason. He's added some weight and should be one of the Bobcats’ lynch pin defenders.

Tommy Black

Safety, Jr.

On the field since his freshman season, Black is the unquestioned emotional leader of the Bobcat defense. He's added 15 pounds since last season and brings a physicality to the hybrid safety/outside linebacker position that has become a trademark of Eunice's defense over the years.

Malik Thomas

Running Back, Jr.

Thomas has speed to spare and has adjusted his running style to be more north-and-south this offseason. Not the biggest back, but Thomas has the ability to make people miss in the open field.

Projected Starters

Offense

WR Cain Watson (6-0, 170, Jr.)

TE Cameron Carrier (6-4, 205, Sr.)*

OT Liam Schouest (5-10, 195, Jr.)*

OG Hunter Abbott (5-6, 170, Jr.)

C Austin Sittig (5-10, 210, So.)

OG Austin Francois (5-10, 190, Jr.)

OT Caleb Haley (6-0, 215, Jr.)

QB Montana Brown (6-1, 205, Sr.)

RB Malik Thomas (5-7, 155, Jr.)*

RB Parker Pedigo (5-4, 175, Sr.)*

RB Aiden Lejeune (5-10, 180, Sr.)

Defense

DE Tacorious Cesar (5-10, 160, Jr.)

NG Andrew Fontenot (5-9, 180, Sr.)

DE DeAndre Reed (6-5, 215, Sr.)*

LB Peyton Brown (6-0, 170, Sr.)

LB Ryan Guillory (6-1, 170, Jr.)

LB Jacobie Fontenot (5-10, 170, Jr.)*

LB Marquis Hooker (6-0, 165, Sr.)

CB Demarkis Williams (5-10, 140, So.)

CB Denvontre Williams (5-7, 145, Jr.)*

SS Tommy Black (5-8, 175, Jr.)*

SS Brighton Laday (6-0, 175, Jr.)*

 * - Returning starter

Coaches

Head coach: Andre Vige

Assistant coaches: Trenon Trosclair (DC/ILB), Paul Trosclair (Safeties), Trace Trosclair (OLB), Ryan Deshotel (OL), Josh Guidry (TE), Stuart Turner, Terrance Thompson (CB), Brody Gaspard (DL).

2025 Schedule

Sept. 5 NORTHWEST

Sept. 12 Jennings

Sept. 19 ERATH

Sept. 26 KINDER

Oct. 3 Welsh

Oct. 7 DeRidder

Oct. 14 LaGrange

Oct. 21 Iowa

Oct. 28 LEESVILLE

Nov. 7 WASHINGTON-MARION

2024 Results

Lost Northwest 21-14

Lost Jennings 34-0

Lost Erath 28-21

Lost Kinder 22-16

Lost Welsh 39-16

Lost DeRidder 35-13

Beat LaGrange 24-20

Lost Iowa 48-21

Lost Leesville 42-15

Beat Washington-Marion 63-20

Past 5 years

2024: 2-8

2023: 7-4

2022: 6-5

2021: 7-5

2020: 6-3