Church Point coach Rob Pool and his Bears are hoping to get back on the right track in the longtime Iota rivalry in Friday's showdown.
- STAFF PHOTO BY BRAD KEMP
2 min to read
Mike Coppage
Please forgive Rob Pool if he's sick and tired of seeing the Iota High School football team.
In his debut season as head coach last season, Pool's Church Point Bears lost their final two games to the Bulldogs — surrendering a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter to drop a 48-44 decision in the regular-season finale — and losing the next week in the first round of the playoffs.
The Division II nonselect first-round matchup was dominated by 15th-seeded Iota, which won 35-6 over the No. 18 Bears.
"It was odd. You don't want to play somebody twice," Pool said.
The District 4-3A and Acadia Parish rivals will square off earlier this season as the Bears (3-1, 1-0) host the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday with a three-game winning streak on the line for each.
Iota quarterback Peyton Renfro, who threw the winning TD pass with 10 seconds left in the shootout win, is back for his senior season and has passed for 557 yards and 10 TDs with no interceptions.
"He is a really good player," Pool said of Renfro, whose favorite target has been Jayce Lantier (13 receptions for 280 yards, six TDs). "He throws it well and does a good job of extending the play. Iota has a winner's mentality."
The Bulldogs, who lost 20-14 to Opelousas Catholic in Week 1 before taking wins over Kinder (30-20), Marksville (35-34) and Pine Prairie (48-7), are led on the ground by tailback Connor Fruge (78 rushes, 350 yards, two TDs). Renfro has rushed for two scores.
"Peyton's a gamer, man," Iota coach Ray Aucoin said. "He and Jayce Lantier and Zeke Wall have become the leaders of this team. You're never out of it (with those three on the field)."
The two programs won't meet in the postseason this year. Iota, which lost to No. 2 Cecilia in the Division II nonselect regionals, remained in that division with the smaller Class 4A and larger Class 3A schools.
Church Point, though in the same Class 3A district with Iota, dropped down to Division III nonselect with the smaller 3A and larger 2A schools after posting lower enrollment numbers in the most recent LHSAA reclassification.
The Bears, who are No. 6 in Div. III (Iota is No. 8 in D II), lost to North Vermilion (21-6) ahead of wins over Marksville (22-20), Rayne (34-27) and Mamou (42-26).
"We played with a lot of poise against Marksville, making a field goal in the last four minutes," Pool said, referring to kicker Seth Alleman. "We have 12 kids playing who are freshmen or sophomores. It gave them a little confidence."
Iota played calmly and coolly in its game against Marksville, as well. The Bulldogs nearly blew a 28-12 lead in the fourth quarter but retained their composure.
"Jayce had a big kickoff return," Aucoin said of the play that clinched the win. "Games like that have aged me quite well, but we make it exciting. Guys don't quit. I'm talking about the whole team. We have people who believe."
Tyrese Boast, who leads Church Point in rushing with 336 yards on 56 carries with three TDs, was joined last week by starting backfield mate Jaheim Moore, who rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries with two scores in his first game back from injury.
"Moore injured his knee early in fall camp," Pool said. "He is a big piece to our offense. He was able to come back a lot quicker because of his work ethic rehabbing the injury. We really need him.
"With him back, we can keep Jamison (Reese) in the slot for the traditional Church Point Wing-T offense."
Reese has rushed for 158 yards and two TDs on 16 carries. Quarterback Luke Baudoin has 185 yards rushing on 28 carries and three TDs and has passed for 286 yards and two scores. Reese has 12 catches for 134 yards.
"Luke has done a good job with no-huddle stuff, communicating and making good (run-pass option) decisions," Pool said. "He's done well with the out pass to Reese, who had eight catches last week."
Mike Coppage
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