Erath defense shines in victory over St. Martinville

ERATH — The Erath Bobcats’ offense is averaging an impressive 41 points per game and getting plenty of attention from fans, but their often-overlooked defense has also played a big role in the team’s 8-0 record.
The Bobcats’ defense did not allow the St. Martinville Tigers to get into the end zone en route to a 48-0 victory.
It is the first-time in school history the Bobcats beat St. Martinville in six attempts.
Through eight games this year, Erath’s defense has allowed just nine points per game. This marks their third shutout in a row. The school record for regular season shutouts is five, set back in 1963.
Erath head coach Eric LeBlanc said getting the shutout meant a lot to the players.
“It was seniors who wanted it more,” said LeBlanc. “At the end of the game, they are on the sidelines cheering those who are in the game. They are communicating with the guys on the field and telling them what to look for. That is the cool part.”
EHS senior defensive linemen Cohen Benoit and Kaiden Viator enjoyed the shutout win.
“It feels amazing,” said Benoit, who plays on the defensive and offensive line. “Putting everything together in practice and then on the field is great.”
Viator will take a win anytime over a shutout.
“We do not worry about the shutout. We worry about doing our job and executing our gaps,” said Viator. “If the shutouts come, they come. We just want to win at the end of the day.”
The Bobcats got on the board during their second possession, thanks to a strong punt return by Tate Collins that brought them to the Tigers’ 35-yard line. Two plays later, quarterback Jack Landry found Talen Landry for a 27-yard touchdown. Jack completed 8 out 14 passes for 72 yards in the game.
Talen had a solid game catching the football. He had five catches for 54 yards and a TD.
The EHS defense helped set up the Bobcats’ second touchdown. Linebacker Jahlil Charles made two key plays by stripping the ball from Tiger players, which led to more points for Erath.
The first time was in the first quarter when Charles stuck his hands on the football and yanked it from the Tiger running back’s hands. EHS cornerback Nathan Nguyen recovered the fumble at the St. Martinville 32.
Erath had to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Carlos Arellano that made it 11-0.
On St. Martinville’s next drive, Charles forced another fumble. This time, Brylon Toups scooped up the ball and ran it 10 yards before being stopped.
Erath took advantage of the fumble recovery and scored eight plays later when Jack ran 8 yards into the end zone for an 18-0 lead.
Erath added another TD on a 1-yard run by Aiden Bourque with 1:35 to play in the first half.
The Bobcats led 24-0 at halftime and had outgained the Tigers 158 yards to 67. The Tigers did not do much better in the second half, finishing with only 50 yards of offense. Viator said the defense did its job like it has been doing all year.
“Coming into the season, we were kind of iffy about what to expect,” said Viator. “We did not know if everyone would understand their roles. Everyone took their new roles well. The young ones stepped up, and the older players are playing well.”
Charles led EHS in rushing with 130 yards on 10 carries. He scored twice.
With two road games left against Kaplan (5-3) and Abbeville (3-5), the Bobcats have a chance to make history as the first EHS team to finish a season 10-0.
Coach LeBlanc said, “We are taking it one game at a time.”