EDW: Catch us if you can

North and south are going to collide this month in Lafourche Parish middle school football. When they do, a parish championship and an undefeated season will likely be at stake.

With the Golden Meadow Middle football team holding down the fort in the southern end of the parish, their northern neighbors E.D. White also remain undefeated this season.

The dominant duo will have a chance to split the difference on Oct. 25 when they collide in a game that will pit the parish’s two top dogs on the gridiron with middle school ball’s biggest prize likely on the line.

“That’s going to be a great game,” E.D. White 8th grade coach Jeremy Robichaux said. “They are well coached. And they have some good athletes that come from down there. … But we have to take care of some other business first before we get there.”

The way E.D. White has staked their claim at the top is through defense, dominant defense.

In their first six games of the season, the Cardinals have allowed just 22 total points, while recording four shutouts.

Most of those points allowed came in the team’s most recent triumph, a 36-16 Cardinals win against West Thibodaux.

But the 16 points shouldn’t be misconstrued as poor defensive play. The Rebels scored eight of those points on a kickoff return for a touchdown.

“Defensively, we’re doing real well,” Robichaux said. “Just every day, we’re running to the football.”

The secret behind the Cardinals’ defense is a blend of talent and unity, according to Robichaux.

Standouts like defensive end Winston Jones and defensive tackle Nick Gros provide the beef and get the team’s primary push up front.

“Those big boys do a great job for us generating penetration,” Robichaux said. “That’s where it starts.”

From there, other ball hawks like Trey St. Pierre, Haden Theriot, Winston Jones, Michael Hawkins and Alex Hawkins swarm to the football and keep the opposing offense off rhythm.

“Defensively, we’re just one unit, playing as one,” Robichaux said. “That’s how we get it done. … We’re definitely pretty well rounded as a group.”

With the team’s defense pushing opponents off the field in just a handful of plays, the Cardinals’ talented offense is able to get to work.

E.D. White has scored 30 or more points in every game this season and averages 37 points per game.

Middle school games are played with just eight minute quarters, making the team’s offensive feat even more impressive.

“We have the definitely ability to make things happen on that side,” Robichaux said.

The way the Cardinals earn most of their offensive gusto is through balance.

E.D. White is anchored by quarterback Ben Sposito.

His primary targets in the team’s effective running game is a three-headed halfback monster of Dane Benoit, Kairon Brooks and Jeremy Rounds.

Each player hit the Rebels’ defense for gashing runs in last Tuesday’s triumph.

Robichaux said he’s seen pretty much the same story told in every game this season.

“They all are able to run really well,” Robichaux said. “We’re able to count of all of them and they all do really well for us.”

Part of the reason for the trio’s consistency is the Cardinals big and physical offensive line.

Center Alec Naquin paces the group by generating a strong push in the middle.

Joining Naquin are fellow contributors Jayce Mike, Derek Hohensee, Luke Oncale and Cole Grazier.

“We really have quite a few big guys who are able to play well for us,” Robichaux. “That’s a big plus.”

When the running game gets going, Sposito is also able to hit a pass or two down the field if needed. In passing situations, he often looks for tight end Andrew Hebert, who has emerged as a key target in the team’s arsenal.

“Offensively, we’re pretty diverse,” the Cardinals’ coach said.

With last Tuesday’s win in the bag, the Cardinals are now just a handful of games away from a perfect slate.

The Cardinals played Raceland last night with a score unavailable at press time.

From there, they will host East Thibodaux on Oct. 18 before the big one against Golden Meadow to close the year.

With everyone’s minds focused on the possible battle between two of the parish’s biggest threats, Robichaux said his team’s message has been clear since day one of the season: determination.

That is what he believes will carry his team, even when the big game rolls around, whether the parish championship is on the line or not.

“It’s hustle,” Robichaux said. “We’ve won so far every week, but every week, we run five more sprints in practice. We’ve got to get better, we’ve got to get in better shape, we’ve got to work on always being ready. If we’re faster and in better shape than everyone else, then it doesn’t matter who we’re playing, we’ll always play well, so that’s what we try and do all-around.”

E.D. White quarterback Ben Sposito makes a move down the field against West Thibodaux before eventually being caught. Sposito earned a first down on the play, one of many in the Cardinals’ blowout win. CASEY GISCLAIR