BROUSSARD, LA— For much of Thursday night, First Baptist Christian School appeared headed toward another victory.
The Eagles built a 20-6 advantage over the visiting SWLA Knights on September 3 at Broussard Sports Complex and were getting the kind of defensive performance head coach Grayson Standiford wanted.
Then the game turned.
Four FBCS fumbles, along with a safety, helped open the door for the Knights, who erased the 14-point deficit with 20 unanswered points to hand the Eagles a disappointing 26-20 loss.
“We had four fumbles and gave up a safety,” Standiford said. “We were winning 20 to six, so they put up 20 unanswered because of those turnovers.”
Despite the final score, Standiford came away encouraged by his defense.
“I thought defensively we played really well,” he said. “We tackled really well, caused a couple turnovers where we were able to control the time of possession and field position.”
Nate Hill led that effort with 13 tackles.
MOORE LEADS EAGLES’ OFFENSE
Benji Moore provided most of the offensive production for FBCS, scoring twice on the ground. Moore finished with 72 yards on 10 carries and two touchdowns, while also contributing as a blocker and recording approximately eight or nine tackles on defense.
“I thought Benji Moore played a really complete game,” Standiford said.
The Eagles’ other touchdown came from their defense.
Luke Page broke through to sack the SWLA quarterback and forced a fumble. Andrew Lambert scooped up the loose football and returned it for a touchdown.
The Eagles had a much more difficult night through the air. FBCS completed just one of 10 passes for 10 yards.
Rather than place the struggles solely on his quarterback, Standiford said the Eagles have to do a better job of putting their young offense in favorable situations.
“We just have to put him in better situations,” Standiford said. “When it’s third and 10 and he has to drop back, that’s not really a good recipe for anybody.”
Standiford said FBCS needs to become more productive on early downs and give its quarterback opportunities to throw on first-and-10 or second-and-short rather than consistently asking him to convert obvious passing situations.
“Our offensive line is just so young,” Standiford said. “They’re learning and getting better each week, but we just didn’t handle the pressure.”
STANDIFORD TAKES RESPONSIBILITY
After watching a 20-6 advantage turn into a six-point loss, Standiford’s postgame message was not to point fingers at his players.
Instead, the coach pointed at himself.
“I told them it was completely my fault,” Standiford said. “I didn’t have us prepared for the magnitude of the game.”
Standiford said the Eagles performed well enough defensively to win, but football requires more than winning on one side of the ball.
“I thought we were really good defensively, but we didn’t win the special teams battle, and we certainly didn’t win the offensive battle,” he said. “When you only win one phase of the game, you can’t win the game.”
There is also another opportunity ahead.
FBCS is scheduled to meet SWLA again later in the season, giving the Eagles a chance to correct the mistakes that turned what appeared to be a commanding win into a difficult loss. Standiford said that when the teams meet again, he expects FBCS to be better prepared “on all three phases.”
EAGLES TURN ATTENTION TO VERMILION CHARTER
FBCS won’t have long to dwell on the loss.
The Eagles return to Broussard Sports Complex Thursday night to face the Vermilion Charter Bulldogs, a new school from Maurice, Louisiana, playing the first football game in its program’s history.
The matchup will also present an unusual challenge for the Eagles: 11-man football.
FBCS normally competes in the eight-man game, but Standiford said the Eagles will adjust their formation by adding an additional wide receiver and two offensive linemen.
He also sees the change as an opportunity.
“I’m excited because we get more of the younger guys onto the field,” Standiford said. “Those kids who haven’t really played a lot of football in general, they get to get out there and participate and cut their teeth a little bit.”
Rest may be particularly important during the short turnaround. Standiford noted that Hill played 129 snaps against SWLA, one reason the coaching staff gave the Eagles the Labor Day holiday away from practice before beginning preparations for Thursday’s game.
For Standiford, the objective this week is straightforward.
“Looking forward to getting back on the field, correcting some mistakes, and seeing our offense play at a higher level.”
Interview by J. Christian Lewis/A! assisted