Win and you're in

• By ROBIN FAMBROUGH
• Advocate sportswriter
• Published: Nov 6, 2009

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There are times when high school football coaches try to motivate their teams by emphasizing key facts. St. Michael coach Eric Held and Glen Oaks coach Landry Williams are holding nothing back.

As the schools prepare for tonight’s game against each other, they know that more than a share of the District 7-4A title is on the line. Both teams are playing for their playoff lives.

“We’ve been honest with the guys from the start,” Held said. “I knew we were the No. 32 in the power ratings even before the LHSAA released the numbers.

“Our guys know they have to win get in. So it’s a dual purpose … win at least a share of the district title and get a playoff berth. If we don’t, the season is probably over.”

Game time is 7 p.m. at BREC’s Memorial Stadium. The game is one of two with title-game implications in 7-4A. Woodlawn (6-3, 5-1) hosts Istrouma (3-6, 3-3) in the other.

The regular season ends with key games for the two 5A districts. In 5-5A, Central (8-1, 5-0) can clinch the title with a win at Live Oak (4-5, 2-3). Dutchtown (6-3, 2-2) plays at parish rival East Ascension (4-4, 1-3) in 6-5A looking to improve its playoff status.

Like St. Michael and Glen Oaks, the other two teams with 6-3 overall record and 5-1 district marks, Woodlawn can claim a share of the title with a win. But the Panthers are 19th in the unofficial Week 9 power ratings released by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

Being rated 19th means Woodlawn has a playoff spot locked up. Even though his team is No. 23, compared to No. 32 for St. Michael, Glen Oaks’ Williams still considers tonight’s game a “must win.”

“I don’t buy into us already being in the playoffs, win or lose,” Williams said. “As far as I’m concerned, this one is for the whole thing. If we win, we get at least a share of the title and a playoff berth.

“That’s what I’ve told our team. And they’re excited about it. They’re looking forward to the challenge of stopping St. Michael’s offense.”

The Warriors have the area’s top passer in Jeremy Meyers, who has thrown for 2,251 yards and 26 touchdowns. Glen Oaks has a more methodical attack led by quarterback Brandon Vessel and running backs Geremany Addison and William Franklin.

“The thing I like about Glen Oaks is they do whatever they have to to win.” Held said. “They only have about 26 players, but they’ll pound you with their running backs and they find ways to win.”

The Istrouma-Woodlawn game matches two of the area’s top running backs in WHS’ Demarcaze Givens and Istrouma’s Kenny Bell. Givens has 1,152 rushing yards. Bell rushed for 306 yards in a loss to St. Michael.