Kaplan relies on Roy's rushing power to challenge Erath for district title
The Pirates enter Thursday's game against the Bobcats with a balanced offensive threat, but coach Vinnie Bullara says the sophomore tailback is the key to their championship hopes.
By Emily Lawson ·
Kaplan’s quest for the District 5-3A championship hinges on the legs of sophomore Jeremy Roy. The Pirates (7-2) host Erath (5-4) on Thursday, seeking to convert a strong season into a title. Roy’s recent surge in production has made him the focal point of the offense, while Erath aims to counter with its own versatile quarterback, Landen DeRouen.
Roy’s impact was most visible in last week’s 43-32 victory over Abbeville. He rushed for more than 200 yards on just 11 carries, scoring multiple touchdowns. That performance pushed his season totals to 761 yards on 60 carries and eight scores. He also contributed on defense, breaking up a pass in the fourth quarter against Abbeville’s Jacolby Campbell, who threw for nearly 140 yards and three touchdowns in the first half alone.
Coach Vinnie Bullara noted that the team trailed 26-14 at the halftime break. Roy spoke with Bullara during the break, acknowledging his frustration with the deficit. Bullara told Roy to stay the course. The adjustment worked as Roy gained a substantial amount of yardage after contact, finishing with a season average of 12.7 yards per carry.
The rushing attack extends beyond Roy. Fullback De’Maurion Cormier has rushed for 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking as the area’s sixth-leading rusher. Mathiew Breaux averages 16.4 yards per carry, while quarterback Jayden Hargrave has added 281 rushing yards and six scores. Hargrave’s twin brother, Aiden, played a strong game at linebacker, and the team hopes to have Grant Saltzman and Kane Hebert back from injury this week.
Erath’s offense centers on senior quarterback Landen DeRouen. He ranks fifth in the area with 1,282 passing yards and 16 touchdowns. Standing 6-foot-2 and weighing 215 pounds, DeRouen is described as having a fullback’s running ability. Bullara called him a competitive leader who can run for nine yards even when defenders think they have a sack.
The Pirates are currently ranked No. 7 in the Division III non-select power ratings. Erath holds the No. 18 spot in Division II non-select. Bullara expects Roy to be a physical force on both sides of the ball, noting that he can make defenders miss or run over them. If Roy is not creating plays on offense, Bullara says he is taking players out of games in defensive coverage.
Source: The Advocate
