Acadiana Prepares For Big Game Versus Shades Valley

(NOTE: Acadiana vs Shades Valley will air on NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL, kpel965.com, and the smart phone app Radio Pup on Saturday, September 13th. Pregame is tentatively scheduled for 4:00)

The Acadiana Wreckin Rams opened defense of their 5A State Championship with a 55-6 win over the Northside Vikings.  It didn't take long for the Wreckin Rams to pick up where they left off in 2013, with Malik Eugene returning the opening kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown.  Northside answered right back with an 87 yard touchdown run by quarterback Ethan Rose.  After that it was all Rams as AHS would score on 6 of their 8 possessions in the first half and add a touchdown in the second half.

Malik Eugene led the Wreckin Rams with 8 carries for 110 yards and 3 rushing touchdowns to go along with his kickoff return for a touchdown. Eric "The Bull" Duhon carried 8 times for 94 yards and Reggie Francis carried 7 times for 51 yards and a touchdown.

Peyton Touchet was effective in the passing game completing 2 of 4 passes with both going for touchdowns.  Peyton connected with split end Brandon Duhon on a beautiful 52 yard pass that split two Northside defenders and also had a 35 yard touchdown pass to Bry'Keithan Mouton.

The Wreckin Rams will be challenged by the Shades Valley Mounties from Alabama who bring a record of 3-0 in to the game Saturday.  This game will be played in Shreveport as part of the Battle on the Border.

Shades Valley has been victorious over Florence 37-35, Bessemer City 34-14, and Center Point 27-0.  They are coached by former Alabama punter Bill Smith, and lead on the offensive side of the ball by Mississippi State commitment Keith Mixon.  On the year Mixon has 19 catches for 435 yards and 5 touchdowns and has added 4 touchdowns rushing the football. On the defensive side of the ball Shades Valley is lead by Daron Payne, who has offers from Alabama, Auburn and Mississippi State. The big man goes 6'3' 320 pounds and has caught a touchdown pass lining up as a tight end.

Shades Valley gives the appearance as a boom or bust team. Versus Florence, they had 16 plays that went for negative yards and 6 plays that went for 35 or more yards including the game winner, a 68 yard pass to Keith Mixon on 4th down and 13 with 3:08 to go in the game. Shades Valley's defense had impressive second halves versus Bessemer City, holding them to 87 yards and no points in the second half, and kept Center Point off the score board on 8 second half possessions.

The game begins tomorrow, and will be broadcast on NewsTalk 96.5 KPEL, kpel965.com, and the free smart phone app Radio Pup. Acadiana vs Shades Valley is the third game of the day at the Battle on the Border (view schedule here). There is a 45 minute warm up period before each game. The pregame show will begin with 5 minutes left in the John Curtis (River Ridge, LA) vs Lufkin (Texas). If the games remain on schedule, pregame airtime will likely begin a little after 4:00.

Next week the Rams continue their Saturday games with a trip to the Rummel Raiders.  Rummel was the best team in the State of Louisiana regardless of classification, according to some high school analysts for nola.com.

The Wreckin Rams have their work cut out for them the next two weeks.