I have heard coaches say “Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.”

But if your team is playing well on both sides of the ball - then fans and coaches are both happy.

Basile gained 294 yards of total offense in the season opening 28-6 win over Gueydan. The Bearcat defense limited the Bears to 185 yards of total offense and allowed an early touchdown.

Jake Fournerat was the Eunice News Player of the Week after gaining 145 yards on 20 carries and scored on runs of 4-,3- and 1-yards.

In the 48-13 win over Pine Prairie, Basile rolled up 342 yards on the ground and another 160 yards passing.

Fournerat had another outstanding performance as he gained 139 yards on 12 carries including a 65-yard touchdown run.

Matt Pruitt was a perfect 7-for-7 passing for 160 yards and two touchdowns.

Basile allowed 223 yards and two scores on defense, but the Bearcat offense continued to pile up points and yardage.

Former Basile coach Bruce Broussard, who passed away last Saturday in Port Barre, would have been proud of how the Bearcats are moving the ball so far this season.

Broussard played quarterback at Eunice High and was a long time assistant coach at Port Barre.

I remember watching his Red Devil offenses run over foes - especially during their run for the state title in 2002.

The other surprise start of the high school football season has to be the St. Edmund Blue Jays under the direction of first-year head coach Thomas David.

Undefeated at 2-0, the Blue Jays have yet to allow any points, outscoring their opponents 47-0.

In the 21-0 opening win over Sacred Heart of Ville Platte, the Blue Jays limited the Trojans to 88 yards on the ground and 69 yard passing for 157 yards of total offense.

The St. Ed offense was balanced with 148 yards rushing and another 136 through the air.

Blue Jay quarterback Hunter Arnaud was 13-of-20 with an interception and a 8-yard touchdown pass to Kevin McFarlain.

In the 26-0 win over Iota, Arnaud was even more accurate as he finished 14-of-18 for 161 yards and a 10-yard touchdown to Andre Aguillard.

The Blue Jay defense stood tall, limiting the Bulldogs to just 48 yards rushing and 35 yards passing.

Adam Clause, who had a 70-yard punt return for a score against Sacred Heart, intercepted a pass against Iota.

McFarlain intercepted a pass and recorded a fumble recovery for a touchdown at the end of the first half to help slam the door on the Bulldogs.

No one knows how much longer the Bearcat offense will roll up points and yards or whether or not the Blue Jay defense can keep recording shutouts.

But so far, the two teams are exciting their fans and working toward memorable runs in their respective districts.