Kaplan's Ground Game: How Depth Decides the 5-3A Title

The Kaplan Pirates face a tactical dilemma in their bid for the District 5-3A championship: they must contain a mobile quarterback while executing one of the deepest rushing attacks in the region. The team enters Thursday’s matchup against Erath with a ground game that has been the primary engine of its seven-win season, but the Bobcats present a different defensive challenge than the teams Kaplan has defeated.

Kaplan’s path to the title game began with a 43-32 victory over Abbeville last week. In that contest, sophomore Jeremy Roy rushed for over 200 yards on 11 carries and scored multiple touchdowns. That performance pushed his season total to 761 yards on just 60 carries, with eight scores. Roy also contributed on defense, breaking up a key pass in the fourth quarter. He and head coach Vinnie Bullara discussed the halftime score, which stood at 26-14 in Abbeville’s favor, before the Pirates completed the comeback.

The offense is not dependent on a single back. Fullback De’Maurion Cormier has accumulated 1,022 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Mathiew Breaux averages 16.4 yards per carry on 361 total yards. Quarterback Jayden Hargrave adds another dimension, rushing for 281 yards and six scores on 59 attempts. This depth allows Bullara to rotate players and maintain pressure on the defense throughout the game.

The coaching staff is preparing for a specific threat in Erath senior Landen DeRouen. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound quarterback has thrown for 1,282 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. Bullara noted that DeRouen possesses the size and speed of a fullback, often gaining extra yards after the tackle. The Pirates must account for his dual-threat ability to keep their own offense in rhythm.

Kaplan is ranked No. 7 in the Division III non-select power ratings, while Erath sits at No. 18 in the Division II non-select rankings. Both teams are undefeated in district play. The Pirates will look to Roy on both sides of the ball, using his physicality to disrupt Erath’s offensive scheme. Bullara hopes to have Grant Saltzman and Kane Hebert back from injury for the game, though Jacob Devoltz has already returned to the lineup.

The game is scheduled for Thursday at the district championship site. Kaplan will aim to control the clock and limit DeRouen’s time in the pocket, relying on the combined experience of their four primary ball carriers. The outcome will determine which team advances from the 5-3A bracket.