Feelings are all over the map as Vernon Parish football teams enter Week 4.
Leesville (2-1) survived early turnovers and avenged its 2025 loss to Tioga, and now the Wampus Cats will get the Rapides Parish double dip when Pineville (0-3) strolls in.
Rosepine (3-0) is riding high after its 50-6 pasting of Basile, its largest win since 2023. Now the Eagles will try for 4-0 when they welcome in Oberlin (0-3) on Thursday.
Pickering (1-2) is licking its wounds after a 55-0 loss to Delcambre, its worst defeat since 2023. The Red Devils will attempt a bounce back when they travel to Merryville (2-1).
LEESVILLE
The offense will get plenty of shine in a 46-36 win over Tioga, which they certainly deserve.
But give the defense a nod as well. They allowed just one Tioga touchdown with three early Leesville turnovers, and the game was tied 7-7 instead of Tioga having a multiple touchdown lead.
Yes the Indians led 14-7 at half and tried to claw their back after Leesville scored 25 straight points to lead 32-7.
If the Wampus Cats defense survived Tioga’s explosive offense, then Pineville shouldn’t pose as much of a problem right?
Well, it’s not that easy.
Pineville got crushed by Opelousas (49-0) and Tioga (52-21) before nearly knocking off a 3-0 Sulphur squad (45-42),
Pineville’s point total has increased each week, so the Rebels might have ironed out some details.
But Leesville keeping Tioga at bay in spite of its poor offensive start bodes well.
Then again, Leesville was feeling better about itself before a 28-21 loss to Pineville this past season, too.
What shouldn’t be a question is that Pineville, playing in a super competitive District 2-5A, is running out of chances for wins and playoff positioning.
They’ll come out with the desperation of a team facing those circumstances.
ROSEPINE
Rosepine is looking for its first 4-0 start since 2021 when a winless Oberlin bunch visits Thursday.
The Eagles have blasted opponents this season by an average of 27 points, including two programs that are regular playoff participants (Montgomery and Grand Lake).
Oberlin has been on the other end this season, fighting more amongst themselves than battling opponents.
Head coach Robert Etheridge and assistant coach Jaden Brasseaux were cited with simple battery after an altercation in the locker room at halftime of a 32-6 game against Centreville. The second half of Oberlin’s Homecoming game was cancelled.
Oberlin named Corey Holmes as acting head coach this week.
All of this happening on a short week against a Rosepine team that’s been rolling.
With the way things are going, Vinton in Week 8 may just be the only team standing in the way of a Rosepine perfect regular season.
PICKERING
Pickering suffered its worst defeat since 2023 in the 55-0 loss to Delcambre, and the Devils will attempt to get right with a trip to Merryville (2-1).
That 2023 loss was in the midst of the 30-game losing streak, but the Red Devils aren’t going back to that territory.
While Delcambre and Montgomery were admittedly a cut above where Pickering currently is as a program, Merryville should provide a pretty accurate assessment of how far Pickering has come.
Both have wins against Pine Prairie. Pickering blanked them 47-0 in the opening week while Merryville holds a 53-6 victory.
Merryville then beat Northwood-Lena, 39-8 for a two-game winning streak.
The Panthers have already tied their two-win total from 2025, which included a 30-28 victory against Pickering.