Lafayette hasn't had much luck against Barbe recently, but that could start to change on Friday. The Lions will be playing in front of their home fans against the Buccaneers at 7:00 p.m. Lafayette has given up an average of 30.1 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Lafayette is headed into the game out to prove that what happened against Acadiana on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. The Lions came up short against the Rams, falling 42-21. While losing is never fun, the Lions can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Louisiana football rankings (they are ranked 86th, while the Rams are ranked 33rd).
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Barbe, who bounced back after a loss on the road last Friday. They took their matchup on Friday with ease, bagging a 49-0 victory over New Iberia. The win was some much needed relief for the Buccaneers as it spelled an end to their three-game losing streak.
Lafayette better focus on containing Jelandon Gray and Landon Kirklin as the pair were huge in Barbe's win. Gray threw for 225 yards and four TDs on only 13 passes, while Kirklin rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown on only ten carries. Those 114 rushing yards gave Kirklin a new career-high.
Barbe didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited New Iberia to a completion percentage of just 45.5%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from two players: Terrius Lemons and Dedrick Tillman, who each logged one passes deflected. Barbe hasn't an opponent to post a completion percentage of 0.44 or higher in three consecutive contests.
Barbe's defense didn't let Peyton Landry, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for four sacks. That dominant display was truly a team effort as four different players picked up one apiece. Barbe got some further help from Bo Armstrong: he picked up a sack and made seven total tackles (4.0 for loss).
Lafayette's defeat dropped their record down to 4-3. As for Barbe, their victory was their first in the district, bumping their district record up to 1-3 and their overall record up to 2-5.
Lafayette couldn't quite get it done against Barbe in their previous meeting back in October of 2024 as they fell 38-28. Will the Lions have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check MaxPreps after the action for a full breakdown of the game and more football content.
