Fontainebleau (4-3, 2-3) is in the recovery mode this week as the Bulldogs try to put aside last week’s lopsided 44-7 home loss to the Slidell Tigers. Ponchatoula (3-4, 1-4) fell to the St. Paul’s Wolves, 42-28, on the road.

Fontainebleau won last year’s contest, 19-7.

FHS was unable to stop Slidell’s athletic senior quarterback Blake Forbis in last week’s loss as he passed for 238 yards and four touchdowns.

FHS running back Vinnie Tonagel makes a move against Slidell defenders in last week'€™s district game played at the Dawg Pound. Fontainebleau travels to Ponchatoula tonight to battle the Green Wave. (File Photo by James Gray)

FHS head coach Gregg Hudson said at Monday’s practice he had someone crush the Slidell game videotape with a sledgehammer. That was Hudson’s way of trying to put the disappointing loss behind them.

“Our players responded well, and we had one of our best Monday practices,” he said.

This week the Bulldog defense will have to gear up to stop Ponchatoula’s junior fullback Joseph Green, the Green Wave’s top ball carrier. In last week’s loss to St. Paul’s, Green bulled his way for 210 yards on 27 carries.

“It all starts with him (Green),” Hudson said. “That is who they want to get the ball to, and there is no secret about that. Ponchatoula put up 28 points last week against a pretty good St. Paul’s defense. They proved they can move the football.”

Hudson said Ponchatoula is in the same position as his club, fighting for a potential playoff berth with only two district games left.

Junior linebacker Kris Rice leads the Bulldogs’ defense with 51 tackles, 34 solos and 17 assists with one sack. He has caused three fumbles and has a fumble recovery. He also has two interceptions.

Junior Thomas Babin comes in with 39 individual tackles, four assists, two sacks and an interception. He topped the Bulldogs last week with nine unassisted tackles and one assist. He contributed a sack and caused a fumble. Junior Jeremy Fos tops the Bulldogs with three interceptions after picking off one last week. The Bulldogs’ defensive line is led by senior end Gerald Gruenig, who has registered 13 sacks. Gruenig has also recorded 27 primary tackles with eight assists. He has caused a fumble and also recovered one. Senior tackle Darrell Brown is second on the club with nine sacks. He has 26 solo stops and eight assists. Brown was in on seven tackles last week.

Ponchatoula coach Mike Baiamonte said his offensive line would have to control the Bulldogs’ aggressive defensive line.

“They are physical and are quick off the ball. It will be a physical challenge for us,” Baiamonte said.

He said his team would have to be prepared to stop Fontainebleau’s Wing-T offense.

“Fontainebleau is a run oriented team just like we are,” he said. “In theory, it should be a low scoring game. I doubt that there will be too many passes thrown.”

“We have to make sure that we play solid assignment football. We have to stop them from popping big plays,” Baiamonte added.

Baiamonte said offensively his club would have to move the ball on the ground to control the game.