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FOOTBALL PREVIEW AUGUST 24, 2017

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Larose native and South Lafourche High School graduate Ed Orgeron gets his second chance as an SEC head coach as he takes charge of the LSU football program.

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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COV E R S T O RY

Ed Orgeron is ready for the challenges of leading the LSU football program By Brent St. Germain Sports Editor

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hen he entered the coaching profession, Ed “BaBa” Orgeron dreamed that one day he would patrol the sidelines of Tiger Stadium as LSU’s head football coach. Starting as a graduate assistant at his alma mater Northwestern State in 1984, Orgeron never lost sight of that dream during a 33-year coaching career filled with many ups and downs. After numerous coaching stops, including stints at USC, Miami, Fla., Syracuse and an unsuccessful three-year tenure as the head coach at Ole Miss, Orgeron was still waiting for that longtime dream to become a reality. Orgeron had a chance to live his dream temporarily after he replaced Les Miles as LSU’s coach on Sept. 25, 2016, on an interim basis. After posting a 5-2 mark, Orgeron convinced LSU officials that he was the right man for the job. Nearly nine weeks after being name the interim coach, he was named LSU’s permanent head coach. For the 56-yer-old Larose native and 1979 graduate of South Lafourche High School, it was a dream come true. “It’s an honor and something I always dreamed about,” Orgeron said. “I worked hard throughout my career to get to this point, but I know God had a big hand in it. I believe He wanted me to come back here to lead LSU, and I feel very close to the people of Louisiana.” Orgeron said he understands the challenges of coaching one of college football’s premier programs, but it is something he is ready for. “I realize that it is a position as head coach, and it’s just more than Ed Orgeron,” he said. “It is a very prestigious position I have been put in with a tremendous amount of responsibility that I am ready for.” Getting a second chance Looking back at his coaching career, Orgeron may have

Thursday, August 24, 2017

“He’s the same 24-7. He probably sleeps screaming. He’s the same all day. There’s never a day when he’s having a bad day.” Derrius Guice, Tigers’ junior running back

what to do and what not to do as a coach,” he said. “Looking back at USC, I always thought I should have been the head coach, but what was one of the worst days in my life turned out to be the best. I do believe that God brought me home to be with my family and to be the head coach at LSU. It has been a tremendous ride.” LSU players are behind ‘Coach O’ LSU coach Ed Orgeron encourages players during a recent fall football practice in Baton Rouge. [CHRIS PARENT/LSU ATHLETICS]

to prove some of his critics wrong. As an assistant coach, Orgeron has been one of the best in the country and was part of national championship teams at Miami and USC. He also earned a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the country and was named National Recruiter of the Year in 2004. But Orgeron would not have been able to reach the top of the college football coaching mountain without being given a second chance. Starting in 1991, Orgeron’s coaching career appeared to be in jeopardy after some of-thefield incidents led to him taking a leave of absence from Miami. After taking a year off from coaching and spending time with his parents, Edward “BaBa” Sr. and Cornelia “CoCo” Orgeron, in Larose, Orgeron got back into coaching at Nicholls State University. One year later, he was heading to Syracuse and eventually USC, where his career took off. Orgeron said he would not be where he is today without

the support of two of coaching mentors – former Miami coach Jimmie Johnson and former USC coach Pete Carroll. “Obviously the big hitters in my life have been Jimmie Johnson and Pete Carroll,” Orgeron said. “I stay close to those guys, and when I need to talk to them, they have always been there for me. The things we are doing today are from Jimmie Johnson and Pete Carroll.” After resurrecting his career, Orgeron got his first chance to become a head coach when he took over the Ole Miss program. Orgeron’s tenure, however, was a rocky one, as he was fired after posting a 10-25 overall and 3-21 in the SEC in three seasons. Orgeron returned to the assistant coaching ranks, spending one season each with the New Orleans Saints and at the University of Tennessee before returning to USC for the 2010 season with then head coach Lane Kiffin. In 2013, Orgeron got a second chance to become a head coach

when he was named USC’s interim coach after the Trojans struggled to a 3-2 start. Orgeron guided the Trojans to a 6-2 record and appeared to be in line for the permanent job, but school officials decided to hire University of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian – who also coached under Carroll. After being passed over, Orgeron resigned before the USC’s Las Vegas Bowl game against Fresno State. After one year away from the game, Orgeron joined Miles’ staff at LSU and eventually replaced him when the team struggled out of the gate to start the 2016 season. Heading into the 2017 season, Orgeron has a career record of 22-29. Orgeron said all of the coaching stops, obstacles and disappointments along the way were all part of the journey that led him to becoming LSU’s 33rd head football coach. “I always felt that if I went out to Miami, Syracuse, USC and even Ole Miss that it would be a springboard and teach me

While Orgeron has had his share of critics since being named LSU’s head football coach, many of the players who don or who have donned the Tigers’ traditional purple and gold uniform have supported him. Although Orgeron is different from most coaches he has been around, senior quarterback Danny Etling said he loves the intensity and passion that the coach brings to the team. “Coach O has been great,” Etling said during the recent Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. “He’s just so high energy. He’s a great player’s coach. He’s been great to the players and he’s so involved with the team.” Junior running back and Heisman Trophy hopeful Derrius Guice said Orgeron’s intensity on the practice field is driving the team to improve for the upcoming season. “I feel like he is never tired,” Guice said at last month’s SEC Media Days in Hoover, Ala. “He’s the same 24-7. He probably sleeps screaming. SEE ORGERON, PAGE 21

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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C E N T R A L L A F O U R C H E T R O JA N S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Keith Menard Class 5A District 7-5A 2016 overall record: 4-6 District Menard record: 0-6 Years as head coach: 5 Record at school: 18-23 Overall record: 153-148 Last time in playoffs: 2015 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at E.D. White Catholic Sept. 8: Carver Sept. 15: South Lafourche Sept. 22: at East St. John* Sept. 29: at Ellender Oct. 6: H.L. Bourgeois* Oct. 13: Destrehan* Oct. 20: Terrebonne* Oct. 27: at Hahnville* Nov. 3: Thibodaux* *District 7-5A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. Patterson, 22-12; def. Vandebilt Catholic, 42-35; def. South Terrebonne, 20-0; def. South Lafourche, 41-34; lost to H.L. Bourgeois, 42-35; lost to Thibodaux, 56-7; lost to Destrehan, 49-21; lost to Hahnville, 49-24; lost to Terrebonne, 27-23; lost to East St. John, 48-29. K E Y P L AY E R S

WR David Robinson Jr. (Sr.), OT Jonathan MacCurtrie (Sr.), C Hobie Gregoire (Sr.), OT Justin Meier (Sr.), QB Jacob Barker (Jr.), FS Raquan Samuels (Jr.), SS Kelvin Sepulveda (Sr.), WR Thomas Loupe (Sr.).

Trojans seeking to reload with many new starters By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

entral Lafourche football fans will notice many new players in key positions on the field this season. The Trojans will have 10 new starters on defense along with five new starters on offense. Central Lafourche coach Keith Menard said the Trojans will rely on many underclassmen to fill some important spots on their depth chart after losing a large senior class last year. “We’ve got to try to find a way to grow up fast, especially defensively,” Menard said. “We have to find a way to get it going around the scrimmage and jamboree time and see where we are going to be execution wise on both sides of the football.” The Trojans (4-6 overall last year) missed the playoffs after starting the season at 4-0. They ended the year with six straight losses — all in District 7-5A play. Menard said Central Lafourche wanted to improve all areas of their game this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Trojans gave up 35.2 points per game last season and their opponents scored 30 or more points in seven games. Central Lafourche will feature a 3-3 stack defensive front. Menard said the Trojans focused on improving fundamentals and conditioning. “Our focal point as a staff has been to really focus on defense and how could we get better defensively,” Menard said. “We had a lot of guys that played hard, but I think we were outmatched a little bit. In our district, there are a lot of guys that can run. I don’t think we

Key players for the Central Lafourche Trojans this season are junior defensive back Raquan Samuels (16), junior quarterback Jacob Barker (10), senior offensive lineman Jonathan MacCurtrie (75) and senior receiver David Robinson Jr. (5). [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

were as fast as we needed to be, so we really worked hard on just trying to improve our speed. We just have to find a way to tackle better, get some turnovers and do some things that we did a couple of years ago when we did make the playoffs.” Central Lafourche junior free safety Raquan Samuels will be the only returning starter on defense from last season. The Trojans have five sophomores and four juniors listed as new starters this year. Samuels said the Trojans’ defense has been a work-inprogress throughout fall camp. “We got a lot of younger guys coming up. They are learning real quick,” Samuels said. “We’re staying on them about just doing their part on defense. If somebody gets hurt or goes down, then they will have to step up and be the man. We are also focusing more on run support so we don’t give up as much yardage as we did last year.” The Trojans will also have to step up on offense, which lost some explosive weapons in quarterback Jake Allemand (Nicholls State University baseball signee), running back Nelton Allen, receiver Gage Bourg and

others to graduation last year. Central Lafourche’s offense, which will operate in a oneback pro style system, suffered a huge setback when senior receiver Kenneth Poindexter injured his knee while playing basketball earlier this month. Menard said Poindexter, who caught 38 passes for 561 yards and six touchdowns as a junior, will miss the football season and possibly the basketball season with an ACL injury, which required surgery. Poindexter (6-foot-4) was a major receiving threat alongside 6-3 teammate David Robinson Jr., who led the local area with 826 receiving yards, 54 catches and nine touchdowns last season. Menard said the Trojans will have to find ways to replace Poindexter’s production. “We’re going to miss him out there,” Menard said. “It’s really going to be a big task for us. It forces you to really find other guys to step up and make plays and find other ways you can move the ball offensively. We’re going to have to be a little more innovative probably and try to get other people the football and realizing that teams are going to key on David (Robinson).”

Robinson, a Nicholls football commitment, said it was tough to watch his childhood friend in Poindexter go down with a season-ending injury, but he believes the Trojans will be motivated to play for him on the field this season. “Everybody has to step up and put in the effort and readjust,” Robinson said. “A lot of guys will have to go both ways now. We just have to be ready and be the best we can be even though we may be down on the depth chart. You just never know. You might be the next one.” Central Lafourche’s offensive line will return three starters in senior offensive tackles Jonathan MacCurtrie and Justin Meier and senior center Hobie Gregoire. MacCurtrie said the Trojans are working to duplicate the success of last year’s offense, which averaged 26.4 points per game. “We really put time in the weight room as much as possible,” MacCurtrie said. “We kept our heads in our playbooks. We’re ready. Hopefully we’ll be close to last year, but we’re going to try our best.” See TROJANS, PAGE 43

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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H . L . B O U R G E O I S B R AV E S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Carey Melvin Class 5A District 7-5A 2016 overall record: 4-7 District Melvin record: 2-4 Years as head coach: 3 Record at school: 9-12 Overall record: 9-12 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at South Terrebonne Sept. 8: Vandebilt Catholic Sept. 15: at Ellender Sept. 22: Thibodaux* Sept. 29: at East St. John* Oct. 6: at Central Lafourche* Oct. 13: at Lakeshore Oct. 20: Destrehan* Oct. 27: Terrebonne* Nov. 3: at Hahnville* *District 7-5A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. South Terrebonne, 28-6; def. Ellender, 28-18; def. South Plaquemines, 30-6; def. East St. John, 34-21; lost to Central Lafourche, 14-7; def. Westgate 29-0; lost to Thibodaux, 49-25; lost to Destrehan, 56-12; lost to Hahnville, 49-7; lost to Terrebonne, 14-13. Class 5A playoffs: lost to West Monroe, 48-14 (ﬁrst round). K E Y P L AY E R S

QB Connor Verdin (5-8, 152, Jr.), WR Anthony Rainey Jr. (5-10, 145, Sr.), RB Terrell Barrow (5-6, 153, Sr.), WR Alek Domangue (6-1, 153, Sr.), DB Koby Starks (5-10, 160, Jr.), DL Lekelan Bougere (6-3, 232, Jr.), DB Richaud Batiste (5-11, 170, Sr.)

In Year 3 under Melvin, Braves find their comfort zone By Kelly McElroy Staff Writer

n Year 3 of Carey Melvin’s tenure as head football coach at H.L. Bourgeois High School, the comfort level around the Reservation is high. The Braves players say they better know what to expect from Melvin, and Melvin said he better knows what to expect from his players. H.L. Bourgeois went 4-7 overall and made the playoffs last season for the first time in a decade and fell at West Monroe in the first round. “We lost a pretty good senior class, but we also had a good spring and a good summer,” Melvin said. “There were a lot of new guys and a lot of positives. The program is truly our program now. We had these seniors when they were sophomores. They understand our expectations of them and what it takes to work in the weight room and how practice should operate. We are starting to see the fruits of our labor.” Junior Connor Verdin has taken over the full-time starting quarterback role this season after seeing some action last year. “(Melvin) has become more comfortable around us and we have become more comfortable around him,” Verdin said. “It’s made it easy for us to learn everything and has made it easy for us to bond with him and our teammates.” Melvin said Verdin has embraced his role as the quarterback and as a team leader. “Connor is a leader,” Melvin said. “He is a competitor. He is a tough kid. He took a lot of licks last year as a sophomore. He has taken great command of

Some of the players expected to lead the H.L. Bourgeois football team this season include (from left) junior defensive lineman Lekelan Bougere, junior quarterback Connor Verdin, junior linebacker/safety Trevonte Walker and senior running back Terrell Barrow. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

the position and worked with the receivers over the summer. He has really commanded that position.” The Braves offense will get a boost from a pair of standout basketball players making their varsity football debut in senior wide receiver Anthony Rainey Jr. and senior running back Terrell Barrow. Both are key contributors on a Braves basketball team that has finished at or near the top of District 7-5A in recent years and has gone on deep postseason runs. “I feel like I can help out a lot,” Barrow said. “We can help bring that winning mentality. We want to have a better season than last year.” Verdin, who said the Braves offensive line has come

together and improved tremendously over the summer and in fall camp and is looking strong, said Barrow and Rainey have been a welcomed addition to the team. “They are used to winning,” Verdin said. “They can bring that winning mentality to us and they just have that toughness. They are not used to losing so they are always going to go down with a fight. We have a lot of great playmakers on offense who are going to take us a long way.” The Braves also return senior wide receiver Alek Domangue, and Melvin said the receivers as a whole could lead the offense. Players like junior safety/ linebacker Trevante Walker, junior defensive back Koby Starks, senior defense Richaud

Batiste and junior defensive end Lekelan Bougere will lead the defense. Melvin said the secondary could be the strength of the defense. “Coach has been on us about everything and it has been a lot of hard work,” Walker said. “He is getting us tougher mentally. We just have to make those key stops by just getting our eyes right. We just need to focus and keep working hard like we have been doing and I think we will be on the right track.” Bougere said he is confident the defense will make plays when it needs to. “Our defense is looking nice,” Bougere said. “It’s all about hard work and dedication See BRAVES, PAGE 45

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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TERREBONNE TIGERS AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Gary Hill Class 5A District 7-5A 2016 overall record: 4-7 District record: Hill 1-5 Years as head coach: 10 Record at school: 51-52 Overall record: 51-52 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: Ellender Sept. 8: at South Terrebonne Sept. 15: Assumption Sept. 22: at Patterson Sept. 29: at Hahnville* Oct. 5: Thibodaux* Oct. 13: East St. John* Oct. 20: at Central Lafourche* Oct. 27: at H.L. Bourgeois* Nov. 3: Destrehan* *District 7-5A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. Ellender, 48-19; def. South Terrebonne, 38-6; def. Assumption, 20-21; lost to Thibodaux, 34-23; lost to Destrehan, 44-17; lost to Hahnville, 48-0; lost to Lakeshore, 47-45; lost to East St. John, 40-37; def. Central Lafourche, 27-23; lost to H.L. Bourgeois, 44-37. Class 5A playoffs: lost to Destrehan, 47-7 (ﬁrst round). K E Y P L AY E R S

QB KeShawn James (5-8, 158, Jr.), WR Brennon Guidry (5-6, 160, Sr.), OLB Jace Gatlin (5-11, 185, Sr.), DE/OLB Demarques Williams (5-10, 155, Sr.), OL Tyrese Burton (5-11, 257, Sr.), DL/OL Tyler Nettleton (6-1, 225, Sr.), RB Chaz Ward (5-10, 175, Jr.), K Mauro Ramirez (5-11, 160, Sr.).

Tigers want more than a taste of playoffs in 2017 By Brent St. Germain Sports Editor

he Terrebonne Tigers got a taste of the Class 5A playoffs last season. After finishing the regular season with a 4-6 record, the Tigers ended a two-year postseason drought by securing the No. 32 seed in the Class 5A playoffs. But Terrebonne’s postseason stay was a short one after falling to top-seed and District 7-5A foe Destrehan, 47-7, in the first round. Heading into the 2017, the Tigers want more than a taste of the state playoffs. “Our kids are hungry to get back to the playoffs and enjoyed that little taste last season,” Terrebonne coach Gary Hill said. “They are hungry to get back and go deeper in the playoffs.” In the past 10 seasons, Terrebonne has made five playoff appearances, including three straight from 2008-10, but it has advanced past the first round only once in the 2010 season. Senior defensive lineman Tyler Nettleton said the Tigers are determined to reserve that trend this season. “Last year, we snuck in at 32, but this year, we are hoping to at least get a home game,” Nettleton said. “We want to play a home playoff game in front of our fans.” To make a deep playoff run, senior outside linebacker Jace Gatlin said the team understands it will start by securing a Top 16 seed and a first-round game in the Class 5A playoffs. “We don’t want to just get into the playoffs,” Gatlin said. “We want to get a good position and win a lot of games in

Terrebonne will be counting on the senior leadership of defensive end/outside linebacker Demarques Williams (10), offensive lineman Tyrese Burton (75), defensive lineman/offensive lineman Tyler Nettleton (43) and outside linebacker Jace Gatlin (44) this season. [BRENT ST. GERMAIN/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

the regular season to put us in a position to really do some damage in the playoffs.” With only 15 seniors, Hill said the Tigers will be counting on many younger players to accomplish that goal. Although players are young, they received valuable playing experience last season. Hill said Terrebonne’s success will come down to play of their experienced skill players – junior quarterback KeShawn James and senior wide receiver Brennon Guidry. “KeShawn handled the adversity of moving back to quarterback, and Brennon had a great summer leading the younger kids,” Hill said. “Both kids are the type of players that do what is needed to help the team. It’s good to have those kids around leading the younger kids.” Terrebonne will be leaning heavily on the play of James, who is making the move to fulltime quarterback this season. James played mostly running back and some quarterback for Terrebonne last season, leading

the area with 1,039 yards on the ground and scored six touchdowns and added 378 yards passing and six more scores. James said he is doing whatever it takes to become a more effective and well-rounded quarterback. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to help the team win,” James said. “I spent a lot of time over the summer working on improving my throwing. Over the summer, I spent a lot of time in my backyard throwing a football against a shed.” Hill said he has a lot of confidence in James because he is the type of player that can make something happen with the ball in his hands. “What’s good about having a player like KeShawn back there is that if something doesn’t go quite right he does have the ability to make something happen with his feet,” Hill said. “He can throw it, take off with his feet and help open up the running game. It is good to have him touching the ball every play.” Defensively, the Tigers

return several key players that saw significant playing time last season, including Gatlin, Nettleton and senior outside linebacker Demarques Williams. But Hill said Terrebonne’s defense will have some growing to do during the season with several players with limited experience. “Having that youth is always good because we look and say ‘they are coming back next year,’ ” Hill sad. “It gives us the ability to kind of work into a two-year plan, but at the same time, we want to make a lot of positive things happen for us now so they can ride that momentum.” Williams said he is ready to assume the role as one of the defensive leaders on the team. “I’ve been looking forward to this season for a long time,” he said. “I can’t wait to take the field and become one of the leaders on the team. I’m ready to start the season.” To accomplish their goals, Hill said the Tigers need to See TERREBONNE, PAGE 37

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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T H I B O D AU X T I G E R S AT A G L A N C E

Head Coach: Chris Dugas Class 5A District 7-5A 2016 overall record: 6-5 District record: Dugas 4-2 Years as head coach: 7 Record at school: 34-30 Overall record: 34-30 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: Vandebilt Catholic Sept. 8: at South Lafourche Sept. 15: at East Ascension Sept. 22: at H.L. Bourgeois* Sept. 29: Destrehan* Oct. 5: at Terrebonne* Oct. 13: Hahnville* Oct. 20: West St. Mary Oct. 27: East St. John* Nov. 3: at Central Lafourche* *District 7-5A game 2016 REVIEW

Lost to St. Charles Catholic, 27-19; def. East Ascension, 45-24; def. South Lafourche, 26-17; def. Terrebonne, 34-23; def. East St. John, 38-28; def. Central Lafourche, 56-7; def. H.L. Bourgeois, 47-21; lost to St. Augustine, 38-20; lost to Destrehan, 48-33; lost to Hahnville, 44-27. Class 5A playoffs: lost to Mandeville, 42-0 (ﬁrst-round). K E Y P L AY E R S

OL Collin Torres (6-0, 245, Sr.), RB Tanner Guillot (6-0, 195, Sr.), RB Saharold Holmes (5-9, 150, Sr.), WR Kevon Williams (5-10, 150), QB/LB DaMarcus Mitchell (6-2, 215, Sr.), DT Darius Richard (6-1, 260, Sr.), LB Derrick Sullivan (5-8, 195, Sr.), DE Tyler Holmes (6-2, 260, Sr.) and LB Hunter Trosclair (5-9, 185, Soph.).

Thibodaux looks to rebound, stay healthy By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

or the Thibodaux Tigers, the 2016 football season didn’t end the way they hoped it would. The Tigers started the regular season on fire with a 6-1 record, but injuries down the stretch caused them to lose their final three regular season games. Thibodaux ended the season with a 42-0 loss to Mandeville in the first-round of the Class 5A playoffs. The injury bug hit the Tigers hard in the second half of the season. Many key starters missed the playoff game against Mandeville with injuries, including former Thibodaux standout athlete Amik Robertson, who is now a freshman defensive back at Louisiana Tech University. Thibodaux head coach Chris Dugas said they ran out of healthy bodies late in the season last year. “When we played Mandeville in the first-round, we had three original starters out of 11 left,” Dugas said. “Our entire defensive line was decimated. One of the things we preached this summer is weights and conditioning. We hope to stay healthy and not have the same things that happened to us last year happen again. It was unfortunate because I thought we had a team last year that could’ve made it to the Dome.” After watching his team compete during spring ball and summer workouts, Dugas said he believes the Tigers have a good chance to bounce back this season. “I like what we’ve done so far. I like what we saw in the spring,” Dugas said. “Summer has been great. I think this has

Key senior leaders for Thibodaux this season are quarterback DaMarcus Mitchell (1), running back Saharold Holmes (5), linebacker Derrick Sullivan (15), receiver Kevon Williams (11) and defensive tackle Darius Richard (50). [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

been the best summer weight and conditioning wise that we’ve ever had.” The Tigers return nine starters (five on defense, four on offense) from last season’s team, but they believe the new contributors will be ready to step in. “They are counting us out, but what they don’t know is that we have a lot of people who didn’t get their chance yet,” said Thibodaux senior linebacker Derrick Sullivan, who led the team in tackles last year. “We have a lot of people who have been waiting in the wings waiting for an opportunity. We’re ready to go.” Dugas said it is hard to replace a player like Robertson, who contributed to the Tigers on offense, defense and special teams last season. But they will try their best with several players such as

Thibodaux senior running backs Saharold Holmes and Tanner Guillot, senior receiver Kevon Williams, senior defensive back Davion Ayro and sophomore defensive backs Tyren Young and Rimond Thompson stepping in. “We’re going to count on a multitude of guys to take on those roles this year,” Dugas said. “We’re going to have some guys who are going to be in some two-way roles in the secondary. We lost three firstteam all-district performers in the secondary (Robertson, Tyler Brown and Seth Boudreaux). When you lose three guys like that in the secondary, it’s tough to replace, but we’re going to require a several different guys to step up.” While the secondary gains experience, the Tigers will count on their defensive line and linebacker units to lead

the charge on multiple formation defense this season. “We’re excited about those guys. We like our linebacking core and our defensive line,” Dugas said. “Our front seven is going to be pretty solid. We’re just going to have to play some two-way duty in the secondary. We like the athletes we have. We don’t have a whole bunch of them, but the guys who are there worked their tails off all summer to improve. They’ve gotten a lot stronger and faster, so we’re just hoping it translates to the field come Sept. 1 against Vandebilt.” Senior defensive end Tyler Holmes and senior defensive tackle Darius Richard are key returners on the defensive line, while Sullivan, senior Jai Arcement and sophomore Hunter Trosclair lead the linebackers. See THIBODAUX, PAGE 37

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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A S S U M P T I O N M U STA N G S AT A G L A N C E

Head Coach: Anthony Paine Class 4A District 7-4A 2016 overall record: 7-5 District record: Paine 5-0 Years as head coach: 6 Record at school: 29-26 Overall record: 29-26 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at Donaldsonville Sept. 8: Patterson Sept. 15: at Terrebonne Sept. 22: at E.D. White Catholic* Sept. 29: South Terrebonne* Oct. 6: at South Lafourche* Oct. 13: Ellender* Oct. 20: at Vandebilt Catholic* Oct. 27: Isidore Newman Nov. 3: Morgan City* *District 7-4A game 2016 REVIEW

Lost to Donaldsonville, 30-27; lost to St. Martinville, 13-8; lost to Terrebonne, 30-21; def. Lakeshore, 34-17; lost to Walker, 62-16; def. Ellender, 44-40; def. South Terrebonne, 15-14; def. Vandebilt Catholic, 27-26; def. South Lafourche, 30-14; def. Morgan City, 58-0. Class 4A playoffs: def. Carver, 21-0 (ﬁrst round); lost to Neville, 24-0 (second-round). K E Y P L AY E R S

QB Tajh Parker (5-10, 175, Jr.), RB ZyShawn Richard (6-1, 210, Sr.), RB Ernest Adams (5-10, 180, Sr.), SE Brad Hill Jr. (5-9, 175, Sr.), TE Troy Jones (5-10, 210, Sr.), OG Tyreke Lemon (6-0, 240, Sr.), DE Rasheed Gore (6-2, 295, Sr.); LB Resmond Smith (6-0, 200, Jr.), LB Jarrius Tassin (5-9, 205, Jr.), DB Shawn Hall Jr. (6-0, 180, Jr.), LB Hayes Domingue (5-11, 210, Sr.).

Mustangs look to build on recent winning ways By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

he Assumption Mustangs have raised the bar high with their play on the football field over the last two seasons. In the last two years, the Mustangs have a 17-7 overall record, two straight District 7-4A titles with a perfect 10-0 league record and two Class 4A first-round playoff game wins. Assumption head football coach Anthony Paine said the winning ways have raised the expectations of everyone in the program. “We have expectations as a program now,” Paine said. “We expect to be in the playoffs. We expect to compete for the district title. Those are the things that we as a program expect to happen, so it adds a little extra motivation. It adds another level for us to push these kids and try to get them to reach their potential.” With a large number of starters returning from last year’s team, Paine said he expects another great year of Mustangs football. “We feel like we’ve got a talented team, but at the same time, you can be very talented, but you’ve got to be coached up and you’ve got to know your job in order to execute what needs to be done,” Paine said. “We should have a good year as long as we stay healthy and continue to work towards executing our schemes on both sides of the ball.” Assumption’s players are also confident in the team’s chances. In fact, many Mustangs feel they have the team in place to compete for the school’s first state championship since 1964.

Key players for Assumption include senior split end Brad Hill Jr. (from left), senior running back Ernest Adams, junior quarterback Tajh Parker, senior defensive tackle Cornell Adams and senior offensive lineman Tyreke Lemon. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

“We are going to win it all,” Assumption senior offensive guard Tyreke Lemon said. “I feel like our offense is going to dominate every game and we’re going to go to the Dome. We want to win a championship. We just don’t want a district championship. We want the whole thing.” Assumption senior defensive tackle Cornell Adams shared the same mindset as Lemon. “We want to be at the top," Adams said. "We want to win district championship and get to the Dome. It’s been awhile since it has happened. We want to do it. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and a lot of stepping up on both sides of the ball.” Paine said the Mustangs got off to a good start with their work over the summer and fall camp. “It’s been going well. We had a real good camp,” Paine said. “As coaches, I think we’re comfortable with where we are in our progression of scheme installation. We just need to push the kids and start focusing on the little things so they don’t turn into big things later on down the line.”

Despite losing former running back Melvin Young to graduation, Assumption’s spread offense will be led by a talented group of returning players, including Lemon, junior quarterback Tajh Parker, senior running backs Ernest Adams and ZyShawn Richard (who missed junior year with knee injury) and split end Brad Hill Jr. Adams was one of the area’s leading rushers with 843 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, while Parker threw for 643 yards and three scores. Paine said the Mustangs are looking to spread the ball around to many of their offensive playmakers. “In this system, some of those guys are going to have to move from running back to receiver and just play multiple positions,” Paine said. “It increases the load on those kids in terms of what they have to know. They have to know the entire system in and out. We’re looking to utilize and get the ball to those guys in space and create mismatches.” Adams said he is very excited to see what the Mustangs offense will do this year.

“I know we’ve got a big year ahead of us. We’re just looking forward to it,” Adams said. “We don’t talk too much. We just let our hammer talk like coach said. Right now, we are just focused on getting everything ready. We’re just focused on the little mistakes and being a brotherhood and holding each other up.” Assumption’s multiple defensive front will also return the majority of its players from last year, including Adams, senior end Rasheed Gore and senior linebacker Hayes Domangue. “Defensively, it’s the third year in the same system, so we have high expectations for them as well,” Paine said. Adams said the Mustangs will have more confidence and leadership as a team this year. “We learned a lot. We have a lot of returning starters,” Adams said. “We didn’t really lose too much. We know our defense. We expect a lot of people to step up this year.” Paine said Assumption will play another tough schedule this year. After winning the District 7-4A two years in a row, he knows the other district teams will be gunning for them. “That’s another source of motivation,” Paine said. “We had a target on our back last year. Now it’s nothing new to us. We expect a target on our back this year. When you have success, people want a piece of you. We’ve come to expect that.” And Adams said he believes the pieces are in place for another successful season. “We’re going all the way,” Adams said. “We have a lot of talent. It’s going to take a lot of effort, hard work and dedication. We’re just picking up everything a little bit at time. We’re just ahead of our game. As the season comes, you’re going to see how we’re progressing.”

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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E . D . W H I T E C AT H O L I C C A R D I N A L S AT A G L A N C E

Head Coach: Chris Bergeron Class 4A District 7-4A 2016 overall record: 4-8 District Bergeron record: 2-4 Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 19-17 Overall record: 19-17 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: Central Lafourche Sept. 8: Erath Sept. 15: at St. James Sept. 22: Assumption* Sept. 29: at Morgan City* Oct. 6: at Vermilion Catholic Oct. 13: South Terrebonne* Oct. 20: at South Lafourche* Oct. 27: Ellender* Nov. 3: at Vandebilt Catholic* *District 7-4A game 2016 REVIEW

Lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 41-7; lost to Lakeshore, 27-23; lost to St. James, 40-28; lost to Kaplan, 34-18; def. Franklin, 42-16; def. Thomas Jefferson, 59-0; lost to Patterson, 38-14; def. North Vermilion, 52-28; lost to Berwick, 42-35; lost to Erath, 40-28. Division II playoffs: def. Vandebilt Catholic, 24-17 (ﬁrst round); lost to St. Thomas More, 56-7 (quarterﬁnals) K E Y P L AY E R S

QB/DB/KR Brandon Legendre (junior), RB/LB Nik Shanklin (senior), OL/DL Josh Becnel (senior), OL/DL Hudson Domangue (senior), OL/LB Aaron Benﬁeld (junior), TE/LB Reed Boudreaux (senior), RB/ LB Collin DeSandro (senior), RB/DB Brady Theriot (senior).

Cardinals want to build more consistency as a team By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

.D. White Catholic football coach Chris Bergeron said there are many things his team will have to do to enjoy a winning season this year. But he made sure to stress the importance of one key thing the Cardinals will have to play with every week. “Consistency,” Bergeron said. “We have to stay consistent and play to the level we are capable of playing. Not turning the football over or not giving up the big play.” E.D. White is coming off a 4-8 season last year where it started 0-4 overall. The Cardinals won three of their last six regular season games, but they pulled off a thrilling 24-17 upset win over rival Vandebilt Catholic in the Division II state first-round playoffs. E.D. White’s season ended with a 56-7 loss to eventual Division II state champion St. Thomas More in the state quarterfinals. Heading into the 2017 season, Bergeron said there is plenty of excitement in Cardinal Country as they return nine starters on offense and five on defense. “We’re excited about the 2017 season. We’re trying to make another run in the playoffs,” Bergeron said. “We’re trying to get to the quarterfinals and beyond this year again. We have a lot of excitement. Last year it took us a little while to mature. We started pretty rough. We made some changes to some key positions and it kind of got us going a little bit in the right way.” E.D. White senior running back/linebacker Collin

Key senior players for E.D. White Catholic’s football team this season are (from left) offensive lineman Hudson Domangue, offensive lineman Josh Becnel, running back Nik Shanklin, linebacker Collin DeSandro, athlete Hunter Tabor and defensive back Brady Theriot. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

DeSandro said the Cardinals gained valuable experience from last year, including the blowout loss against St. Thomas More, a state power who has knocked E.D. White out the playoffs in the last two seasons. “I think we learned from those guys. They know how to play,” DeSandro said. “I think we want to play to their potential and their level, and I think we’re ready to do that.” The Cardinals are hoping to count on their Wing-T based offense to lead the charge this season. Key returners will include quarterback/ kick returner Brandon Legendre, senior running back Nik Shanklin and senior offensive linemen Hudson Domangue and Josh Becnel. “We lost a receiver and a running back, which is going to be big hits for us. We have guys who are ready to step into

that role and replace them,” Bergeron said. “Brandon at quarterback is going to be a big advantage for us. He’s a special player. Nik is another big back for us. He had a great spring and offseason. I think it’s going to be a really big compliment to see Nik along with Brandon and Michael Clement. They are all going to complement each other well. Our offensive line got all five players back so that will be key.” Shanklin said the Cardinals have put in a lot of work as a team this offseason, and he believes they have the weapons to win more games this season. “We’ve got a lot more talent,” Shanklin said. “We got in a lot more work in the offseason than we usually do. We have a lot of great things going on. We looked at last year as a learning experience and what we needed to do to get better.” Legendre, who also will lead

E.D. White’s special teams as a kick returner, said the Cardinals want to control the game both mentally and physically. If they do it, he believes the Cardinals will be in a position to compete for a District 7-4A title and make a run through the Division II state playoffs. “We’re going to bring intensity every single play and we’re going to work hard,” Legendre said. ”That’s our plan. We’re going to outwork our opponent. We want to go as far as we can this season and compete for a state championship.” Defensively, Bergeron said the Cardinals are still a work in progress after losing several key players, but he feels confident in the unit this season. They will operate out of a 4-2-5 defense. “Defensively last year we struggled a little bit,” Bergeron said. “Being young was not an excuse. We just have to have the guys do a better job. We just have to coach them up a little bit. We’re just going to have to be fundamentally sound. That was our goal in the spring, and I think we did that.” DeSandro, senior linebacker Reed Boudreaux and senior defensive back Brady Theriot and junior linebacker Aaron Benfield are several of the key leaders for the Cardinals on defense. “I think we have a great group of guys who come in every day and work their tails off to be the best we can be,” DeSandro said. “I think we’ll do fine. We want to fly to the football. We still have a lot to learn, but I think we can do it. We just want to come out with a lot of energy and play like we know how to play.” After years of being a Class 3A school, E.D. White moved up to the Class 4A ranks this season during the Louisiana High School Athletic See CARDINALS, PAGE 41

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

REALIGNMENT

Area football coaches react to district shakeups By Kelly McElroy Staff Writer

When the Louisiana High School Athletic Association reclassified schools for the 201718 and 2018-19 school years, the biggest change that took place when it came to the local high school football landscape involved E.D. White Catholic. The Cardinals moved out of Class 3A and up into the local Class 4A district. The league — District 7-4A — is now comprised of Assumption, E.D. White, Ellender, Morgan City, South Lafourche, South Terrebonne and Vandebilt Catholic. E.D. White coach Chris Bergeron said his team hasn’t made too much about the move. “We are just taking it in

stride. We can’t control where they put us and what district they put us in. That has always been my approach,” Bergeron said. “We’ve got to control the things we can control. If the LHSAA puts us in a district, then we’ve got to go play the teams we’re supposed to play. It’s just like the playoffs. We can’t control select/nonselect. We just play who they tell us to play. We just have to do a better job of controlling the things we can control this year and play more consistent ball throughout the season.” Bergeron did say the District 7-4A league may be a bit more competitive than the Cardinals old 3A district, which featured the Cardinals, Berwick, Kaplan, Erath, North Vermilion and Patterson.

“I think competition wise the district is a little better than we were in last year overall,” Bergeron said. “Not to say we didn’t have good teams in the 3A district. I just think top to bottom this district is more competitive.” Bergeron added that their longest road trip against a district opponent now is to South Lafourche in Galliano. “Our longest bus trip in this district would’ve been our shortest bus trip in the 3A district,” Bergeron said. “It’s going to be a different than traveling to Erath or Kaplan.” E.D. White will also be in the same district with its biggest rival — Vandebilt Catholic. The teams will now face off at the end of the regular season See DISTRICTS, PAGE 57

Vandebilt Catholic quarterback Andrew Robison (1) tries to break the tackle of E.D. White Catholic’s Aaron Benﬁeld (73) during last season’s Division II ﬁrst-round playoff game at Buddy Marcello Stadium in Houma. [ABBY TABOR/STAFF – HOUMTODAY/DAILYCOMET]

INTRODUCING G YOUR YOUR OUR OU

STARTING LINEUP

WE PROUDLY SUPPORT LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL!

S A L E S

- A N D -

S E R V I C E

1308 Canal Blvd. t Thibodaux 985.447.4156 2268 Grand Caillou Rd. t Houma 985.872.9128

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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E L L E N D E R PAT R I O T S AT A G L A N C E

McCormick

Head Coach: David McCormick Class 4A District 7-4A 2016 overall record: 6-5 District

record: 2-3 Years as head coach: 2 Record at school: 6-5 Overall record: 6-5 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at Terrebonne Sept. 7: Grace King Sept. 15: H.L. Bourgeois Sept. 22: at South Lafourche* Sept. 29: Central Lafourche Oct. 6: at Vandebilt Catholic* Oct. 13: at Assumption* Oct. 20: Morgan City* Oct. 27: at E.D. White Catholic* Nov. 3: South Terrebonne* *District 7-5A game 2016 REVIEW

Lost to Terrebonne, 48-19; def. H.L. Bourgeois, 47-14; def. Bonnabel, 12-0; def. Patterson, 28-26; def. St. Martinville, 41-27; lost to Assumption, 44-40; def. Morgan City, 47-7; lost to South Lafourche, 29-24; def. South Terrebonne, 69-43; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 53-28. Class 4A playoffs: lost to Benton, 63-28 (ﬁrst round). K E Y P L AY E R S

RB Reginald Williams (senior), QB Elijah Mitchell (junior), OL Sedrick Williams (senior), WR Kobe Hartman (senior), LB Jamire Mott (senior), DE Davarin Brown (senior), DT Terrance Gray (senior), DT Nick Lagarde (senior).

Patriots hoping to improve on last season’s success By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

he Ellender Patriots got a glimpse of football glory last year. For the first time since 2013, the Patriots qualified for the Louisiana High School Athlete Association’s Class 4A state playoffs. Now they are hungry for more this season. “They got a taste of the playoffs last year. It was a good experience for them,” Ellender head coach David McCormick said. “The kids got a taste of it. I think that’s what’s making them hungry. We want to do it again. We want to compete and see how far they can go, so I’m excited about this year and the way our kids have been working.” Ellender senior linebacker Jamire Mott said they are using last year’s playoff run as a learning experience. The season ended with a 63-28 loss to Benton in the Class 4A firstround playoffs. “It was a very good experience going to the playoffs, but we weren’t satisfied. This year we want to do better than we did last year,” Mott said. “Everybody is doubting us saying we’re not going to make it back to the playoffs. We aren’t worried about that. We know if we do our part, we’ll make it work.” If Ellender wants to make a return trip to the playoffs or contend for a District 7-4A title, it will have to replace some key players from last year’s team. Gone are standout players like Davontavean Martin, who is beginning his first season as a receiver at Washington State University. The Patriots will also have to replace their entire

Key senior leaders for Ellender High will be senior offensive lineman Sedrick Williams (54), linebacker Jamire Mott (44), running back Reginald Williams (10) and receiver Kobe Hartman (9). [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

defensive backfield. But McCormick said the players have a lot of confidence entering the new season. “The kids, community and all the coaches are excited,” McCormick said. “We had a great turnout this summer, especially in the morning sessions. We were getting about 20-30 kids out. When you’ve been getting a big core of kids like that who have been putting in the time and effort, it’s great.” Although they lost several key weapons from last year, the Patriots will still have plenty of explosive weapons in their arsenal. Senior running back Reginald Williams, who rushed for 775 yards and eight touchdowns as a runner to go with 30 catches for 400 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver last year, is ready to lead the way this season. “I just have to keep stepping it up and don’t get complacent,” said Reginald Williams, who recently committed to McNeese State. “We’re trying to get to the next level. Everybody out here is working hard. We all know what we have to do. We’re executing to the best of our ability. We became closer as a team than we were at

the beginning of the summer.” McCormick said Ellender’s spread offense will do its best to find ways to get the ball into the hands of Reginald Williams and several other weapons such as receivers Brisson Lewis and Kobe Hartman. Junior Elijah Mitchell is listed as a new starter at quarterback. “I guess you can say it’s like a fast break offense out there on the football field,” McCormick said. “We’re going to try to spread it out on the offensive side.” Hartman, who is also a standout basketball player at Ellender, said he has high expectations for the offense this season. “A lot of people think we’ll take a step back with Tay (Martin) gone, but we’re just going to prove them wrong,” Hartman said. “Everybody has been doubting us, but they just don’t know what we have out here. We have a lot of young guys who are going to step up to the challenge. You can expect a lot from us this year. I believe we will put up 50 points every game.” McCormick said Ellender’s defense will still operate out of a 4-3 system and mix in a little 3-4 to give opposing offenses a different look.

“We’ve got a young secondary,” McCormick said. “I think they are going to be learning on the run, but I think they got the skill set for those positions. I can’t wait to see them grow.” Mott, who led Ellender with 124 total tackles (82 solo, 42 assists), 3.5 sacks and an interception last year, said the Patriots have the talent to field an aggressive defense this season. “We lost some guys in the secondary, but they’re going to step up and get the job done,” Mott said. “We’re going to focus on stopping the run better than we did last year. We know what to expect, so we are going to step up and help make these younger guys better.” Hartman, who is one of 22 seniors, said Ellender’s football program has come a long way since they entered the program four years ago. “When I first got here, we were a losing program,” Hartman said. “We had it in our mindset to change the program around and that’s what we did. With the coaches and players all stepping up, I believe that is what helped turn the program around. Hopefully it stays like that even after we leave.” After a taste of success, senior offensive lineman/ defensive lineman Sedrick Williams said they want more. “We’re going to come out and try to repeat what we did last year. We’re going to play harder,” Sedrick Williams said. “Every Friday night that we come out, you are going to see an Ellender team that plays hard. We’ve got a lot of talent. We want people to know that we’re coming.” And Reginald Williams said the Patriots are ready to put on a show for area fans this season. “You’ve got to come to the games and witness it,” Reginald Williams said. “I can’t speak too much about it. If you want to see it, you’ve got to come to the games. Just stay tuned.”

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 24, 2017

FOOTBALL HOTBED

College recruiting picking up for area players By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

The Bayou Region is once again a hotbed for college football recruiting. Many local high school football players have received offers from college teams. Four of the area’s top senior prospects have already announced their commitments before the start of the upcoming season in St. James senior defensive back Shawn Preston Jr. (Mississippi State University), St. James senior defensive tackle Jason Dumas (Kent State University), Central Lafourche senior receiver David Robinson Jr. (Nicholls State University) and Ellender senior running back Reginald Williams (McNeese State University). The recruits said they are

happy to represent the local area on the state and national stage. “We all know each other,” Robinson said. “It’s nice to see the majority of us getting offers.” Many more senior athletes are expected to receive college offers and announce their commitments before National Signing Day next year. Here is a rundown of all local high schools that have players getting college offers. For a complete list of all athletes receiving college interest, check out bayoupreps.com. CLASS 5A

Central Lafourche Robinson (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) has emerged as one of the top overall players in the area.

As a junior last season, Robinson led the area in receiving with 826 yards on 54 catches and added nine scores, earning firstteam honors on The Courier/ Daily Comet’s All-Region football team, getting from Nicholls State University and Southern University of Baton Rouge. He committed to Nicholls, which will give him a chance to follow in the footsteps of his father David Robinson Sr., who played running back for Nicholls in the early 1990s. His mother, Dani Robinson, competed in basketball and volleyball at Nicholls. “I think that Nicholls is where I’m supposed to be,” Robinson said. “It just felt right. It’s kind of where I grew up. I just got to basically get this year through my senior year, continue to get

better and get ready to go play on the next level.” Central Lafourche coach Keith Menard said the Colonels are getting a quality athlete in Robinson. “He’s a guy who can help them on special teams and in a lot of other places,” Menard said. “On top of that, he’s a better kid than he is a player. It’ll be nice for him and his family. I think it’s a great deal for him. I know it’s going to be fun to watch him play at Nicholls. I know he’s focused on helping us win football games this season. I think the big thing for him is to have a great senior year.” Trojans senior receiver Kenneth Poindexter had an offer from Jackson State University, but Menard said he will miss his senior year of football

and possibly basketball after tearing his ACL while playing basketball this summer. He had surgery earlier this month. “It’s a tough loss. I feel terrible for him,” Menard said. “He’s a senior coming in. Not being able to play his senior year of football and basketball is a tough deal for him, but knowing KP, he’s going to battle back and get focused to play on the college level football wise. If he keeps that focus and works hard, there’s no doubt he’s going to make an impact on the college level.” H.L. Bourgeois Senior defensive back Richaud Batiste has an offer from Louisiana College. See RECRUITING, PAGE 43

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

S O U T H L A F O U R C H E TA R P O N S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Blake Forsythe Class 4A District 7-4A 2016 overall record: 3-7 District record: Forsythe 2-3 Years as head coach: 1 Record at school: 0-0 Overall record: 0-0 Last time in playoffs: 2015 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: De La Salle Sept. 8: Thibodaux Sept. 15: at Central Lafourche Sept. 22: Ellender* Sept. 29: at Vandebilt Catholic* Oct. 6: Assumption* Oct. 13: at Morgan City* Oct. 20: E.D. White Catholic* Oct. 27: at South Terrebonne* Nov. 3: at East St. John *District 7-4A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. Bonnabel, 40-24; lost to Carver, 28-27; lost to Thibodaux, 26-17; lost to Central Lafourche, 41-34; lost to Plaquemine, 29-13; def. Morgan City, 59-0; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 31-14; def. Ellender, 29-24; lost to Assumption, 30-14; lost to South Terrebonne, 31-21. K E Y P L AY E R S

RB Corbin Allen (5-11. 189, Sr.), OL Chad Cheramie (6-4, 265, Sr.), LB Jeremy Rogers (5-8, 170, Sr.), DE Drake Billiot (6-0, 185, Sr.), DL Jacob Danos (6-2, 250, Sr.), QB Brock Bailleaux (6-0, 170, Jr.), DB Marquis Francis (5-10, 150, Sr.), Da’Marcus Caine (5-11, 175, Sr.).

Tarpons head into 2017 season looking for stability By Brent St. Germain Sports Editor

s the 10th head football coach in school history, Blake Forsythe is looking to do more than win games at South Lafourche. Forsythe is looking to bring stability to the storied program. From 1966-2004, the Tarpons had stability in the football program ranks with four head coaches in 38 seasons, including a 21-year stint by Ralph Pere’ that featured a pair of state championships in the 1970s. But since then, it has resembled a revolving door as Forsythe is South Lafourche’s sixth head coach since the start of the 2005 season. Forsythe said he is looking to change that by bring stability and a winning attitude back to the Tarpons program. “South Lafourche is a place where you can be successful because they have done it in the past,” he said. “We are looking to build some stability and build a foundation that will carry on to a successful program.” For South Lafourche’s 18 seniors, they understand how stability can translate to success on the field. Forsythe is the senior class’s third head coach after playing for Dennis Skains as sophomores and Brandon Nowlin as juniors. “I’m hoping we can get some stability in the program,” senior linebacker Jeremy Rogers said. “When we had Coach Skains for a few years, we had some stability and pretty good teams. Last year, we had a late coaching change and missed the playoffs, so I’m

Key players for the South Lafourche Tarpons this season are senior linebacker Jeremy Rogers (20), senior running back Corbin Allen (38), junior quarterback Brock Bailleaux (16) and senior defensive end Drake Billiot (4). [BRENT ST. GERMAIN/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

hoping with this coach we can get back to the playoffs.” Getting back to the playoffs is the No. 1 goal for Forsythe and the Tarpons. Last season, the Tarpons struggled at times on the field and finished with a 3-7 overall record and 2-3 in District 7-4A. It was not enough for the Tarpons to extend its playoff streak to four seasons. “They were hurting last season not going to the playoffs, so our goal is we want to host a first-round playoff game,” Forsythe said. “We are not going to be shy about it. We want to play Week 11 in Galliano.” Senior defensive end Drake Billiot said the team has been working hard to make that happen. “We’re hungry to get back to the playoffs,” Billiot said. “We missed not going to the playoffs last season, and we are determined to get back there. We have been putting in the extra work to make it happen.” To accomplish that goal, the Tarpons will try spread things out on offense. Forsythe said South Lafourche will feature multiple wide receiver sets, but passing will not be its forte from this

look. The Tarpons will be doing that in an attempt to establish a solid running game. “I don’t want fans to be too concerned when we come out in four wides,” he said. “From talking to fans, they still love the Ralph Pere’ running-based offense, which was a great offenses in the 1970s and 1980s, but we will spreading things out with three or four wide receivers and trying to run the ball. We are planning to run the ball at least 60 percent of the time, which in my style is balanced.” Having a run first-based offense is good news for senior running back Corbin Allen, who will have his number called early and often in the 2017 season. Despite battling injuries, Allen was one of the top offensive weapons for the Tarpons last season finishing with 731 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. “I’m anxious to redeem myself after being banged up last season,” he said. “I’ve been working hard, and I’m determined to come out with a bang.” South Lafourche will have to replace one key offensive contributor after Jaydon Cheramie graduated after finished

with 2,031 yards combined (1,151passing, 880 rushing) and accounting for 18 total touchdowns. Brock Bailleaux is taking over as the Tarpons’ new quarterback. Defensively, Forsythe said the Tarpons will play to their strength in the secondary by lining up in a 4-2-5 set. South Lafourche’s secondary will be improved in 2017 after moving last season’s top two receivers – Da’Marcus Caine and Marquis Francis – to cornerback. “With the 4-2-5 alignment, you can easily put eight in the box against the heavy run teams or you can cover a fourwide set without changing your base defense,” Forsythe said. “The defense hasn’t changed a whole lot since Dennis Skains, so the kids are familiar with it. There have been some tweaks here and there, but for the most part, the concepts will stay the same.” As a LaPlace native who played football for legendary coach Frank Monica at St. Charles Catholic, Forsythe said he was familiar with South Lafourche’s storied history on the gridiron. Since the school opened in 1966, South Lafourche has won two state titles, has a state runner-up finish, captured or shared 15 district titles and made 30 playoff appearances. Forsythe said he wants to re-establish South Lafourche as one of the top high school football programs in the state. “With the amount of turnover in recent years, South Lafourche has kind of fallen off, but we would like to get back to that point,” he said. “People talk about what happened in the 1977 state championship game or in the 1983 season. Why can’t it be the 2017 season that we are talking about 20 years from now? We want to bring that tradition back to the South Lafourche football program.”

ORGERON From Page 5

He’s the same all day. There’s never a day when he’s having a bad day.” Trev Faulk, who played linebacker at LSU from 1999-2001, said he has heard nothing but positives about Orgeron from his dedication to his recruiting ability. “I am looking forward to seeing the recruiting classes he will bring in. He’s done a great job of recruiting coaches and surrounding himself with great people,” Faulk said. “I am expecting great things from the ‘Coach O’ tenure.” Skyler Green, who played wide receiver at LSU from 2002-05, had an opportunity to meet Orgeron when he was a high school student at Higgins High School. Orgeron tried to get Green to sign with USC,

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

“The community is excited because he is one of us. No matter where he’s been and he has been well traveled, ‘BaBa’ is still part of south Louisiana. When you see him and here him, there is no debate as to where he is from.” Mike Detillier, Raceland-based NFL analyst

but he opted to head to Baton Rouge instead. Although he was an offensive player, Green said he would have welcomed an opportunity to play on the defensive side of the ball for Orgeron. “‘Coach O’ has a knack of getting guys to run through a brick wall for him,” Green said. “He gives guys the energy to go out and play a good football game.”

Community supports ‘Coach O’ too Orgeron’s ascension to LSU’s head football coach has generated excitement throughout the south Lafourche community. Raceland-based NFL analyst Mike Detillier said the community embraced Orgeron as soon as he arrived at LSU in 2015 as an assistant coach. The excitement reached a fever pitch as soon as he became the school’s permanent head coach. “The community is excited because he is one of us,” Detillier said. “No matter where he’s been and he has been well traveled, ‘BaBa’ is still part of south Louisiana. When you see him and here him, there is no debate as to where he is from.” On the day Orgeron was named the permanent head coach, his first cousin Tommy Gisclair said it was an exciting time for his family and the community.

“We are extremely excited and happy for him, LSU football, the bayou and everyone associated with him,” Gisclair said. “He put everything he had into that job and that is what he has always done. He went after it hard, and in the back of his mind he knew he gave it his best shot.” Earlier this year, the south Lafourche community had an opportunity to celebrate its favorite son’s accomplishments at a “Coach O” Day celebration at the Larose Civic Center Pavilion. During the Feb. 17 celebration, more than 1,500 fans listened to former teammates and dignitaries celebrate Orgeron’s accomplishments. It also served a celebration of South Lafourche’s 1977 Class AAAA state championship team, and the school also retired Orgeron’s No 77 jersey. “Obviously it is one of the biggest honors I’ve gotten in my life,” Orgeron said. “I cut my teeth down there and grew

Thursday, August 24, 2017

up wanting to play for South Lafourche coach Ralph Pere’. Coach Pere’ was my idol, and I grew up wanting to be like the guys I watched playing for the Tarpons.” Still a bayou boy at heart Throughout his coaching career, Orgeron had many stops along the way from Miami to Syracuse, N.Y., and from Los Angeles to Oxford, Miss. Although he lived far away from Larose, Orgeron said he never forgot about where he came from. He cherishes his Cajun heritage, the food and the people from the south Lafourche community that supported him along the way. “I thank God,” Orgeron said. “I thank the people on the bayou. This is where I was born and raised. This is where I learned how to compete. This is the place that made me who I am.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Dan Boudreaux’s

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Botox - Fillers - Microneedling - Facials | Laser for Hair Removal, Brown Spots and Wrinkles

“Where Quality is Valued”

Mustangs!

Get in, Get Help, Get Your Project Finished!

Hardware - Lumber - Rentals • Since 1909 4767 Highway 1 • Napoleonville, Louisiana 70390 • (985) 369-6366

Installation • Service • Air Quality

Advanced Skincare and Anti-Aging Treatments

803 St. Mary Street • Thibodaux, LA 985-447-2664

Kyle M. Coleman, MD Kelsey Robichaux, Licensed Medical Aesthetician

803 St. Mary Street · Thibodaux, LA 985-447-2664

www.trentsac.com

GO MUSTANGS! GO MUSTANGS! PAINCOURTVILLE GRAY GO MUSTANGS! PAINCOURTVILLE (985) 369-6014 (985) GRAY 876-6254

Trent Naquin trent@trentsac.com

791 Highway 398 Labadieville, LA 70372

(985) 369-6014 PAINCOURTVILLE (985) 369-6014

(985)GRAY 876-6254 (985) 876-6254

eBlanc READY-MIX CONCRETE eBlanc READY-MIX GRAVEL • MASON SAND CONCRETE eBlanc READY-MIX GRAVEL • MASON SAND

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rothers Ready-Mix, Inc. GRAVEL • MASON SAND rothers Ready-Mix, Inc. 6185 Hwy 1, Paincourtville, LAInc. 70391 rothers Ready-Mix, 6185 West Hwy 1, Paincourtville, 70391 2519 Park Ave, Gray, LALA70359 2519 West Park Ave, Gray, LA 70359 6185 Hwy 1, Paincourtville, LA 70391 2519 West Park Ave, Gray, LA 70359 GOOD LUCK MUSTANGS!

ASSUMPTION HIGH SCHOOL September 1: at Donaldsonville

October 13: Ellender*

September 8: Patterson

October 20: at Vandebilt Catholic*

September 15: at Terrebonne

October 27: Isidore Newman

September 22: at E.D. White Catholic*

Novober 3: Morgan City*

September 29: South Terrebonne* October 6: at South Lafourche*

*--District 7-4A game

GOODLUCK LUCK BRAVES! GOOD MUSTANGS!

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Botox - Fillers - Microneedling - Facials | Laser for Hair Removal, Brown Spots and Wrinkles

Good Luck & Have a Successful 2017 Football Season!

Advanced Skincare and Anti-Aging Treatments

Cazenave Motor Co., Inc. 21430 LA Hwy 20 · Vacherie

1205 Hwy 18 Vacherie, LA 70090

225.265.2191

Kyle M. Coleman, MD Kelsey Robichaux, Licensed Medical Aesthetician

1-800-447-4041

GO James J. Stafford, DDS

225-265-3026

2670 Hwy. 20 Vacherie

www.drjamesstafford.com

WILDCATS!

GOOD LUCK BRAVES! GOOD LUCK WILDCATS!

ST. JAMES HIGH SCHOOL September 1: at West St. John

October 13: Haynes Academy*

September 8: Lutcher

October 20: De La Salle*

September 15: E.D. White Catholic

October 27: at Lusher Charter*

September 22: at Wossman

Novober 3: at St. Charles Catholic*

September 29: St. Amant October 6: at Donaldsonville*

Vacherie Mart, Inc. We sell furniture, appliances, bedding, central and window units and flooring, we also service what we sell!

2665 Highway 20 · Vacherie · 225.265.4086

*--District 10-3A game

Kristen Core, Agent 22150 Highway 20 Vacherie, LA 70090 Bus: 225-265-3011 kristencore.com State Farm, Bloomington, IL 1211999

SOUTHLAND DRUGS NO. 2

We Accept All Major Insurance Plans Gifts, Toys, Candles Old Favorite Candies, Educational Toys

1117 Audubon Ave., Thibodaux

(985) 447-5852

Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm / Sat. 8am-Noon

Serving Thibodaux Since 1960

GO WILDCATS!

2644 Hwy 20 Vacherie, LA 70090

985-265-4013

Wildcats!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

NCR School For Driving 985-580-1009 6300 W. Park Ave. Houma, LA 70364

GOOD BRAVES! GOOD LUCK LUCK TIGERS!

“Where Quality is Valued”

THIBODAUX HIGH SCHOOL September 1: Vandebilt Catholic

October 13: Hahnville*

September 8: at South Lafourche

October 20: West St. Mary

September 15: at East Ascension

October 27: East St. John*

September 22: at H.L. Bourgeois*

Novober 3: at Central Lafourche*

September 29: Destrehan* 803 St. Mary Street · Thibodaux, LA 985-447-2664 Botox - Fillers - Microneedling - Facials | Laser for Hair Removal, Brown Spots and Wrinkles

October 5: at Terrebonne*

GO TIGERS!

639 Harrison St, Thibodaux, LA 70301

Julie D. Bourgeois Director

Advanced Skincare and Anti-Aging Treatments Kyle M. Coleman, MD Kelsey Robichaux, Licensed Medical Aesthetician

*--District 7-5A game

2110 Audubon Avenue | Thibodaux, LA 70301-5071 Tel (985) 446-3109 | Fax (985) 447-5329

Phone: 985-446-2877 Fax: 985-445-2993 Toll Free: 1-855-448-2677

Website: www.valcharter.info Email: jbourgeois@valcharter.org

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 24, 2017

GO CARDINALS!

SOUTHLAND DRUGS NO. 2

We Accept All Major Insurance Plans Gifts, Toys, Candles Old Favorite Candies, Educational Toys

Charlotte Grace 985.492.1579

1117 Audubon Ave., Thibodaux

(985) 447-5852

Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm / Sat. 8am-Noon

Serving Thibodaux Since 1960

1101 St. Mary Street | Thibodaux

GOOD LUCK

CARDINALS 371 N. Canal Blvd. Thibodaux • 985.446.3358 www.ThreeStitches.net

GOOD LUCK BRAVES! GOOD LUCK CARDINALS!

“Where Quality is Valued”

E.D. WHITE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL September 1: Central Lafourche

October 13: South Terrebonne*

September 8: Erath

October 20: at South Lafourche*

September 15: at St. James

October 27: Ellender*

September 22: Assumption*

Novober 3: at Vandebilt Catholic*

September 29: at Morgan City* October 6: at Vermilion Catholic

Residential Heating & Cooling Commercial Services Indoor Air Quality 1309 St. Patrick Street, Thibodaux • www.agrefrigeration.net

CALL US TODAY! 446-6256 or 868-4421

*--District 7-4A game

Good Luck Cardinals!

803 St. Mary Street · Thibodaux · 985-447-2664

Stagni & Company, LLC PROVIDING SOLUTIONS

FOR

BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENTS AND INDIVIDUALS

SINCE 1947.

207 Lafaye Avenue Thibodaux, Louisiana 70301 Phone 985/447-7226 •• Fax 985/446-3032 email: stagni@stagni.com •• internet: www.stagni.com

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

GOOD LUCK TARPONS!

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT & STAY SAFE! DAY:

798-7688 NIGHT: 14141 East Main • Cut Off, LA 70345 “WE MEET BY ACCIDENT” 24 HR. WRECKER SERV. • FAX 798-7851

693-8236

We Service All Major Brands and Models The Best Standard Warranty Just Got Better! Lifetime warranty on compressors.

FREE SECOND OPINION! CALL US!

17396 W Main St, Galliano, LA 70354 (985) 632-6428

GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCKTARPONS! BRAVES!

SOUTH LAFOURCHE HIGH SCHOOL WAYNE ROUSSE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC WAYNE J ROUSSE LUTCF MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE

115 East 63rd St Cut Off, LA 70345 128 Rousse Lane, Cut Off Office Location

GOOD LUCK TARPONS!

Ofice: 985-632-6877 Fax: 504-617-6339 silverandgold@viscom.net

September 1: De La Salle

October 13: at Morgan City*

September 8: Thibodaux

October 20: E.D. White Catholic*

September 15: at Central Lafourche

October 27: at South Terrebonne*

September 22: Ellender*

Novober 3: at East St. John

September 29: at Vandebilt Catholic* October 6: Assumption*

Good Luck Tarpons! Introducing the All-New Buick

*--District 7-4A game

ISR PHYSICAL THERAPY

Injured? We’ll Get You Back In The Game! SOUTH LAFOURCHE CREDIT, LLC 14863 West Main Street | Cut Off, LA 70345 Phone: (985) 632-5626 | Fax: (985) 632-6885

Come in for a FREE Consultation! HOUMA WEST

HOUMA EAST

478 Corporate Dr. 985-872-5911

814 Grand Caillou Rd. Ste. 17 985-346-0383

w w w . i s r p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y. c o m

6444 West Main St., Houma 985-868-4400 www.BarkerBuickGMC.com

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 24, 2017

WAYNE ROUSSE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC WAYNE J ROUSSE LUTCF MARKETING REPRESENTATIVE

115 East 63rd St Cut Off, LA 70345 128 Rousse Lane, Cut Off Office Location

GOOD LUCK TROJANS!

616 Crescent Ave. Lockport, LA 70374 Phone: (985) 532-9140

Ofice: 985-632-6877 Fax: 504-617-6339 silverandgold@viscom.net

GOOD LUCK TROJANS!

GOOD LUCKTROJANS! BRAVES! GOOD LUCK

Go CENTRAL LAFOURCHE HIGH SCHOOL September 1: at E.D. White Catholic

October 13: Destrehan*

September 8: Carver

October 20: Terrebonne*

September 15: South Lafourche

October 27: at Hahnville*

September 22: at East St. John*

Novober 3: Thibodaux*

Trojans! Patrick Barker

503 Crescent Ave. Lockport, LA, 70374 Call: (985) 532-5596 Fax: (985) 532-3935

September 29: at Ellender October 6: H.L. Bourgeois*

*--District 7-5A game Botox - Fillers - Microneedling - Facials | Laser for Hair Removal, Brown Spots and Wrinkles

“Give ‘Em Hell CL”

6444 West Main St., Houma 985-868-4400 www.BarkerBuickGMC.com

Advanced Skincare and Anti-Aging Treatments Kyle M. Coleman, MD Kelsey Robichaux, Licensed Medical Aesthetician

272 West Main St. Thibodaux, LA

985.446.3100

Nikki Long Sales Consultant

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

GOOD LUCK LUCK GATORS! GOOD BRAVES!

GIVE YOUR

GIVEANDYOUR HOME YOUR HOME AND YOUR UTILITY BILL A UTILITY BILL A MAKEOVER MAKEOVER WITH BEAUTIFUL NEW ENERGY-EFFICIENT WITH BEAUTIFULDOORS NEW AND WINDOWSDOORS ENERGY-EFFICIENT AND WINDOWS

NRG NRG 879-2238

WINDOW & SCREEN, LLC WINDOW & SCREEN, LLC

879-2238

Financing Financing Available Available

Sun Screens • Retractable Screens • Hurricane/ Sun Screens • Retractable Screens • Hurricane/ Security Screens • Vinyl/Insulated Windows • Glass Security Screens • Vinyl/Insulated Windows • Glass Replacement • Screen & Window Walls • Screen & Replacement • Screen & Window Walls • Screen & Storm Doors • Patio Enclosures Storm Doors • Patio Enclosures

Serving Terrebonne Since 1980 • Greg Eaton, Owner • 518 Magnolia • www.nrgw-s.com Serving Terrebonne Since 1980 • Greg Eaton, Owner • 518 Magnolia • www.nrgw-s.com

John

NAVY TERREBONNE PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT 1

Darryl Brue, Agent 1950 Prospect Blvd. P.O. Box 10192 Houma, LA 70363-6048 985-851-2584 The greatest compliment you can give is a referral.

T C Dance Company T4302 C Highway Dance Company 56 • Houma, LA 70363 104 Marmande St. • Houma, La • 70363 104 Marmande St. • Houma, La • 70363

We accept boys and girls We accept boys ages 3 andand up!girls ages 3 and up!

SOUTH TERREBONNE HIGH SCHOOL September 1: H.L. Bourgeois

October 13: at E.D. White Catholic*

September 8: Terrebonne

October 20: at Belle Chasse

September 15: at Berwick

October 27: South Lafourche*

September 22: Vandebilt Catholic*

Novober 3: at Ellender*

September 29: at Assumption* Call Trichefor formore moreinformation information Call Desiree’ Desiree’ Triche

985.790.3514 985.790.3514

October 5: Morgan City*

*--District 7-4A game

NCR School For Driving 985-580-1009

4512 Country Drive • Bourg, LA • 985-594-5888

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1986

HOUMA 1562 GRAND CAILLOU RD 985-873-8967

HOUMA

6285 WEST PARK AVE 985-868-0288

THIBODAUX

404 NORTH CANAL BLVD 985-492-2232

6300 W. Park Ave. Houma, LA 70364

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

ISR PHYSICAL THERAPY Injured? We’ll Get You Back In The Game!

John

Come in for a FREE Consultation!

NAVY

HOUMA WEST

HOUMA EAST

478 Corporate Dr. 985-872-5911

814 Grand Caillou Rd. Ste. 17 985-346-0383

w w w . i s r p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y. c o m

TERREBONNE PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT 1

Thursday, August 24, 2017

JUST FOR YOU Flower and Gift Shoppe, Inc. 8858 Park Ave Houma, LA

985-851-6012 www. just4youflorist.net

Go Patriots!

NCR School For Driving 985-580-1009 6300 W. Park Ave. Houma, LA 70364

T C Dance Company T4302 C Highway Dance Company 56 • Houma, LA 70363 104 Marmande St. • Houma, La • 70363 104 Marmande St. • Houma, La • 70363

ELLENDER MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL September 1: at Terrebonne

October 13: at Assumption*

September 7: Grace King

October 20: Morgan City*

September 15: H.L. Bourgeois

October 27: at E.D. White Catholic*

September 22: at South Lafourche*

Novober 3: South Terrebonne*

We accept boys and girls We accept boys ages 3 andand up!girls ages 3 and up!

September 29: Central Lafourche October 6: at Vandebilt Catholic*

*--District 7-4A game

Call Trichefor formore moreinformation information Call Desiree’ Desiree’ Triche

985.790.3514 985.790.3514

PROVEN CRAFTSMEN. POWERED BY PRODUCTIVITY.

GOOD LUCK PATRIOTS! GOOD LUCK BRAVES! SKIN CARE SERVICE • HAIR SALON • MASSAGE SERVICE We specialize in beauty, health and most importantly inner peace. Come in and join us to balance your mind, body, and spirit.

Call 985.853.1111 to schedule an appointment today. 210 Mystic Blvd • Houma, Louisiana

100 West Canal Street • Picayune, Ms. 39466 601-749-5534 • www.hutcoinc.com

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Let Us Find You THE PERFECT HOME FOR YOU! We are your local, full-service REALTOR®. Talk to an agent today, or visit us online to search the latest property listings in your favorite neighborhoods.

SEAL & RESTORE

GO TERRIERS!

985-872-0444

Glass • Tile • Grout • Granite • Porcelain • Natural Stone

985-872-0444 120 Progressive Blvd.

Houma, LA 70360 120 Progressive Blvd. Houma, LA 70360 www.cblarussa.com

Dwayne & Jennifer Beeson

985-855-8586

www.larussarealestate.com

Licensed in Louisiana Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

www.HydroShieldSOLA.com

125 Front Street • Houma, LA

985-868-9927

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-12pm

Proud Supporter of Vandebilt Catholic High School

POOLS - SPAS - DRINKING WATER - BILLARDS HOUMA 6868 W. PARK AVE. (985) 868-4809

THIBODAUX 306 JACKSON ST. (985) 446-7418

WWW.CLEARWATERSWIMMINGPOOLS.COM

400 Monarch Drive • 985-876-5692 Jaques A. Beebe - Administrator

VANDEBILT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL September 1: at Thibodaux

October 12: at Central Catholic

September 8: at H.L. Bourgeois

October 20: Assumption*

September 15: Archbishop Shaw

October 27: at Morgan City*

September 22: at South Terrebonne*

Novober 3: E.D. White Catholic*

September 29: South Lafourche* October 6: Ellender*

*--District 7-4A game

ISR PHYSICAL THERAPY Reliability and performance you can trust

Our Customers Are The Coolest 314 S. Hollywood Rd. Houma, LA 70360

Indoor Air Quality Products Certified Technicians State Lic. #39010

985-868-8945

www.coolestcustomers.com

Injured? We’ll Get You Back In The Game! Come in for a FREE Consultation! HOUMA WEST

HOUMA EAST

478 Corporate Dr. 985-872-5911

814 Grand Caillou Rd. Ste. 17 985-346-0383

w w w . i s r p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y. c o m

GOOD LUCK GOOD LUCKTERRIERS! BRAVES!

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

GO BRAVES! We specialize in beauty, health and most importantly inner peace. Come in and join us to balance your mind, body, and spirit.

Call 985.853.1111 to schedule an appointment today. 210 Mystic Blvd • Houma, Louisiana

1101 St. Mary Street | Thibodaux

GO BRAVES!

SKIN CARE SERVICE • HAIR SALON • MASSAGE SERVICE

Charlotte Grace 985.492.1579

Thursday, August 24, 2017

125 Front Street • Houma, LA

985-868-9927

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-12pm

ISR PHYSICAL THERAPY Injured? We’ll Get You Back In The Game! Come in for a FREE Consultation! HOUMA WEST

HOUMA EAST

478 Corporate Dr. 985-872-5911

814 Grand Caillou Rd. Ste. 17 985-346-0383

w w w . i s r p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y. c o m

Good Luck Braves! Go! Fight! Win! H.L. BOURGEOIS HIGH SCHOOL September 1: at South Terrebonne

October 13: at Lakeshore

September 8: Vandebilt Catholic

October 20: Destrehan*

September 15: at Ellender

October 27: Terrebonne*

September 22: Thibodaux*

Novober 3: at Hahnville*

September 29: at East St. John* October 6: at Central Lafourche*

*--District 7-5A game

Loney J. Grabert Terrebonne Parish Assessor

GOOD LUCK BRAVES! POOLS - SPAS - DRINKING WATER - BILLARDS HOUMA 6868 W. PARK AVE. (985) 868-4809

THIBODAUX 306 JACKSON ST. (985) 446-7418

WWW.CLEARWATERSWIMMINGPOOLS.COM

HOUMA 1562 GRAND CAILLOU RD 985-873-8967

HOUMA

6285 WEST PARK AVE 985-868-0288

THIBODAUX

404 NORTH CANAL BLVD 985-492-2232

Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

GOOD GOODLUCK LUCK BRAVES! LIONS!

GOOD LUCK

LIONS

1816 Martin Luther King Blvd Houma, LA 70360 Phone: 985.876.7610

TOWING EXCELLENCE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE! CATERING TO ALL MAJOR OIL COMPANIES AND REFINERIES

742 Highway 182, Houma, LA 70364 • (985) 872-2413

Botox - Fillers - Microneedling - Facials | Laser for Hair Removal, Brown Spots and Wrinkles

Advanced Skincare and Anti-Aging Treatments Kyle M. Coleman, MD Kelsey Robichaux, Licensed Medical Aesthetician

HAVE A GREAT SEASON!

1973 Highway 182 • Houma LA Ph: (985) 872-1755 Fax: (985) 872-1786 1923 Hwy 90 W. • Jennings, LA Ph: (337) 824-8890 Fax: (337) 824-8892

NCR School For Driving 985-580-1009 6300 W. Park Ave. Houma, LA 70364

Dairy Fresh Corporation Best wishes to Covenant Christian Lions! 5339 W Main St. Houma, LA 70360 (985) 876-1122

COVENANT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY September 1: Fisher

October 13: at West St. John*

September 8: at the Church Academy

October 20: BYE

September 15: Hamilton Christian

October 27: St. Martin’s*

September 22: St. John

Novober 3: Houma Christian School*

September 29: at Ascension Catholic October 6: at Varnado*

*--District 8-1A game

ISR PHYSICAL THERAPY Injured? We’ll Get You Back In The Game! Come in for a FREE Consultation! HOUMA WEST

HOUMA EAST

478 Corporate Dr. 985-872-5911

814 Grand Caillou Rd. Ste. 17 985-346-0383

w w w . i s r p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y. c o m

GOOD LUCK

LIONS

5509 West Park Avenue Houma LA 70364 Phone: 985.876.6104

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Proud Supporter of Houma Christian School

Quality Home Renovations and Remodeling Our Prices Don't Bite!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

ISR PHYSICAL THERAPY Injured? We’ll Get You Back In The Game! Come in for a FREE Consultation!

Schedule an estimate today! Call 985.223.0222 www.alligatorcontractors.com

HOUMA WEST

HOUMA EAST

478 Corporate Dr. 985-872-5911

814 Grand Caillou Rd. Ste. 17 985-346-0383

w w w . i s r p h y s i c a l t h e r a p y. c o m

NCR School For Driving 985-580-1009 6300 W. Park Ave. Houma, LA 70364

HOUMA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL September 1: at Highland Baptist

October 13: BYE

Barbara Womack- Lirette

September 8: at Westminster Christian

October 20: St. Martin’s

Broker/Owner | GRI, ABR, SRS

September 15: at Ascension Christian

October 27: at Varnado*

September 22: Ben Franklin

Novober 3: at Covenant Christian Academy*

102West Wilson Ave. 7024 Park Avenue Houma, 70360 Houma, LA LA 70364 Houma, LA 70360

*--District 8-1A game

barbarawomack44@yahoo.com

September 29: East Iberville October 6: at West St. John*

GOOD LUCK WARRIORS!

Storm Shutters • Roofing • Windows • Sunrooms • Vinyl Siding

LET US HELP PROTECT YOUR HOME 107 Robin Dr. • Schriever, LA 70395 • (985) 446-1703

40 YEARS

Americas Best Selling Truck

339 St Charles Street, Houma, LA 70360 • (985) 876-5100

Barbara WomackLirette Broker/Owner | GRI, ABR, SRS

102 Wilson Ave.

Office: Office: 985-655-7467 985-655-7467 Cell: Cell: 985-232-6901 985-232-6901

GOOD WARRIORS! GOODLUCK LUCK BRAVES!

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Football Preview

Geaux Tigers!

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September 8: at South Terrebonne

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October 27: at H.L. Bourgeois*

September 22: at Patterson

Novober 3: Destrehan*

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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S O U T H T E R R E B O N N E G AT O R S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Richard Curlin Class 4A District 7-4A 2016 overall record: 2-8 District Curlin record: 2-3 Years as head coach: 28 Record at school: 150-138 Overall record: 150-138 Last time in playoffs: 2014 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: H.L. Bourgeois Sept. 8: Terrebonne Sept. 15: at Berwick Sept. 22: Vandebilt Catholic* Sept. 29: at Assumption* Oct. 5: Morgan City* Oct. 13: at E.D. White Catholic* Oct. 20: at Belle Chasse Oct. 27: South Lafourche* Nov. 3: at Ellender* *District 7-4A game 2016 REVIEW

Lost to H.L. Bourgeois, 45-0; lost to Terrebonne, 38-6; lost to Central Lafourche, 20-0; lost to Dutchtown, 30-0; lost to St. Amant, 52-7; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 41-19; lost to Assumption, 15-14; def. Morgan City, 49-28; lost to Ellender 69-43; def. South Lafourche, 31-21. K E Y P L AY E R S

FB/LB Logan Melancon (5-7, 195, Sr.), QB/DB Andre Blanchard (5-11, 165, Sr.), WR/ DB Davis Arceneaux (5-8, 130, Sr.), RB/DB Jonathan Smith (5-8, 160, Jr.), DB/QB Allen Vizier (5-9, 145, Sr.), MLB/TE Luke Lirette (5-9, 200, Sr.), OL/ DL Charles Chaisson (5-1, 211, Sr.), K/P Matt Martin (6-0, 185, Sr.).

Gators become ‘family’ following tragic 2016 season By Kelly McElroy Staff Writer

outh Terrebonne senior fullback Logan Melancon best described how a tragic 2016 football season impacted the Gators as they move into their 2017 campaign. “It turned us from a team to a family,” Melancon said. “Everybody has come together.” In 2016, the Gators and the entire South Terrebonne community were forced to deal with the deaths of two cousins and Gators football players – Andraye Verdin and Louis Blanchard – in separate accidents. Verdin, a 16-year-old junior last season, died in a car crash on Aug. 11, and Blanchard, an 18-year-old standout senior with college opportunities, died on Nov. 26 following complications after a surgery was required to repair his neck following a trampoline accident. “The deaths of Andraye and Louis were really bad,” Gators senior quarterback Andre Blanchard said. “It brought us closer together and really made us play for them.” The Gators got off to a slow start in 2016, but managed to win two of their final three games to finish 2-8 overall and 2-3 in District 7-4A. Gators coach Richard Curlin, entering his 28th season as head coach at South Terrebonne, said the staff learned a lot about the Gators last year. “We were fairly young last year,” Curlin said. “We probably have six or seven starters returning on both sides of the ball. Some of them are some solid players. They are a pretty good group. They get along and

Co-captains for the 2017 South Terrebonne High School football team include (from left) senior quarterback Andre Blanchard, senior wide receiver Davis Arceneaux, senior fullback Logan Melancon and senior linebacker Luke Lirette. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

they went through a lot last year. I think it only made them stronger as a team. I think they are ready to put the pads on and compete.” After being severely hurt by turnovers last season, the Gators will again be back running their traditional Wing-T offense. “We feel like in our offense, we have to have strong fullback play, and having Logan Melancon returning from last year is big,” Curlin said. “Logan has busted his butt in the weight room and is on the power-lifting team. He is not only one of the strongest kids on our team, but one of the strongest kids in the state. We are excited about having him back.” Curlin said the combination of Andre Blanchard at quarterback and senior Davis Arceneaux at wide receiver will also be key to the team’s offensive success. “We also need to be able to throw the ball when we have to,” Curlin said. “That’s

important to any offense. We found Andre Blanchard at quarterback. He was a starting receiver. We moved Davis Arceneaux from quarterback to receiver, and he ended up being one heck of a little receiver. Jonathan Smith has been a starter at running back and we have kids along the offensive line who know the offense. We just have to fill a couple holes from guys who graduated.” Andre Blanchard and Melancon each said a summer in the weight room and lots of varsity of experience for some younger players last year should help the Gators. “We will have more experienced players,” Andre Blanchard said. “Last year we had a lot freshmen and sophomores starting, so this year we are going to have more experience.” “We are smaller than all of our opponents, but the whole team has been hitting the weight room since the end of last season,” Melancon said.

“I think that is going to be an advantage. Everybody got stronger. We just need to play as a team and we have to work all the way until the fourth quarter.” Curlin said senior middle linebacker Luke Lirette will lead the Gators defense, which gave up 35.9 points a game last season. “On defense, middle linebacker Luke Lirette is another guy who really got after it in the weight room,” Curlin said. “Having him to build the defense around is good, and we saw a couple kids in the spring who also excited us.” Lirette said the Gators have a stronger connection heading into 2017 and they are working as one. “After what happened last year, we are more of team now,” Lirette said. “We just all appreciate each other a lot more now. The defense is coming along pretty good. We still have some stuff to learn, See GATORS, PAGE 37

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but we have a pretty good amount of experience coming back from last year. I think we are going to be pretty stout. We will all just have to stick together, trust each other and do everything the right way. We just have to do our jobs.” Curlin added that senior kicker/punter Matt Martin could be a major weapon for the Gators this season. “We are excited to have him back,” Curlin said. “He started for us last year and a little bit as a sophomore. He has gotten a lot better over the summer. We are looking forward to having him because anytime you have a kid who can kick and punt is big.”

Senior defensive end/offensive lineman Melik Guidroz, who transferred from South Lafourche, is a new addition, and sophomore linebacker Khalil Brisco turned heads during spring ball and summer workouts. Richard said he expects the Tigers defense to come around this season. “You can expect us to win the district title and go far into the playoffs,” Richard said. “A lot of people in Thibodaux and around the area are doubting us because we lost so many players. We’ve got a lot of young people, but I think we have faith in them. All we got to do is practice hard and then it’s all going to translate into the season.” Thibodaux’s offense will run its usual spread offensive

attack next season. Senior center Colin Torres will anchor the offensive line. Senior quarterback DaMarcus Mitchell will lead the attack. He transferred from Central Catholic two years ago and was forced to sit out last season due to grades. Dugas said he looks forward to seeing what Mitchell (6-2, 215 pounds) does in the Tigers offense. “I think he really turned some heads in the spring game against E.D. White and also during the 7-on-7 this summer,” Dugas said. “He’s a big body. We call him ‘Baby Cam’ after Cam Newton. He can throw it as well as he can run it. He’s a big strong physical kid. When you have a kid like that at QB, it always translates into a pretty good year for you.” Mitchell will also play other positions such as linebacker, strong safety and receiver. “It’s really important that

I step up and contribute as much as I can,” Mitchell said. “I’m a senior, so I have no other choice but to step up for the team. They look at me as a captain, so there’s no other way around it. If we all put in the hard work and dedication, we’ll make it to where we need to be.” Holmes said every member of the team committed themselves to getting better this offseason. He said their main goals are to make the playoffs and unseat Destrehan as the District 7-5A champion. “With the hard work we’ve put in through the summer, and we’re still putting in work to this day, I think we’re going to pull through it,” Holmes said. “We were in the weight room every day nonstop. We got stronger this year so we’ll be ready. It’s our time to shine. We’re about to take over this year. Just watch out for Thibodaux. We’re coming for everybody.”

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avoid last season’s struggles. After starting the season 3-0, Terrebonne dropped six of its last seven games, including three losses by seven or fewer points, to finish 4-6 overall and 1-5 in district. “It was nice getting into playoffs and playing in those close games last season because now they understand that losing close games can cost us a game,” he said. “It’s not just words because there is meaning behind it. If we can get them to where they are playing really good football by Week 4, it could be a year where we could get some momentum and ride that wave into the playoffs.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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VA N D E B I LT C AT H O L I C T E R R I E R S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Jeremy Atwell Class 4A District 7-4A 2016 overall record: 8-3 District Atwell record: 4-1 Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 17-17 Overall record: 17-17 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at Thibodaux Sept. 8: at H.L. Bourgeois Sept. 15: Archbishop Shaw Sept. 22: at South Terrebonne* Sept. 29: South Lafourche* Oct. 6: Ellender* Oct. 12: at Central Catholic Oct. 20: Assumption* Oct. 27: at Morgan City* Nov. 3: E.D. White Catholic* *District 7-4A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. E.D. White, 41-7; lost to Central Lafourche, 45-32; def. St. Charles Catholic, 14-10; def. Covenant Christian Academy, 38-0; def. Isidore Newman, 46-41; def. South Terrebonne, 41-19; def. South Lafourche, 31-14; lost to Assumption, 27-26; def. Morgan City, 62-0; def. Elender, 53-28. Division II playoffs: lost to E.D. White, 24-17 (ﬁrst round). K E Y P L AY E R S

QB Andrew Robison (6-0, 180, Jr.), RB Michael LeCompte (6-0, 195, Sr.), RB Brennan Rogers (5-10, 175, Sr.), WR/DB Brennan Patterson (5-10, 165, Jr.), LB Chandler Rhodes (5-8, 170, Soph.), OL William Wade (6-4, 260, Jr.), WR JaCorey Wells (5-11, 160, Soph.), RB/WR Drew Rios (5-11, 205, Jr.), DB Clinton Erny (6-0, 175, Sr.)

Terriers leaning on lessons learned from last season By Kelly McElroy Staff Writer

ased on how 2016 ended for them, no team in the area may be more ready to start the 2017 prep football regular season than the Vandebilt Catholic Terriers. After blitzing archrival E.D. White Catholic 41-7 in the regular-season opener, the Terriers saw their season end when they fell to the Cardinals 24-17 at home in the first-round of the Division II playoffs. But fourth-year Terriers coach Jeremy Atwell said Vandebilt is not out for revenge this season. He is simply hoping the Terriers, which finished 8-3 overall, and their coaches learned from that loss. “I don’t think we talk about it as being motivation,” Atwell said. “It’s more of a teaching process. We were 8-2 and then lost to a team that we beat earlier in the season. They just came in and beat us. They deserved to beat us. We didn’t handle our success well. We didn’t prepare well. We had to learn something from it because we could play them again this year in the playoffs. It was just a teaching moment for the players and the coaches.” The Terriers again enter the season with nearly 100 players on the varsity roster. “We have a lot of excitement working for us,” Atwell said. “I think we have gotten over that hump and people are excited about the program. I think we have 10 guys who didn’t play football who came out and probably three or four of them will start. I think that speaks to how our players are recruiting

Vandebilt Catholic will rely on players such as (from left) sophomore linebacker Chandler Rhodes, junior quarterback Andrew Robison, junior wide receiver/defensive back Brennan Patterson and senior running backs Michael LeCompte and Brennan Rogers to lead the way. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

kids in the hallways to come play football. We have a lot of guys coming back, but we also have a lot of young guys who we are excited about.” Two senior key returners for the Terriers will be running backs Michael LeCompte and Brennan Rogers, who both have made major impacts since their sophomore seasons. “We have both of our running backs who have been all-district players the last two years coming back. They are what make us go,” Atwell said. “They share time and they are impressive.” Both players said they are ready to run. “We didn’t have the run that we wanted last year, but we know what we can do,” LeCompte said. “We have a lot of guys this year who are willing to step up. We are really a young team, but we have a lot of skill players coming back and

guys who are willing to learn. We have a lot more speed this year as well. We just need to keep our composure and play one play at a time and practice as hard as we can.” “Things are looking great,” Rogers said. “We have young guys who will listen and that is really healthy for a team because we are all on the same page. We all know what we are doing. We just need to come together as a team and me and Michael are going to have that stout run game. I think we are going to have a good season.” The Terriers also return junior quarterback Andrew Robison, who burst onto the scene last year and already has college scholarship offers from Nicholls State University, McNeese State University and Northwestern State University. He is regarded as one of the state’s top quarterbacks for the Class of 2019.

“Inevitably you’ve got to have a quarterback,” Atwell said. “No matter what level you are at and Andrew has so much humility and work ethic that it makes it fun to watch. He put on 12 pounds in the summer and he just looks different. He is stronger and bigger. Everyone is excited about him.” Robison said he has seen a more motivated group of Terriers heading into 2017. “People are coming to practice an hour before it starts,” Robison said. “That shows me how motivated this team is. I think there is a lot of hype not only from our own team, but from the community, and I am really excited about it.” Robison added that players on the team truly enjoy being around one another. “It’s been really fun,” Robison said. “We have a little bit of See TERRIERS, PAGE 41

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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ST. JA M E S W I L D C AT S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Robert Valdez Class 3A District 10-3A 2016 overall record: 8-3 District Valdez record: 5-2 Years as head coach: 2 Record at school: 8-3 Overall record: 81-40 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at West St. John Sept. 8: Lutcher Sept. 15: E.D. White Catholic Sept. 22: at Wossman Sept. 29: St. Amant Oct. 6: at Donaldsonville* Oct. 13: Haynes Academy* Oct. 20: De La Salle* Oct. 27: at Lusher Charter* Nov. 3: at St. Charles Catholic* *District 10-3A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. West St. John, 33-8; def. Bogalusa, 32-0; def. E.D. White Catholic, 40-28; def. J.S. Clark, 44-0; def. Lusher Charter, 57-21; def. Sci Academy, 55-0; lost to Lutcher, 28-14; lost to De La Salle, 48-12; def. Eleanor McMain, 33-7; def. KIPP Renaissance, 62-6. Class 3A playoffs: lost to Peabody, 41-33 (ﬁrst round). K E Y P L AY E R S

QB Demarcus Williams (5-11, 175, Sr.), DB Shawn Preston Jr. (6-1, 200, Sr.), DB Glen Brown III (6-0, 180, Sr.), DL Jason Dumas (6-2, 250, Sr.), OL Chase Davis (6-0, 270, Sr.), DL Kyren Harris (6-3, 230, 230), RB Dontaze Sterling (5-8, 190, Jr.), WR Shamar Smith (5-10, 170, Soph.).

Wildcats head into new season with unfinished business By Brent St. Germain Sports Editor

he St. James Wildcats are heading into the 2017 season with some unfinished business. Last season, the Wildcats wrapped up the regular season with an 8-2 record and were ranked ninth in the Louisiana Spots Writers Association’s final Class 3A poll. But when the playoff brackets were announced, the Wildcats drew the No. 18 seed and had to travel to Alexandria for a first-round playoff game against Peabody. St. James’ playoff run ended early with a 41-33 loss to Peabody. St. James coach Robert Valdez said the Wildcats are determined to rebound from last season’s early playoff setback. “I had a bitter taste in my mouth the whole offseason,” said Valdez, who is entering his second season with the Wildcats after successful stops at West St. John and Scotlandville. “That has driven us in the weight room and how we prepare. I think we had a good spring game and summer program to accomplish our goals.” Last season’s first-round playoff loss is also a driving force for the players, as they are determined to get back to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Dec. 8 for the Class 3A state championship game. St. James made the Class 3A title game in 2015 before losing to River Parish Rival Lutcher, 41-14. “It left a bad taste in my mouth, so we practiced so hard every day and throughout the summer,” said senior defensive tackle Jason Dumas,

St. James will be counting on the senior leadership of defensive tackle Jason Dumas (from left), quarterback Demarcus Williams and defensive back Shawn Preston Jr. [BRENT ST. GERMAIN/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

who recently committed to Kent State. “We didn’t end the season the right way, so we are working hard for a chance to go back to the dome. That’s where we belong.” “There isn’t a day that goes by when we don’t talk about that game,” senior quarterback Demarcus Williams said. “We are very focused every day in an attempt to get better.” “There is definitely going to be a push to get back to the Dome this season,” said senior defensive back Shawn Preston Jr., who recently committed to Mississippi State. “I feel like we have a team that is capable of making there, and we are going to make that push to get there.” To accomplish their goal of returning to the state championship game, the Wildcats will rely heavily on the team’s biggest strength — defense. St. James returns seven senior starters on the defensive side of the ball this season. The Wildcats return all four

defensive linemen — Dumas, Kyren Harris, Chase Davis and Dewayne White — and three in the secondary — Preston, Glenn Brown III and Rashod Pierce. “We have a lot of meat and potatoes still there on that side of the ball, and it starts with the defensive line,” Valdez said. “We have four returning senior starters on the defensive line, and with those guys, we should be able to contain the run and pressure the quarterback.” Preston said the defense is focused to help set the tone for the 2017 season. “We have a lot of talented and experienced players on that side of the ball,” Preston said. “We will be stacked on defense, and we are definitely trying to make a commitment to become district champs and eventually state champs.” Valdez said having an experienced defensive unit will be a valuable asset this season, so he plans to lean on it heavily throughout the season.

“Those guys have played a lot in recent years, so we are going to lean on them a lot this season,” Valdez said. “My philosophy is that we can’t lose if they don’t score.” Offensively, the Wildcats head into their first season in the post Lowell Narcisse era. Narcisse was a standout quarterback for St. James and is now a freshman at LSU, but he played only in the Class 3A playoffs in 2015 and missed the 2016 season because of knee injuries. St. James does have a capable quarterback to replace Narcisse as Williams heads into his third season as the team’s starter. Williams was pushed into the starting line-up the past two seasons due to Narcisse’s injuries. Williams made great strides at quarterback in 2016, passing for 1,298 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushing for 337 yards and eight scores in the regular season. See WILDCATS, PAGE 41

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With two seasons under his belt, Williams said he is completely comfortable running the St. James’ offense. “I’m very grateful to be returning to the team as a three-year starter,” he said. “Playing for Lowell those seasons helped me grow and fulfill my role for this season. Now, my entire team is counting on me, so I have to go out there and make plays.” Valdez said he is confident Williams will continue to thrive at quarterback “I’m excited because a kid like Demarcus gets a chance to take ownership of this team,” Valdez said. “I’m anxious to see how we will fare when we get to start

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playing other people.” St. James, however, has some key holes to fill on offense, especially at the skill positions. The Wildcats graduated its leading rusher (Curtlan Johnson) and leading receiver (Dontaze Costly) from last season, but players filling those roles will be running backs Dontaz Sterling, Kailon Johnson and Sean Lebeouf and wide receivers Shamar Smith and Devonne White. Valdez said the Wildcats are working to fill those holes with the start of the 2017 season around the corner. “Right now, it is like kicking over an ant pile because we are all over the place,” Valdez said. “We have to get them into a certain way and do things a certain way to play against the caliber of opponents we will play this season. We will have mature and develop it much more quickly.”

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a different offense this year and it’s been working really well. It takes a lot of time to get it down because a lot of the routes are just so precise. We have some really good coaches and a lot of talent. Our lines are doing a great job, and I am really excited to see how the season plays out. We just have to do what we are coached and do our jobs.” Junior Brennan Patterson is expected to be one of Robison’s top receiving targets and could also be a key defensive player for the Terriers as a defensive back. “We are dedicated and hard working,” Patterson said. “We come out in mornings and afternoons. On defense, we have wonderful coaches and we know if we do what they tell us, everything will be all right.

We just have to keep listening to them.” Atwell said the Terriers might be a bit inexperienced in the defensive backfield, but the group has lots of potential. “We have a bunch of young defensive backs who are really athletic,” Atwell said. “We feel like we may be able to do some things there we might not have been able to do in the past.” Atwell said the leader of the Terriers defense is expected to be sophomore middle linebacker Chandler Rhodes. “It was kind of hard (to take on the leadership role on defense at such a young age) at first, but I just gave respect to all the players and coaches and they gave it back to me,” Rhodes said. “We just need to want it. Whoever wants it more is going to get it. We know that Coach Atwell wants us to keep building a program here, and we are out to prove we are a team that can’t be taken lightly.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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Association’s reclassification process. They will join other local schools in Assumption, Ellender, South Terrebonne, South Lafourche, Vandebilt Catholic and Morgan City in the District 7-4A. Senior athlete Hunter Tabor, who will play multiple positions on offense and defense this year, said it will be fun to play against more Bayou Region teams this season. “It’ll give us a chance to play against the same guys we’ve been playing against since we were seven,” Tabor said. “It’s going to be good competing with them. Winning district is definitely a goal we want to accomplish this year.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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C O V E N A N T C H R I ST I A N A C A D E M Y L I O N S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Randy Boquet Class 1A District 8-1A 2016 overall record: 9-3 District record: Boquet 3-1 Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 22-13 Overall record: 48-49 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: Fisher Sept. 8: at the Church Academy Sept. 15: Hamilton Christian Sept. 22: St. John Sept. 29: at Ascension Catholic Oct. 6: at Varnado* Oct. 13: at West St. John* Oct. 20: BYE Oct. 27: St. Martin’s* Nov. 3: Houma Christian School* *District 8-1A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. Westminster Christian, 20-14; def. Archbishop Hannan, 13-12; def. Gueydan, 46-6; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 38-0; def. Catholic-P.C., 28-21; def. Ridgewood Prep, 34-0; lost to Varnado, 52-20; def. St. Martin’s, 31-10; def. Houma Christian, 34-7; def. Grace King, 35-24. Division IV playoffs: def. St. Martin’s, 48-21 (ﬁrst round); lost to Cedar Creek, 42-0 (quarterﬁnals). K E Y P L AY E R S

QB/SE/DB Nick Lagendyk (Jr.), OL/DL Collin Davis (Jr.), OL/ DL Bobby Bland (Soph.), RB/DB Devante Johnson (Sr.), RB/DB Anthony Rufﬁn (Jr.), C/NG Josh Jackson (Sr.), OL/DL Za’Vionne Short (Jr.), SE/DB Devin Babin (Sr.)

Lions bracing for tough slate this fall By Kelly McElroy Staff Writer

hen it comes to his team’s 2017 football schedule, Covenant Christian Academy coach Randy Boquet isn’t holding back. “It’s probably going to be the most challenging schedule CCA has ever had in our history,” Boquet said. “We are going to have to strap up, work hard and bring our ‘A’ game every Friday night.” The Class 1A Lions play 2A nondistrict opponents Fisher and the Church Academy and 1A nondistrict foes Hamilton Christian, St. John and Ascension Catholic and District 8-1A foes Varnado (the defending district champion), West St. John (a perennial small school state power and new addition to 8-1A), St. Martin’s and rival Houma Christian School. CCA will have a bye week in Week 8 after J.S. Clark dropped football for at least this season. Last season, the Lions went 9-3 overall and made to the quarterfinal round of the Division IV playoffs, but CCA has just eight seniors on this year’s team. “Every year is another journey, but every year is full of challenges and good things. It’s always about filling in the right pieces and getting that chemistry to get that offense and defense going,” Boquet said. “We are going to once again need some young kids to step up. We will have some sophomore and juniors that are going to have to take ownership and contribute for us to be successful. If we can do that we are going to have a very competitive season.” CCA senior quarterback Nick Lagendyk gained some

Some of the key players for the Lions this season are expected to be (from left) senior offensive/defensive lineman Joshua Jackson, junior offensive/defensive lineman Collin Davis, junior running back/defensive back Anthony Rufﬁn and senior quarterback Nick Lagendyk. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

valuable playing time last year when he was forced into an action after an injury to former Lions quarterback Caleb Seitz, now on the Nicholls State University football team. “I didn’t have any varsity experience before last year, but last year I got a lot of experience,” Lagendyk said. “That kind of got me ready for this upcoming season. I think if we run our plays and execute, I think we can win a lot of games this season. We know it is going to be tough, but I think we got it. We have a lot of great skill players, and I think we have a lot of potential.” Boquet said the Lions, who will again play their home games at Manning Field at John L. Guidry Stadium on the Nicholls State University campus in Thibodaux, have

some weapons within their Wing-T offense. “Nick was thrown in at quarterback last year,”Boquet said. “He was literally thrown in. He had some trouble, but we won some games with him a quarterback. He had a tremendous offseason and we are excited about him. We also have Devante Johnson and Anthony Ruffin coming back at the wing backs. Both of them are very dangerous with the ball in their hands and Devin Babin is back at wide receiver.” Boquet said Ruffin, a junior who also plays defensive back, had an outstanding summer. “If everybody is on board we are going to have a great season,” Ruffin said. “I feel like we have a lot more athletes this year. People better watch those Lions.”

Senior Joshua Jackson plays center and nose guard for the Lions and is one of the team leaders along the offensive and defensive lines. “I think our offensive line unit will be very sturdy,” Jackson said. “We have a lot of key returners. We only have one new starter. I also think Nick coming back with that year of experience, I think he will have more of an effect on the game.” As for the Lions defense Jackson said he has seen some growth within the unit, which gave up an average of 44.7 points a game in the team’s three losses last year. “We weren’t the greatest defense last year,” Jackson said. “But I think we have taken great strides to take that next See LIONS, PAGE 43

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step on defense. But overall, senior leadership will be key. A lot of seniors will need to step up and take command of the team.” Junior Collin Davis is another two-way player on CCA’s offensive and defensive lines and he said the Lions have the potential for another stellar season. “We had a pretty good summer and we are looking pretty good at practice. We know in the games we are going to have to put in 100 percent because we have a small amount of guys,” Davis said. “We are going to have to go out there and play as hard as we can, but I think we can surprise some people.”

Menard said the Trojans will count on junior quarterback Jacob Barker to lead the offense this season. Robinson will also line up as quarterback in certain packages, but Menard said he is ready to see what Barker can do. “I think the key for us is our quarterback,” Menard said. “We’re looking forward to seeing him grow in our system and see how good he really can become. I think that’s going to be a big thing for me as a coach to really find things that Jacob does well and make him successful not only early in the season but early in every game. We want to help him build some confidence every week.” Robinson said he has faith that the young Trojans will grow up quickly throughout

the season. “I know it’s hard to compare it with last year’s offense, but I still feel like we can put up some big numbers,” Robinson said. “I feel our defense improved a lot even though we have a lot of young guys. We just have to work hard at practice and put in the effort. Nobody is going to give it to you. You’ve got to put in the work to get it done.” Despite the setbacks, Menard said the Trojans have kept their composure and are determined to put together a successful season. “I think the kids are a little more resilient than we are. They are just looking forward to another year of getting going again,” Menard said. “We’re just excited about another year of Central Lafourche football. This is a great community that supports our team. It’s a great place to work. We’re just enjoying going into another year.”

RECRUITING Continued from Page 19

Thibodaux Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said senior defensive lineman Darius Richard (6-1, 320) and senior quarterback DaMarcus Mitchell (6-2, 215) have offers. Mitchell, who plays quarterback, linebacker, receiver and safety, has a Nicholls offer with interest from Southern. Richard has offers from Kentucky Christian University and Southern along with interest from state colleges. He has attended many national camps this summer. “I have interest from everywhere in the country right now,” Richard said. “I’m just staying humble and will focus on having a big senior year. Then all of that is going to fall into place.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

CLASS 4A

E.D. White Catholic Cardinals junior quarterback Brandon Legendre (5-9, 180), who also can play running back, receiver and kick returner, has offers from Nicholls, Louisiana-Lafayette, Tulane and Arkansas-Monticello. E.D. White senior running back Nik Shanklin (5-9, 180) picked up an offer from Millsaps College. Ellender Williams (5-10, 170) considered offers from Nicholls, Southeastern, Northwestern State, Idaho and McNeese. He committed to McNeese on Aug. 10. “It’s a blessing,” Williams said. “I’ve been putting in the work for the past four years and now my hard work and dedication has paid off.” SEE RECRUITING, PAGE 45

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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H O U M A C H R I ST I A N S C H O O L WA R R I O R S AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Chuck Battaglia Class 1A District 8-1A 2016 overall record: 3-7 District Battaglia record: 1-3 Years as head coach: 7 Record at school: 25-35 Overall record: 25-35 Last time in playoffs: 2014 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 1: at Highland Baptist Sept. 8: at Westminster Christian Sept. 15: at Ascension Christian Sept. 22: Ben Franklin Sept. 29: East Iberville Oct. 6: at West St. John* Oct. 13: BYE Oct. 20: St. Martin’s Oct. 27: at Varnado* Nov. 3: at Covenant Christian Academy* *District 8-1A game 2016 REVIEW

Def. Highland Baptist, 25-13; lost to False River, 35-14; lost to Sacred Heart, 53-21; lost to Ben Franklin, 14-13; lost to Ascension Christian, 34-20; lost to St. Martin’s, 41-34; def. Ridgewood Prep, 47-3; def. Slaughter Community Charter, 53-40; lost to Covenant Christian Academy, 34-7; lost to Varnado, 26-0. K E Y P L AY E R S

QB/S Damien Pennison (5-9, 170, Sr.), LB/RB Zachariah Trujillo (5-5, 162, Jr.), WR/CB Je’Corie Ward (6-1, 170, Sr.), DL/OL Isaiah Parfait (6-1, 285, Jr.), RB/LB Brandt Roger (5-6, 165, Jr.), OL/DL/LB James Allen (5-10, 160, Jr.), OL/DL Jeremy Bardarson (6-2, 240, Jr.)

Warriors striving for success in spite of low numbers By Kelly McElroy Staff Writer

hen Houma Christian School students returned from summer break on Aug. 7, Warriors football coach Chuck Battaglia went on a special mission through the hallways. He was looking to find more players to fill his roster. Battaglia entered the day with less than 10 players signed up for the 2017 season, but by the time the day was finished, Battaglia had a roster of 22. And while he said playing with such low numbers will be a challenge, he still feels the Warriors will be able to be competitive. “We lost a pretty big senior class last year,” Battaglia said. “We also had a few guys who decided not to play, but we have 22 guys right now and we are going to pull them together and we will give it our best shot. Most of the kids have played, but we do have some new ones. We have some good skill guys and will be little light up front, so staying healthy will be extremely important. Conditioning and staying healthy will be for us.” Having a seasoned quarterback returning in senior Damien Pennison, who also plays safety on defense, is expected to be a major advantage for the Warriors, who went 3-7 overall last season after a rash of injuries to the team. “We have seen a lot of improvement in Damien the last few years, and we are excited about him and a few of the skill guys we have coming back,” Pennison said. “I really think he is going to have a great

Three of the senior leaders for the Houma Christian School Warriors this season will be (from left) wide receiver/cornerback Je’Corie Ward, linebacker/running back Zachariah Trujilo and quarterback/safety Damien Pennison. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY.COM/DAILYCOMET.COM]

year at quarterback.” Pennison’s main target will be senior wide receiver Je’Corie Ward, also a starting defensive back. “Je’Corie is a guy who gets open,” Battaglia said. “He can make something happen anything. We have a few explosive guys. We have a few returning starters on the line, but they will have to stay healthy for us.” The leader of the Warriors defense will be junior middle linebacker Zachariah Trujillo, who will also get carries as a running back on offense. “Zach’s unbelievable,” Battaglia said. “He is completely all over the field. Having him back helps set the

tone and the guys really rally around him. He does a lot to get the team started. He can completely change the game on defense.” Despite the low numbers, the Warriors players say they won’t let it affect them. “We have to work hard and play hard. We need to have the mindset that we are going to win,” Trujillo said. “It’s not about the numbers, it’s about the heart of the kids who play that can make the team great.” Ward said the Warriors will have to be as selfless as possible and that he and Pennison have developed a stellar rapport over the years. “We just have to be unselfish.

We don’t have enough and guys are going to have to play positions, they have never played before,” Ward said. “We are just going to have to it. Damien and I have a great connection. We got together a few times over the summer to go and went over some routes and some passes.” Pennison said maybe the biggest key to the season will be the Warriors ability to stick together. “We will just have to lean on each other a lot,” Pennison said. “We can’t be willing to give up. We know we are limited in some ways. We just have to hope for the best. I feel really good and really confident that we can do it.”

RECRUITING Continued from Page 43

Williams rushed for 775 yards and eight touchdowns as a runner to go with 30 catches for 400 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver last year. He added two touchdown returns on special teams. He caught attention while competing at a camp held at the University of Alabama this summer with a 4.38 40-second time with a 40-inch vertical jump. “He just went off over there,” Ellender coach David McCormick said. “I just watch him and just wonder how he does some of the things he does. We pulled back on his workouts this summer because he tweaked his back right before spring, and I think he got faster and stronger as he was relaxing a little bit.” Other Ellender players with college offers are senior receiver

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Kobe Hartman (Southern offer; interest from Nicholls, Tulane and McNeese), senior defensive tackle/offensive lineman Sedrick Williams (Coffeyville Community College offer; McNeese, Nicholls, Louisiana-Monroe interest), senior defensive end Davarin Brown (Coffeyville) and senior defensive tackle Terrance Gray (Southern and Nicholls). South Lafourche South Lafourche offensive lineman Chad Cheramie (6-4, 265) has offers from McNeese and Southeastern Louisiana. Vandebilt Catholic Vandebilt junior quarterback Andrew Robison (6-0, 180) has offers from Nicholls, Northwestern State and McNeese. CLASS 3A

St. James

Preston (6-1, 195) will head

into his senior season as a three-star prospect on many national recruiting websites. He picked Mississippi State over Texas Tech, Vanderbilt and Louisiana Tech. He had 19 other offers from major Division I programs. “It’s a blessing committing to an SEC school of that caliber,” Preston said. “Coach Dan Mullen did a great job of recruiting me, and I love the coaching staff there. They made me feel at home in Starkville.” Preston was an All-District and The Courier/Daily Comet All-Region selection after finishing his junior season with 45 tackles, four tackles for losses, four interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He also scored two touchdowns on interception returns and one touchdown on a fumble recovery. Dumas (6-0, 250) also had a variety of offers before picking Kent State over Houston Baptist and Jackson State.

“It is amazing and very thankful that I am able to have this opportunity,” Dumas said. “I’m excited to have a chance to play at the next level. I want to thanks God and my family for supporting me.” St. James coach Robert Valdez said other Wildcats getting college looks are senior quarterback Demarcus Williams (offers from Grambling State, The Citadel and other small schools), senior defensive back Glen Brown III and senior defensive end Kyren Harris. “Our goal is always to try and put these kids into colleges so they can advance themselves academically,” Valdez said. “Hopefully, they can continue to do the little things right and build up to the big things. The ultimate goal is being on a college campus and working toward obtaining a degree.” Sports Editor Brent St. Germain and staff writer Kelly McElroy contributed to this story.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

BRAVES Continued from Page 8

and flying to the football and giving effort. We all like Coach Melvin. He is a good coach and he has helped bring us all together.” Overall, Melvin said consistency is what will allow the Braves to build on last season’s postseason berth. “It will be about consistency,” Melvin said. “That’s our biggest thing. We need to be consistency in our work ethic and how we practice from our coaching staff to our kids. I see that now. We have a good staff. It’s a good mix or younger and older guys and they are putting in the work. I think being good at the little things is what will carry us this year.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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NICHOLLS COLONELS AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Tim Rebowe FCS Southland Conference 2016 overall record: 5-6 Rebowe SLC record: 5-4 Years as head coach: 3 Record at school: 8-14 Overall record: 8-14 Last time in FCS playoffs: 2005 2017 SCHEDULE

Aug. 31: McNeese State* Sept. 9: at Texas A&M Sept. 16: Prairie View A&M Sept. 23: at Sam Houston State* Sept. 30: at Lamar* Oct. 7: Northwestern State* Oct. 14: Abilene Christian* Oct. 21: BYE Oct. 28: at Incarnate Word* Nov. 4: Houston Baptist* Nov. 11: at Stephen F. Austin* Nov. 16: at Southeastern Louisiana* *SLC games All games can be heard on 100.3-FM and 1600-AM 2016 REVIEW

Lost to Georgia, 26-24; def. Incarnate Word, 35-28; lost to South Alabama, 41-40 (OT); lost to McNeese State, 38-13; def. Stephen F. Austin, 35-28 (2OT); def. Houston Baptist, 33-30 (2OT); lost to Sam Houston State, 38-21; def. Northwestern State, 31-14; def. Lamar, 35-10; lost to Central Arkansas, 31-24; lost to Southeastern Louisiana, 44-42. K E Y P L AY E R S

QB Chase Fourcade (6-0, 190, Soph.), RB Dontrell Taylor (5-9, 180, Soph.), TE Stephen LeBouef (6-3, 225 Sr.), OT Chandler Arceneaux (6-4, 260 Jr.), DT Sully Laiche (6-2, 255 Soph.), LB Allen Pittman (5-11, 205 Soph.) LB Hezekiah White (6-0, 200 Jr.), DB Christian Boutte (6-0, 190 Sr.).

Nicholls enters 2017 season as a contender By Teddy Renois Staff Writer

icholls State University head football coach Tim Rebowe is the first to say his Colonels still haven’t arrived. But even he can’t deny, his team is at least pulling up in the driveway. When he was hired prior to the 2015 season, Rebowe promised he would return the Colonels to a competitive program. Going into his third season, he has accomplished that. After winning three games in his first season, Rebowe led the Colonels to a 5-6 overall record but a 5-4 mark in the Southland Conference. It was the first winning conference record for Nicholls since the 2005 season when it was crowned Southland champions and earned the automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. After a 0-5 start to his career at Nicholls, Rebowe has an 8-9 record over the last 17 games, including an 8-7 mark in conference games during that span. The voters of the Southland Conference polls recognized the improvement and picked Nicholls to finish in fifth the 2017 preseason poll. Getting tabbed as a contender is a far cry from where this program was when Rebowe entered the picture, but he is quick to point out his team is far from a finished product. “If you look at the big picture to where we are today, we are so much better than we were three years ago. But as a coach and a competitor, the players are the same way, they didn’t like how things ended last year,” Rebowe said. “Losing the last

Nicholls quarterback Chase Fourcade (9) started all 11 games last season as a true freshman, passing for 2,482 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. [FILE – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

two games, if that is a motivational factor going into the year so be it. But we talk to our guys all the time and we were in a lot of close games last year. We finished 5-6, but there is no guarantee that we will have a winning season this season. “We do have expectations and it is good. It does put some added pressure, but it does beat the alternative when there was none, so the guys are excited about that.” Nicholls was in several close games last season including the 26-24 season-opening loss to Georgia. Nicholls also fell to South Alabama 41-40 in overtime and closed out the season losing to conference foes Central Arkansas and Southeastern Louisiana by a total of nine points. While the near upsets of Georgia and South Alabama put them on a national map, it also placed a target on the Colonels as an up-and-coming program. But Rebowe knows last season doesn’t factor into this season and how Nicholls handles the new notoriety will determine its success in 2017.

“We have to take care of ourselves and no one gets to live their lives backwards,” Rebowe said. “We have to look at the future, but we can’t start to look ahead ourselves either. We can’t starting looking at Week 1 or Week 5 today, then we will stumble over something that is right in front of us. We have a plan for fall camp and we have a process we want to follow. We will take our few days of acclimation and get back to basics then we will start getting ready for the season.” Besides the winning conference record and the near upsets of Georgia and South Alabama, the return of quarterback Chase Fourcade and defensive lineman Sully Laiche for their sophomore seasons plays a big part in the program’s raised expectations. Fourcade and Laiche finished sixth and eighth, respectively, for the Jerry Rice Award, which is given to the FCS's top freshman. Fourcade had the greatest passing season for any freshman quarterback at Nicholls going 201-of 365 for 2,482

yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while starting in all 11 games. Laiche also had an outstanding freshman season rivaled by few in the history of the football program. Laiche had 60 total tackles, 13 ½ tackles for loss, 9 ½ sacks, two forced fumbles and one blocked field goal. Both Laiche and Fourcade were all-conference performers and were both named on HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-American teams. but more is expected in way of leadership in their sophomore seasons. “Throughout this first year, I tried to be more of a leader and more vocal,” Fourcade said. “I really wanted to take pride in my mental game and that is with the film. I think that will take me a step higher then what I was last year and I look forward to take a step in becoming a leader every day.” Laiche also accepts the challenge of becoming a leader, but he expects his new role will develop through his work ethic. “The same as last year, don’t be an ‘I’ player be a ‘We’ player and the rest will take care of itself,” Laiche said. After three solid recruiting classes, the roster is deeper at every position, but even Rebowe can’t discount how important both Fourcade and Laiche are to his team’s success. “It starts on the offensive side, and when you have an experienced quarterback coming back, you have a chance. He made strides during the season, and he wasn’tsatisfied with his play,” Rebowe said. “(Fourcade) got a lot stronger in the offseason, and I am pleased with the progressed he made from spring up to this point. He has takenmore of a leadership role and that is a sign of maturity. See COLONELS, PAGE 57

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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FROM THE SIDELINES

Prediction: A winning season, playoff bid in store for Nicholls

want to thank the Southland Conference for making my job a lot easier after it released its preseason football polls. While I think a lot of supporters for Nicholls State University’s football team expect the team to be a contender in 2017, it was nice to see the coaches and sports information directors from around the league agree with the fan base. Nicholls was picked to finish fifth behind Sam Houston State, Central Arkansas, McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana. With a fifth-place finish in the preseason polls, I don’t have to get on my soapbox to claim the Colonels are a team to watch in 2017.

1. Beat McNeese State in its home and season opener

Teddy Renois The conference has done it for me. Nothing is certain and Nicholls still has to go out and play 11 games, but it is clear the Colonels are a team on the rise. With a little luck, Nicholls could win its first Southland Conference title since 2005. There are a lot of scenarios that will play out over the course the season, but here are three keys Nicholls needs to accomplish to win a conference title.

I really don’t want to put so much emphasis on one particular game, especially when it is the first game of the season. However, a win over the Cowboys would put the Colonels in the early driver seat in the conference race. It would also give us another sign that the Colonels are turning the corner and ready to contend. On the flip side, a loss to the Cowboys would put the Colonels in a must-win situation in its next conference game at Sam Houston State (Sept.23). Going to play an expected nationally-ranked Sam Houston State team on the road is no easy task, and without a win over McNeese, Nicholls could

start conference 0-2 looking up at the rest of the league. The first game of the season shouldn’t make or break a season, but in this case, it could. If Nicholls wants to show the rest of the league it is a contender, beating the Cowboys is a must. 2. Post a 4-0 record in its conference home games

After opening the season at home at McNeese, the remainder of the home schedule lightens up a bit. The Colonels have home conference games with Northwestern State (Oct. 7), Abilene Christian (Oct. 14) and Houston Baptist (Nov. 4). No disrespect to all three of these teams, but they were all picked in the bottom half of the preseason poll. Also Nicholls defeated both Northwestern

State and Houston Baptist last season and is expected to do the same this year. Nicholls didn’t play Abilene Christian yet, but the Wildcats are coming off a 2-9 season and have a new head coach. The Colonels will be heavily favored against Northwestern State, Abilene Christian and Houston Baptist and can’t slip up against any of the three, especially if they lose to McNeese in the opener. With the conference home slate easier than the road schedule, it is crucial for Nicholls to win its conference home games to have a chance at a title. 3. Become road warriors at the end of the season

The reason it is so important

See RENOIS, PAGE 51

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

NICHOLL S COLONEL S

Quiet leader Christian Boutte’s play on the field speaks volumes By Teddy Renois Staff Writer

nassuming is the best way to describe Nicholls State University senior cornerback Christian Boutte. Even though he was a three-star prospect at Opelousas High School, Boutte arrived at Nicholls with little fanfare just a day before the start of 2014 fall camp. After playing in 21 games his first two seasons, Boutte quietly became a starting cornerback for the Colonels last season and had a season worthy of postseason honors. Boutte finished the 2016 season with 25 total tackles, eight pass break ups and three interceptions, but he didn’t earn any postseason honors from the Southland Conference. However, his junior season didn’t go unnoticed as the senior was named on the first team of the 2017 All-Southland Conference preseason team. While Boutte said he is blessed to be recognized, the real blessing he received was coming to Nicholls. Boutte had committed to Memphis out of high school, but his transcript was not accepted. With fall camps set to begin, Boutte was without a team until Nicholls opened its doors. “I had to find a new home and Nicholls State became home. It was a day before camp and I had to get back with it quick and I appreciate what (Nicholls) has done for me,” Boutte said. “I am just blessed to get the recognition, especially coming from a small town. A lot of people don’t get that recognition, but I am just humble and waiting for this season to get started.” Like he has done his entire career, Boutte (6-foot, 190 pounds) is going through his final fall camp with the

Nicholls senior cornerback Christian Boutte (right) heads into the season after being selected as a ﬁrst-team selection on the 2017 AllSouthland Conference preseason team. [WESLEY PARFAIT/CORRESPONDENT – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

Colonels in a business-like manner. He rarely gets beat on plays and he is unnoticed during practice as he goes unchallenged in team drills and 7-on-7. But the Colonels’ fall camp has been inundated with NFL scouts with most of them keeping a close watch on Boutte’s progress in the secondary. “I really don’t pay it any mind, I just have to go out and practice. I know they are here and they might be watching me, but I just have to do my alignment and assignment at the end of the day,” Boutte said. “I can be as good as I want to be, but if I don’t have the plays down, then what I am here for.” It is that work ethic that has endeared Boutte to his teammates and coaches, and while he quietly goes about his business, Boutte’s play speaks loud enough for the team to hear.

“He is just going about his job quietly. He knows he is a senior and he has to get the younger players to step up. He is healthy, but you don’t know it because they don’t really throw his way a lot,” Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe said. “I am really proud of him. He isn’t a rahrah guys or a look at me, he goes out and does his job. He does a good job in the locker room and the guys respect him. They know he will do his job on the field.” Boutte’s job is to help Nicholls live up to its preseason prediction in the Southland Conference preseason poll. The Colonels were picked fifth by the voters which is a far cry from the 0-12 season Boutte suffered through as a freshman. While he remains humble, Boutte isn’t shy about the Colonels competing for a conference title. Boutte is also

confident the Colonels can have one of the better defenses not only in the Southland Conference but in all of the Football Championship Subdivision. With a better defense and an improving offense, Boutte can’t wait to get this season started and have the Colonels do all their talking on the field. “We can be a whole lot better and we just have to limit the little mistakes. I’m not talking about conference, but I’m talking about being nationally ranked,” Boutte said. “It’s been great for me at Nicholls even though we went 0-12 my first year. I just kept my head up and stayed focused on working hard. I am just thrilled to know when I leave this program it will continue to be good because the coaches are spectacular. They will teach you and help you at the end of the day.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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LSU TIGERS AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Ed Orgeron SEC West 2016 overall record: 8-4 SEC record: 5-3 Years as head Orgeron coach: 1 (interim coach for part of 2016) Record at school: 6-2 Overall record: 22-29 Last time in bowl game: 2016 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 2: vs. BYU# Sept. 9: Chattanooga Sept. 16: at Mississippi State* Sept. 23: Syracuse Sept. 30: Troy Oct. 7: at Florida* Oct. 14: Auburn* Oct. 21: at Ole Miss* Nov. 4: at Alabama* Nov. 11: Arkansas* Nov. 18: at Tennessee* Nov. 25: Texas A&M* *SEC game #AdvoCare Texas Kickoff game at NRG Stadium in Houston All games can be heard on 870-AM 2016 REVIEW

Lost to Wisconsin, 16-14; def. Jacksonville State, 34-13; def. Mississippi State, 23-20; lost to Auburn, 18-13; def. Missouri, 42-7; def. Southern Miss, 45-10; def. Ole Miss, 38-21; lost to Alabama, 10-0; def. Arkansas, 38-10; lost to Florida, 16-10; def. Texas A&M, 54-39. Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl: def. Louisville, 29-9. K E Y P L AY E R S

RB Derrius Guice (5-11, 218, Jr.), QB Danny Etling (6-3, 325, Sr.), WR D.J. Chark (6-4, 198, Sr.), OG/C Will Clapp (6-5, 314, Jr.), LB Arden Key (6-6, 265, Jr.), DE Rashard Lawrence (6-3, 300, Sr.), DB Donte Jackson (5-11, 175, Jr.), CB Kevin Tolliver II (6-3, 204, Jr.)

‘Coach O’ era officially begins By Mike Detillier NFL Analyst

e all got a glimpse of former South Lafourche High School star and Larose native Ed Orgeron and what he can do as the head coach of the LSU Tigers during the 2016 season. Orgeron posted a 6-2 mark in 2016 as the interim coach and his team held Alabama scoreless after three quarters and was within a redzone touchdown conversion versus Florida late in losing efforts. Now, “Coach O” is the head coach, and he has already made his mark by bringing in Matt Canada to run his offense. Canada’s offense at Pittsburgh last season averaged more than 38 points a game and he didn’t have nearly the talent he has at LSU today, but some of what he inherits is young talent. The Tigers have a superstar on offense in running back Derrius Guice, who has a chance to be a 2,200-yard contributor as a runner and receiver this season. Guice is also a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. One young player to watch is running back Clyde EdwardsHelaire, who is 5-foot-7 and 190 pounds. He is a freshman but can flat out play big on the field. LSU also hopes that quarterback Danny Etling is healthy in 2017. Etling played the entire 2016 season with a back injury that required surgery earlier this spring. While at times he was inconsistent throwing the ball, Etling made his mark in games hitting deep passes downfield. On the receiving end of Etling’s throws will be two bigtime targets in speedy wide

LSU running back Derrius Guice (5) was a ﬁrst-team All-SEC selection last season after rushing for 1,387 yards and 15 touchdowns. Guice enters his junior season as a Heisman Trophy candidate. [AP FILE]

receiver D.J. Chark and tight end Foster Moreau. The Tigers have a lot of good talent at wide receiver in converted defensive back Russell Gage and youngsters in Drake Davis, Stephen Sullivan, Derrick Dillon and freshman converted safety to wide receiver in JaCoby Stevens. Up front, the Tigers have a solid starting group, but they are razor-thin if injuries would start to eat away at this unit. Tackles K.J. Malone and Toby Weathersby are NFL caliber players. Orgeron and offensive line coach Jeff Grimes have praised the play of center/ guards Will Clapp and Lloyd Cushenberry, and offensive guard Garrett Brumfield has also upgraded his overall play. The Tigers are hoping they can quickly raise the play of mammoth sophomore offensive guard Donavaughn Campbell and true freshman linemen Edward Ingram, Austin Deculus

and Saahdiq Charles. Defensively, LSU’s key is all about Arden Key, who is the best defensive player in college football and the most feared due to his pass rush skills. But his leave of absence in the spring and later shoulder surgery leaves his presence a question mark early in the 2017 season. If he is on the field, Key is a difference maker like few are on defense in college football today. But “Coach O” thinks he has a freshman in K’Lavon Chaisson who could fill that void in a short term, and eventually watch for Key and Chaisson to be on the field together rushing the quarterback. Dave Aranda has done a fantastic job with the Tigers defense. He has a lot of talented young players up front with Key and Chaisson, along with defensive end Rashard Lawrence, nose guards Greg Gilmore and Ed Alexander and veterans Christian LaCouture and Frank Herron.

Losing Kendell Beckwith in the middle and Duke Riley outside is big at linebacker, but Aranda and Orgeron like what they have seen from middle linebackers Devin White and Donnie Alexander. On the edge the Tigers have a host of talented young players in Mike Divinity, Andre Anthony, Ray Thornton and Corey Thompson. They have also recruited a threesome of very talented inside linebackers in Patrick Queen, Jacob Phillips and Tyler Taylor who will fight hard for playing time. The big question mark for the Tigers is in the secondary. Normally “DBU” is the strength of the team and it may well be in 2018, but the losses of Jamal Adams, Tre’Davious White, Dwayne Thomas and Rickey Jefferson leaves some big shoes to fill. See LSU, PAGE 51

LSU Continued from Page 50

Donte Jackson — the fastest player in college football — holds down one cornerback spot along with highly-touted junior Kevin Tolliver the other cornerback starting post. They may well be backed up by two true freshmen in former Lutcher quarterback Jontre Kirklin and speedy Kary Vincent. The same lack of experience can be seen at safety with John Battle and Ed Paris the projected starters, but true freshman in Grant Delpit and Todd Harris are pushing the upper-classmen for their starting spots along with redshirt freshman safeties Cameron Lewis and Eric Monroe. There is a lot of talent in the secondary but little on the college football resume. Orgeron

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told me two weeks ago the key to this unit is turnovers. “We understand we are very young back there and we will get beat, but I want to see who can knock off the dirt of a bad play and then make a big play on defense,” Orgeron said. “What I want to see is us getting some turnovers. This group is hungry and aggressive with the ball in flight. I tell them just don’t knock the ball away, catch it and let them remember who they tested next time.” Josh Growden returns as LSU’s punter, and redshirt freshman Connor Culp is expected to handle the kicking spot. Getting out to a quick start is key for Orgeron and the Tigers because with the uncertainty of the availability of Key and a young secondary the Tigers face two gunslinger quarterbacks early playing BYU and Mississippi State. If they can get out of the gate fast LSU could well be

5-0 when they make that trip to Gainesville, Fla., to play the Gators on Oct. 7 and then the tough stretch starts having to play Auburn, at Ole Miss, at Alabama, Arkansas in Tiger Stadium and another road game versus Tennessee. If “Coach O” and LSU can squeeze out nine wins, they will have done a good job. But one thing you will see that Tigers fans have wanted is a fast-paced, up-tempo offense with a lot of looks and people in motion. The big question marks are can the Tigers stay healthy up front along the offensive line, especially at the tackles spots with Malone and Weathersby, can Key back early and healthy, and can this young secondary grow up quick? Because remember, Alabama is still the beast of the SEC. NFL analyst Mike Detillier is based in Raceland.

RENOIS Continued from Page 48

for Nicholls to win its homes games is the daunting conference road schedule ahead. After Sam Houston State, Nicholls has winnable games at Lamar (Sept. 30) and Incarnate Word (Oct. 26) but close with difficult games at Stephen F. Austin (Nov. 11) and Southeastern Louisiana (Nov. 16) to end the season. While the road schedule has the tougher conference opponents, it is how the Colonels finish the season with three road games in the final four weeks that makes it difficult. I do believe the Colonels will be in contention for a conference title when they play their final two road games and splitting the final two road games between the Lumberjacks and Lions might still

Thursday, August 24, 2017

might give this team a share of a title. But losing both of those games will not only cost Nicholls a conference title but a bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. With Nicholls expected to split its nonconference games at Texas A&M and at home against Prairie View A&M, I am predicting an 8-3 overall record and a 7-2 conference mark. I think the Colonels will beat McNeese State to start the season but lose to Sam Houston State on the road and split their final road games at Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern Louisiana at the end of the season. If that happens, Nicholls won't win a Southland Conference title but it will earn an atlarge bid to the FCS playoffs. Staff Writer Teddy Renois can be reached at 4487618 or teddy.renois@ dailycomet.com. Follow on Twitter @RenoisTeddy.

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

Southland welcomes two new head coaches By Teddy Renois Staff Writer

The Southland Conference ushered in its 2017 football season by welcoming two new head coaches at its media day in Houston. Abilene Christian coach Adam Dorrel and Lamar coach Mike Schultz are both optimistic about overcoming the challenges they face in turning their new programs into winners in the competitive Southland Conference. Dorrel, who replaced Ken Collums, is moving up to Division I from Division II Northwest Missouri State where he won three national championships in six years. “It’s been a challenge, but it’s one I wanted for me and my career. I’ve been taken out of my comfort zone, and I’m looking forward to that happening even more,” Dorrel said. “There are so many different rules on recruiting, practicing and scholarships that I feel like I’m learning something new every day from our recruiting coordinator and our APR coordinator. Recruiting a new state is a challenge, but it’s been a fun one to tackle.” Schultz replaced Ray Woodard at Lamar after serving as a successful offensive coordinator at TCU and Texas State. “I just hope year two is easier than year one. In all seriousness, it has been full speed ahead since the day I arrived. It’s like your swimming but not being able to come up for air very much,” Schultz said. “I believe we’re getting to the point where the kids are comfortable with us and the staff is comfortable with each other. There has to be a comfort level that permeates through the program, and I’m not saying we are completely there yet but

Southeastern Louisiana sophomore running back Julius Maracalin (21) ﬁnds some running room during last season’s game against Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. [FILE – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

we’re getting closer.” Both Dorrel and Schultz join the rest of the Southland Conference head football coaches in trying to knock off defending champions Sam Houston State. Once again the Bearkats were the pick to win the conference in the preseason polls with 20 first-place votes and 200 points. For Sam Houston State to repeat as conference champions, the Bearkats must overcome some inexperience on its offensive line. “The biggest loss we have had is the offensive line,” Bearkats coach K.C. Keeler said. “We are experimenting at the offensive line putting different players in each role. It is going to be exciting to see the team mesh throughout the season. That is probably the biggest question mark we have coming into the season.” Abilene Christian Wildcats HEAD COACH: Adam Dorrel 2016 RECORD: Overall – 2-9; SLC – 2-7 (10th) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017:

Eighth (66 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense -- QB Dallas Sealey, PK Nik Grau; Defense – LB Sam Denmark, DE Bryson Gates. WHAT DORREL IS SAYING: “I haven’t been in this league, but I’m good enough coach that I can look at ﬁlm and know this is a good league from top to bottom. I don’t talk a lot about winning and losing; instead we’re going to talk about the process that goes into winning and losing. To be real honest, being pitched eighth is about what I thought would happen.” NOTES: Dorrel is in his ﬁrst season at Abilene Christian … Dorrel spent six seasons at Division II Northwest Missouri State compiling a 76-8 overall record and winning three national championships … After a four-year transition period, Abilene Christian is eligible for postseason play… Abilene Christian opens the 2017 season with back-to-back road games against New Mexico and Colorado State.

Central Arkansas Bears HEAD COACH: Steve Campbell

2016 RECORD: Overall – 10-3; SLC – 8-1 (second) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: Second (two ﬁrst place votes, 177 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – QB Hayden Hildebrand, OL Stockton Mallet; Defense – DL Cardell Best, LB George Odum. WHAT CAMPBELL IS SAYING: “The maturity on the offensive line … last year we went into it and Stockton Mallet was the only one there that had started a football game. This year you go into it, young have three preseason All-Conference guys up front and everyone returning. So that has deﬁnitely changed a little bit. Those guys are going to be a big key to any success we have offensively.” NOTES: Central Arkansas was eliminated by Eastern Washington in a second-round game of the FCS playoffs … UCA returns its entire offensive line … Central Arkansas led the Southland in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense allowing just 72.8 yards on the ground in 2016 … Central Arkansas opens the 2017 college football season at Kansas State.

Houston Baptist Huskies HEAD COACH: Vic Shealy 2016 RECORD: Overall -- 4-7; SLC – 3-5 (seventh) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: Ninth (56 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – RB Terrance Peters, PK Alec Chadwick; Defense – LB Garrett Dolan, P Christian Guzman. WHAT SHEALY IS SAYING: “It’s all about process versus product … early on our process was to build leadership and conﬁdence, and for our players to walk on the ﬁeld with an expectation to win. Now, we believe we have the ability to go out and beat any given team on any given day.” NOTES: Houston Baptist plays its

ﬁrst four games on the road … Dolan ranked second nationally with 12.3 tackles per game and has 327 career tackles … Chadwick had the longest ﬁeld goal in Division I last year with a 60 yarder against Incarnate Word … Running back B.J. Kelly is the Huskies all-time leader with 10 touchdowns.

Incarnate Word Cardinals HEAD COACH: Larry Kennan 2016 RECORD: Overall – 3-8; SLC – 3-6 (tied for eighth) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: 11th (48 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – AP Kody Edwards, RB Desmond Hite; Defense – DB Robert Hays Jr., DB Sean Hoeferkamp. WHAT KENNAN IS SAYING: “Time and patience. We went from 36 scholarships to 63 now. We have to be patient and not expect miracles overnight. If we can live through the ﬁrst three weeks (three road games at Fresno State, Sacramento State and conference game at Stephen F. Austin) we will be OK. We are interested in winning every game, but more importantly, we’re working on our studentathletes becoming great men after graduation. We expect to win more games than last year.” NOTES: Incarnate Word has completed its transition into Division I and is eligible for all postseason play … Hite averaged 7.5 yards per rush and 10.3 yards per reception last season … Hoeferkamp was second on the team with 77 total tackles … Incarnate Word returns three starters in its secondary.

Lamar Cardinals HEAD COACH: Mike Schultz 2016 RECORD: Overall -- 3-8; SLC – 3-6 (tied for eighth) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: Seventh (68 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – WR

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Zae Giles, OL Matthew Oubre; Defense – DB Rodney Randle Jr., DB Davon Jernigan. WHAT SCHULTZ IS SAYING: “I think we are right where we should be. We have a long way to go. The teams that are picked ahead of us in the preseason poll are really good teams that have an established history of winning. We haven’t quite arrived at that point so I don’t see how we could’ve been picked higher.” NOTES: Schultz is in his ﬁrst season at Lamar … Schultz coached LaDainian Tomlinson while at TCU … Schultz spent the last ﬁve seasons at the offensive coordinator at Texas State … Lamar will have to replace the school’s all-time rusher Kade Harrington.

KEY PLAYERS: Offense – QB James Tabary, TE/HB Lawayne Ross; Defense – DB Andre Fuller, DL Chris Livings. WHAT GUIDRY IS SAYING: “We are excited about the season. We set our goals high. Sure you want to win a conference championship, but our goal is to win a national title.” NOTES: Tabary was the 2016 SLC Newcomer of the Year … McNeese returns 97 percent of its total offensive yards production from 2016 … McNeese has had 12 consecutive winning seasons … McNeese ranked No. 2 in the conference in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense in 2016.

McNeese State Cowboys

HEAD COACH: Jay Thomas 2016 RECORD: Overall – 1-10; SLC – 0-9 (11th) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: 10th (49 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense -- WR Bobby Chan-Chan, QB J.D.

HEAD COACH: Lance Guidry 2016 RECORD: Overall – 6-5; SLC – 5-4 (fourth) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: Third (163 points)

Northwestern State Demons

Almond; Defense – DE Dannie Harmon, DB Austin Balthazor. WHAT THOMAS IS SAYING: “I’ve been picked first in this conference and I felt pressure. If you’re a competitor, you always feel pressure. The external things like polls are only meaningful if you allow them to be. We’re not defined by that or anything that happened in 2016. We are defined by what we are doing now and how we perform this season. I like where we are heading.” NOTES: Thomas is a former head coach at Nicholls … Almond has made six career starts for Northwestern State … Chan-Chan ranked 14th in the FCS in yards per catch (19.4) last season … Northwestern State plays at Louisiana Tech in its season opener.

Sam Houston State Bearkats HEAD COACH: K.C. Keeler 2016 RECORD: Overall – 12-1; SLC – 9-0 (ﬁrst)

PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: First (20 ﬁrst-place votes, 200 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – QB Jeremiah Briscoe, RB Corey Avery; Defense – DE P.J. Hall, LB Justin Johnson. WHAT KEELER IS SAYING: “We have the best two players in the country; one on offense, one on defense. The expectations should be high. As the offseason has come along all our kids will say that this is the best summer we have had. We are rolling into training camp earlier than normal with the early opener we have. We have added some pieces to the puzzle defensively that we feel will make us better than last year.” NOTES: Sam Houston State lost to James Madison in the FCS quarterﬁnals last season … Briscoe won the 2016 Walter Payton Award which is the FCS equivalent to the Heisman Trophy … Sam Houston State had 54 scoring drives last fewer than two minutes in 2016 … Sam Houston State led the conference with 40

Thursday, August 24, 2017

quarterback sacks in 2016.

Southeastern Louisiana Lions HEAD COACH: Ron Roberts 2016 RECORD: Overall – 7-4 ; SLC – 7-2 (third) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: Fourth (136 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – RB Julius Maracalin, OL Travis Romero; Defense – LB Sione Teuhema, DB Max Lyons. WHAT ROBERTS IS SAYING: “We were a better football team coming out of the spring. We have had great leadership and that’s what it takes to win championships. The ingredients are in place for us to compete for a Southland Conference championship and those are our expectations.” NOTES: Southeastern Louisiana opens the season at LouisianaLafayette … Southeastern Louisiana defeated all three in-state rivals, McNeese State,

See SOUTHLAND, PAGE 56

Thursday, August 24, 2017

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NEW ORLEANS SAINTS AT A G L A N C E

Head coach: Sean Payton NFC South 2016 overall record: 7-9 Years with Saints: 10 Payton Record with Saints (incl. playoffs): 100-70 Last title: Super Bowl XLIV (2009 season) 2017 SCHEDULE

Sept. 11: at Minnesota Sept. 17: New England Sept. 24: at Carolina Oct. 1: vs. Miami (in London) Oct. 15: Detroit Lions Oct. 22: at Green Bay Oct. 29: at Chicago Nov. 5: Tampa Bay Nov. 12: at Buffalo Nov. 19: Washington Nov. 26: at Los Angeles Rams Dec. 3: Carolina Dec. 7: at Atlanta Dec. 17: at New York Jets Dec. 24: Atlanta Dec. 31: at Tampa Bay All games on 870-AM 2016 REVIEW

Lost to Oakland, 35-34; lost to New York Giants, 16-13; lost to Atlanta, 45-32; def. San Diego, 35-34; def. Carolina, 41-38; lost to Kansas City, 27-21; def. Seattle, 25-20; def. San Francisco, 41-23; lost to Denver, 25-23; lost to Carolina, 23-20; def. Los Angeles Rams, 49-21; lost to Detroit, 28-13; lost to Tampa Bay, 16-11; def. Arizona, 48-41; def. Tampa Bay, 31-24; lost to Atlanta, 38-32. K E Y P L AY E R S

QB Drew Brees (6-0, 209); RB Mark Ingram (5-9, 215), WR Michael Thomas (6-3, 212), OL Larry Warford (6-3, 317), DE Cameron Jordan (6-4, 287), LB A.J. Klein (6-1, 240), CB Delvin Breaux (6-1, 196), S Kenny Vaccaro (6-0, 214).

Defense and special teams remain issues for Saints in hotly contested NFC South By Mike Detillier NFL Analyst

will use a Sean Payton line, “Our offense doesn’t keep me awake at night” and that will be true again for the New Orleans Saints in 2017. The problems with the Black and Gold all rests on defense and on special teams and that again will be an issue or issues in 2017. Are the Saints a better team in 2017 than 2016? The answer is yes, but so are the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and, personnel wise, the Atlanta Falcons. Quarterback Drew Brees has not shown any signs of aging despite hitting 38 years old, and his heir apparent is not on the roster today. Brees is the best football player in the 50-year history of the Saints, and his brilliance on the field gives you more than a fighting chance each and every week. If there is a superstar on the 2017 Saints other than Brees, it is wide receiver Michael Thomas. Last season, Thomas was a rookie phenom with the Saints catching 92 passes for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns. Bet the bank that barring an injury, Thomas will post bigger numbers than that in Year 2 in New Orleans. To be honest, the wide receiver spot is the most talented on the team with dependable Willie Snead IV, speedy Ted Ginn Jr., training camp stars Brandon Coleman, Tommylee Lewis and Corey Fuller and a top special teams player in Jake Lampman.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan (94) pressures Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) during a game last season in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. [AP FILE]

The Saints are also strong at running back. Mark Ingram is one of the NFC’s top backs and the Saints added the best running back of his generation in the NFL in 32-year-old Adrian Peterson. How much football gas Peterson has left in the tank with the mileage he has over the years is the question. But Peterson may be the catalyst for Payton to be more patient with his rushing attack early in games. Too many times we have seen the Saints run the ball 16 to 18 times and Brees throws it 47 times. That is not a winning formula for the Saints.

The Saints also made a draft day trade for former University of Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara, and he gives them someone to finally fill the shoes of Darren Sproles as an edge runner and receiver downfield. This young man is very talented. There are some concerns along the offensive line due to health issues. Left tackle Terron Armstead is expected to miss at least half of the season with a torn labrum and center Max Unger may or may not be ready to go Week 1. Despite the injuries, the Saints have assembled a young and talented group up front.

Armstead, offensive guards Andrus Peat and Larry Warford, 2017 first-round pick offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk and top reserve in Senio Kelemete are all 26 years old or under. Right tackle Zach Strief continues to play at a high level despite the fact that he will turn 33 years old in mid-September. The question marks again are on defense. Defensive end Cam Jordan and strong safety Kenny Vaccaro are the two signature players on defense, no question about it. See SAINTS, PAGE 56

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

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SOUTHLAND Continued from Page 53 Nicholls and Northwestern State, last season … Southeastern Louisiana hosts Nicholls in the 2017 season ﬁnale on Nov. 16 … South Carolina transfer Lorenzo Nunez is competing for the starting quarterback job.

Stephen F. Austin HEAD COACH: Clint Conque 2016 RECORD: Overall – 5-6; SLC – 4-5 (sixth) PREDICTED FINISH IN 2017: Sixth (114 points) KEY PLAYERS: Offense – OL Josh Keith, AP Trae Hart; Defense – DL John Franklin, DL Lamont Alexander . WHAT CONQUE IS SAYING: “As we

SAINTS Continued from Page 54

You never get better by subtraction, and it is a huge loss to not have Nick Fairley (heart condition) playing defensive tackle for the Saints. His NFL career seems to be over. Youngsters Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata and Tyeler Davison form a solid crew at defensive tackle, but none of them have the interior pass rush skills of Fairley. At defensive end, Jordan is one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL. But can the Saints get the same production from the defensive end by committee on the other side in veteran Alex Okafor, 2015 second-round pick Hau’oli Kikaha and 2017 third-round pick Trey Hendrickson? Watch for the Saints to play a lot of two-linebacker sets with former Carolina Panthers linebacker A.J. Klein leading the way along with veterans Craig Robertson and Manti Te’o. For the Saints to post more wins in 2017, they have to get more turnovers on defense and that means better play in the secondary. In Payton’s three-year stretch of 7-9 (2014-16), the Saints they have totaled just 30 interceptions and been a negative 14 on the giveaway/takeaway scale. There is a lot of good young talent in

approach the 2017 season I’m genuinely as excited and as optimistic as I have been since 2014. We have recruited well at the high school level and supplemented our roster with some quality transfers. Last season, we started out 3-1 and beat a very good McNeese team down in Lake Charles but our coaches knew we had a very fragile football team. By the sixth game we had lost four offensive tackles, two corners, three receivers; a starting tight end and were hit hard by injuries. Now we turn the page this year and we have great optimism knowing that those guys are back and a year older.” NOTES: Stephen F. Austin welcomes ﬁve new assistant coaches (four on defense) for 2017 … Stephen F. Austin must replace its top three rushers from last year … Stephen F. Austin has beaten a nationallyranked opponent for ﬁve straight years … Conque was an All-American linebacker at Nicholls.

the secondary in cornerbacks Delvin Breaux, Ken Crawley, P.J. Williams, 2017 first-round pick Marshon Lattimore, DeVante Harris and veteran Sterling Moore, but how quick they come together as a unit is still a mystery. The same can be said at safety where you will see a lot of three-safety alignments with Kenny Vaccaro, 2016 second-round pick Vonn Bell, 2017 second-round pick Marcus Williams, former CFL standout Erik Harris and veteran Rafael Bush manning those critical three-safety alignments. Look for teams to attack the Saints secondary early and often until this young group can make some big plays on its end. On special teams, the Saints look solid with punter Thomas Morstead and kicker Wil Lutz, and they will have a new punt returner in Ginn, but this team finished 31st in kickoff returns in 2016 and we saw three games in which breakdowns up front in blocking played huge parts in losses for New Orleans. That cannot happen in 2017. There are a lot of question marks, especially on defense and special teams for the Saints in 2017, so if you have liked what you have seen the last three years in high scoring games, you will love the 2017 version. As for the Saints’ final record, 8-8 looks to be the on scorecard. NFL analyst Mike Detillier is based in Raceland.

DISTRICTS Continued from Page 17

instead of in the season opener. “We think our district was tough enough as it was,” Vandebilt coach Jeremy Atwell said. “Then you go and add a team that went to the (Division II) quarterfinals last year and beat us to get there. They got better as the season went on. You bring a proven team like that in, a team that is well coaches and whose kids always play hard and then put it as the last game of the year. It’s going to be a war. That is exciting. I think for that rivalry playing it at the end of the season gives it even more of a rivalry feel.” Assumption has won the last two District 7-4A titles and Mustangs coach Tony Paine said the addition of E.D. White just adds to the fun. “It’s something about the bayou teams,” Paine said. “Everybody in this district is competitive. There is a lot of parity between the squads, so it’s going to be who is willing to go that extra mile during the offseason to put in that extra time to give yourself that step ahead amongst the other teams in the district. The teams have a lot of similarity in terms of height, size, weight and speed. You really have to give it your best every week to give yourself an advantage over your opponent.” South Terrebonne coach

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Richard Curlin said he always likes playing E.D. White and the bigger the district, the better. “We have been playing E.D. White since (former E.D. White football coach and athletic director) Preston LeJeune and I started getting together years ago,” Curlin said. “We always like playing each other. It is usually a good, competitive game and a good gate and a good crowd. Having a bigger district is always helpful. When you go to filling out your schedules, you don’t have as many nondistrict games to fill. Where we are down here, it’s not very long before you find yourself in Baton Rouge, New Orleans or Lafayette trying to find a nondistrict game. You would like to try and avoid those road trips if you can.” First-year South Lafourche coach Blake Forsythe is no stranger to E.D. White. He spent five seasons at the school as an assistant coach from 2010-14. “It’s great because it’s another bayou school. It’s all local teams,” Forsythe said. “We are all similarly built, and we all familiar with one another. The travel is also not too bad, so I am glad that E.D. White joined this district. The only thing about having an odd number of district teams is that you will have a district bye. We were lucky because we got the Week 10 bye which was easy to fill.” Here is a look at how other districts involving area teams will be set up for 2017-18:

District 7-5A There will be no change to District 7-5A this season. The league will still be comprised of Central Lafourche, Destrehan, East St. John, Hahnville, H.L. Bourgeois, Terrebonne and Thibodaux.Destrehan has dominated 7-5A in recent seasons. District 10-3A St. James will no longer have archrival Lutcher in its district after the Bulldogs moved up to Class 4A, but Wildcats coach Robert Valdez said the league, which will now include St. James, Donaldsonville, De La Salle, Haynes Academy, Lusher Charter and St. Charles Catholic is expected to be very competitive. “It’s madness,” Valdez said. “You lose Lutcher, but you gain Donaldsonville and St. Charles Catholic and we keep De La Salle. St. Charles and De La Salle are two power select programs and us and Donaldsonville are two solid nonselect programs. Lusher is not too shabby either and Haynes will compete. Winning the district championship means a lot. That means you went through the gauntlet.” Valdez said the district, along with his team’s nondistrict schedule, should have St. James prepared for its postseason goals. “Iron sharpens iron, and our goal is to beat these teams,” Valdez said. “But they will make us better. It will be fun

and makes for good football. You can win a game by 30 or 40 points and not get better. I think we kind of fell victim to that last year. We had our way with some teams and went into the playoffs at 8-2 and got into a dogfight (at Peabody) in the first round and didn’t make it out. If we are fortunate enough to make it to the playoffs this year, I don’t know if we will see better teams than we will have seen in our district.” District 8-1A Local teams Covenant Christian Academy and Houma Christian School will join St. Martin’s, perennial small school power West St. John and last year’s district champion Varnado in District 8-1A. The league also originally included J.S. Clark, but the school will not field a football team this season. “Ouch,” Boquet said. “The LHSAA did not do us any favors. Not only did they keep Varnado in our district, but they bless us with West St. John and J.S. Clark, who has bowed out of football, so now we have an open date there. I don’t have to say anything about West St. John. Anybody who knows high school football knows all about West St. John.” “They added West St. John and the other teams in our district like Varnado and Covenant are always tough,” Houma Christian coach Chuck Battaglia said. “We have a tough road ahead of us.”

Thursday, August 24, 2017

COLONELS Continued from Page 46

“You flip sides and Sully had a real good summer and put on some weight. Sully isn’t a rahrah guy, but he is respected and he will say some things. He isn’t that type but he is steady on the field and the guys respect that.” Going into the third season, Rebowe has brought respect back to the Colonels football program and a winning season, conference title and FCS playoff bid all seem possible with a little luck. But high expectations can also lead to huge disappointments if a team believes it has arrived and fails to do the tedious work needed to be successful on Saturdays in the fall. Everyday Rebowe reminds his players nothing is a given, but he also knows if his team can take another step of improvement, winning a conference title is possible. “I do, but we have to be careful because I think this team has to go into fall camp and just take care of the Nicholls State Colonels,” Rebowe said. “That is what we have to do. We have to get back to the basics and the blocking and tackling down and if we do that. We have a lot of guys with experience and know what it takes to win. I don’t want to get too far ahead, but I love the expectations. But, it is one game at a time and our guys understand that and they know what it take to win in this conference.”

58 Thursday, August 24, 2017 | THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

TULANE GREEN WAVE

Tulane’s Fritz eyes jump with help from a new QB The Associated Press NEW ORLEANS — Second-year Tulane coach Willie Fritz knows better than to promise the moon to college football fans in the Crescent City. His four-win maiden season in charge of the Green Wave made it clear how much work needs to be done. He does, however, foresee considerable progress — maybe even enough to become bowl-eligible. “We feel good about where we’re at right now,” Fritz said. “We’re better in all areas.” Fritz may prove everyone wrong, but many outside the program are certainly skeptical of the Wave’s ability to win. They’ve been picked to finish at the bottom of the American Athletic Conference’s West Division in the league’s preseason media poll. But Fritz has faith that his history of building winners will overcome Tulane’s history of losing. Considering how close Tulane came to winning the minimum six games for bowl eligibility last season — losing fourth quarter leads to SMU and Navy, as well as squandering multiple scoring chances in a 7-3 loss to Wake Forest — Fritz doesn’t see bowl aspirations as unreasonable. Fritz has had only three losing seasons in 24 years as a head coach, which includes stints in the NAIA, Division II, FCS and FBS. Now he aims to coach Tulane to just its second bowl game in 15 seasons, and first since 2013. ----Here are some defining issues facing Tulane entering the 2017 campaign:

QUICK FIX: Unsatisfied with Tulane quarterback play last season and unwilling to trust a true freshman with the job, Fritz aggressively recruited junior college transfer Jonathan Banks, who began his college career at Kansas State, but left that school after contracting mononucleosis. Banks has demonstrated the ability to run, throw, and perhaps most importantly, throw accurately on the run. In a multiple offense that contains elements of the triple option, such a skill set is critical. That, combined with Banks’ maturity and Power-5 pedigree made recruiting him a priority for Tulane. “For our offense, we’ve got to have a quarterback who can” run and throw, Fritz said. “We’ve got to get better play at that position.” Banks said Tulane recruited him the hardest and was first to offer a scholarship. He also saw the potential for the Wave to improve. “This program is going to come up,” Banks said. “I feel the coaches just came in. They just started to get to know players last year. So they have a year under their belt. They’re opening the play book up more. You can just tell there’s a sense of change.” LOST LEADERS: Tulane’s two defensive players last season — four-year starting linebacker Nico Marley and defensive tackle Tanzel Smart — are both now trying to make NFL rosters after being named All-AAC last season. While replacing those two players won’t be easy, Fritz said the unit as a whole could still be better because there are 15 returning defenders who started at least one game last season, including senior Parry

Nickerson, who has 10 career interceptions. “That’s quite a few guys. We’ve got a lot of experience returning, another year in the system,” Fritz said. “So I think we’ll be better defensively.” UP FRONT: Fritz is confident that Tulane’s offensive line will benefit from a year in the system and the return of center Junior Diaz from injury. “We’re much better there. We really are,” Fritz insisted. “It hurt us when we lost Junior. ... It’s great to have him back.” RUNNING ROOM: Tulane has two experienced rushers in Dontrell Hilliard and Sherman Badie. The hope is that if defenses are forced to respect Banks’ dynamism, Hilliard and Badie will have more room to Willie Fritz (center) is entering his second season as Tulane’s head football run when they do get the ball. coach. [AP file]

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SHIP YARDS OIL REFINERIES CHEMICAL PLANTS PAPER MILLS MANY OTHER INDUSTRIAL AND CONSTRUCTION SETTINGS

Wilson & Hiatt is providing

FREE ASBESTOS TESTING

in your area. Find out if you or a loved one may have a case.

Call 1-985-464-4227

WE GOT SPIRIT! HOW ’BOUT YOU? OPEN WEDNESDAY - SATURDAY | BAR 4:30 PM | KITCHEN 5 PM - TILL 601 W 3RD ST. • THIBODAUX, LA | 985.227.9507 | CINCLAREFOODANDDRINK.COM FIND US ON FACEBOOK

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Good Luck This Season

Meyer Financial Group A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc.

Thomas J. Meyer, CFP®, APMA® - Private Wealth Advisor Lloyd J. Kern, III, APMA®, CMFC® - Financial Advisor David M. Ponson, APMA® - Financial Advisor John T. Meyer - Associate Financial Advisor Christopher M. Callahan - Associate Financial Advisor

Ameriprise Financial

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFPB, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with flame design) in the U.S. ©2017 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

132 Rue Colette, Ste. A • Thibodaux, LA 70301 • 985.446.1159

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 24, 2017 61 23

GOOD LUCK to Our

HOMETOWN TEAMS! T EN C L INO VE S A TR & CA

VEGAS-STYLE CASINO • 24 HOUR SECURITY • CLEAN RESTROOMS • ONE OF THE LARGEST SUBWAYS IN THE AREA

COME CELEBRATE 2017 FOOTBALL SEASON WITH US

MONTHLY CASINO PARTIES DJ • SNACKS • SPECIALS 7PM-10PM

DRINK SPECIALS FOR EVERY LSU & SAINTS GAME

FREE SUBWAY MEAL FOR TRUCKERS WITH MINIMUM 100 GALLON DIESEL FILL-UP

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-877-770-7867 • 3092 BAYOU BLUE RD., GRAY • STORE OPEN 24 HOURS

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Thursday, August 24, 2017

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

SEptember 22-23, 2017

Houmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premiere music festival

38 special FOR MORE INFO AND TO BUY TICKETS GO TO

www.bobmusicfest.com

HOUMA CVB, RUSHING MEDIA, SYNERGY BANK, GAS PUMP TV, KCIL, WHAT NOW MAGAZINE, TERREBONNE GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER, HTV 10

ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH TEAMWORK

668 S. HOLLYWOOD RD. HOUMA, LA 985.850.3400 www.baywaterdrilling.com

OUR BEDSIDE MANNER HAS NO BOUNDARIES BECAUSE WE’RE JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Y WA W E

AN TGMC.com

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LTH

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You might find us giving safety presentations in schools, offering employee health evaluations in the workplace, or serving as trainers on the sidelines. Since its inception, our award-winning Community Sports Institute has helped at more than 2,800 area events. It’s all part of revolutionizing how we keep helping you get better.

7/20/17 8:42 AM