Friday Night Lights - Week 4

TROJANS CONQUER RIVALS CLHS SECURES HUGE WEEK 3 WIN THE TIMES • SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 • WEEK 4 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

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PUBLISHER

Brian Rushing

EDITORIAL

Bonnie Rushing Editorial Director Casey Gisclair Managing Editor Mary Ditch Managing Editor Drew Miller Associate Editor

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EDITOR’S NOTE Athletics are a huge part of our society.

But in the mad scramble to win ballgames and achieve superiority, we sometimes forget that the warriors on the playing fields are human beings. And in the case of high school athletics, they’re local people — folks who live here and people with parents who work and live in our community.

This past week, my heart sunk into my stomach when I found out the news that Ellender senior defensive back Kameron Adkins had suffered a stroke.

I never met Kameron, but it doesn’t matter.

He’s a teenager — a young man with the whole rest of his life in front of him.

Fortunately, as the week went on, the news became brighter and it looks like Kameron has a great chance to make a full recovery and have a normal life again.

But to the members of the Ellender Nation and to the Adkins family, please know that we’re thinking of you and are continuing to pray for you, and we have been for the past week — every step of the way.

Some things in life are bigger than the game of football and when it comes to a young man’s life and livelihood, everything else feels awfully insignificant.

Keep getting better, Kam!

OFFICE/CIRCULATION MANAGER Michelle Ortego

TABLE OF

CONTENTS 06 08 12 14 16 20 22

SMITH 5-STAR PROSPECT Terrebonne standout starts junior season

CUSTOMER SERVICE Kimberly Ross

CONTACT

Publisher: publisher@rushing-media.com Editorial: mary@rushing-media.com Sales: sales@rushing-media.com

TIGERS SECURE WIN Terrebonne beats South Terrebonne

THE SCHEDULE IS SET See all 11 local schedules

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THE FORGOTTEN HEROES Domangue, Adams combo

TROJANS SECURE VICTORY Trojans storm Tarpons

WEEK 4 BRAWL Tigers vs. Trojans

UNDER THE LIGHTS Enjoy more photos from various games!

SEPTEMBER 23, 2019 • WEEK 4

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

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Friday Night Lights is a free publication.

The entire content of this publication is copyrighted by Rushing Media, with all rights reserved. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. Friday Night Lights is published weekly by Rushing Media.

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com

When you’ve been doing something for a while, you sort of get a handle on how it all works.

This is my 9th season covering high school sports in the area. I started in the beginning of this decade in Jan. 2010.

Before that, I attended high school here and followed our local teams all of my life.

Through all of that, I wouldn’t say that I’ve become an expert, but I usually have a pretty decent idea for what’s going to happen each week when our local teams take the field.

But not this year.

We’re rapidly approaching district play in the 2019 prep football season and I am not embarrassed, nor ashamed to admit that I have absolutely no clue what’ll happen next.

In our Class 5A District, all bets are off.

I think Central Lafourche and Terrebonne are contenders locally, and I think Thibodaux is capable, too, if they can cut down on their turnovers.

But are they good

enough to beat the River teams? Some days, I say yes, some days, I say no.

Truthfully, I don’t have a clue.

I do know this. In any one game, I wouldn’t want to face Central Lafourche’s powerful, run-based offense.

That team is wellcoached and is starting to come into its own. With Deon Jenkins scoring touchdowns by the dozen and a defense that’s getting better, the Trojans will be a player in that district and a threat every time they take the field.

I also wouldn’t want to face the playmaking that Terrebonne or Thibodaux has. Both those teams are lethal, and can turn any mistake into six points.

Yes, East St. John, Destrehan and Hahnville are all stout. There’s no denying the talent that the River Region enjoys and has enjoyed for the past several decades. But this year, I truly believe it’s going to be a Wild, Wild, West shootout to see who takes home the title, and the truth is that the winner of the district may have a loss or two before it’s all said and done.

In Class 4A, I think there may be chaos.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Right now, to me, at least, there is little no way to separate most of the teams in that district.

Let’s take Morgan City out and put them to the side. Most agree that the Tigers are still a few years away from being competitive.

So what’s left?

Assumption is a contender.

No one disagrees that they’ll be in the mix.

But I also like South Terrebonne. I think their Wing-T offense is clicking and they have playmakers on both sides of the football.

Colby Chelette is one of the best players in our area. And the Gators have the ability to both run and pass for the first time in a while. That makes them dangerous.

I know Vandebilt is struggling, but I believe that with a first-year coach, they’re going to continually get better as the season goes on.

And look, there’s no shame in losing to E.D. White and Westgate, either. Those are two really good football teams that are going to win a lot of games.

Likewise, South Lafourche and Ellender

5 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

are having early-season hiccups, but both can beat you in their own ways.

South Lafourche has a vicious defense — one of the best in the area. If they can find a way to get their sputtering offense clicking, they can successfully limit possessions in games and prove troublesome for opponents.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ellender has athletes all over the field.

Right now, they’re having a hard time bottling up all of that athleticism and putting it all together over the course of a 48-minute game. But when they’re on, they can be dangerous.

Those aren’t my words.

That’s also the opinion of Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas, who faced those guys in the jamboree.

So the battle lines have been drawn.

Now, it’s time to play some football.

District play begins in our Class 5A district this week. Class 4A begins the week after that.

My mailbag is full of questions asking me who I think will win each league.

So I answered here publicly — I haven’t a clue.

It’ll be fun to watch, though. It always is. •

SMITH ENJOYING THE LIFE OF A 5-STAR PROSPECT TERREBONNE STANDOUT CHIMES IN THE START OF HIS JUNIOR SEASON PHOTO BY: CASEY GISCLAIR

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com

For most high school football players, the climax of a full week’s work comes on Friday night at exactly 7 p.m. when the whistle is blown and the ball is kicked into play.

By 9:30 p.m. or so, it’s all over with completion of the week’s game.

By 10:15 p.m., most players are home to relax for the weekend.

By Monday at 7:20 a.m., the school bell rings and it’s time to do it all over again — leading up to another Friday night.

But that routine doesn’t apply to Terrebonne

defensive lineman Maason Smith.

When Smith finishes his game on Friday night, he doesn’t go to parties or to sleep. He doesn’t catch the latest movie at the theater, nor does he get to hang with his buddies and teammates.

Instead, he gets on the highway — a long weekend trek that takes him to some of the finest collegiate venues in the country.

Smith is a five-star recruit — one of the most sought-after defensive linemen in the country for the 2021 recruiting class.

On the weekends, he scouts for his future home, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

taking unofficial visits.

By the time he’s home late Saturday or Sunday, he said he’s exhausted, but added that he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything in the world.

“I usually come home (after my game), take a shower and leave to go wherever right after,” Smith said. “It’s busy, but it’s definitely a blessing.”

It’s a blessing that Smith has earned with his stellar play.

By now, Smith’s recruitment has been highly publicized.

He’s a 5-star prospect on 247 Sports and a player who’s being recruited by literally every,

6 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

single Power 5 collegiate football program around the country — a list including LSU, Alabama, Florida and whoever else you can imagine.

Smith is just a junior, so he said his No. 1 focus right now is on his junior season, though the recruiting trips are a chance to see the country and survey the collegiate landscape.

On the field, Smith hasn’t yet been able to flex his muscles as much as he’d have liked.

That’s because he’s no secret anymore and teams are desperately trying to avoid him.

Opposing teams see

Smith and run away from him as often as they can.

If Smith is lined up to the left, the ball is almost always going right — and vice versa.

We asked Smith if it’s hard to avoid getting frustrated by opponents running opposite him throughout games.

He had a clear answer.

He is humbled by their show of respect.

“It’s not hard for me,” Smith said. “That just shows me that I’m doing something good on film for them to stay away.”

Smith also talked about the “slow” start Terrebonne had to start the season and the resurgence they’ve had in recent weeks.

Last year, Terrebonne won their first nine games

of the season before suffering their only loss of the year in Week 10.

They then won two playoff games before losing in the Class 5A State Quarterfinals.

This year, the Tigers scuffled a bit early. They tied E.D. White in their jamboree, then lost handily in the season opener against Jesuit.

Smith said the Tigers were humbled by the first game, calling it a “very terrible” loss.

But since that time, the team has rebounded.

They beat Ellender 60-0 and cruised past South Terrebonne on Friday night.

Smith said that first win felt like a relief to the team.

“It felt good,” Smith

said. “Just to show people that we do have discipline and we can play great team ball.”

Now, Smith said the Tigers have to carry it forward and into the rest of the year.

Smith continually talked about discipline — a hotbed topic around the Tigers’ locker room in the early stages of the season.

In the season-opening loss against Jesuit, Terrebonne had two players engage in a scuffle amongst themselves and several penalties.

After that game, the team had a powwow at practice and has since come together — both on and off the field.

“We started off a little slow with a very terrible loss,” Smith said. “But

now, we are trying to get back out of the hole we put ourselves in. We’re getting better every day and our coaches are preaching about discipline, because as of right now, that’s one of the only things we need.”

Having a mammoth defensive lineman helps, too.

Smith said no matter how much he does on the weekends to secure his future, his present is 100 percent with Terrebonne.

In district play, his plans are to be a force to be reckoned with.

“I want more sacks,” Smith said. “And I want to take on one of the leadership roles on this team.” •

THE ATHLETE’S PRAYER: “As I compete, help me to seek Your glory, with a brotherly affection towards my opponent, always striving to see You in them.

As I sweat and fight through pain, help me unite my struggle to the suffering of Your son on the cross.

If I win, allow it to be for Your honor, in Your name, with a humble heart.

If I fail, let it be with dignity and a courageous spirit, always willing to stand strong and compete again.

Make my desire for greatness firm, yet with peace of mind know that my worth is always found in You, in victory or defeat.

Amen.”

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7 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

TIGERS SECURE STATEMENT WIN AGAINST SOUTH TERREBONNE PHOTOS BY: WENDY BERGERON

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

8 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

BY CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

Te r r e b o n n e ’s playmakers made plays and its defense limited a sophisticated, talented offense to just a single touchdown.

And the Tigers looked every bit the part of the local contender they’ve been billed to be.

Terrebonne smashed South Terrebonne 46-7 on Friday night, putting together a dominant 48-minute showing against a Gators team that entered the game unbeaten on the season.

Tigers coach Gary Hill said since a Week 1 loss against Jesuit, Terrebonne has blocked out the outside noise in the community and has focused on two things — execution and discipline.

They did both beautifully on Friday in a dominant win.

“I thought we played well,” Hill said after the win. “I thought it started in our preparation. The kids were focused throughout the week and I thought they played with great energy throughout the game.”

South Terrebonne had no answer for Terrebonne’s offensive playmakers and defensive speed.

The Tigers scored on their second offensive possession when Florida State commitment and Blue Chip senior Jakhi Douglas turned the corner and took it to the house on a 63-yard score.

After a quick defensive stop, the Tigers added to their lead and went up

13-0 when Jaylin Lucas scored.

Both Douglas and Lucas were terrors to the Gators throughout the win — each rushing for more than 100 yards.

Hill said he thought all of the team’s playmakers did well, as well as the offensive line.

“I thought we got everyone involved and it was a great day for all our playmakers,” Hill said.

“Up front, we blocked ‘em well and controlled the line of scrimmage. I thought that was probably as well as we’ve played on that side of the ball so far this season.

But for as good as Terrebonne’s offense was, it was their defense that perhaps roared the loudest on Friday night.

South Terrebonne scored 84 points in their first two games — victories against H.L. Bourgeois and Berwick. But they were mostly stymied on Friday night, unable to push the line forward against Terrebonne’s size and unable to turn the corner against their speed.

Junior Maason Smith was mammoth, disrupting all of the Gators’ offensive flow with several sacks and tackles for loss.

But injuries helped the cause, too.

Gators’ standout halfback Colby Chelette missed most of the game with a shoulder injury and several other key players were either out or limited with lingering injuries.

South Terrebonne’s lone score came in the first half on a touchdown strike from quarterback Christian FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

“Competing at the highest level is not about winning.

It’s about heart, preparation, courage, understanding and teamwork. Winning is the result.”

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FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

10 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

Arceneaux to receiver Peyton Parr, which made the score 13-7.

But after that, it was all Terrebonne.

The Tigers ended the first half with a touchdown pass from Douglas to Lucas to go up 20-7 at half.

In the second half, the water broke and Terrebonne blew it open.

First, Douglas and Lucas connected again on a long touchdown to go up 27-7, then Doniver Harris added a touchdown run to go up 34-7.

Quarterback Ryan Williams got in the act before the third quarter ended with a pass to Keith Robinson to make the lead 40-7, sending the game well out of reach.

In the fourth quarter, Terrebonne added their last touchdown to send the game to its final margin.

Both teams are now 2-1 on the season.

VANDEBILT GETS FIRST WIN OF 2019 After a couple tough losses, the Vandebilt football team roared on Friday night to their first win of the season.

The Terriers beat Berwick 41-14 on Friday, improving to 1-2 on the season and securing the first career win for firstyear head coach Lance Ledet.

Vandebilt got a standout effort from quarterback Gavin Daigle. He passed for nearly 200 yards and rushed for more than 100 more in the easy win.

The Terriers’ defense was also dominant,

allowing the team to roar out to a 34-0 lead at halftime, before heavily playing reserves in the second half.

E.D. WHITE SUFFERS FIRST 2019 DEFEAT There have been a lot of questions about the local Class 4A district’s hierarchy.

On Friday night, Assumption let it be known loudly that they’re one of the contenders to win the whole thing.

The Mustangs beat E.D. White 26-7, improving to 3-0 on the season in the win.

The loss drops E.D. White to 2-1 on the year.

The game was mostly close throughout.

The teams were tied at 7-all going to halftime and in the second half, Assumption broke the tie with a touchdown to go up 14-7.

They never looked back.

The Mustangs added two insurance scores — one at the end of the third quarter and another late in the game — to secure the victory. •

CLASS 4A/DIVISION II SCOREBOARD Assumption 26, E.D. White 7 H.L. Bourgeois 46, Ellender 42 Erath 35, Morgan City 7

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Central Lafourche 41, South Lafourche 13 Terrebonne 46, South Terrebonne 7 Vandebilt 41, Berwick 14

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2019 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

SCHEDULES SOUTH LAFOURCHE

CENTRAL LAFOURCHE

E.D. WHITE

Sept. 6 - vs. St. Charles [L] Sept. 13 - vs. Thibodaux [L] Sept. 20 - at Central Lafourche [L] Sept. 27 - at Lutcher Oct. 4 - at Belle Chasse Oct. 11 - at Vandebilt Catholic Oct. 18 - vs. South Terrebonne Oct. 25 - vs. Morgan City Nov. 1 - vs. Ellender Nov. 8 - at Assumption

Sept. 6 - vs. White Castle [W] Sept. 13 - vs. Franklin [W] Sept. 20 - vs. South Lafourche [W] Sept. 27 - vs. Thibodaux Oct. 4 - at Ellender Oct. 11 - vs. H.L. Bourgeois Oct. 18 - at Hahnville Oct. 25 - vs. East St. John Nov. 1 - at Destrehan Nov. 8 - at Terrebonne

Sept. 6 - at Vandebilt Catholic [W] Sept. 13 - at H.L. Bourgeois [W] Sept. 20 - vs. Assumption [L] Sept. 27 - at St. Charles Catholic Oct. 4 - vs. South Terrebonne Oct. 11 - vs. Donaldsonville Oct. 18 - at Patterson Oct. 25 - vs. Lutcher Nov. 1 - at Berwick Nov. 8 - vs. St. James

THIBODAUX

SOUTH TERREBONNE

ELLENDER MEMORIAL

Sept. 6 - vs. Riverside [W] Sept. 13 - at South Lafourche [W] Sept. 20 - vs. McDonogh 35 [W] Sept. 27 - at Central Lafourche Oct. 4 - vs. Terrebonne Oct. 11 - vs. Hahnville Oct. 18 - at Breaux Bridge Oct. 25 - vs. Destrehan Nov. 1 - at H.L. Bourgeois Nov. 8 - at East St. John

Sept. 6 - vs. H.L. Bourgeois [W] Sept. 13 - at Berwick [W] Sept. 20 - vs. Terrebonne [L] Sept. 27 - at Patterson Oct. 4 - at E.D. White Oct. 11 - vs. Assumption Oct. 18 - at South Lafourche Oct. 25 - vs. Vandebilt Catholic Oct. 31 - vs. Morgan City Nov. 8 - at Ellender

Sept. 5 - at Thomas Jefferson [W] Sept. 13 - vs. Terrebonne [L] Sept. 20 - at H.L. Bourgeois [L] Sept. 27 - vs. McMain Oct. 4 - vs. Central Lafourche Oct. 10 - at Morgan City Oct. 18 - vs. Vandebilt Catholic Oct. 25 - at Assumption Nov. 1 - at South Lafourche Nov. 8 - vs. South Terrebonne

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

12 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

VANDEBILT CATHOLIC

TERREBONNE

H.L. BOURGEOIS

Sept. 6 - vs. E.D. White [L] Sept. 13 - vs. Westgate [L] Sept. 20 - at Berwick [W] Sept. 27 - at Dutchtown Oct. 4 - vs. Welsh Oct. 11 - vs. South Lafourche Oct. 18 - at Ellender Oct. 25 - at South Terrebonne Nov. 1 - at Assumption Nov. 8 - vs. Morgan City

Sept. 6 - vs. Jesuit [L] Sept. 13 - at Ellender [W] Sept. 20 - at South Terrebonne [W] Sept. 27 - vs. Hahnville Oct. 4 - at Thibodaux Oct. 11 - vs. Destrehan Oct. 18 - at H.L. Bourgeois Oct. 25 - vs. Brother Martin Nov. 1 - at East St. John Nov. 8 - vs. Central Lafourche

Sept. 6 - at South Terrebonne [L] Sept. 13 - vs. E.D. White [L] Sept. 20 - vs. Ellender [W] Sept. 27 - at East St. John Oct. 4 - vs. Destrehan Oct. 11 - at Central Lafourche Oct. 18 - vs. Terrebonne Oct. 25 - at Hahnville Nov. 1 - vs. Thibodaux Nov. 8 - at Archbishop Shaw

COVENANT CHRISTIAN

HOUMA CHRISTIAN

WEEK 4 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6 - at Highland Baptist [L]

Lutcher vs. South Lafourche

Sept. 6 - vs. Central Private [L] Sept. 13 - vs. Sci Academy [W] Sept. 20 - BYE WEEK Sept. 27 - vs. Loranger Oct. 4 - vs. St. John Oct. 11 - at Highland Baptist Oct. 18 - vs. Centerville Oct. 25 - at Central Catholic Nov. 1 - vs. Vermilion Catholic Nov. 8 - at Hanson Memorial

Sept. 13 - vs. Westminster Christian [L]

Sept. 20 - at Ascension Christian [L] Sept. 26 - at West St. Mary Oct. 4 - at Loreauville Oct. 10 - vs. Jeanerette Oct. 18 - vs. Ascension Episcopal Oct. 25 - vs. Catholic - New Iberia

Nov. 1 - at Franklin Nov. 8 - vs. Delcambre

Central Lafourche vs. Thibodaux St. Charles vs. E.D. White Terrebonne vs. Hahnville Dutchtown vs. Vandebilt Patterson vs. South Terrebonne East St. John vs. H.L. Bourgeois Ellender vs. McMain CCA vs. Loranger West St. Mary vs. Houma Christian

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

13 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

THE FORGOTTEN HEROES THIBODAUX HAS KICKER-SNAPPER COMBO AMONG THE BEST IN THE NATION PHOTO BY: CASEY GISCLAIR

BY CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

Football fans always remember the guy who scores the touchdown or the defensive end who sacks the quarterback, strips the ball away and forces a key, gamechanging turnover.

But the special teams specialists?

Sometimes those guys get forgotten — unless they make a mistake. When they do their jobs, they’re often taken for grated even though they’re important, too, in the journey toward to Dome.

Thibodaux High School senior kicker/punter Peyton Domangue is one of the best specialists in

the area — a guy who single-handedly changes games with the power and precision of his right leg.

For Domangue, this is nothing new. Kicking is in his blood. His uncle is former NFL kicker Richie Cunningham and his brother Ryan kicked at the collegiate level.

In a recent win against South Lafourche, Domangue made a clutch field goal and pinned the Tarpons deep in their own territory several times with punts.

He said his goal is to keep getting better and to help his team win any way that he can.

Domangue works at practice, but also tirelessly with his father Ricky, who FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

has helped teach him the family craft.

“I’m just staying focused on getting better,” Domangue said. “I know my team needs me to step up and do my job, so that’s my focus on Friday nights — to do as good as I can to help our team win.”

Domangue is still relatively young to the craft.

He said he picked up kicking a few years ago, knowing that it was something others in his family had done.

“I tried it out, and stuck with it,” Peyton said. “I knew it was something that I could do because of all the support and help I had around me.”

14 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

Brother Ryan had a massive leg.

At Terrebonne, he’d routinely boot kickoffs out the end zone, while sinking 50plus yard field goals.

Peyton’s leg isn’t as strong yet, but he’s rapidly growing into his body.

Those who coach him think he will continue to develop that power as he gets older and more experienced.

He’s pinpoint accurate.

So far this season, he’s been on point with most of his kicks going right down the middle.

In the game with South Lafourche, he also showcased his punting with high-arching kicks that were accurate in their placement and just long

enough to get deep into Tarpons’ territory, but just short enough to be downed before the end zone.

“It’s a luxury to have a guy like that,” Thibodaux football coach Chris Dugas said. “At the high school level, that’s a weapon. That’s something that really helps your team win games.”

Peyton said his goal is to get a spot at the next level, adding that he’s going to work as hard as he can to try and achieve his goals.

He said he wanted to thank his father and brother for their help, adding that he’s gotten so much better in such a short time. He believes the sky is the limit.

“I’m going to keep

working and keep getting better,” he said. “That’s my No. 1 focus.”

SOME LOVE FOR THE LONG SNAPPER, TOO Domangue is not alone in receiving praise for his efforts.

The kicker said he’s only able to be successful on Friday nights because of the work of his long snapper, sophomore Hunter Adams.

Adams is an unsung hero of Thibodaux’s team — all long snappers are.

Think about it — can you name a single NFL or collegiate long snapper?

Most people can’t — even the most avid fans.

But those guys safely and accurately deliver the ball to kickers and punters, allowing them to get off

their kicks throughout games.

The only time they receive any recognition at all is when a mistake is made and a kick is blocked — the most thankless job maybe in all of sports.

Adams said he knows that’s the life of a long snapper, but said he relishes it. So far, he’s been solid for the Tigers.

“It feels really, really good when you can contribute to helping your team win,” Adams said after the win against South Lafourche. “Tonight, our special teams were solid and that’s just a great feeling. I know when I’m out there, I have to do my job, but when it all comes together, it’s a great thing.”

When snapping for field

goals, the long snapper has to block and protect rushers from the kicker.

But on the punt team, Adams actually snaps the ball, then sprints down the field to try and stop opponents from having a return.

Adams is just a sophomore and he also plays a little defense when not on special teams — a role that’s going to grow as he gets older.

Like Domangue, he said it’s his goal, too, to try and play at the next level.

“Anywhere,” he said.

“I’ll play for any team anywhere. I just want an opportunity.

Anything I can do to help this team and then another team after I graduate, I’ll do it.”•

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15 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

TROJANS STORM PAST STRUGGLING TARPONS PHOTOS BY: DREW MILLER

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

16 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

BY CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

Senior halfback Deon Jenkins just keeps on running wild.

And the Central Lafourche football team just keeps on winning ballgames in impressive, decisive fashion.

The Trojans beat South Lafourche 41-13 on Friday night on the powerful legs of their superstar senior back and also stingy defense.

Jenkins carried for 280 yards and four scores in the win.

For the season, he has 14 touchdowns and is quickly approaching 1,000 yards — and that’s in just three games.

“It’s been amazing to see,” Trojans coach Keith Menard said. “And what makes it even better is that the kid has a great attitude and he’s handling the success he’s earned so well. He’s doing a great job and our offensive line is opening up those holes he’s running through.

We’re just working to keep getting better each week.”

Jenkins ran wild against a stingy South Lafourche defense that’s been very good this season.

The Trojans scored on their first offensive possession, marching down the field on a touchdown drive capped by Jenkins’ first touchdown run.

After a defensive stop, the Trojans got the ball and marched again. This time, Jenkins marched 41 yards for a score to make

the score 13-0 midway through the first quarter.

Menard said he was proud of Jenkins and his offensive line in the win, but he was also proud of his defense for stopping South Lafourche’s triple option offense.

The Tarpons struggled early, which allowed the Trojans to storm out to the early lead.

“With what they do, you have to play assignment football,” Menard said.

“And I thought for the most part, we did a good job holding our assignments and doing the things that we were coached to do. Those guys are younger, but they’re getting better. I thought they took another step forward.”

In the second quarter, the Trojans showed their ability to pass the ball when quarterback Ashtrein Duncan hit Jansen Folse on a slant for a touchdown to make the score 19-0.

Jenkins ended the half with his biggest blow — an 86-yard touchdown on a draw play, which made the score 27-0 at halftime.

In the second half, South Lafourche answered the bell offensively — even if they didn’t challenge victory.

The Tarpons drove the ball down the field three times and score two touchdowns — their first two touchdowns of the season.

The Tarpons got to the 1-yard-line and punched it in on a 1-yard touchdown run by Francois Terrebonne to make the score 27-7.

Early in the fourth quarter, Jenkins added FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

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another to make the game 34-7, but then the Tarpons struck again with a 9-yard touchdown run from Derin Doucet to make the score 34-13.

South Lafourche coach Blake Forsythe said he was happy with the way the Tarpons’ triple option attack clicked on Friday night.

South Lafourche gained 220 total yards in the game. Before that game, they had just more than 100 total yards all season.

They got into the red zone four times. Forsythe said the Tarpons’ biggest enemy was themselves.

“Our biggest problems were putting the ball on the ground or silly penalties,” Forsythe said.

“But I thought we got better. I’m proud of our

kids. Our non-district schedule is brutal, but we’re working hard and getting better every week. Our kids just keep fighting.”

In the final minutes, the Trojans scored again on a touchdown pass from Duncan to Folse to send the game to its final margin.

This is the first time in school history that Central Lafourche beats South Lafourche four-straight years.

The Tarpons historically have dominated the annual rivalry matchup.

BRAVES SCORE HARDFOUGHT WIN H.L. Bourgeois desperately needed a win on Friday night.

And they got one in the

final seconds to inch past a cross-town rival.

The Braves trailed Ellender 42-37 late in the game and seemed headed toward their thirdstraight loss to start the season.

But the Braves forced a safety with two minutes left to trim the deficit to 42-39, then got the ball back with less than two minutes left with a chance to win.

They delivered.

Quarterback Jordan Rainey made several plays, including converting a fourth and long with the game on the line.

The big blow came with 47 seconds left when Rainey hit Tyrese Starks on a long touchdown to retake the lead and secure a 46-42 win.

The Patriots had the ball late with a chance, but couldn’t score, securing the Braves’ first win of the season.

“What a ballgame,” Braves coach Ryan Fournier said. “It was one of those back and forth games. Both teams had leads and we were just able to make the last play.

I was so proud of the kids.

They kept working and kept battling.”

TIGERS WIN A THRILLER Thibodaux turned the ball over a dozen times in its first two games, but still found a way to win.

On Friday, they picked a good time to play their first relatively clean game of the season.

The Tigers beat

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McDonogh 35 30-29 on Friday, rallying from a 12-point second half deficit to secure the win.

The Tigers trailed 29-17 in the third quarter, then made the rally with big play offense, dominant defense and quality special teams.

Kicker Peyton Domangue was huge in the win banging home three field goals, including a 42-yarder, which ended up being the game winner.

The Tigers are now 3-0 on the season in the win.

“We finally didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot,” Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said. “We played a cleaner game and I

thought our offense, defense and special teams all played pretty well against a really talented football team.” •

LOCAL 5A SCOREBOARD H.L Bourgois 46, Ellender 42 Central Lafourche 41, South Lafourche 13 Destrehan 27, St. Paul’s 6 East St. John 57, Sophie B. Wright 9 Hahnville 49, Higgins 14 Terrebonne 46, South Terrebonne 7 Thibodaux 30, McDonogh 35 29

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TIGERS, TROJANS EAGER FOR WEEK 4 BRAWL

BY CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

Two rivals will be locking horns on Friday night in Mathews.

It’s the district opening game for both teams.

Oh, and did we fail to mention that both are undefeated so far this season?

Emotions and stakes will both be high on Friday when Thibodaux travels down the bayou to take on Central Lafourche.

On paper, the two parish powers appear to be evenly matched, which should make for a close,

competitive, hard-fought football game.

Coaches and players on both sides agree and think this one will be talked about for a long, long time — the type of game that could have a huge impact on the fate of each team’s season.

“My thoughts are that this is going to be such an exciting high school football game — the type of game that coaches love to coach in and players love to play in,” Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said.

“You have two parish rivals and they’re both coming in hot with some momentum. We’re both FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

playing well right now and I just know that it’s going to be a big crowd and a great environment.”

“You have to be excited and ready to play in those types of games,” Central Lafourche coach Keith Menard added. “The kids will be excited and I know those guys over there will be ready. I think it’ll come down to which team executes better and makes the most plays on Friday night.”

Both Thibodaux and Central Lafourche score tons of points, but the irony of the matchup is that they score in such vastly different ways.

20 SEPTEMBER 23, 2019

The Trojans are mostly run heavy.

Senior halfback Deon Jenkins is treating his senior season like a video game, posting just absurd statistics. In three games, he’s surpassed 800 rushing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns.

On Friday against South Lafourche, Jenkins rushed for almost 300 yards and four scores. Several times, it looked like he was going to be bottled up for short gains, but he’d wiggle out of traffic and bounce outside for huge gains.

For Thibodaux, the powerful offensive attack is mostly through the air.

The Tigers have quarterback Luke Alleman and playmakers all over the field — guys like receivers Kyren Lacy and Darwin Davis.

On Friday against McDonogh 35, Thibodaux passed for well more than 300 yards against a defense that had given problems to state powers Karr and St. Aug earlier this season.

But for all of the talk about the offenses, there are other pieces of Friday night’s game that may decide the winner.

For one, there’s turnovers.

Thibodaux turned over the ball a dozen times in their first two games — somehow still finding ways to win, despite their mistakes.

Dugas has said repeatedly that his team can’t continue to win playing turnover-filled games.

On Friday, there were glimpses of improvement.

The Tigers had just one turnover in their win over McDonogh 35.

“I think we were much better,” Dugas said. “And we knew we had to be.

The kids really took it to heart and did a better job protecting the football.”

On Central Lafourche’s end, the Trojans have to continue to clean up their play in the secondary.

Against White Castle, the Trojans were hit for several long pass plays, and while the team has improved since then, they’ve also not faced a passing offense with the prowess of Thibodaux’s.

Menard said one of

the best ways his team can protect its secondary is to win at the line of scrimmage.

“I think one of the big keys will be, ‘Can we get pressure on Alleman?’”

Menard said. “If we can get in his face, we think we can disrupt them a little bit.”

But the coach then stuttered a little and mentioned exactly why stopping the Tigers is a challenge.

“But then again, if you do pressure him, he’s going to make quick throws to their athletes in space,” Menard said.

“So that presents its own challenges.”

On special teams, the kicking game favors Thibodaux.

Kicker Peyton Domangue has a powerful, accurate leg, while the Trojans have a bit of a revolving door.

On Friday, they missed a couple extra points.

But the Trojans are wellknown for their ability to steal offense on special teams — either with trick plays on extra points or fake punts/kicks.

The winner of that third phase could have a leg up in what is expected to be a close, competitive game that’s expected to be played before a huge crowd.

“We know it’ll be a wild atmosphere,” Dugas said.

“But the kids love those opportunities and we know we’ll have our fans there, too. It’s going to be a great environment to play a high school football game.” •

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