Friday Night Lights - Week 9

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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

CREATIVE

Amber Duplantis Senior Designer Nicholas Boutte Graphic Designer

TABLE OF

CONTENTS EDITOR’S NOTE HOMECOMING HEROES Students plan Homecoming for months.

For the gals, you book hair appointments, get people to do your makeup — all weeks before the dance.

You order accessories for your attire — some which don’t come until the last second. You get your dress custom fitted — the full 9 yards.

For guys, you get your suits, make the same appointments for haircuts and do all of the things needed to get gussied up for the big game.

So what happens when Homecoming gets moved up from a Friday night to a Thursday?

Well, we found out this week that it’s chaos, but beautiful chaos all the same.

This weekend was Homecoming for several local schools. Because of the rain, a lot of schools opted to move up their Homecoming games from Friday to Thursday to allow dry conditions for reunions and also for the 2019 royalty.

Things moved fast, lots of local parents, students and school employees were stressed.

But we pulled it off and got to the other side in stride.

Congratulations to all of the 2019 Homecoming royalty.

Hope these

05 06 08 12 14 16 20 22

THIS ONE IS FOR THE BANDS Some love for our marching bands

BATTLING YOUTH Houma Christian, CCA inexperienced

TIGERS FALL IN STRUGGLE Terrebonne hopeful after close game

THE SCHEDULE IS SET See all 11 local schedules

THE RACE IS ON Locals fighting for playoff seeding

TERRIERS ROLL TO BIG WIN Vandebilt stays unbeaten in district

BATTLE OF THE UNBEATENS Vandebilt, Assumption to lock horns

UNDER THE LIGHTS Enjoy photos from various games

experiences will stay with you for the rest of your lives.

To the school personnel who had to adjust your plans and schedules to accommodate the kids, kudos to you.

Your work is selfless, but not forgotten!

Homecoming Night is a huge part of high school football and because of that work, 2019’s homecoming festivities this past weekend were able to roll without a hitch! •

OCTOBER 28, 2019 • WEEK 9

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

4 OCTOBER 28, 2019

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Jose Delgado

PHOTOGRAPHY

Wendy Bergeron Jose Delgado Drew Miller Jared Shanklin Leo Bourg

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THIS ONE IS FOR THE BANDS!

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com

It’s no secret to anyone locally who follows high school football — I’m blessed to call South Lafourche High School football games on ESPN - Radio — an honor I’ve enjoyed now for 5 seasons.

A few weeks ago, I made the biggest blunder of my radio career, but if I had it to do over again, honestly, I’d probably end up doing the exact same thing.

See, I was at South Lafourche High School and the band was on the field doing their halftime show. We were on commercial, which meant that I had three minutes to collect my thoughts and get ready for the next segment of our broadcast.

But I got sucked in.

The Tarpons’ field show this year is amazing.

There’s props, acting, saxophone solos, amazing music, a wonderful theme — it all. They’ve swept

through the local shows as Grand Champions in recent weeks.

So I watched … and watched … then I watched some more.

I watched for 4 minutes and 37 seconds, to be exact. My commercial break was 3 minutes long.

For more than a minute, our radio audience heard absolutely nothing — except me tapping on the desk to the tunes the bands played.

Oops. My bad.

I couldn’t help myself.

The tunes were flowing, and I was feeling it. A buddy of mine jokingly said it was as interesting as I’ve ever been on-air.

That’s debatable, but heck, at least he was listening.

My mishaps aside, this column is dedicated to our local bands, because we’re blessed with some of the best bands in the entire state of Louisiana.

That’s not just lip service.

That’s not just me making FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

a cushy statement to make good with our locals.

That’s a fact.

Last year, several of our local field shows competed in the state competition in Lafaytte and many earned high billing and honors.

On Friday nights, we see the field shows at halftime, but we also get to get an inside look at the creativity, spirit and zest of those young men and women.

They jam out!

High school football games are for sports nuts, sure. But music lovers can find joy in the games, as well, because all of our local high school bands put tunes out there that can just make you forget about your stresses and pass a good time.

But I also wanted to make sure that I took time to acknowledge the work and dedication that all of those young men and women put into their crafts.

5 OCTOBER 28, 2019

I never understood that.

I always thought those kids just sort of showed up on Friday nights, beat on some drums, blew into some wind instruments and called it a day.

Heck no! Was I ever wrong.

My nephew is in band this year as a freshman at South Lafourche, so I got a first-hand look at how it all works.

Those kids — all local kids — work hard.

They bust their tails to perfect their routines.

They work hard to master those amazing songs we take for granted on Friday nights.

So know, it’s not often said in a football magazine, but we appreciate ‘ya — all of ‘ya.

Without those amazing tunes, Friday nights wouldn’t be the same.

So this one is for the band — a salute to you all.

We’re blessed with some amazing ones locally — keep on keeping on! •

HOUMA CHRISTIAN, CCA BATTLING YOUTH

PHOTOS BY: DREW MILLER

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com Last season, Houma Christian School football coach Chuck Battaglia said it best.

During Media Day, he pulled his seniors out of a crowd, took a good, long look at the bunch, then couldn’t help but laugh.

“Man, next year, we’re going to be young,” Battaglia

said with a laugh, while taking a peek at some of the young men getting ready to do an interview. “We have some talented players at a lot of key positions.”

Man, he sure wasn’t kidding.

The Christian Warriors lost a decorated senior class last season — right as they made the jump from Class 1A to Class 2A. So far, the transition has

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not been easy.

Houma Christian is winless on the season and has struggled to compete against the big dogs in their new district.

On Thursday night, the Warriors fell against state power Catholic of New Iberia on Homecoming Night.

Catholic strutted their stuff early in the game and put the scoreboard in their favor — never looking back.

6 OCTOBER 28, 2019

It wasn’t much of a surprising result, given that they’re one of the best teams in the state in Division III and Houma Christian is still building.

But if one talks to the folks at Houma Christian, they’re convinced that this is just a short blip in the radar and brighter days are ahead.

The Warriors’ numbers are not great at the varsity level, and they’ve often been outmanned against bigger,

more athletic teams this season.

But folks have to understand that Houma Christian football is still very much in its infancy compared to most schools in the area.

They started their program in 2010 and didn’t even play a full varsity schedule that year.

It feels like the Warriors have been here forever because they’ve had success — having made the playoffs several times in their existence.

But the team is still very much in its infancy — all things considered — compared to some of the schools that they’ve been facing.

“It’s been a very fast ride,” Battaglia said last year of the successes the team has had throughout its program’s history. “It’s just been such a fun thing to be part of the ride.”

But for all of the 2019 struggles, those close to the program say there are brighter days ahead.

Assistant coach Jose Delgado said Houma Christian has good numbers at its middle school and younger grades, and a talented core group of players is rising through the ranks and is making some nice.

Houma Christian played middle school this season and advanced to the playoffs.

Delgado said when that group rises to the varsity level, they have a chance to do good things.

“That little group there can come up and make some noise,” he said. “They have some good football players coming up.”

And heck, even at the varsity level, a lot of the guys on the field this season are underclassmen who are coming back.

It’s been rough, yes. But

youth turns into experience, and the Warriors are going to be back stronger than ever in 2020.

CCA ALSO BATTLING YOUTH Houma Christian’s rivals across town also are in the same boat.

CCA had a talented senior group last fall — including players who went on to play at the next level.

That group left the program, leaving this year’s team younger and far less experienced.

The Lions are 2-5 and have struggled the past three games — losing to Highland Baptist, Centerville and Central Catholic.

But coach Randy Boquet said openly throughout the offseason and into the early stages of the season that he was proud of the strides that his youthful team has made — overcoming several of the bumps in the road that have come along the way.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this group of kids,” Boquet said earlier this season. “We had to replace a lot of guys and we’re not as experienced as we were last season.

But they show up, they’re coachable. They’re willing to do the things that we tell them to do. It’s been a group that’s a pleasure to coach, and I know that they’re going to keep getting better and I know we’re going to keep coaching them up and challenging them to get better.”

The Lions take on Vermilion Catholic on Friday — one of the top teams in Class 1A. They then will take on Hanson Memorial.

The Lions are on the outside looking in for playoff contention right now, but Boquet said the most important thing for his team right now is to keep getting better and progressing. • FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

7 OCTOBER 28, 2019

TIGERS FALL IN DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE VERSUS BROTHER MARTIN PHOTOS BY: WENDY BERGERON FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

8 OCTOBER 28, 2019

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com Terrebonne High School didn’t win on Friday night against Brother Martin.

But the Tigers showed loud and proud that they can play with anyone in the state, and that if they get into the playoffs, they’ll be a tough out — no matter their seed.

Brother Martin beat Terrebonne 14-9 on Friday night in a game that was a defensive struggle from startto-finish, in part because it was the only local game played on a rainy Friday before Tropical Storm Olga’s arrival in the area.

Tigers coach Gary Hill said he was disappointed to lose, but proud of his team’s effort. Brother Martin is 7-1 on the season and is one of the premiere, big-time powerhouse programs in the state.

“I was proud of how the kids played,” Hill said. “We made some mistakes and we were disappointed that we couldn’t get in front on the scoreboard. But that’s a good football team over there and we thought we blocked them well and held our own. If we can keep playing that way for the rest of the season, we think we’re going to have opportunities and a chance to make a little noise here in the coming weeks.”

Terrebonne was behind the 8-ball from the very beginning on Friday night.

The Tigers fumbled on their second offensive play, which Brother Martin recovered in the end zone to take a 6-0 lead.

The Tigers had chances throughout the half, but never could break through.

They forced a safety to cut the deficit to 6-2. Then after a Brother Martin

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

field goal made it 9-2, the Tigers intercepted a pass and worked the ball deep into Crusaders territory to seemingly flip the momentum of the game. But at the end of the return, Terrebonne fumbled and Brother Martin hopped on top the ball and took back over possession, which sent the game to halftime.

“We just couldn’t get any momentum,” Hill said. “And look, it wasn’t the weather.

We kept the ball dry most of the game. We had some chances to make plays in the passing game — it’s just a credit to them. They pressured us and we couldn’t get into a rhythm.”

The Crusaders added a field goal in the third quarter to go up 12-2, then Terrebonne got lightning in a bottle when Chavez Brown jumped a rout, intercepted a pass and took it the length of

9 OCTOBER 28, 2019

the field for a score to make the deficit 12-9.

Terrebonne had chances late.

One drive, they were pinned back in their own territory and got stopped in their own end zone for a safety to make it 14-9.

In their last ditch effort, Terrebonne got the ball and was intercepted, which sent the game to its final margin.

Hill said he was proud of his defense for holding down Brother Martin and keeping them out of the end zone.

Terrebonne’s defensive line was masterful throughout the game.

Hill said if the Tigers can keep playing that well up front, they will be tough to beat.

“We loved our intensity,” Hill said. “And I think we came together as a team.

The offense was struggling, but the kids held their heads

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up. There was no finger pointing. It was good. I think we learned a lot about ourselves in that game.”

So now, the dilemma.

Few would dispute that Terrebonne is one of the Top 32 teams in Class 5A. But the Tigers are 4-4 and are just inside of the Top 32 right now at press-time.

That means that Terrebonne has to win at least one of their next two games to make the playoffs.

That will be no easy task.

On the schedule next is East St. John and then Central Lafourche — two local powers.

Hill said the message for Terrebonne is simple — the playoffs begin right now.

“We have to keep pushing,” Hill said. “We know we have some work to do if we want to earn that 11th game, but we’re going to keep pushing, keep fighting and hopefully earn our spot.”

RIVER CRUISES PAST BAYOU IN SATURDAY GAMES The River Parishes flexed their muscles over the Bayou on Saturday.

In three games that were washed out on Friday and postponed to Saturday, River Parish teams cruised easily past Bayou competition.

Destrehan beat Thibodaux

49-21 — leading throughout the game with explosive offense and opportunistic defense.

The loss drops Thibodaux to 6-2 on the season.

East St. John beat Central Lafourche 54-19 in Mathews, roaring to an early lead in a comfortable win.

The loss drops Central Lafourche to 5-3 on the season. The Trojans have to likely win out in the final two weeks of the season to secure a home first-round playoff game.

Hahnville also stayed unbeaten on the year pushing past H.L. Bourgeois 35-7 in Boutte.

The Tigers led 28-0 at halftime, then slowed their pace in the second half to stay unbeaten in district and roll to a win. •

good luck to all teams!

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East St. John 53, Central Lafourche 19 Destrehan 49, Thibodaux 21 Brother Martin 14, Terrebonne 9

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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 [L] Oct. 4 - at Belle Chasse [L] Oct. 11 - at Vandebilt Catholic [L] Oct. 18 - vs. South Terrebonne [W] Oct. 24 - vs. Morgan City [W] 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 [L] Oct. 4 - at Ellender [W] Oct. 11 - vs. H.L. Bourgeois [W] Oct. 18 - at Hahnville [L] Oct. 26 - vs. East St. John [L] 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 [L] Oct. 4 - vs. South Terrebonne [L] Oct. 11 - vs. Donaldsonville [L] Oct. 18 - at Patterson [W] Oct. 27 - 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 [W] Oct. 4 - vs. Terrebonne [W] Oct. 11 - vs. Hahnville [L] Oct. 18 - at Breaux Bridge [W] Oct. 26 - vs. Destrehan [L] 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 [W] Oct. 4 - at E.D. White [W] Oct. 11 - vs. Assumption [L] Oct. 18 - at South Lafourche [L] Oct. 24 - vs. Vandebilt Catholic [L] 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 [L] Oct. 4 - vs. Central Lafourche [L] Oct. 10 - at Morgan City [W] Oct. 18 - vs. Vandebilt Catholic [L] Oct. 24 - at Assumption [L] Nov. 1 - at South Lafourche Nov. 8 - vs. South Terrebonne

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

12 OCTOBER 28, 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 [L] Oct. 4 - vs. Welsh [W] Oct. 11 - vs. South Lafourche [W] Oct. 18 - at Ellender [W] Oct. 24 - at South Terrebonne [W] 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 [L] Oct. 4 - at Thibodaux [L] Oct. 11 - vs. Destrehan [W] Oct. 18 - at H.L. Bourgeois [W] Oct. 25 - vs. Brother Martin [L] 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 [L] Oct. 4 - vs. Destrehan [L] Oct. 11 - at Central Lafourche [L] Oct. 18 - vs. Terrebonne [L] Oct. 26 - at Hahnville [L] Nov. 1 - vs. Thibodaux Nov. 8 - at Archbishop Shaw

COVENANT CHRISTIAN

HOUMA CHRISTIAN

WEEK 9 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6 - at Highland Baptist [L]

South Lafourche vs. Ellender

Sept. 6 - vs. Central Private [L] Sept. 13 - vs. Sci Academy [W] Sept. 20 - BYE WEEK Sept. 27 - vs. Loranger [L] Oct. 4 - vs. St. John [W] Oct. 11 - at Highland Baptist [L] Oct. 18 - vs. Centerville [L] Oct. 24 - at Central Catholic [L] 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 [L] Oct. 4 - at Loreauville [L] Oct. 10 - vs. Jeanerette [L] Oct. 18 - vs. Asc. Episcopal [L] Oct. 24 - vs. Catholic - New Iberia [L] Nov. 1 - at Franklin Nov. 8 - vs. Delcambre

Destrehan vs. Central Lafourche Berwick vs. E.D. White H.L. Bourgeois vs. Thibodaux South Terrebonne vs. Morgan City Assumption vs. Vandebilt Catholic East St. John vs. Terrebonne CCA vs. Vermilion Catholic Franklin vs. Houma Christian *E.D. White played Lutcher on Sunday after our press-time.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

13 OCTOBER 28, 2019

THE RACE IS ON WHAT LOCALS HAVE TO DO TO MAKE POSTSEASON PLAY

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com South Lafourche football coach Blake Forsythe was all smiles on Thursday night.

The Tarpons had just put a whopping on Morgan City to get to 2-6. But no more than 10 minutes after the game, Forsythe was asking reporters about local scores around the area.

“Got anything on Vandebilt and South Terrebonne?” he asked.

That’s just par for the course. Coaches at Vandebilt and South Terrebonne were probably doing the same

— except asking about the results over at South Lafourche.

In the LHSAA, teams earn a power rating number that’s mathematically determined by your wins and then also the number of wins your opponents earn during the course of their season.

When it’s all said and done, each team is lined up from top-to-bottom based on the results of the formula, and that’s how playoff seeding is determined and that’s how who goes where once the year ends.

Some coaches are all about crunching the numbers and trying to figure out what’s FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

going to fall where.

Forsythe is one of those guys.

Others aren’t as big into it.

“I don’t look at it too much,” Central Lafourche coach Keith Menard said.

“At the end of it all, just tell us where to go play. We can’t control that. We want to focus as coaches on only the things that we can control.”

“We don’t pay much attention to it,” Terrebonne coach Gary Hill added. “It can suck you in a little bit sometimes, but our focus is on our 10 games and doing the most we can to win those games on our schedule.”

Sorry coaches, but we’re all

14 OCTOBER 28, 2019

about the numbers!

With two weeks left in the season, several locals are still in hunt for postseason play, and we’ll break down what each local team is looking at going forward.

CLASS 5A: Locks: Thibodaux Almost a lock: Central Lafourche Still work to do: Terrebonne Out: H.L. Bourgeois Thibodaux is going to the playoffs. There’s no way to change that. They’ve won

too many games against too many quality opponents.

They could lose the rest of their games and still get in.

What the Tigers are working toward right now is a seed.

Thibodaux has a great chance to be in the Top 8, which would earn them possibly two home playoff games.

That’s their challenge going forward. Seeding is also likely the biggest concern for Central Lafourche in the final weeks of the season. Barring some unforeseen results, the Trojans are pretty close to having punched their ticket.

The challenge for Central Lafourche coming home will be can they win enough games to get a first-round home game. It’s close right now and will be a photo finish. For Terrebonne, the Tigers have to feel good about where they stand, sitting in the 20s, but they could use a win or two to

pad their resume and earn a guaranteed spot. Heck, if they win enough ballgames, they can maybe even catapult into the Top 16 and get an opening-round game at home.

CLASS 4A/ DIVISION II: Locks: Vandebilt, E.D. White Likely in: South Terrebonne Still work to do: South Lafourche Out: Ellender Vandebilt and E.D. White are playoff locks no matter what happens. Division II doesn’t have enough playoffeligible teams, so both of those teams are in the playoffs from the minute a ball is kicked each season.

But there’s still a lot to play

for. Both teams are hovering around the No. 8-seed in Division II, which would earn them a home game in the opening round. That’s big. In Class 4A, we could have as many as 2 local teams in the playoffs or as little as 0. South Terrebonne looked like a team that could host a playoff game when they sat at 4-1, but they’ve since dropped three-straight. They should … SHOULD beat Morgan City and Ellender in the next 2 weeks, which would get them in. But losses in any of those games and wow, it gets close. For South Lafourche, they’re 2-6, but are riding the waves of a brutally tough schedule, which is getting them tons of points. If the Tarpons finish 3-7, they will be on the bubble, but likely in. If they finish 4-6, they’re a lock and will be seeded in the high 20s. If they finish 2-8, it’s over. Ellender maybe has a

kind of, sort-of chance if they win their last two games, but they’re really far back and even that likely isn’t enough.

DIVISION III/IV Still work to do: CCA Maybe: Houma Christian We may not have a local playoff team in Division IV. CCA is outside of the Top 16 right now and is running out of chances to make up ground after falling in Week 8. The Lions are young and have a chance to sneak in, but they’ll need to finish strong. For Houma Christian, they have an automatic bid into the Division III Playoffs if they choose to play. But they may sit out of postseason play because of their rough stretch this season. •

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PHOTOS BY: LEO BOURG

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com It was Homecoming night on Thursday night at South Terrebonne.

But by the time the final whistle had blown, it was Vandebilt who was doing most of the dancing and celebrating.

The Terriers beat South Terrebonne 31-9, earning their third-straight district victory and their fourthstraight win overall.

The Terriers trailed 9-7 at halftime, but dominated the second half to secure the win.

Coach Lance Ledet has said multiple times throughout the course of the year that he thinks his team is getting better, and those improvements were on display in a dominant second half. “Our kids have been told all season long that they can be a pretty good football team if they cut out the mistakes and stop shooting themselves in the foot,�

Ledet said. “When we play our best, we think we’re a team that can compete and do great things.�

A lot of those great things happened in the final 24 minutes on Thursday night.

The first half was sloppy.

The Terriers struggled to move the football — their only score set up by a fake punt, which extended a drive and helped the team to a 7-0 lead early in the game.

For South Terrebonne, the rest of the half was theirs.

A Vandebilt turnover gifted the Gators possession and a

score — a touchdown pass from Christian Arceneaux to Peyton Parr. Late in the first half, the Gators had a chance to get another touchdown, but they instead had to settle for a short field goal and the 9-7 halftime lead.

The second half was all Vandebilt.

The Terriers’ offense got moving, which changed the complexion of the game.

Quarterback Gavin Daigle hit Hunter Porche on a long score to put Vandebilt up for good in the third quarter.

The quarterback also added a touchdown with his legs — one of two he scored in the game — to put things out of reach.

Caleb Calhoun also punched in a second-half score in the onslaught.

South Terrebonne had chances late, but Vandebilt’s defense slammed the door shut.

South Terrebonne turned it over multiple times in the second half, which allowed Vandebilt possessions, but also the ability to run out the clock with the lead.

With the win, Vandebilt is now on a collision course for a district title. They’ll play Assumption in Napoleonville on Friday. Assumption, too, is 3-0 in district. The winner of this game will clinch at least a share of the league crown.

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TARPONS ROLL PAST MORGAN CITY Two weeks ago, South Lafourche lost to Vandebilt 18-3, and after the game, coach Blake Forsythe had

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some pointed things to say about the play of his offensive line.

They got the message.

For a second-straight week, the Tarpons controlled the line of scrimmage and rolled to a win.

The Tarpons beat Morgan City 57-12 on Homecoming Thursday night, using dominant play up front to secure the win.

South Lafourche is now 2-6 on the season, but 2-1 in district play.

Forsythe said he was happy with how the Tarpons controlled the game up front.

The Tarpons scored on every first half possession, and didn’t have to throw a pass in the entire game.

“We did an excellent job

18 OCTOBER 28, 2019

at the line of scrimmage of controlling the game,” Forsythe said. “I thought we were physical and our offense clicked. We were able to get the ball to a lot of our playmakers and they took advantage and made plays.”

The Tarpons’ offense struggled for the first 6 weeks of the season, but the last 2 weeks have been better.

They got the ball first and marched straight down the field on a touchdown drive Thursday — a trek capped by a short run from Patrick Gisclair.

Morgan City made plays early — enough to make the score 22-12 at the end of the first quarter.

But the Tarpons’ defense

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stiffened firm, allowing the team to dominate the rest of the game. South Lafourche led 37-12 at halftime, then never looked back.

Derin Doucet eclipsed 100 yards rushing in the game, and an army of players scored for South Lafourche, including Francois Terrebonne, Reece Toups, Austin Danos, Wes Allemand and Braxton Pitre.

The Tarpons will take on Ellender on Friday night — a chance for a third-straight win.

Forsythe said the playoffs have started early for South Lafourche. If the team wins out, it will easily make the postseason.

If they win just one of the next two ballgames, it’s

going to be close.

“I’m so proud of our kids.

They’ve endured a rough patch, kept fighting and now, they’re in position,” Forsythe said. “We have another big one next week. We’re looking forward to working hard in practice and getting ready to play.” •

CLASS 4A/DIVISION II SCOREBOARD Vandebilt 31, South Terrebonne 9 South Lafourche 57, Morgan City 12 Assumption 46, Ellender 0

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TERRIERS, MUSTANGS SET TO PLAY DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN 4A

BY CASEY GISCLAIR

casey@rushing-media.com

All year long, it seemed like a certainty that Assumption would win the local Class 4A district.

But on Friday night, Vandebilt Catholic has a chance to slam that door shut and come home with the trophy.

The stakes will be high on Friday when the Terriers take on the Mustangs in a battle of district unbeatens.

Both teams are 3-0 in district play. The winner of the game will clinch at

least a share of the district championship.

The game is in Napoleonville, which is an advantage to the Mustangs, but Vandebilt coach Lance Ledet said his team is ready to travel up to Napoleonville and try and make some noise.

“We told the kids — take care of business, handle what you can control, then let’s go have a chance to win a district championship,” Ledet said. “We think it’s going to be a challenge. We know Assumption is a very strong football team. But FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

we’re looking forward to the opportunity to going out there, competing and showing what we can do.”

If both teams are on, don’t expect a whole bunch of points in this game.

Assumption’s defense is monstrous — a dominating force that’s suffocated teams throughout the erly stages of the season.

The Mustangs are 7-1 and in 5 of the 7 wins, they’ve won via shutout. In district play, Assumption has played three games and no one has scored on them yet this season.

20 OCTOBER 28, 2019

On Thursday night, their defense suffocated and blanketed an Ellender offense that has athletes galore in a blowout shutout win.

“Our defense is playing hard and doing the things we’re asking them to do,” Mustangs coach Tony Paine said earlier this season. “We’re attacking, trying to win on first down and controlling the down and distance to keep our opponents out of sync and out of rhythm.”

Ledet said what makes Assumption good on defense is their size,

athleticism and speed.

Ledet said it’s hard to watch film and identify a sure weak spot that an offense can attack and exploit.

“They have some really, really good football players,” Ledet said. “And they’re very well coached.

That’s obviously a good recipe.”

But Vandebilt isn’t too shabby, either. Those cats are playing defense just as good as the Mustangs — especially lately .

The Terriers have allowed just 19 points in their past 4 games — all wins. In district play, Vandebilt has kept opponents out of the scoreboard, while also forcing turnovers.

On Thursday night, the Terriers forced 3 Gators turnovers, which gave Vandebilt some extra possessions to overcome a 9-7 halftime deficit and secure a 31-7 win.

“We’re been doing a good job generating takeaways, which have been big for us,” Ledet said. “Our guys have worked hard. They’ve done an excellent job getting better. Now, it’s time to put it to the test against a really good football team.”

So with two solid defenses, the tale may be told by which offense has the most success on Friday night.

Vandebilt is a run-heavy offense led by quarterback Gavin Daigle. He makes plays with his arm and legs throughout the game.

Assumption is a spread attack that can both run and throw.

Quarterback Sage Rivere is accurate and has

a plethora of playmakers at his disposal — including Jaden Tyler, who caught several passes in Thursday’s win against Ellender.

“We’re starting to get our stride on that side of the ball,” Paine said. “We’ve really been starting to play some of our best football of the season on that side.”

There are huge implications on both sides.

Yes, the district championship is on the line and that’s a huge source of pride for any high school football program, but the winner of this game will also earn valuable playoff seeding.

Assumption is currently No. 8 in the state in Class 4A power ratings.

Continuing to win could ensure that the Mustangs have the chance to host multiple home playoff games.

For Vandebilt, seeding is also key. The Terriers are just outside of the Top 8 in Division II, which means that they have to win both of their final two games to have a chance to get that home playoff game.

Ledet said he doesn’t follow power rating math, but said he knows it’s a big game, and it’s his hope that the Terriers are ready to compete in such a highstakes affair.

“We think the kids will be ready and it will be a great week of practice,” Ledet said. “These are the types of games that are why you play high school football. We expect it to be a great challenge.” •

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