School Spirit 2016

2016

SCHOOL SPIRIT

TEAM SCHEDULES

DEAR SENIORS, LEAVE IT ALL OUT ON THE FIELD D E A R C L A S S O F 2 0 1 7,

I

can’t believe that football season is here once more. It feels like just yesterday, you guys were juniors and we were sharing the 2015 season together – one which was filled with highlights.

High school football is the greatest time of the year. It’s the best time of the year to be running the sports section of a local paper.

I enjoy and cherish being there while you guys wins games, break records and do all of the amazing things which you do in a given year.

This season is as unpredictable as any I’ve ever covered. I can make a case for literally every, single local team to win a district championship.

But regardless of wins or losses, I have a challenge for you guys in the 2016 season: give it everything you’ve got in every, single game. Don’t take anything for granted, and play without regrets for the entire season.

See, the beautiful thing about prep football is that it sticks with you.

The tales that you are creating today will be told and re-told throughout your lives.

Trust me, I know.

I never played football, but I remember my senior season like it was yesterday.

See, I went to South Lafourche High School (don’t hold that against me, Central Lafourche guys), and in my senior season, we weren’t a very good football team.

We won just two games and lost eight. But one of those two wins marks a night that I will remember for the rest of my life.

In the final football game of my high school career, we faced the East St. John Wildcats. They were one of the best teams in the state of Louisiana.

Their quarterback was marvelous.

His name was Ryan Perrilloux. He ended up playing at LSU and then later in the NFL. Everyone just knew that the Wildcats were going to pummel us on that night. After all, they were expected to win a state championship, and we had won just one game. It is a recipe that looked like it would be disastrous for my Tarpons.

But on that night, something crazy happens.

PAGE 2 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

We didn’t get blown out like everyone thought.

Heck, we didn’t even lose at all.

Somehow, some way, the underdogs won that night, scoring a 39-36 upset over East St. John, ending my senior year of football with a bang.

I remember it all like it was yesterday. I can relive everything that happened on that night like it had happened yesterday.

I remember how my classmate Kevin Guidry rushed for more than 300 yards and broke a school record. I also remember when my good buddy Daniel Shaw intercepted one of Perrilloux’s passes, which helped my alma mater secure the win.

It was a special, special night.

But now, it’s your turn.

In the 2016 season, your patience will be tested, and you will be asked to deal with adversity in ways which you’ve never dealt with it before.

When the going gets tough, keep pushing, and go harder than ever before.

When it feels like quitting is the easiest option, withstand the urge and rise above it.

High school athletics teach life lessons, and by sticking with your team in tough times, you’ll be in a position to better battle adulthood when it comes.

But aside from the serious talk, just go out and have some fun.

Being young is a luxury you only get to enjoy once, so cherish it while it’s here.

Every team this fall is guaranteed 10 Friday nights.

To those who make the playoffs, there will be a couple more added on top of that.

Enjoy them, because they will fly by faster than you’ll ever expect.

Good luck to all of our local teams.

Take nothing for granted and leave everything out on the field in 2016.

The team at Rushing Media is beyond eager to cover all of your successes which lie ahead. • YOURS, CASEY GISCLAIR THE TIMES, MANAGING EDITOR

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 3

COVENANT CHRISTIAN LIONS

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

CCA WANTS TO REPEAT AS DISTRICT CHAMP

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

C

ovenant Christian Academy won the district championship in 2015 – the first time the school accomplished that feat since officially joining the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.

Now, the team wants to do it again and repeat as champions.

CCA is hopeful that 2016 will be as successful as 2015 – a year which saw the Lions reach the playoffs in Division IV. Coach Randy Boquet said the Lions have talent around the depth chart. If the team’s younger players play at a high level, Boquet said he likes where his team stands in the local pecking order.

“The story of our season will be defined by how we get our younger players to mature and get ready for the grinds of a full, varsity season of football,” Boquet said.

The Lions have seven contributing players back in 2016, which equates to 14 starters, because players play both sides of the ball in their system.

PAGE 4 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

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Westminster Christian

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Archbishop Hannan

S E P T. 1 6

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Gueydan

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Vandebilt Catholic

S E P T. 3 0

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Catholic – P.C.

O C T. 7

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Ridgewood

O C T. 1 4

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Varnado

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St. Martin’s

O C T. 2 8

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Houma Christian

N O V. 4

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Grace King

Senior Caleb Seitz will move from tight end to quarterback – a move that’s been a pleasant surprise, according to Boquet.

“Caleb really can throw the ball very well,” the coach said. “That’s been something we’ve been very pleased with.”

Defensively, Seitz is a team leader at linebacker. He’s also flanked by Hunter Landry, Devante Johnson and Cameron Solet – all players who also play on the offensive side of the ball.

Boquet said because of how small CCA’s roster is, the Lions have to stay healthy in non-district play. If they do that and mature along the way, they have a shot, according to the coach.

“Experiencing it last year helps us,” Boquet said. “Now, we have to build on it and do it again.” •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 5

H.L. BOURGEOIS B R AV E S

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

OPPONENT

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South Terrebonne

S E P T. 9

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A.J. Ellender

S E P T. 1 6

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South Plaquemines

BRAVES WANT TO BE PLAYOFF BOUND

S E P T. 2 3

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East St. John

S E P T. 3 0

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Central Lafourche

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

O C T. 7

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Westgate

O C T. 1 4

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Thibodaux

O C T. 2 1

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Destrehan

O C T. 2 8

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Hahnville

N O V. 4

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Terrebonne

Y

ear one of the Carey Melvin Era took H.L. Bourgeois from the bottom to the middle of the pack.

Now, the Braves are hungry to jump from the middle to the top.

Last season, the Braves finished 5-5 under Melvin, which was a marked improvement considering the struggles the team had endured in the half-decade before Melvin’s arrival.

But Melvin said the Braves are hungrier than ever to make another giant leap after losing their final game of the season – a 14-13 setback against rival Terrebonne.

“I know we’re a lot stronger and I know they haven’t forgotten that moment,” Melvin said of his team. “I think we’ll be a lot better and stronger this year.”

Offensively, quarterback Jude LeCompte will lead the Braves push after establishing himself as a force last season as a junior.

“He’s not a flash in the pan,” Melvin said.

“He is what he is; he’s good.”

Surrounding LeCompte are a cast of veter-

PAGE 6 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

ans, including halfback Damontrion Brunson and several offensive linemen.

Defensively, the Braves are young, featuring just four returning starters, but three of the four are on the defensive line.

Our area Melvin is paying close attention to is linebacker, where the Braves lost all three starters to graduation after last season.

“I’ve got six guys that are rotating in (at LB) right now,” Melvin said.

But to get to the pinnacle, the Braves have to find a way to finish the season strong. Last year, the Braves overcame a softer nondistrict slate, then faltered against district powers later in the year.

Melvin said his team is working to avoid a repeat of that in 2016.

“This year, we want to start strong and finish stronger,” Melvin said. “That’s our goal.” •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 7

HOUMA CHRISTIAN WA R R I O R S

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

HOUMA CHRISTIAN HOPES BIG LINE MEANS BIG SUCCESS

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

It’s

rare that a prep football team returns its entire offensive line from one season to the next.

But that’s exactly the luxury Houma Christian has in 2016, and they’re pretty excited about the possibilities.

The Warriors return all five lineman this season after struggling and posting a 4-6 record in 2015.

Coach Chuck Battaglia said this year’s team has as much size as Houma Christian has ever had. He hopes that translates into victories when the ball is put into play in the new season.

“Our size is really impressive,” Battaglia said. “We think we’re going to be able to control the line of scrimmage and the flow of the game really well – more than we’ve been able to do in years past. We think that’ll be important for us.”

The Warriors have skill, as well. Houma Christian brings back quarterback Damien Pennison and halfback T.J. Moore – two players who fit the team’s game plan, which will

OPPONENT

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Highland Baptist

S E P T. 9

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False River

S E P T. 1 6

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Sacred Heart

S E P T. 2 3

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Ben Franklin

S E P T. 3 0

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Ascension Christian

O C T. 7

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St. Martin’s Episcopal

O C T. 1 4

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Ridgewood

O C T. 2 1

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Slaughter Charter

O C T. 2 8

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Covenant Christian

N O V. 4

@

Varnado

be to control the clock and then score points.

The reason for the ball-control style is to protect a defense which struggled in 2015 and surrendered a ton of points against elite competition.

But Battaglia said nose tackle Kyle Roberts and Zac Trujillo are back this season and each will help fix the unit’s struggles.

The coach added that the opponent can’t score without the ball, adding that the team’s offense aims to help its defense, as well.

“They’re better this year,” Battaglia said of his defense. “But we also want to put them in situations where they’re more likely to succeed. If we can keep those guys off the field as much as possible, it means we’re controlling the game.” •

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME

FOOTBALL? PAGE 8 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

C. LAFOURCHE TROJANS

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E

CENTRAL LAFOURCHE WANTS POSTSEASON ENCORE

D AT E

OPPONENT

S E P T. 2

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Patterson

S E P T. 9

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Vandebilt Catholic

S E P T. 1 6

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South Terrebonne

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

S E P T. 2 3

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South Lafourche

S E P T. 3 0

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H.L. Bourgeois

C

O C T. 7

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Thibodaux

O C T. 1 4

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Destrehan

O C T. 2 1

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Hahnville

O C T. 2 8

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Terrebonne

N O V. 4

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East St. John

entral Lafourche made the playoffs last season – the first time they achieved that feat under veteran coach Keith Menard.

Now, the challenge is to get back, and win a couple games while there.

The Trojans are hungry to build off last year’s postseason run, the first for the school since the 2009 season.

Central Lafourche is young after graduating a big senior group one season ago. But that’s not of much concern to Menard, who said it’s part of the cycle that is high school football.

“In Class 5A, you’d better be playing a lot of seniors or you won’t be able to keep up,” he said. “You lose a lot of guys every year.

That just means new kids have to come in and step up, and they always do. We’re excited about the season. We think the kids are ready, as well.”

For the Trojans, talented playmakers like halfback Nelton Allen and receivers David Robinson and Kenneth Poindexter lead the way for an offense led by first-year quarterback Jake Allemand.

Menard said Allemand’s been crisp so far in practices.

“He’s coming along,” Menard said. “The kids trust him. He’s settling down and getting comfortable in his role.”

Defensively, the Trojans lost a ton off last year’s unit, but there’s still plenty in the cupboard.

Safeties Norman Taylor and Joel Weaver headline the returnees on a group, which utilize an attacking 3-3-5 scheme – one which puts pressure on opposing offenses to make plays.

“We do our best to tackle the football every play,” Menard said. “We have a lot of aggressiveness on that side of the ball, and that’s by design.” •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 9

E.D. WHITE CARDINALS

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

E.D. WHITE YOUNG, BUT GIFTED IN 2016

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

E.D.

White lost the vast majority of its starters off last year’s team.

But that doesn’t mean that the Cardinals will be down in 2016. In fact, E.D. White thinks the exact opposite will take place.

Expectations remain high around the Thibodaux-based private school as the Cardinals work to build on last year’s playoff season in Division II. E.D. White coach Chris Bergeron said his team is youthful, but diligent – a group which will get better as the season goes on.

“We’re learning. There’s a lot of youth, and we have to do more teaching than we’ve had to do in years past,” Bergeron said. “But they’re coming along. We’re getting better bit by bit.”

Offensively, the Cardinals have three players back, including left tackle Jordan Moreaux and halfbacks Nik Shanklin and Brandon Legendre.

Quarterback Hunter Tabor will be under center – a position he’s held since the midway

PAGE 10 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

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Vandebilt Catholic

S E P T. 9

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Lakeshore

S E P T. 1 6

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St. James

S E P T. 2 3

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Kaplan

S E P T. 3 0

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Franklin

O C T. 7

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Thomas Jefferson

O C T. 1 4

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Patterson

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North Vermilion

O C T. 2 8

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Berwick

N O V. 4

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Erath

point last season when he filled in for Ben Sposito, who got injured.

Bergeron said the Cardinals have been good up front, which has allowed the team to succeed in its running game, which has allowed Tabor to thrive.

“He’s far more comfortable than he was when he first got on the field,” Bergeron said.

Defensively, E.D. White has an entirely new depth chart, but Bergeron isn’t concerned.

He said this year’s E.D. White team will be filled with players who’ve never started at their current positions, but who’ve all seen time at the varsity level.

“We have two guys – Carter Bourgeois and Dex Falgoust – back, but we have 11 new starters, because those guys are playing new spots,” Bergeron said. “But we’re hopeful. Everyone’s stepped up and filled their new roles.” •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 11

TGMC WORKS HAND-IN-HAND WITH SCHOOLS TO MAKE AREA ATHLETICS SAFE, SUCCESSFUL

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

It’s

inevitable. Injuries are going to happen when football season rolls around.

But when they do, Terrebonne General Medical Center will be on hand to limit the damage and make sure that our local student-athletes are able to get back on the playing field in short order.

Through its Community Sports Institute, which was started in 2014, TGMC provides athletic trainers to all Terrebonne Parish high schools, which ensures that injured athletes will be tended to quickly when they’re in need.

Having this is a luxury that’s many years in the making, according to TGMC Healthy Lifestyles Center Director Stan Gravois.

Gravois would know better than anyone. He coached locally for almost 30 years and remembers what it was like before the current system was in place.

“It’s a great, great thing,” Gravois said. “I did this for a long time, and I think back 10 years ago to 2006 and even as recent as then, there was nobody there on the sidelines for you if you were in need.

Our coaches love this. They rely on it. It’s funny.

It’s almost like having a cell phone. We take it for granted – so much so that many forget what life was like before it was ever in place. Something happens and the coach turns to his right and help is right there by his side.”

But perhaps the way to comfort coaches and parents about the dangers of injuries are to work to prevent them as best as possible. The Community Sports Institute does a lot of work to focus on exactly that – prevention.

Gravois said TGMC works around the calendar to offer various prevention programs to the public – programs which better equip area coaches and athletes with ways they can keep themselves safe.

Over the summer, TGMC hosted speed camps at area high schools, which taught local student-athletes running techniques and other things they could do to limit the stress on their bodies while competing.

“Those were a huge success,” Gravois said. “The kids absolutely loved them.”

Since then, the Community Sports Institute has stayed busy, offering CPR training to coaches, while doing baseline concussion testing on local studentathletes.

The baseline tests, according to Gravois, will be a game changer in Terrebonne Parish athletic training.

With a front-end evaluation on file, doctors will be able to better diagnosis an athlete if they sustain a head injury in competition.

Both the CPR testing and baseline concussion testing were free – funded by the TGMC

PAGE 12 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

Foundation.

“The concussion tests are wonderful to have,” Gravois said. “We tested 1,300 kids to get them ready for the upcoming school year. It gives us a starting point – a baseline. This way, we have a comparison point on athletes when they sustain a blow to the head. It helps us track much more easily where someone was before the blow and then also after it.”

Having trainers on-site help in prevention, as well – a proverbial game-changer for schools in Terrebonne Parish.

Gravois said Lafourche Parish has had trainers penciled into their school budgets for years. He credited the parish for its foresight in putting that system in place.

“But Terrebonne didn’t have it that way,” he said.

“Something had to be done to fill the void.”

So TGMC stepped up. The hospital has been supplying trainers for the past several years, and the five big schools in Terrebonne have full-time staff trainers who tend to the day-to-day needs of all student-athletes and personnel within their school.

Covenant Christian and Houma Christian have parttime trainers, when needed.

Gravois said the trainers are diligent, and are deeply ingrained in the fabric of their respective school. They are fixtures at community athletic events, and are an active participant in the studentathlete’s career.

“The trainer is there during the day, and he or she is often the last one to leave, because they don’t go home until the last kid leaves the training room,” Gravois said. “Having them there is very good. It takes a lot of pressure off the coaches, and the kids get a lot of the treatment they need along the way for the bumps and bruises which may occur.”

So with two successful years now under its belt, Gravois said the Community Sports Institute is now hungry for more.

The lifestyles center director said during weekends in the 2016 football season, TGMC will host therapy sessions from 7-9 a.m. on Saturday mornings to allow student-athletes to heal their nicks and bruises from Friday nights.

This luxury, Gravois said, will lessen injury time in the season and will allow student-athletes to return to the field faster and healthier than ever.

“A lot of the programs don’t do anything over the weekend, so we will be giving the kids a twoday head start in their recovery time,” Gravois said.

“We’re ready to go. We’ll have stem units ready to go. We’ll have ice tubs ready. We’ll take care of them as injuries arise.

“We have a great communication line with our coaches. We have great support from TGMC. When we need something, the coaches let us know. And when we take it to TGMC, they haven’t shut us down on very much we’ve asked for. It’s a great thing, and we’re going to just keep running with it.” •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 13

VANDEBILT TERRIERS

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

VANDEBILT EYEBALLING SPECIAL SEASON

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

M

any around the Vandebilt Catholic football community have been saying for a while that the 2016 season has a chance to be special.

Glimmers of that prosperity were on full display during the team’s preseason scrimmage.

The Terriers locked horns with defending Division III State Runner-Up Riverside last week – a matchup that was sure to test the Terriers’ talents before the 2016 season.

It did, but Vandebilt held its own. In fact, the team won the live portion of the scrimmage 14-7, which served as proof that the things the Terriers have been doing are paying off.

“It’s been a good summer,” Coach Jeremy Atwell said. “The kids worked so, so hard and dedicated themselves. They’ve bought in.

They’re doing all that we ask.”

For the Terriers, a talented cast of returnees rule the day.

Offensively, Andrew Robison will be a first-year starter on an offense that will also feature Brennan Rogers at halfback and Kane Degruise in the slot.

PAGE 14 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

OPPONENT

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E.D. White

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Central Lafourche

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St. Charles

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Covenant Christian

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Isidore Newman

O C T. 7

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South Terrebonne

O C T. 1 4

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South Lafourche

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Assumption

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Morgan City

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A.J. Ellender

Defensively, Drew Rios will lead the way for a unit, which returns nine starters. Atwell, who is a defensive-minded coach, said the 2016 defense may be the best he’s had at Vandebilt.

“If they come together, they have a chance to really do special things,” Atwell said.

“The talent is about as good as we’ve seen here.”

The Terriers’ road will not be easy. They open with five-straight non-district games versus playoff opponents – E.D. White, Central Lafourche, St. Charles Catholic, CCA and then Newman.

From there, Vandebilt will try and conquer District 7-4A, which is always highly competitive.

Atwell said the team’s key to success rides on the line of scrimmage and blocking.

“We want to be able to run the ball. We want to be able to stop the run,” Atwell said. •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 15

S. TERREBONNE G AT O R S

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

GATORS WANT BACK IN POSTSEASON

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

S

outh Terrebonne missed the playoffs in 2015 – a rare occasion for the prestigious program under longtime coach Richard Curlin.

Flash forward a year later and into the present and the Gators are hungry to get back to their perch near the top of the Class 4A pecking order.

The Gators were filled with youth in 2015 – playing several freshman and sophomore players across their depth chart. Those players are now older and more experienced, which has Curlin hopeful that last year’s 2-8 ride will be nothing more than just a mere bump in the road for a program that’s been one of the best locally for many, many years.

“That was as young as we’ve been in my time as the coach,” said Curlin, a 30-plus-year veteran. “The good thing about youth is that it eventually matures, and this year, we have those kids back and they’re far more experienced than they were one year ago.”

Defensively, South Terrebonne brings back

PAGE 16 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

OPPONENT

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H.L. Bourgeois

S E P T. 9

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Terrebonne

S E P T. 1 6

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Central Lafourche

S E P T. 2 3

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Dutchtown

S E P T. 3 0

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St. Amant

O C T. 7

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Vandebilt Catholic

O C T. 1 4

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Assumption

O C T. 2 1

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Morgan City

O C T. 2 8

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A.J. Ellender

N O V. 4

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South Lafourche

lineman Louis Blanchard – a two-time District MVP in the middle. Also returning are linebackers Kaleb Voisin and Luke Lirette and defensive backs Deonte Ross, Allen Vizier and Tristen Pinell.

On the opposite side, Blanchard will also shine as a powerful, bruising fullback. He will open holes for an offense which will heavily feature halfback Jonathan Smith, fullback Logan Melancon and quarterback Davis Arceneaux, who is doing a nice job in practices, according to Curlin.

“It’s his first year back there, but he does all of the right things,” Curlin said.

“He throws it pretty well, and he makes good decisions. He’s a good kid and a good allaround athlete.” •

TERREBONNE TIGERS

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E

TERREBONNE WANTS TO RECOVER AFTER SLOW SEASON

D AT E

OPPONENT

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A.J. Ellender

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South Terrebonne

S E P T. 1 6

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Assumption

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

S E P T. 2 3

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Thibodaux

S E P T. 3 0

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Destrehan

T

O C T. 7

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Hahnville

O C T. 1 4

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Lakeshore

O C T. 2 1

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East St. John

O C T. 2 8

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Central Lafourche

N O V. 4

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H.L. Bourgeois

errebonne High School beat its rivals in 2015.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the team didn’t beat anyone else.

That has to change in 2016 if the Tigers hope to break through and reach the Class 5A State Playoffs.

The Tigers hope for a turnaround after a strange season in 2015 which saw the team beat rivals South Terrebonne, Ellender and H.L. Bourgeois, but struggle to losses against the other seven opponents on the schedule.

Tigers coach Gary Hill said he thinks his team learned from last year’s tough go, and is better equipped to handle the new season.

“I thought we did a great job the last three weeks (of 2015),” Hill said. “We grew a lot.

But the problem is those kids are gone now, so we’ve got to do it all over again. But at least these kids were here so they at least know what to expect.”

Offensively, the Tigers are veteran with five starters back off a group which had success last season. Hill said he’s excited to see receiver Tristan Duplantis, as well as quarterback Dylan Bergeron – two of the returnees.

On the opposite side of the ball, Terrebonne is young with just two returnees back off a group which sometimes struggles to keep opponents out of the end zone in 2015.

Hill said Terrebonne’s goal is to make the playoffs, then see what happens from there.

He knows that all bets are off once the tournament begins.

“It’s back to 0-0 for everybody,” Hill said. •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 17

You Gotta Eat.

FeedMeHouma.com

ARE YOU READY FOR SOME

FOOTBALL?

PAGE 18 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

S. LAFOURCHE TA R P O N S

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E

TARPONS HOPE TO SCORE BIG IN YEAR ONE UNDER NOWLIN

D AT E

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Bonnabel

S E P T. 9

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Carver

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

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Thibodaux

S E P T. 2 3

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Central Lafourche

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S E P T. 3 0

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Plaquemine

O C T. 7

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Morgan City

O C T. 1 4

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Vandebilt Catholic

O C T. 2 1

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A.J. Ellender

O C T. 2 8

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Assumption

N O V. 4

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South Terrebonne

outh Lafourche has a new football coach in 2016.

But they have the same ol’ offensive playmakers that made the team 6-4 last season and a contender in Class 4A. The 2016 season will be the first for coach Brandon Nowlin in Galliano. He’s replacing Dennis Skains, who left the team for a head coaching gig at Cecilia.

The Tarpons didn’t have spring practices because of the timing of Nowlin’s hire. But the new coach said he’s pleased with the team’s playmaking and effort as the new season gets close to beginning.

“The kids have been really great,” Nowlin said. “They show up every day ready to work and do the best that they can to help our team.

The transition has been good. I think everyone is just excited to get started and to kick off our competition.”

Offensively, the Tarpons are sharp with senior quarterback Jaydon Cheramie back, as well as junior halfback Corbin Allen.

The duo contributed 36 touchdowns last season for an offense which routinely hung

crooked numbers on opponents.

Nowlin said the one-two punch has been crisp throughout the offseason, and in the team’s scrimmage with Higgins, South Lafourche moved the ball at will.

“We have some playmakers,” Nowlin said.

“We have kids who can do good things with the ball.”

Defensively, South Lafourche has Jeremy Rogers and Terry Hunter back. The Tarpons will take a “bend, but don’t break” approach after allowing loads of points against top competition last season.

“We have to get off the field on third downs,” Nowlin said. “We can allow yards, but when we have a chance, we absolutely have to get off the field.” •

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PAGE 20 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016

DESTRAHAN W I L D C AT S

GOOD LUCK 2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

WILDCATS HAVE SUPERDOME DREAMS IN 2016

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

F

or the past several years, the words success and Destrehan football have gone hand-in-hand.

The Wildcats are one of the winningest teams in the state over the past decade, owning multiple district titles, while also advancing deep into the playoffs in just about every year.

Folks around the prestigious program think 2016 will be much of the same – even as Destrehan replaces countless starters off last year’s dominant team.

As always, the goal for the Wildcats is the Superdome in 2016 after last year’s run to the LHSAA Class 5A State Quarterfinals.

But the Wildcats will be younger than normal in 2016, which had the attention of longtime coach Stephen Robicheaux.

“We’re going to be tested often, and we have a young football team,” Robicheaux said earlier this offseason. “But we look forward to it.”

Defensively, the Wildcats have question marks in 2016. Destrehan lost nine starters off last year’s group that was among the best in

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Open Date

Louisiana.

But folks shouldn’t feel too much pity for the Wildcats, because they do have linebacker Jonathon Duhon back – a player who’s getting college looks. Also back is safety Kendrick Johnson.

Offensively, the Wildcats will be led by Kohen Granier. Destrehan’s receiver group is also full to the brim, with Chancey Cothren and Justin Jefferson expected to make plays down the field.

But the schedule will be tough – as tough as anyone’s in Louisiana.

The Wildcats play Slidell, Woodlawn and John Ehret out of district, then tangle with Hahnville, East St. John and Thibodaux during the season.

“It won’t be easy,” Robicheaux said. “We will be tested.” •

HOUMAWEEKLY.COM • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • PAGE 21

ELLENDER PAT R I O T S

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E D AT E

McCORMICK AIMS TO TURN AROUND ELLENDER

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

R

ichard McCormick has always wanted to be a head coach.

He’ll finally get his shot in 2016, while working with a team he’s used to coaching against – the Ellender Memorial Patriots.

McCormick took over the Ellender program last spring after previous coach Terry Washington resigned after disagreements with administration.

McCormick coached at South Terrebonne for 19 seasons. He said the transition to Ellender has been smooth, because the kids have bought in to what he’s teaching.

“Kids want discipline. They say they don’t, but they do. Discipline shows the kids that you care,” McCormick said. “So far, the majority of our work has been to change the mindset and the culture. We want our kids to be mentally tougher and to never quit.”

Offensively, Ellender will split reps between Davontavean Martin and Colby Poe. McCormick said Martin is an elite athlete who can hurt opponents with the zone read.

Poe is a pure pocket passer.

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“They both do things well and give us options,” McCormick said. “We’re just playing it week by week.”

On the defensive side of the ball, Ellender needs an overhaul after being slashed last season for 319 points throughout the season.

McCormick said he’s excited about the play of sophomore linebacker Jamire Mott, as well as Daquirs Griffin, Montae Smitherman and Anfernee Steele.

He said that fixing the Patriots’ defense has been near the top of his to-do list since taking the job after last season.

“We have to be better on that side of the ball. We can’t win unless we are,” McCormick said. “We’ve tweaked some things and we think we’ll be better. We know we have to be.” •

Owner - Celeste Poiencot Landry 8858 Park Ave. • 985-851-6012 www.just4youflorist.net

THIBODAUX TIGERS

2 0 1 6 F O OT B A L L S C H E D U L E

THIBODAUX READY TO ROLL IN 2016

By CASEY GISCLAIR casey@rushing-media.com

No

one locally has more athletes than Thibodaux High.

The challenge now is to parlay those players into a deep push in the always-tough Class 5A State Playoffs.

Thibodaux is loaded with size, speed and athleticism in 2016 – one of the most impressive local teams on paper.

But Tigers coach Chris Dugas said his team mustn’t believe the hype and must stay focused to overcome the bears which roam in the brutally tough Class 5A landscape.

“We’ve been working hard and focusing on the little things,” Dugas said. “The kids have had a good attitude and a good mindset. They want to be special, and so far, they’ve put in a lot of work to try and achieve our goals.”

Offensively, Thibodaux will rely heavily on playmaker Amik Robertson – a playmaker who Dugas said will touch the ball 20-plus times a game.

“He’s going to play just about every offensive positon for us except on the offensive line,” Dugas said. “He’s one of those guys that can make something happen literally every

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play.”

Senior Saul Barrilleaux will lead the Tigers under center, and playmakers like Romon Joseph, Rochon Washington and Shemar Lawson will aid Robertson in the team’s playmaking efforts.

Defensively, the Tigers are stout with defensive tackle Darius Richard and defensive end Brennan Garman securing the team’s front line.

On the edges, Robertson will double-up as a two-ways player. Many consider him to be among the best cornerbacks in Louisiana – a prospect who is being recruiting by just about every college in the Southeast, including LSU. •

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PAGE 24 • 2016 SCHOOL SPIRIT • AUGUST 25, 2016