Football Preview 2019

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2019 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

CHASING HISTORY Fourcade helps put Colonels among country’s elite

AUGUST 29, 2019 PREMIUM EDITION $5

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CHASE FOURCADE

‘He’s the reason I’m out here’ Fourcade finds strength, motivation in older brother By Mike Gegenheimer Staff Writer

Everywhere Chase Fourcade looked was an endless sea of Georgia red. Buried beneath the crushing sound of 92,000 UGA fans stood the 6-foot-0 freshman quarterback trying not to let the pressure of one of college football's most hostile environments get to him. For one of the few times in his career, he failed. Fourcade took the snap from shotgun, hopped back a step and threw toward the left sideline. What he thought he saw was Damion Jeanpiere Jr. streaking down the field. What he didn’t see was the Bulldogs defender with the inside track. Fourcade jogged off the field in defeat after the interception. It was 3 minutes and 14 seconds into his first collegiate game. That was how Fourcade’s career at Nicholls began almost four years to the day from when he’ll take the field against another FBS school in Kansas State. But instead of an overwhelmed freshman, he'll start his senior season as the program’s all-time leading passer and the leader of the No. 12 FCS team in the country looking for a third-straight playoff appearance. To this day, his first

Nicholls senior quarterback Chase Fourcade broke numerous school records and could break more this season. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO]

throw in a Nicholls uniform is one of the worst he ever made, and yet Fourcade settled down after the disastrous opening drive to go 9-of19 for 99 yards with two touchdowns. It’s far from his best game, but it may be the most significant to his development. Despite the early pick and the eventual loss, Fourcade pushed the Colonels to within two points of the No. 9 team in the country late into the fourth quarter. From that moment on Fourcade wasn’t just another freshman

quarterback, but the quarterback who was going to bring the Colonels into the national spotlight for something other than the joke in opponents’ highlight reels. Quite the turnaround for someone who couldn’t have started any worse. But that’s the way Fourcade’s magical career has always gone. Every great achievement preceded by a crushing blow turned motivation. In November 2016, after Nicholls was essentially eliminated from Southland Conference

title contention with a 31-24 loss at Central Arkansas, in part due to Fourcade’s three interceptions, he was in the parking lot promising his father next year would be different. He wouldn’t let those seniors down like he did these. Twelve months later, Nicholls hosted a playoff game for the first time in school history. In high school, Fourcade debuted as a sophomore with what he considered to be an awful performance off the bench against Hahnville (he failed to mention Archbishop Rummel won

that game 7-5 when he threw an 80-yard touchdown with 30 seconds to play). Fourcade wasn’t satisfied. Starting that next Monday, after Rummel finished its normal practice, he began a routine of spending three nights a week working 45-minute extra sessions with his father at Cleary Playground in Metairie: throwing motions, cones, foot drills, rolling out, everything that makes a quarterback. The next week he threw several touchdowns against powerhouse Acadiana and by December

he hoisted a state championship trophy in the Superdome. But what drives Fourcade the most is the one thing he can’t change with hard work and extra drills. No amount of touchdowns or yards or wins can ever be enough. In all those moments, both good and bad, while Fourcade was battling it out on the field, the driving motivation for it all watched from the sidelines. Taylor Fourcade was born with cerebral palsy. Diagnosed at 16 months, he’s never walked a day in his life, let alone played football. He’s been limited to a wheelchair for as long as he can remember. He also never misses a game. When Nicholls hosted playoff games for two consecutive years, Taylor watched from the stands. When his little brother threw the interception against Georgia, Taylor assured Georgia fans Chase wouldn’t back down. And when Chase and his father spent all those nights putting in extra work, Taylor was right there with them helping shape his brother’s arm with words of advice. Every time Chase Fourcade looks to the sideline, he sees the reason he plays the game. "He’s the reason I’m out here," Fourcade said, fighting back his emotions. "I really love what I’m doing and he loves what I do. He texts me See FOURCADE, 5

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FOURCADE From Page 4

every day just to see how practice was. He’s the first one watching film. He has a smile on his face every time. He’s so positive and he just loves being out here. He’s just positive." The Fourcade family is a football family. Chase’s father, Keith Fourcade, was a standout linebacker from the West Bank of New Orleans who went on to play at Ole Miss in the 1980s and even played a year in the NFL with the Saints. His uncle, John Fourcade, is lauded as one of the best New Orleans-area high school quarterbacks of his era and also later played for the Rebels and Saints. Chase’s grandfather was a first baseman in the Detroit Tigers farm system. His great grandmother played basketball. His grandmother played basketball. His great uncle was the batting champ at West Jefferson High School. While Keith Fourcade tried not to step on the toes of Chase’s coaches, he taught him most of the fundamentals: how to throw, how to move, how to get hit. His uncle chipped in from time to time with the intricacies of the position, like how to read a defense. Most of all, Keith Fourcade kept his son humble. But Taylor will never experience any of that. Barring a miracle medical breakthrough, he’ll forever be on the sidelines. His family knows this, his brother knows this and he accepts it. It’s not something that keeps him down. Taylor

Brothers Chase Fourcade (back) and Taylor Fourcade (front) celebrate a Nicholls win following a game at John L. Guidry Stadium in Thibodaux. Chase, a record-breaking senior quarterback for the Colonels, said Taylor is his inspiration for playing football. [SUBMITTED] Nicholls football coach Tim Rebowe (left) watches Nicholls senior quarterback at a recent

graduated from Delgado with a two-year degree and plans to attend SUNO in the spring. He recently got a job working with the New Orleans Pelicans in the ticket office. He isn’t completely removed from the game, either. For the past six years, "Coach T" worked as an assistant coach at Rummel. He started working with offensive linemen under current Nicholls offensive line coach Lee Roussel (then at Rummel), who helped get him the job while his brother was still a sophomore. He later moved to wide receivers where he works to this day. Perhaps not coincidentally, one unit protects his brother while the other catches his passes. Some people may look

practice. The two have teamed up to help build the Colonels into a Football Championship at Taylor and write him off as not understanding Subdivision powerhouse. [BRAD WEIMER/CORRESPONDENT – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET] the game, Roussel said, but the fact of the matter about the game without best he could muster in brother can’t do and that is that he knows as much the other. the moment was to repeat just motivates him," about football as anyone Watching his brother that Taylor is the reason Keith Fourcade said. on the field. play will always be the he plays the game and "He’s special. I say I’ve None of it compares to best part of the sport try to compose himself got two special boys." watching Chase, though. Taylor considers his life. enough to move on. What Fourcade The two talk just about "Me and him, we’re The only person for achieved in honor of every day. Their congoing through this whom their connection his brother is far more versations often revolve together," Taylor said. "I may mean more is their than anyone expected around breaking down live my life through him. I father. out of the undersized Chase’s most recent per- can never play the game. When Chase first quarterback. formance. If Taylor can’t Everything he does, he decided to play football, One of the first things be at a game in person, does for me. Everything his father told him he Keith Fourcade did he watches a recording he does, I’m a part of it." needed to find his reason when his son told him the next day. He techniChase can hardly put for playing. A few weeks he wanted to be a quarcally isn’t supposed to, into words what his later they watched the terback was to take him but Chase will sometimes brother means to him. ESPN documentary in front of the bathroom share team game film for Hearing Taylor’s on former Oklahoma mirror and tell him he’s Taylor to review. sentiment, the Division I running back Marcus never going to be the bigTaylor is Chase’s most quarterback who stared Dupree, who also had a gest or most athletically trusted advisor. Chase down Georgia and Texas special needs sibling. gifted player on the field. is Taylor’s most beloved A&M and upset Kansas The next day Chase People would always pupil. Neither wants and defied everyone who texted his father with a doubt him. to experience the game said he was too short to message -- he had found That proved to be true. without the other. Neiplay at the college level his reason. See FOURCADE, 6 ther could feel the same broke down in tears. The "He sees what his

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FOURCADE

and his coachability for getting him to where he is today. By the end of that From Page 5 first year, Roth putting his faith in Fourcade was one of the best decisions Even as one of the most he ever made. successful high school “He had ice water quarterbacks in the state in his veins, even as a by the time he graduated, sophomore,” Roth said. with a career record of “I never thought that we 32-6, two state champihad this type of quarteronship appearances and back, after that 7-5 win one win, Fourcade never over Hahnville, that he’d made much of a splash in turn out to be that way. the recruitment pool. His That last drive where he most high-profile offer just exuded confidence was to a Maryland team in his team carried on for coming off a 3-9 season. the next three years.” So when Nicholls Rebowe’s decision reached out, Fourcade to start Chase against saw an opportunity to Georgia mostly fell along be part of something the same lines. With special. Newly-named a veteran quarterback Colonels head coach Tim returning to the program Rebowe promised to turn that year, few people the program around and expected to see Fourcade Fourcade believed him. come out for the first Despite the Colonels not snaps. winning a game in over a Rebowe can point to year at the time, Fourhis work ethic during cade committed prior preseason camp or his to the start of his senior dedication to the playseason, before Rebowe book as the reason why ever coached a game. Fourcade got the nod, If nothing else, Nichbut in the end, Rebowe olls was close enough for simply had a gut feeling. Taylor to come watch The Colonels still him play. tease Fourcade about the “I wanted to rebuild interception at Georgia, this program, this but the way he immedicommunity, this city,” ately bounced back is the Fourcade said. moment Rebowe realized The thing about he had a special player. Fourcade that his father Four years later and couldn’t point out in the Fourcade goes into bathroom mirror was that his senior season with indefinable “It” factor expectations growing by coaches always talk about the day. with their quarterbacks. Just in the few weeks No one can ever say leading up to the start of exactly what “It” is, but the season, he was named they know it when they to the STATS FCS Walter see it — and they all see it Payton Award watch list in him. and the CFPA National At Rummel, FourPerformer of the Year cade was a starry-eyed watch list. He was named sophomore coming off a first team all-Southland bad debut when Raiders after being named the coach Jay Roth named overall SLC Player of him the starter after one the Year in 2018. HERO game. Sports FCS named him He credits Fourcade’s a preseason third team knowledge of the game all-American.

Nicholls senior quarterback Chase Fourcade speaks to media members at the annual Manning Passing Academy held in Thibodaux. Fourcade, a New Orleans native, became a fixture at the camp. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

Fourcade already holds the Nicholls all-time passing yards records and sits only five back of the program passing touchdown record. He has the record for most 200-yard games and most completions. He’s picked up more offensive yardage than any other Colonels player in history. He’s also in reach of program records for pass attempts, completion percentage and rushing touchdowns as a player more known for his arm than his legs. To this day, Fourcade continues to work extra passing sessions with his receivers at least three times a week. “He deserves all that. He’s earned all of that,” Rebowe said. “The way he’s handled all of it, he’s so mature. He’s always been competitive, and he hasn’t lost any of that, but he’s seeing things

different now.” But it’s the individual moments that created the legend of Chase Fourcade. Nicholls offensive coordinator Rob Christophel recalled the time an injured Fourcade came off the bench against Northwestern State as a sophomore — his only non-start in three seasons — to lead Nicholls to a 14-10 victory. His ex-linebacker father can’t help by smile when he thinks about the time Chase lowered his shoulder on a McNeese State defender for a 19-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run in a game decided by two points in the final seconds. Then there’s Taylor, who can remember just about every game his brother ever played. His favorite moment dates back to Chase’s

sophomore year of high school when Rummel and Jesuit were tied going into the final drive. With the clock ticking down and the Raiders facing a 4th-and-18, Chase dragged a defender across the marker for a first down. Rummel kicked a field goal to win 24-21. “He has that ‘It’ factor,” Taylor said. “He wants to win everything. He wants to win in ping pong. He wants to win in tennis. Anything he can win, he wants to win. That’s what makes him a great player. He’s just a grinder. He loves being on the field. “Sometimes I have to tell him to pull back a little bit and take a break. But that’s just him.” There’s one moment, though, that stands out among all the others in the annals of Fourcade family history.

One of the most significant games in Nicholls history came last November when the Colonels beat arch-rival Southeastern Louisiana 44-0 to win the 2018 Southland Conference title and seal an automatic berth into the FCS Playoffs. The team stayed on the field for close to a half hour after the final whistle as it celebrated with the trophy at midfield. Pretty soon, a swarm of family and friends poured from the stands to join them. Through it all, Fourcade pushed his way to the corner of John L. Guidry Stadium where his family can be found watching every game. He climbed up on the wooden platform and embraced his brother. “We did it,” he shouted. “I told you we’d do it.”

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NICHOLL S COLONEL S

Continuity on coaching staff helps keep Nicholls competitive on yearly basis AT A GLANCE

By Mike Gegenheimer Staff Writer

Tim Rebowe didn’t sugarcoat anything the first time he called Rob Christophel about coming to Nicholls. The Colonels were fresh off a 0-12 season and the best hope for any future success Tim Rebowe was to rebuild the program from top to bottom. There would be long hours, a minuscule budget, aging facilities and no guarantee for success. On one hand, Christophel liked Rebowe. The two worked together for three seasons when Christophel was the offensive coordinator at Louisiana-Lafayette and Rebowe was working with the safeties. He thought Rebowe had a strong vision for the program. On the other hand… "My initial impression was that I don’t know if I have the energy or the years to get it going back in the right direction," Christophel recalled. Christophel wasn’t the only coach with reservations. When he was announced as the head coach of Nicholls football in the winter of 2014, Rebowe wasn’t convincing just players to buy into his new program but their would-be coaches, as well.

Nicholls senior running back Dontrell Taylor, a White Castle native, runs for a touchdown last season during a first-round FCS playoff win over San Diego in Thibodaux. Taylor was the leading rusher for the Colonels last season with 998 yards on 137 carries and scored nine times on the ground. [BERT MILLER/CORRESPONDENT – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

“If you start with the coordinators and you’re going into the fifth year of the same offense and defense, it’s huge.” Tim Rebowe

Rebowe was looking for coaches with a connection to Louisiana, someone young and energetic that could help push his vision of

rejuvenation. He went on to hire people like Tommy Rybacki as defensive coordinator, Lee Roussel on the offensive line, Sean Murphy with receivers, Chris Thompson at cornerbacks, Brian Wallace with safeties and Russ Gisclair for tight ends. And, yes, Rob Christophel as offensive

coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Five years, 25 wins and a Southland Conference championship later, every one of those coaches remains on staff with the Colonels. Since Rebowe’s hiring, only three coaches — two running backs and one defensive line — needed to be replaced.

"If you start with the coordinators and you’re going into the fifth year of the same offense and defense, it’s huge," Rebowe said. "You have the same terminology. The guys are getting the same message that’s being passed down to the assistant coaches from See NICHOLLS, 49

Head coach: Tim Rebowe FCS Southland Conference Years as head coach: 5 Record at school: 25-22 Overall record: 25-22 2018 overall record: 9-4 Conference record: 7-2 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Aug. 31: at Kansas State Sept. 7: OPEN Sept. 14: at Prairie View A&M Sept. 21: at Stephen F. Austin* Sept. 28: at Texas State Oct. 5: Central Arkansas* Oct. 12: Northwestern State* Oct. 19: at Sam Houston State* Oct. 26: Abilene Christian* (Homecoming) Nov. 2: at Incarnate Word* Nov. 9: Houston Baptist* Nov. 16: McNeese State* Nov. 21 (Thurs): at Southeastern Louisiana* *Southland Conference game 2018 REVIEW Def. Kansas, 26-23 (OT); lost to Tulane, 42-17; lost to McNeese State, 20-10; def. Sam Houston, 27-7; def. Lamar, 50-27; def. Northwestern State, 28-10; lost to Abilene Christian, 28-12; def. Incarnate Word, 48-21; def. Houston Baptist, 41-20; def. Stephen F. Austin, 47-14; def. Southeastern Louisiana, 44-0. Playoffs: def. San Diego, 49-30 (first round); lost to Eastern Washington, 42-21 (second round). KEY PLAYERS RETURNING QB Chase Fourcade (Sr.), WR Dai’Jean Dixon (Jr.), RB Dontrell Taylor (Sr.), C PJ Burkhalter (r-Jr.), DL Sully Laiche (Sr.), LB Evan Veron (Sr.), LB Allen Pittman (Sr.), DB Darren Evans (Jr.)

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A S S U M P T I O N M U S TA N G S

Mustangs counting on powerful lines to set tone AT A GLANCE

By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

NAPOLEONVILLE — It was just picture day, but for Assumption High School standout senior defensive lineman Tra’mond Williams, it was a sign of Anthony things to Paine come this season. When Williams put on his uniform to pose for photos on Aug. 9, it gave him a little boost for the season. "I’ve been dreaming about this. That’s how bad I want to play," Williams said. "Then it’s my last year. I’m trying to be the best, and I’m trying to make it the better for (future Assumption teams) coming up next. As soon as I put this jersey on, I was sitting in there shaking in my locker. I was just walking around. I can’t stand to sit down. That’s why I stand up. I’m just ready for the season." Williams will be a valuable part of the Mustangs’ defense this season. He is one of three returning linemen on the defensive trenches for the Mustangs, who won the District 7-4A title last season and made a trip to the second round of the

Seniors leading the Assumption Mustangs this year will be running back Tyran Cassie (from left), offensive lineman Grant Dupaty, receiver Damon Bailey, defensive back Torrey Oliver, receiver/defensive back Ra’Shaun Jarvis and defensive lineman Tra’mond Williams. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

Class 4A playoffs with a 9-3 overall record. "We’ve been training the whole summer. We’ve been getting ready and lifting weights all summer," Williams said. "We’re prepared and we’re better than we were last year. We’re looking for a great year. I feel like our offense and defense are better this year. We have some new faces and new people, but that doesn’t mean anything. We’re hungry and we’re ready. We’re coming." Assumption coach

Anthony Paine said he loves the depth, experience, size and strength they have along the line of scrimmage. He has three returners on the defensive line (Williams, Cru Blanchard and Jai Reed) and three more on offensive line (Beau Delatte, Grant Dupaty and Vernell Dorsette). "On our offensive and defensive lines, we have lots of experience in game time situations coming back," Paine said. "We have three-year starters on each side of the

ball. We have big bodies looking pretty good. Our and strong kids. If their offense all together is health is an indication looking really good. We of games won up front, I have a lot of guys who are think we’re in pretty good very powerful and strong. shape." We’re trying to grind. Dupaty said the MusWe have good running tangs’ offensive line back in Tyran Cassie. We wants to open big runwant to make open lanes ning lanes for returning for him, so we’re working running backs in senior hard. A lot of our leadTyran Cassie and junior ers are stepping up this Teris Consonary and year." protect their two quarCassie said the terbacks in senior Damon Mustangs have high Bailey and sophomore expectations this season Sage Riviere. and want to advance past "It starts up front," See ASSUMPTION, 53 Dupaty said. "We are

Head coach: Anthony Paine Years as head coach: 8 Record at school: 43-35 Overall record: 62-49 Class 4A District 8-4A 2018 overall record: 9-3 District record: 6-0 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: at Donaldsonville Sept. 13: Patterson Sept. 20: at E.D. White Catholic Sept. 27: at Denham Springs Oct. 4: St. James Oct. 11: at South Terrebonne* Oct. 18: at Morgan City* Oct. 25: Ellender* Nov. 1: Vandebilt Catholic* Nov. 8: South Lafourche* *District 8-4A game 2018 REVIEW Def. Donaldsonville, 14-8; def. Patterson, 44-22; lost to Terrebonne, 41-6; def. E.D. White Catholic, 18-12; def. South Terrebonne, 21-7; def. South Lafourche, 45-14; def. Ellender, 40-7; def. Vandebilt Catholic, 14-13; lost to Newman, 42-26; def. Morgan City, 47-7. Class 4A playoffs: Def. Carencro, 8-6 (first round); lost to Leesville, 27-14 (second round) KEY PLAYERS RB Tyran Cassie (Sr.), WR Ra’Shaun Jarvis (Sr.), OL Grant Dupaty (Sr.), OL Vernell Dorsette (Sr.), QB/ WR Damon Bailey (Sr.), DL Tra’mond Williams (Sr.), DB Jairus Holmes (Sr.), DB Torrey Oliver (Sr.)

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C E N T RA L L A F O U RC H E T ROJA N S

Trojans seek to improve on last year’s success AT A GLANCE

By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

MATHEWS — If you think the Central Lafourche Trojans are satisfied with last year’s success, you might want to think again. Central Lafourche finished the year with a 6-5 Keith Menard record and made it to the first round of the Class 5A playoffs, but it’s now a new year with some new faces in key positions. But Trojans senior running back Deon Jenkins, who was one of the state's top runners last season with 298 carries for 1,799 yards and 24 touchdowns, said he believes they are ready for more this year. “I feel like we’ve got a very good team. We’re going to do some big things this year,” Jenkins said. “We’re going to take our confidence we had last year and physicality we had last year and we’re just going to put it on the field this year. We want to go far this year. A lot of people sleeping on us but we’re coming.” Central Lafourche will return 12 starters (six on offense and defense each) from last season, including Jenkins, senior receivers Jansen Folse and Peyton Loredo, senior tight end Logan Wilcox, senior center Gaven Adams, senior defensive end Trevor Alleman and senior linebacker Caleb Thibodaux.

Some of the senior offensive skill position players for the Trojans this season will be tight end Logan Wilcox (from left), quarterback Ashtrein Duncan, receiver Peyton Loredo, running back Deon Jenkins and receiver Jansen Folse [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

“The guys who are returning are the ones we are counting on to lead us this season,” Central Lafourche coach Keith Menard said. “We’ve had some good fall practices up to this point.” Despite losing several key offensive linemen last season, the Trojans will return many of the explosive skill players. They averaged nearly 30 points per game. “Offensively we have three really good skill guys coming back as far as receivers and tight ends,” Menard said. “Folse, Loredo and Wilcox are coming back. Those are guys who can make plays.” And of course, Menard said he is excited to have Jenkins return for his senior year. “I think he (Deon) has proven himself after two

years,” Menard said. “I look forward to watching him play as a senior and seeing where he takes his game to the next level.” New starting quarterback Ashtrein Duncan will replace Jacob Barker in the starting passer role. During the summer months, Duncan showed off his athleticism and skill set in 7-on-7 drills and at team camps. “Ashtrein has really done a good job up to this point,” Menard said. “I think he’s going to be great. It’s just going to be wait and see what happens in the game-like situation, but we like his progress up to this point.” Jenkins said he can’t wait to play in the Trojans’ offense this season. “Our offense is going to be great,” Jenkins said.

“We’ve got a lot of different weapons we could use. We’re going to be good.” Menard said he is also confident with their defensive attack, especially up front with defensive lineman in Allemand, Kobe Guidroz and Truvon Price leading the charge. “For us through the years, we’ve played pretty good defense but we always seem to give up a big play or two just because of our overall lack of speed,” Menard said. “We feel good about our team speed this year on defense. We feel good about the guys coming back. We feel like if we could just make teams drive the football, then we are going to find some ways to make some plays and get off the field and get us the ball back.” Allemand said the goal

for the Trojans’ defense is to hold opponents to under 21 points per game this season. “We’re going to play hard every down,” Allemand said. “We’re going to be aggressive. Everybody is going to be running to the ball this year. We’re going to be real strong up front. This is the best team I’ve ever been on. We feel like nobody should score more than 21 points on us. We’re going to be fast and physical all year long.” As for special teams, Menard said the Trojans will have to replace a consistent kicker in Gavin Lasseigne, so that will be one area they will watch during fall camp and start of the regular season. If they stay healthy and play hard every week, Allemand said he loves

Head coach: Keith Menard Years as head coach: 7 Record at school: 27-34 Overall record: 162-160 Class 5A District 7-5A 2018 overall record: 6-5 District record: 2-4 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: White Castle Sept. 13: Franklin Sept. 20: South Lafourche Sept. 27: Thibodaux Oct. 4: at Ellender Oct. 11: H.L. Bourgeois* Oct. 18: at Hahnville* Oct. 25: East St. John* Nov. 1: at Destrehan* Nov. 8: at Terrebonne* *District 7-5A game 2018 REVIEW Def. E.D. White Catholic, 50-21; def. Carver, 22-18; def. South Lafourche, 38-6; lost to East St. John, 31-0; def. Ellender, 45-29; def. H.L. Bourgeois, 31-3; lost to Destrehan, 51-21; lost to Terrebonne, 25-17, lost to Hahnville, 24-14; def. Thibodaux, 49-28; Class 5A playoffs: Lost to Slidell, 35-21 (first round). KEY PLAYERS QB Ashtrein Duncan (Sr.), RB Deon Jenkins (Sr.), WR Jansen Folse (Sr.), WR Peyton Loredo (Sr.), TE Logan Wilcox (Sr.); OL Gaven Adams (Sr.); OL Chris Cenac (Sr.); DL Truvon Price (Sr.); DL Trevor Allemand (Sr.), LB Caleb Thibodaux (Sr.), DB Duanta Poindexter (Sr.).

the Trojans chances this season. “I think we’ve got a good chance to go far this year,” Allemand said. “We’ve got a lot of good players. We’re going to be good.”

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COV E N A N T C H R I S T I A N ACA D E M Y L I O N S

With low numbers, Lions hope young talent steps up AT A GLANCE

By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

There are many challenges that come with being a Class 1A Randy Boquet school. There will be years when you have low number on the football roster, which forces many players to play both offense and defense. The Covenant Christian Academy Lions are facing this situation as they prepare for the upcoming season. With just 25 players, Lions coach Randy Boquet said they are doing the best they can to get the most out of them. “We’re down numbers wise. Unfortunately for our kids that means a little more conditioning,” Boquet said. “We have to be in better shape because we’re going to have more kids going both ways. That’s going to be a real challenge for us, especially earlier in the year with the heat in August, but hopefully our kids can condition hard and be ready to go. The Lions return 14 starters (seven on offense and defense each). They will operate out of the Wing-T offense and 4-3 defense. “We’re going to be old and we’re going to be young,” Boquet said. “I know that’s kind of crazy. We’ve got a good core of 10 seniors who are veteran players and so far they’ve been exceptional as far as leadership. We’ve got a bunch of

Key players for the Lions this season will be senior Bobby Bland (from left), senior Zach Boquet, senior Taite Aucoin, senior Blane Boudreaux and junior Malachi Ayo. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

younger kids coming up, so hopefully that leadership can spread over to them and they could grow up pretty quick.” After losing a talented senior class last year, Boquet said he is also looking for new leaders to emerge. “We lost a real talented bunch,” Boquet said. “They were sensational, but every year, other kids step up. That’s what we have to get from this group right here. We have to have someone who will step up and make some plays for us.” Several key returning players include junior running back/defensive back Malachi Ayo, senior offensive guard/

defensive lineman Bobby Bland, senior tight end/ defensive end Zach Boquet and sophomore running back/linebacker Connor Matherne. Ayo said the Lions have worked hard this offseason. “People are doubting us because we’re short on numbers,” Ayo said. “We don’t have as many players as we’ve had in the past, but I think with the group that we have, if we just play together and play as we practice, we’ll be fine. We just have to reload. Every year, that’s what we do. We just have to see where it takes us.” Zach Boquet, Coach Boquet’s son, said many of the players grew up

playing together. “I’m very excited for this season,” Zach Boquet said. “We have a great chemistry. We’re all excited about the season. I think we’re all going to work hard for a common goal and have a great year.” Senior Blane Boudreaux will step in as starting quarterback for the Lions this year. “You can expect good things,” Boudreaux said. “It’s just a mindset. We’re going to come out and be tough. If we play Lion football, we’re going to be good.” One of the important offensive weapons in CCA’s backfield will be senior wingback Taite

I think with the group that we have, if we just play together and play as we practice, we’ll be fine. We just have to reload. Every year, that’s what we do. We just have to see where it takes us.” Malachi Ayo

Aucoin, who said he is confident the Lions will have success this year. “I think we got a great group of kids. We’ve got a lot of great chemistry around. We have guys who have played forever. I think we’re going to have a really good season.” Covenant Christian will play in a new District 8-1A this season

Head coach: Randy Boquet Years as head coach: 6 Record at school: 35-17 Overall record: 61-56 Class 1A District 8-1A 2018 overall record: 7-3 District record: 3-1 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: at Central Private Sept. 13: Sci Academy Sept. 20: OPEN Sept. 27: Loranger Oct. 4: St. John Oct. 11: at Highland Baptist* Oct. 18: Centerville* Oct. 25: at Central Catholic* Nov. 1: Vermilion Catholic* Nov. 8: at Hanson Memorial* *District 8-1A game 2018 REVIEW Def. Fisher, 41-0; Def. The Church Academy, 26-0; Def. Hamilton Christian, 39-0; Def. St. John, 28-21; Lost to Ascension Catholic, 46-6; Def. Varnado, 39-30; lost to West St. John, 44-18; Def. St. Martin’s Episcopal, 47-0; Def. Houma Christian School, 62-31; Division II playoffs: lost to Opelousas Catholic, 35-18 (first round). KEY PLAYERS OG/DL Bobby Bland (Sr.), RB/DB Malachi Ayo (Jr.), RB/LB Connor Matherne (Soph.), RB/DB Taite Aucoin (Sr.), QB/LB Blane Boudreaux (Sr.), TE/DL Zach Boquet (Sr.).

with Vermilion Catholic, Central Catholic, Hanson Memorial, Centerville and Highland Baptist. Boquet said it will present a new challenge but he believes the Lions are ready. “I like our chances,” Boquet said. “I think our kids are going to step up and be real competitive.”

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

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

Old coach brings new changes to Cardinals in 2019 AT A GLANCE

Some of the leaders for E.D. White Catholic this season are expected to be (from left) Branton Vicknair, Devin Desandro, Brandon Boudreaux and Holden Tabor. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

By Mike Gegenheimer Staff Writer

To say Kyle Lasseigne knows E.D. White Catholic football would be an understatement. Lasseigne was the head varsity coach of the Cardinals for 10 years before Kyle Lasseigne stepping down in 2014 to spend more time with his family. Prior to assuming the top spot, he spent another eight years as an assistant coach. Before that, he was a student at E.D. White, graduating in 1988. Now, Lasseigne is back once again as the head coach for the 2019

season. The thing is, for all their history together, E.D. White doesn’t know Kyle Lasseigne. At least not this Kyle Lasseigne, anyway. For anyone who saw the Cardinals during Lasseigne’s first run with the program, the 2019 season won’t resemble much from those years. While he was away from the varsity squad — he remained with the school coaching the eighth grade team — Lasseigne took a deep introspection into what he did well as a coach and what he didn’t do so well. “I learned that some of the things I had done the first go round I would never do again,” Lasseigne said. “Those are things I got rid of. I put

a lot more trust into my coaching staff. I've got a bigger coaching staff. I also relied on outside people more than I did the first time around, with parents and the community, to help me out in doing this job. The first time I did this job I tried to do way too much on my own and it led to some burnout. That’s the difference this time.” Lasseigne’s second objective is to not let himself be as stubborn. During his period of reflection Lasseigne spoke to several former players about what he could’ve done better. Later on, those same players he would list as references on his reapplication for the position. What he learned is

that he won’t be his own offensive coordinator this time around. He wants to focus on more big picture ideas and let his assistants manage the individual groups. That way the players don’t get too many voices in their head and he doesn’t get spread too thin trying to coach a dozen different groups at once. So one of Lasseigne’s first decisions when he retook the reins of the program was to hire a former E.D. White quarterback, Grant Chiasson, as offensive coordinator. Chris Bergeron, who took over the program in 2014 before he stepped down at the end of last season, will act as defensive coordinator. Chiasson brings in a

new-look offense where the Cardinals will run out of the pistol and feature more throwing — a far cry from the ground-andpound style of his former teams. “Instead of having my head in a notebook doing Xs and Os, I can do a lot more in terms of relationships, developing relationships with players and parent, and ultimately I think that leads to long-term success,” Lasseigne said. “You may have some short-term success doing it the other way, but long term in establishing a program with expectations, I think that’s the better route to go.” Learning a new playbook can be an adjustment for some

Head coach: Kyle Lasseigne Years as head coach: 11th year (first season back at EDW) Record at school: 61-43 Overall record: 61-43 District: 9-3A 2018 overall record: 7-4 District record: 5-1 Last playoff appearance: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 9: at Vandebilt Catholic Sept. 13: at H.L. Bourgeois Sept. 20: Assumption Sept. 27: at St. Charles Catholic Oct. 4: South Terrebonne Oct. 11: Donaldsonville* Oct. 18: at Patterson* Oct. 25: Lutcher* Nov. 1: at Berwick* Nov. 8: St. James* *District 9-3A game 2018 REVIEW Lost to Central Lafourche, 50-21; def. Erath, 35-24; def. St. James, 28-27; lost to Assumption, 18-12, def. Morgan City, 41-0; lost to Vermilion Catholic, 27-20; def. South Terrebonne, 39-20; def. South Lafourche, 28-19; def. Ellender, 10-7; def. Vandebilt Catholic, 35-20; def. St. Michael, 27-7; Division II playoffs: lost to St. Thomas More, 63-7 (first round). KEY PLAYERS QB Devin Desandro (Sr.), RB Branton Vicknair (Jr.), OL Gavin Clements (Sr.), OL Bo Borderlon (So.), LB Holden Tabor (Jr.), S Brandon Boudreaux (Jr.)

of the older players on the roster, but so far the Cardinals are embracing their new, old coach. Lasseigne may be a See WHITE, 53

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

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E L L E N D E R M E M O R I A L PAT R I O T S

Excited Ellender sets sights on improvement in 2019 By Kelly McElroy

AT A GLANCE

Sports Editor

Ellender High football coach David McCormick wants to make one thing clear heading into the 2019 season: David last year’s McCormick record was completely unacceptable. The Patriots are coming off a 2-8 season, which featured a 1-5 district mark. “We are not satisfied with what happened last year,” McCormick said. “We played some close games and lost in the end because of our youth. But those guys got some experience and some of them will be strengths for us this year. We are looking forward to kicking it off.” Ellender said the Patriots have right around 60 players but that the team Ellender High players (from left) Jarred Whitrack, Bradley Martin, Kameron Adkins and Hunter Parfait will look to lead has the right attitude as a the way for the Patriots during the 2019 season. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET] whole. “They are giving us everything they have at returns as the defensive defense and we have to line is coming together “We have a lot of every practice,” McCorscore in the red zone. too. They have that freshman on the team, so leader for the Patriots. mick said. “They are “We know we need to If we get down, we just brotherhood mentality.” it has been a little rough, flying and buzzing to the can’t put our heads Junior wide receiver but it is all about teaching go 100 percent all the time,” Whitrack said. down.” ball. They are hustling Hunter Parfait returns as them and getting them “Stay tuned because we This Ellender team from drill to drill. We are one of the top offensive better,” Martin said. are going all in for it.” will be the first group of small in numbers, but weapons for Ellender. “Our offensive line is all Patriots senior wide Patriots to play its home these guys are going to run “We have a really good veterans and we know receiver/defensive games on the new turf through a brick wall for us. group of receivers,” what to do. We worked a lot on discipline this year. back Kameron Adkins is field at South Terrebonne I think we are a little ahead Parfait said. “As a team expected to see plenty of Memorial Stadium in of where we expected we we know we don’t have a In the end, that is what time on both sides of the Bourg. would be right now.” lot of numbers so we need wins games.” On defense, McCorball for Ellender. “I never thought I On offense, McCorto work on conditioning “We have a strong would see it in my coachmick said the Patriots are and staying in shape. We mick said the Patriots are a bit young on the back defense, but we have a ing career,” McCormick breaking in junior quarknow we have to fight end but that he will look young group,” Adkins said. “To be the first terback Patrick Perna. through anything we go to his front seven to apply said. “Everyone is just Ellender team to be able “He is picking up the through.” pressure on the quartergoing to have to step up to play on it has the kids system really quick and Junior tackle Bradley back to counteract that. and make plays. We have really excited.” we have some really good Martin is expected to be Ellender senior Lineto finish games strong, McCormick said School wide receivers,” McCor- one of the leaders on the backer Jarred Whitrack play good third-down Board officials said the mick said. “Our offensive offensive line.

Head coach: David McCormick Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 10-21 Overall record: 10-21 Class 4A District 8-4A 2018 record: 2-8 District record: 1-5 Last time in playoffs: 2017 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 5: at Thomas Jefferson Sept. 13: Terrebonne Sept. 20: at H.L. Bourgeois Sept. 27: McMain Oct. 4: Central Lafourche Oct. 10: at Morgan City* Oct. 18: Vandebilt Catholic* Oct. 25: at Assumption* Nov. 1: at South Lafourche* Nov. 8: at South Terrebonne* *District 8-4A game 2018 REVIEW Lost to Terrebonne, 29-7; def. Grace King, 43-0; lost to H.L. Bourgeois, 34-7; lost to South Lafourche, 22-13; lost to Central Lafourche, 45-29; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 34-0; lost to Assumption, 40-7; def. Morgan City, 35-7; lost to South Terrebonne, 42-35 KEY PLAYERS LB Jarred Whitrack (Sr.), OL Bradley Martin (Jr.), S/ WR Kameron Adkins (Sr.), WR Hunter Parfait (Jr.), LB Kirk Chester (Sr.), DL Jaden Lyons (Sr.), QB Patrick Perner (Jr.), WR Nykee Johnson (Sr.), WR Tamaj Vergin (Fr.), WR O’Ryan James (Fr.)

Patriots would be allowed to practice on the turf when they need to, but also said there were still some logistical issues to work out, like how to get practice equipment to Bourg and back and how to secure buses for the players right after school.

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 29, 2019

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H . L . B O U R G E O I S B R AV E S

Braves ‘have a lot to prove’ in 2019 AT A GLANCE

By Kelly McElroy Sports Editor

GRAY – The 2018 season didn’t go as the H.L. Bourgeois football team wanted. The Braves were 2-8 overall and 1-5 in district and the Ryan Fournier highlight came in Week 5 with a 7-6 league victory over East St. John. H.L. Bourgeois then lost its final five games by being outscored 224-10. But the Braves feel that many building blocks were put into place last season that can lead to success this season. Head coach Ryan Fournier enters his second season with the Braves confident the team can make strides in 2019, and the players are believing too. “We laid down a good foundation last season, and despite our record, we feel like we had a much more successful season than what our record indicated,” Fournier said. “We feel confident we can continue building on that. The foundation has been set and we feel we can continue to grow. We have a lot of new starters, especially on defense, but we feel we are faster and more talented as a team.” Junior running back William Babin and junior quarterback Jordan Rainey will be two of the

H.L. Bourgeois quarterback Jordan Rainey (7), linebacker Josh Mire (37), defensive back Rontrell Holmes (25) and running back William Babin (20), all juniors, are working to help the Braves have a successful 2019. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

leaders on offense and longtime Terrebonne High offensive assistant Stuart Vitter has joined the Braves’ staff. “We have been practicing hard and the energy has been good,” Babin said. “We have put in a lot of work. We have leadership and everyone has been here on time. We have been getting a lot of hate so we have to play with a chip on our shoulder. We have a lot to prove.” Rainey gained valuable experience by seeing

action in games during the second half of last season. “I played against the four toughest teams in our district, so that will prepare me for the season and benefit me in the long run,” Rainey said. “Last year, we didn’t get the record we wanted but we set a pace. I worked had this offseason to be a better quarterback and a better leader for my team. We bring a lot of energy and, we all have each other’s back. Our chemistry is above the

roof right now.” Fournier said he is expecting plenty of good things from the offense, which should get a lift from freshman running back Demarcus Singleton. “Jordan Rainey played a little last year and he had a great spring and has really grown,” Fournier said. “He is getting better every day, and William Babin is back and was our bell cow last season. We are looking for him to really explode. They are two of our leaders on

the offensive side of the ball.” On defense, Fournier pointed to defensive backs Rontrell Holmes and Cameron Douglas and linebacker Josh Mire as leaders. “We are all putting in good work in the weight room and we have all been listening to our coaches,” Holmes said. “Everybody is coming together and doing their parts. On defense, we just need to play hard and play together.” Mire said the Braves are

Head coach: Ryan Fournier Years as head coach: 2 Record at school: 2-8 Overall record: 2-8 Class 5A District 7-5A 2018 overall record: 2-8 District record: 1-5 Last time in playoffs: 2016 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: at South Terrebonne Sept. 13: E.D. White Catholic Sept. 20: Ellender Sept. 27: at East St. John* Oct. 4: Destrehan* Oct. 11: at Central Lafourche* Oct. 18: Terrebonne* Oct. 25: at Hahnville* Nov. 1: Thibodaux* Nov. 8: at Shaw *District 7-5A game 2018 REVIEW Lost to South Terrebonne, 9-6; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 13-7; def. Ellender 34-7; lost to Thibodaux, 30-6; def. East St. John, 7-6; lost to Central Lafourche, 31-0; lost to Lakeshore, 49-0; lost to Destrehan, 47-0; lost to Terrebonne, 49-7; lost to Hahnville, 48-0. KEY PLAYERS RB Wlliam Babin (Jr.), QB Jordan Rainey (Jr.), WR Tyrik Jenkins (Sr.), RB Demarcus Singleton (Fr.), DB Rontrell Holmes (Jr.), LB Josh Mire (Jr.), DB Cameron Douglas (Sr.), DL Jameian Buxton (Fr.)

a closer team this season. “We are really, really close,” Mire said. “We have been together since TPR ball. We have good energy and talent with this group. We just have to know our alignment See BOURGEOIS, 56

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 29, 2019

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36

Thursday, August 29, 2019

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H O U M A C H R I S T I A N S C H O O L WA R R I O R S

Warriors ready for challenge of playing in Class 2A By Kelly McElroy Sports Editor

AT A GLANCE

The Houma Christian Warriors have moved up. After playing in Class 1A since joining the Louisiana High School Athletic Association Chuck Battaglia football ranks in 2010, Houma Christian will move up into Class 2A this season. The Warriors will be in District 7-2A with West St. Mary, Loreauville, Jeanerette, Ascension Episcopal, Catholic High of New Iberia, Franklin and Delcambre. And while Warriors coach Chuck Battaglia said it will be a challenge for the 32 players on the roster, he thinks they will be up for it. “Our numbers are up this year as compared to years past. That is a good Four of the senior leaders for the Warriors this season will be (from left) wide receiver/safety Chad Portier, quarterback thing. We have a bunch of Westyn Spry, wide receiver/safety Eyan Webre and defensive end Chase Voisin. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/ new guys coming out so it DAILYCOMET] will be a challenge to get them acclimated, but we starters,” Battaglia said. always play a major part wise and wonder what like senior quarterback also have a lot returning “We were in a pretty in our success.” will happen,” Battaglia Westyn Spry and senior tough district last year Battaglia said the War- said. “But I have to hand it receivers Eyan Webre and “But I have to hand it to and once we hit district riors have proven they to the kids, they face their Chad Portier, who also the kids, they face their again this year, it will be can overcome limited challenges. A lot of kids both start at safety on challenges. A lot of kids tough again. It will be numbers and other chalhave to play both ways defense. have to play both ways every week. We are going lenges in the past. Last so they are only getting “Offensively, we have so they are only getting to see teams with more season, they started 4-0, half the practice time, but a lot of skill guys returnhalf the practice time, numbers than we have. finished 6-5 overall and every year the kids end up ing,” Battaglia said. but every year the kids We are new to 2A, but we made the first round of stepping up and coming “We have some question end up stepping up and will adjust and get used the Division IV playoffs. through for us.” marks on our offensive coming through for us.” to it as we go through “Every year we kind of On offense, the WarChuck Battaglia See WARRIORS, A56 it. Injuries and health scratch our heads number riors return skill players

Head coach: Chuck Battaglia Years as head coach: 9 Record at school: 37-44 Overall record: 37-44 Class 2A District 7-2A 2018 overall record: 6-5 District record: 1-3 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: at Highland Baptist Sept. 13: Westminster Christian Sept. 20: at Ascension Christian Sept. 26: at West St. Mary* Oct. 4: at Loreauville* Oct. 10: Jeanerette* Oct. 18: Ascension Episcopal* Oct. 25: Catholic High of New Iberia* Nov. 1: at Franklin* Nov. 8: Delcambre* *District 7-2A game 2018 REVIEW Def. Highland Baptist, 40-20; def. Westminster Christian, 26-14; def. Ascension Christian, 39-22; def. Ben Franklin, 28-15; lost to East Iberville, 27-0; lost to West St. John, 61-0; def. St. Martin’s, 51-20; lost to Varnado, 12-10; lost to Covenant Christian Academy, 62-31; Division IV playoffs: lost to Lafayette Christian Academy, 70-6 (first round) KEY PLAYERS QB Westyn Spry (Sr.), WR/ FS Eyan Webre (Sr.), WR/ CB Sean Alridge (Jr.), WR/ SS Chad Portier (Sr.), OL Jonah Wright (Soph.), DE Chase Voisin (Sr.), NG Caleb LeBlanc (Sr.)

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

37

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

Tarpons carrying new attitude into 2019 season By Teddy Renois Sports Correspondent

GALLIANO – There is a new attitude within South Lafourche High School’s football team and the Tarpons believe it will lead to a successful 2019 season. The Tarpons Blake struggled Forsythe with doubt during the 2018 season and their record showed it. South Lafourche finished last season with a 2-8 overall record and a 2-4 mark in District 7-4A while missing the playoffs. The doubt was brought on by a change in schemes on both sides of the ball but once the 2018 season was over and the team gathered and emphasized a change was needed in the locker room. “As soon as the last game was finished and the seniors walked off the field, we huddled up the team and said this is a new year. We flushed last season down the toilet,” senior center Jhy Orgeron said. “Buy into the process, just buy into it and the team bond is there in the locker room, and I like it. It is all about your heart and if you put your mind into it, you can do it. Everyone that plays high school football, you are in the same position

as they are, and you are in the same position to win. That is how we feel about it. Buy into the process and play hard then everything will fall into place.” The Tarpons have bought in and it showed during the offseason. Third-year coach Blake Forsythe said attendance during offseason weights and conditioning was the highest he has had during his short tenure and he can’t praise his 10 seniors enough for the leadership. “Summer went extremely well, and we finished with 93 percent attendance for summer workouts. We are the furthest along with our guys since I’ve been here, so we are excited about that,” Forsythe said. “It’s been a blast and the kids have been awesome. I think we have a chip on our shoulders, and I think it was good to have that during the offseason. The kids are determined to not put that kind of product on the field again. We don’t have a lot of seniors, but we have good leadership and competition. I think our strength will be how we compete and the energy we will feed off from each other.” The energy Forsythe speaks of is already showing up in practice and with the offensive and defensive schemes remaining the same as last season, there is a new confidence among the

AT A GLANCE

South Lafourche High School players (kneeling from left) Chris Callais and Jake Pitre and (standing from left) Jhy Orgeron, Eric Thibodaux, Austin Danos and Elijah Barnett pose for photos at the team’s media day. [TEDDY RENOIS/CORRESPONDENT – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

players. That confidence has gone a long way in building team chemistry as the Tarpons want to prove they are a much better team than they showed in 2018. "(Our schemes) aren’t complicated and we know what we are doing. We just need to put in the work and the entire team is excited to be here. (The excitement) is something that will help us out this year,” senior safety Jake Pitre said. “Last year, we didn’t have that but in fall camp we came out with the right attitude and the want to be here. It’s important to have

(chemistry) to have a good team. You can have all the talent in the world, but you have to play together to have a good team.” Playing together will be a key for the Tarpons going into the 2019 season. With a small roster in terms of numbers, Forsythe and his coaching staff will rely on several players to compete on both sides of the ball and special teams as well. Low in numbers and coming off a two-win season, little is expected from the Tarpons in the always competitive District 8-4A. However,

the low expectations sit well with Forsythe and his team. The Tarpons believe if opponents sleep on them, they are in for a rude awakening. "I can’t contain my excitement for this group of kids and the chemistry in our locker room. We had a practice that was like a rock concert. We had music blasting and the kids were running around. We had to slow them down a little bit, they were tackling without pads on," Forsythe said. "This is a group that is ready to play. I think we are going to surprise some people. Some teams

Head coach: Blake Forsythe Years as head coach: 3 Record at school: 8-13 Overall record: 8-13 Class 4A District 8-4A 2018 overall record: 2-8 District record: 2-4 Last time in playoffs: 2017 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: St. Charles Sept. 13: Thibodaux Sept. 20: at Central Lafourche Sept. 27: at Lutcher Oct. 4: at Belle Chasse Oct. 11: at Vandebilt Catholic* Oct. 18: South Terrebonne* Oct. 25: Morgan City* Nov. 1: Ellender* Nov. 8: at Assumption* *District 8-4A game 2018 REVIEW Lost to De La Salle, 33-0; lost to Thibodaux, 35-10; lost to Central Lafourche, 38-10; def. Ellender, 22-13; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 27-0; lost to Assumption, 45-14; def. Morgan City, 35-7; lost to E.D. White Catholic, 28-19; lost to South Terrebonne, 43-7; lost to East St. John, 50-0 KEY PLAYERS C Jhy Orgeron (Sr.), QB/ LB Austin Danos (Sr.), QB Patrick Gisclair (Soph.), FB Derin Doucet (Soph.), WR Eric Thibodaux (Sr.), NG Elijah Barnett (Sr.), FS Jake Pitre (Sr.)

will let their guard down against us and if they do, we are going to surprise some people."

38

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

39

S O U T H T E R R E B O N N E G AT O R S

Gators adjusting to new season full of ‘change’

By Chris Singleton

Staff Writer

AT A GLANCE

BOURG — There hasn’t been a lot of change taking place at South Terrebonne over the years. Whether it is their Richard uniforms, Curlin the fields or coaching staff, a lot of things have been consistent. But a quick walk around “The Swamp” this year will show some change. South Terrebonne will enter the upcoming season with a brand-new artificial turf surface at South Terrebonne Memorial Stadium and new uniforms. Even South Terrebonne’s longtime coaching staff, which is still led by longtime head coach Richard Curlin, is excited about some new things taking place at the school. “We’ve got a lot of exciting things going on this year with the field obviously and new uniforms,” said Curlin, who will start his 30th season as the Gators’ head coach this fall. “In 30 years, we’ve might have gotten two or three sets of new uniforms. I told the guys we don’t like a lot of change.” The Gators, who had their first playoff appearance since 2014 last season, love their new look and they hope it will carry them to another playoff appearance and a District 8-4A championship this year. “I would be real nice

Head coach: Richard Curlin Years as head coach: 30 Record at school: 158-151 Overall record: 158-151 Class 4A District 8-4A 2018 overall record: 5-5 District record: 3-3 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: H.L. Bourgeois Sept. 13: at Berwick Sept. 20: Terrebonne Sept. 27: at Patterson Oct. 4: at E.D. White Catholic Oct. 10: Assumption* Oct. 18: at South Lafourche* Oct. 25: Vandebilt Catholic* Nov. 1: Morgan City* Nov. 8: at Ellender* *District 8-4A game 2018 REVIEW Def. H.L. Bourgeois, 9-6; lost to Terrebonne, 34-17; def. Berwick, 36-28; lost to Vandebilt Catholic, 33-21; lost to Assumption, 21-7; def. Morgan City 48-20; lost to E.D. White Catholic, 42-20; lost to Belle Chasse 30-0; def. South Lafourche, 43-7; def Ellender, 42-35. Class 4A playoffs: (first round) lost to NorthwoodShreveport, 48-12. KEY PLAYERS QB Trey Gautreaux (Sr.), DB David Lirette (Sr.), DB Lance Pellegrin (Sr.), WR/LB Dylan Authement (Sr.), GB/ DL Colby Chelette (Jr.), GB/ DB Jamala Ricks (Jr.), FB/LB Tyler Melancon (Sr.)

South Terrebonne senior quarterback Trey Gautreaux (3), David Lirette (35), Lance Pellegrin (25) and Dylan Authement (13) will look to lead the Gators this season. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

to host a playoff game on our new turf in our new jerseys,” senior running back and defensive back Lance Pellegrin said. “It would be special. It’s a lot of hard work that everybody puts in. I think it’s going to be all right.” Senior defensive back David Lirette said they are excited to be the first South Terrebonne football team to get to play on its own turf field. “We want to play on it as much as we can,” Lirette said. “It’s pretty exciting. I never thought we would get it.” Curlin said South Terrebonne has many returning starters from last year, especially on defense. “We’ve got some good athletes coming back from last year at some key positions,” Curlin

said. “Our defensive backfield is all returning. We’ve got some smart kids back there we feel good about. We’ve got a couple of linebackers back and a couple on the D-Line back. We’ve got some young kids that we’re excited about during the spring.” Lirette is one of the key returners in the secondary. “We’re going to be very experienced,” Lirette said. “We have a bunch of seniors coming back, so I think we’re going to be good again. I think we can go really far. People doubt us a lot.” As for the offense, Curlin said the Gators are glad to have senior quarterback Trey Gautreaux returning. “I think just having your quarterback coming

back is always a good thing,” Curlin said. “Offensively, we have just about the entire offensive line coming back, plus some guys that are pushing them.” Gautreaux said he looks forward to leading the Gators’ offense. “We’re very excited,” Gautreaux said. “We’ve been working hard all summer. We believe we can make it back to the playoffs. Making it last year gave us confidence that we can do it.” When looking at their offensive backfield, Curlin said the Gators will have some explosive weapons in players such as junior runners Jamala Ricks and Colby Chelette. “We could possibly have one of the better backfields that we’ve had in a long time,”

Curlin said. “We went into the spring thinking if we could find a fullback, that we could move the Chelette kid to the G-back. We have Ricks at the other G-back. I think Jamala is going to have a breakout season this year. Colby played some running back for us last year and some fullback. He has been played some D-Line. I thought he did a good job.” Although they will face a competitive regular season schedule, Curlin said he likes their chances of fielding a great team. “I think this team could be very successful,” Curlin said. “Just like everybody else, we have to stay healthy and stay together. We just have to be ready to play every Friday.”

And Pellegrin said he believes the Gators are ready to show what they could do. “We have a lot of hardnosed football players,” Pellegrin said. “We put in a lot of work during the summer. Hopefully that’s going to carry on to the season.”

40

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S T. J A M E S W I L D C AT S

Wildcats seek to overcome ‘ridiculous’ regular-season schedule AT A GLANCE

St. James players Savion Jones (34), Tyler Steib (4), Sean LeBouef (2), Lamon Lewis (6), Shamar Smith (3) and Shazz Preston (7) will be key players for the Wildcats this season. [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

VACHERIE — Maybe the St. James Wildcats have won too much over the years. When it came time to make their regularseason schedule, teams weren’t lining up to play the Wildcats. Robert Valdez “Some people, they don’t pick up the

phone when you are callling to ask for games,” St. James coach Robert Valdez said. “We tried to call a lot of people and they were like, ‘No, we’re good.’” After playing their season opener against traditional “Railroad Classic” rival West St. John on Sept. 6, the Class 3A Wildcats will play up in class against larger schools in Class 5A East St. John and Destrehan and Class 4A Assumption in nondistrict action. And of course, they’ll

play in a new District 9-3A against opponents Lutcher, E.D. White Catholic, Donaldsonville, Patterson and Berwick. Valdez said he didn’t do the Wildcats any favors with their schedule, but he believes they are built to handle it. “It’s going to be tough. Our schedule is really ridiculous, but the kids have worked hard,” Valdez said. “We have some guys who are seniors now that will play a lot. We’re going to expect some

big things out of them. We’re excited to start the season. We look forward to the challenge. Our players are going to be looking forward to playing up in class.” Senior standout quarterback and top recruit Shamar Smith said the Wildcats aren’t afraid of their nondistict schedule. They surely won’t back down from anyone on it. “We’re going to take it week by week,” Smith said. “We’ve got a tough start, but it’s going to prepare us for playoffs

Head coach: Robert Valdez Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 24-12 Overall record: 97-49 Class 3A District 9-3A 2018 overall record: 7-5 District record: 3-2 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: at West St. John Sept. 13: East St. John Sept. 20: at Riverdale Sept. 27: Destrehan Oct. 4: at Assumption Oct. 11: Lutcher* Oct. 18: at Donaldsonville* Oct. 25: Berwick* Nov. 1: Patterson* Nov. 8: at E.D. White Catholic* *District 9-3A game 2018 REVIEW Def. West St. John, 43-0; def. Lutcher, 29-26; lost to E.D. White Catholic, 29-27; def. Wossman, 45-28; lost to St. Amant, 31-21; def. Donaldsonville, 22-0; def. Haynes Academy, 43-7; lost to De La Salle, 21-19; def. Lusher, 49-21; lost to St. Charles Catholic, 13-7; Class 3A playoffs: Def. Donaldsonville 25-0 (first round); lost to North Webster, 26-23 (second round). KEY PLAYERS QB/KR Shamar Smith (Sr.); RB Sean LeBouef (Sr.); WR Shazz Preston (Soph.); DL Savion Jones (Jr.); OL/DL DeAndre Keller (Sr.); WR/DB Tyler Steib (Sr.); LB Kaleb Brown (Jr.); LB Lamon Lewis (Sr.), K Alec Mahler (Soph.).

and district.” St. James will enter the season hoping to bounce back from a tough 26-23 loss to North Webster in the Class 3A second-round playoffs last year. They went 7-5 overall last year. The Wildcats will be led by a senior class consisting of 20 players. Many players like senior running back Sean LeBeouf, a Navy commitment, have been in the program since their eighth-grade or three years we came up freshman seasons. short, so we’re looking “It’s my senior year,” See ST. JAMES, 50 LeBouef said. “The past

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TERREBONNE TIGERS

Terrebonne has ‘unfinished business’ entering season By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

The Terrebonne Tigers had quite a run last year. The Tigers finished with an 11-2 overall record and advanced to the Class 5A state quarterfinals for Gary Hill the first time since 1995. Terrebonne’s memorable run ended with a 31-14 lost to District 7-5A rival Destrehan. Since that loss, the Tigers have been working to make it back to that point and possibly go even farther this season. "We just want to stay focused the whole season," senior defensive back Jakobe Carter said. "‘Unfinished business’ is our motto this year. We’re trying to go farther than we did last year. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and playing to the best of our ability. That’s going to help us succeed." During the offseason, summer months and fall camp practices, Tigers head coach Gary Hill said the team has worked hard toward getting its unity and focus back on the same page. "Last year’s team had a great season, but it’s a new season and this team hasn’t done anything yet," Hill said. "They have to go out and make their own name." And the new leaders of the Tigers are ready to accept that challenge. "We can’t live off of last season’s success,"

standout junior defensive lineman Maason Smith said. "We’ve got to build our own legacy and do something new. We’re just going to take it weekby-week and just play our hearts out. That’s all you really can do. Whatever happens will happen, but we just have to be able to shake back from it." Like most top high school football programs, Terrebonne lost a successful senior class to graduation earlier this year. They said goodbye to some key leaders in last season’s success, especially at the running back, offensive line and linebacker positions. Terrebonne senior quarterback Ja’Khi Douglas, a Florida State University commit, said the Tigers learned a lot from last year’s senior class. "Those guys were great players and they contributed to the team really well," Douglas said. "We have to just start it back up where they finished." "I think we’re going to shock some people," Smith added. "After all those great seniors left, we really have a lot to prove. It’s not going to be given. We’re going to have to be hungry to go get it for ourselves." After losing a great senior class, Hill said he is confident the Tigers will be able to reload instead of rebuild. They will feature many returning pieces from last year, including Douglas, Smith, Carter, senior running back/defensive back Kwan Allen, senior defensive back D’Jon Scott and senior receiver Randall Hartman.

AT A GLANCE

Key returning players for Terrebonne include senior running back Kwan Allen (6), senior defensive back D’Jon Scott (6), senior quarterback Ja’Khi Douglas (1), senior defensive back Jakobe Carter (7) and junior defensive lineman Maason Smith (94). [CHRIS SINGLETON/ STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

The Tigers also played many young players last season in guys such as sophomore defensive lineman Kaden Lewis and sophomore receiver Jaylin Lucas. Senior running back Jahon Johnson, who transferred from Ellender, will be a newcomer in backfield. "We still have athletes walking around," Hill said. "We were young last year in a lot of aspects, so that group is now going to be experienced. Where we were experienced, we’re going to have some youth. That’s football every year." Douglas said the Tigers are confident they will continue to put up a high-scoring offense this season. "We lost a lot of players but we have some upcoming sophomores that are going to play a key role in this offense," Douglas said. "It’s going to help us spread the ball around. We have some great skill players." Despite having skill players, Hill said they will have to rebuild their offensive line. "Offensively we’ve got a lot of skill guys back,"

Hill said. "We’ve added a couple in from the younger classes. They should be very solid for us. We have to get that offensive line cleaned up. We lost four seniors there, so replacing four is always tough, but we’re progressing there. It’s just a slow process." On defense, the Tigers will be led by their talented defensive line and secondary. "The defensive line and backfield will come back pretty much intact," Hill said. "We’re priding ourselves right now with them. Our secondary with Kwan Allen, D’Jon Scott and Jakobe Carter is strong. Our front should be solid as well with Maason and Kaden. Our linebackers have a lot of talent. They just have to make sure they are able to do what they are supposed to do. Our defense should be pretty solid." Scott said the Terrebonne 3-5 defensive scheme is ready to slow down opponents. The secondary wants to grab more than 20 interceptions this season. "We think we are the

best on the field at all times," Scott said. "We just have to keep working. We’re going to come out every possession, play our heart out and do what we’ve got to do to get our offense back on the field." The Tigers have high expectations and expect to compete for a District 7-5A title and work to make it to the Class 5A state championship game in New Orleans for the first time since 1983. "It’s going to be a big year. We’ve got a lot of unfinished business," Allen said. "You’re going to see a lot of physicality and a lot of teamwork. We have to push each other more. We have a better team. I just feel like this is going to be the year. We’re going to get to the Dome this year. I really think we can make it to the Dome this year. We’re going to have a lot of challenges but I think this is the year." "I think we could go far. We just have to come out and play hard and take each game one at a time again and see where it goes," Douglas added.

Head coach: Gary Hill Years as head coach: 13 Record at school: 69-58 Overall record: 69-58 Class 5A District 7-5A 2018 overall record: 11-2 District record: 5-1 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: Jesuit Sept. 13: at Ellender Sept. 20: at South Terrebonne Sept. 27: Hahnville* Oct. 4: at Thibodaux* Oct. 11: Destrehan* Oct. 18: at H.L. Bourgeois* Oct. 25: Brother Martin* Nov. 1: at East St. John* Nov. 8: at Central Lafourche* *District 7-5A game 2018 REVIEW Def. Ellender, 29-7; def. South Terrebonne, 34-17; def. Assumption, 41-6; def. Patterson, 55-21; def. Hahnville, 41-0; def. Thibodaux, 50-7; def. East St. John, 33-12; def. Central Lafourche, 25-17; def. H.L. Bourgeois, 49-7; lost to Destrehan, 49-20. Class 5A playoffs: def. Chalmette, 24-22 (first round); def. Ouachita Parish, 35-14 (second round); lost to Destrehan, 31-14 (quarterfinals). KEY PLAYERS QB Ja’Khi Douglas (Sr.); RB/ DB Kwan Allen (Sr.); WR Randall Hartman (Sr.); DB D’Jon Scott (Sr.); DB Jakobe Carter (Sr.); DL Maason Smith (Jr.); DL Kadan Lewis (Soph.); RB Jahon Johnson (Sr.), OL Danny Dehart (Jr.), LB Justin Deroche (Sr.).

"We’re talking Superdome but it’s not there yet. We just have to keep working to get to the Superdome."

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T H I B O DA U X T I G E R S

Thibodaux hungry for return to Class 5A playoffs AT A GLANCE

By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

The end of the 2018 high school football season left a bad taste in the mouths of the Thibodaux Tigers. With a 3-7 overall record, the Tigers missed the Class 5A state playoffs for the Chris Dugas first time since 2012. It left the returning Tigers determined to bounce back for the upcoming season. "It made us very hungry because we were the first team in a very long time not to make it to the playoffs last year, so we’re very hungry," senior defensive back Tyren Young said. "We worked hard the whole summer. We’re ready. We feel like we can go as far as we want to as a team. Nobody is stopping us but ourselves really." Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said a couple of misfortunes with a young inexperienced roster and injuries derailed the 2018 season. The Tigers started with a 3-1 record last year before losing six in a row to close things out. Several of the injured players were key starters such as quarterback junior Luke Alleman (torn ACL), junior running back Ferronte Miller (broken collarbone) and senior linebacker Hunter Trosclair (neck injury). "That was a shot to the heart for a football team last year, but we

Thibodaux will be led by senior players like Maurquel Price (5), Darwin Davis (3), Tyren Young (14), Kyren Lacy (1), Hunter Trosclair (40) and Khalil Brisco (8). [CHRIS SINGLETON/STAFF -- HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

persevered and we tried to make the best out of the situation that we had," Dugas said. "We are hoping now with our numbers back up and with the guys healthy and experienced now, that it translates into a lot more wins for us this season." Dugas said the Tigers committed themselves in the weight room during the summer to improve their conditioning. "It was not a typical Thibodaux year for us to go 3-7 ," Dugas said. "That kind of put a chip a little bit on our kids’ shoulders in the offseason with conditioning. We had a great summer. The kids participated in it and worked hard. It kind of gives us a little momentum going into the season. The kids are excited, and the coaching staff is excited, so I think it’s going to be a pretty good year." Although the memories from last year still sting at times, Alleman said the

Tigers are ready to take advantage of a fresh start this season. "We can’t dwell on last year," Alleman said. "We’ve got to put that in the past and focus on this year." In their spread offensive attack, Alleman will have a variety of weapons to get the ball to this season, including Miller and senior receivers Kyren Lacy, Darwin Davis and Maurquel Price. Young, a multi-talented athlete who plays mostly as a defensive back, will be used in various offensive packages as a receiver and possibly quarterback this year. The Tigers also return four offensive linemen from last year. "We’ve got a veteran team coming back," Dugas said. "Last year we were extremely young. We had a lot of sophomores and juniors cutting their cleats out there for the first time. In years

past, those would’ve been some jv guys for us. This year we’re looking at about 22 seniors. We have a lot more leadership out there, which is going to be good for us." Lacy, a LouisianaLafayette commit, said the Tigers will have more leadership this season. "We’re very excited. We’re not worried about what the outsiders say," Lacy said. "We’ve become a brotherhood inside and outside of the weight room. I think it’s going to pay off on the field. We’re just bringing everything together." Thibodaux’s 4-3 defense will have several hard hitters back in Trosclair, senior linebacker Khalil Brisco, senior defensive backs Maurquel Price and Joshua Holden and junior defensive back Rolaun Richard. "There is a whole bunch of guys back with experience now," Dugas said. "We’ve just got to get

those guys to gel as a unit and 11 hats to the football. I think we’re going to be really good defensively." Thibodaux allowed 40 or more points five times last season. "We’re not doing that this year," Brisco said. "No more 50 points or 40 points. None of that." "We don’t want to give up any more yards," Trosclair added. "Running backs watch out. That’s all I’ve got to say." And Thibodaux’s senior class is confident it will return to the playoff this season. Several of the players were members of Thibodaux’s first-ever Class 5A state championship basketball team this year and they said they want to continue that momentum into the upcoming football season. "We’ve got good athletes on both sides of the ball," said Davis, who played basketball and football last season for Thibodaux. "I feel sorry

Head coach: Chris Dugas Years as head coach: 9 Record at school: 41-45 Overall record: 41-45 Class 5A District 7-5A 2018 overall record: 3-7 District record: 1-5 Last time in playoffs: 2017 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: Riverside Academy Sept. 13: at South Lafourche Sept. 20: McDonogh 35 Sept. 27: at Central Lafourche* Oct. 4: Terrebonne* Oct. 11: Hahnville* Oct. 18: at Breaux Bridge Oct. 25: Destrehan* Nov. 1: at H.L. Bourgeois* Nov. 8: at East St. John* *District 7-5A game 2018 REVIEW Def. Vandebilt Catholic, 14; def. South Lafourche, 35-10; lost to East Ascension, 35-0; def. H.L. Bourgeois, 30-6; lost to Destrehan, 49-10; lost to Terrebonne, 50-7; lost to Hahnville, 41-7; lost to St. Augustine 33-0; lost to East St. John, 48-21; lost to Central Lafourche, 49-28. KEY PLAYERS QB Luke Alleman (Jr.), RB Rimond Thompson (Sr.), RB Ferronte Miller (Jr.), WR Kyren Lacy (Sr.), WR Darwin Davis (Sr.), OL Kobie Berger (Sr.), OL Bryce Clement (Sr.), LB Hunter Trosclair (Sr.), LB Khalil Brisco (Sr.), DB Tyren Young (Sr.), DB Maurquel Price (Sr.), DB Rolaun Richard (Jr.).

for every other team that has to play us. We’re just like that this year. We’ve got a dominant offense with receivers, running backs and our line is better this year. I feel like we’re ready."

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

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

Terriers set to start Lance Ledet era By Kelly McElroy Sports Editor

In his first year as head coach of the Vandebilt Catholic football program, Lance Ledet is not shying away from playing top comLance Ledet petition – even before the regular season begins. The Terriers scrimmage Class 5A power and will face Class 3A power St. James in jamboree action. It is something the Vandebilt players are on board with. “We are excited,” senior defensive back Chris Bonvillain said. “We want to play some of those bigger and better teams so we can be a contender. We can’t play mediocre teams and expect to be good. We are excited about the opportunity.” Ledet became the 16th head football coach in Vandebilt history after replacing Jeremy Atwell, who spent five seasons at the school and had a 29-26 overall record, in February. Ledet, a Schriever native and graduate of E.D. White Catholic, is in his first season as a head coach after previously being an assistant coach at Brother Martin, Destrehan High School and St. Pius X Catholic School in Houston. He was a part of state title teams at Destrehan

and St. Pius. “This is a good fit,” Ledet said. “I like being back at a community school. The administration has been great. The city of New Orleans is so big. Here it is tight-knit. It is kind of like it was when I was at Destrehan. It has been busy for sure. With no spring ball, it has been tough. Football is still blocking and tackling and I haven’t seen our guys block and tackle a lot yet so there are a lot of unknowns still, but the kids are working hard and buying into the process.” Senior linebacker Chandler Rhodes said Ledet brought with him a strenuous weights and conditioning program that he said will benefit the Terriers, who went 5-6 overall last season and fell in the first round of the Division II playoffs. “He implemented some workouts that we had never seen before,” Rhodes said. “It shocked all of us. The percentages, the workouts, it was like nothing we had seen before. We had to change our attitudes and be mentally tough. We believe in what he is trying to implement. We work hard every day in practice and our coaches expect more than the best. We are pushed to our limits and I think that will give us the edge over other teams. I think people are really going to feel us this season.” Ledet said Gavin Daigle and Jean-Luc Lapeyre are battling it out for the starting quarterback spot.

AT A GLANCE

Vandebilt Catholic players (from left) Chandler Rhodes, Gavin Daigle, Chris Bonvillain and JaCorey Wells are four of the senior leaders for the Terriers. [KELLY MCELROY/STAFF – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

“I like our receivers a lot, but we all know football is a quarterbackdriven sport,” Ledet said. “We have two guys there now and someone needs to step up. I think if we get some good quarterback play, we will be able to move the ball. It probably won’t be decided until Week 1. We are going to be multiple offensively and spread the field because I feel like that is where we have our most talent, but we want to be physical and run the football with an (run-pass option) system.” Daigle said the Terriers are feeling confident. “It has been a fresh start,” Daigle said. “Everything has been great, no negatives at all. Any setback we may have, we use it to push forward. Everything has been great with Coach Ledet. “Our goal

is absolutely 10-0 this season. Losses are not fun and are not what we are looking for this season. Coach Ledet talks about leadership. We are all working to build that leadership and we know everyone has their role on the team and everyone can get better.” Senior Jacorey Well is back as a major receiving weapon for the Terriers. “It has been a big change getting used to the offense,” Wells said, “but the communication and awareness to be great is a lot better than last year. I think everybody is on the same page. The grind has been different. We have three stating receivers coming back so we are well experienced there. I think we will be tough to stop as long as we buy in and put in the work, everything will fall into place. We are ready to see all the work pay

off.” On defense, Ledet said he likes what he has seen from the Terriers so far. “Defensively, I think we will be fine,” Ledet said. “We are young on the defensive line, but I like our linebackers and our secondary. We don’t have much depth so we have to stay healthy. We will be multiple out of a 3-4 and give you an even front as well. We are more complicated on the back end in the secondary.” Bonvillain said while the Terriers lost some key players from last year’s team, others are ready to step into those roles. “We lost some guys, but it has forced some guys to step up and take leadership roles,” Bonvillain said. “We are all getting closer and playing as one. Things are different, but way better. It is so much more intense.

Head coach: Lance Ledet Years as head coach: 1 Record at school: 0-0 Overall record: 0-0 Class 4A District 8-4A 2018 overall record: 5-6 District record: 4-2 Last time in playoffs: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 6: E.D. White Catholic Sept. 13: Westgate Sept. 20: at Berwick Sept. 27: at Dutchtown Oct. 4: Welsh Oct. 11: South Lafourche* Oct. 18: at Ellender* Oct. 25: at South Terrebonne* Nov. 1: at Assumption* Nov. 8: Morgan City* *District 8-4A game 2018 REVIEW Lost to Thibodaux, 14-10; def. H.L. Bourgeois, 13-7; lost to Shaw, 23-3; def. South Terrebonne, 33-21; def. South Lafourche, 27-0; def. Ellender, 34-0; lost to Central Catholic, 20-13; lost to Assumption, 14-13; def. Morgan City, 31-0; lost to E.D White Catholic, 35-20. Division II playoffs: lost to De La Salle, 42-7 (first round). KEY PLAYERS QB/WR Gavin Daigle (Sr.), WR JaCorey Wells (Sr.), QB/WR Jean-Luc Lapeyre (Soph.), WR Hunter Porche (Jr.), WR Hayes Thompson (Jr.), OL Mark Mathieu (Sr.), LB Chandler Rhodes (Sr.), DB Chris Bonvillain (Sr.), LB Sean Diebold (Jr.), CB Kenney Franklin (Jr.), DB Thad Cornes (Sr.), DB Braden Heck (Sr.)

We are off to a good start. All the coaches they brought in have been perfect fits.”

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RECRUITING

College offers piling up for local high school stars By Chris Singleton Staff Writer

Just like south Louisiana weather in the summer, high school football recruiting on the bayou is hot these days. The Bayou Region is home to some high school recruits who are considered among the best in the country. Entering the upcoming high school football season, many local football players have received offers or interest from college teams. Terrebonne senior quarterback Ja’Khi Douglas and St. James senior quarterback Shamar Smith are highly-rated athletes for the Class of 2020. Douglas has committed to Florida State University, and Smith said he is getting close to a final decision with his commitment. Terrebonne junior defensive lineman Maason Smith has risen on the recruiting trail and has secured offers from top programs such as LSU, Alabama, Florida, Texas A&M and others. Many more local athletes are expected to receive college offers and announce their commitments as the season goes on. Here is a rundown of all local high schools that have players getting college offers and interest from colleges. CLASS 5A

H.L. BOURGEOIS H.L. Bourgeois coach Ryan Fournier said incoming freshman player Jameian Buxton

has already received offers from the University of Miami, LSU and the University of Virginia. Buxton (6-foot-2, 225pound) was a standout player who received his first offer while attending West Thibodaux Middle School last year. TERREBONNE With talent all over its roster, Terrebonne is expected to have many of its players sign college scholarships over the next two years. Douglas, who plays quarterback for Terrebonne but will move to receiver in college, is a four-star athlete rated by national recruiting websites such as rivals.com and 247sports.com. Douglas, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound prospect mostly being recruited as a receiver, is rated as a four-star athlete by national recruiting websites such as 247sports. com and rivals.com. "It was the best decision for me to just commit to Florida State and call it my home," Douglas said. "It really helped a lot to commit to them so I could just worry about school and get school done." He picked Florida State over other major offers from colleges such as LSU, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Houston, Colorado, Louisville, Michigan and others. He is expected to graduate from Terrebonne in December and enroll at Florida State in January. "It was just the best fit for me," Douglas said.

"The offense they run with (Florida State offensive coordinator Kendal) Briles, he was a great coach with Robert Griffin III at Baylor. He was the OC over there. I saw that he will bring a similar offense to Florida State and get the ball out to the receivers. (Florida State receivers coach Ron) Dugans is a great receiver coach and (Florida State coach Willie) Taggart is a great head coach. I just loved how they kept communication with me." Other Terrebonne seniors getting major offers include defensive back D’Jon Scott (McNeese State, Lamar, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana College, Arkansas-Monticello, Southeastern Louisiana), defensive back Jakobe Carter (Southeastern Louisiana, Southern Miss, Air Force Academy, Austin Peay) and Kwan Allen (Grambling State). As a junior, Maason Smith (6-4, 290 pounds) has etched his name on a list of the best college prospects for the Class of 2021. He is rated as a four-star prospect by national recruiting websites. "It’s definitely a blessing," Maason Smith said. "My family and I are really thankful and blessed to even have opportunities that we have to go around the country and visit campuses. It’s just a blessing not to have to have my family pay for college for me. We’re just very fortunate financially. It’s a great time to be a Smith." After a busy summer of

college visits, he has 28 offers, including schools such as LSU, Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Houston, Miami, Mississippi State, Nebraska, Tennessee, Texas and Texas A&M. He has received interest from Clemson. Maason Smith said he is content with the offers and he plans to release a list with his top schools after his junior season. "I just want to get my mind right and help my team get to the highest point this season," Maason Smith said. THIBODAUX Thibodaux senior receiver Kyren Lacy has had a hot summer. He has committed to playing at LouisianaLafayette, and he has received offers from Louisiana Tech, Nicholls, Virginia and Louisiana-Monroe. Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said several other Tigers have received offers, including senior linebacker Khalil Brisco (Arkansas-Monticello, Louisiana College), senior receiver/defensive back Maurquel Price (Arkansas-Monticello and small colleges), senior receiver Darwin Davis (Louisiana College, Arkansas Baptist and small colleges), senior defensive back Tyren Young (Louisiana College) and senior offensive lineman Kobie Berger (Louisiana College). CLASS 4A

ELLENDER Ellender assistant

coach and offensive coordinator Jesse Turner said linebacker Jarred Whitrack and defensive lineman Jaden Lyons have received interest from Division II schools.

commitment during his senior season. "It feels great, but you’ve got to trust the process," Shamar Smith said. "You can’t get a big head. You have to stay humble and keep workSOUTH LAFOURCHE ing. I’m working like I don’t have any offers. It’s Tarpons offensive line- just giving me another man Jhy Orgeron has a chance to play on the next Southeastern Louisiana level. I’m just blessed." offer and interest from St. James running back other state schools. Sean Lebouef has committed to Navy and also VANDEBILT CATHOLIC has offers from South Alabama, Alabama State, Terriers senior receiver Louisiana Tech and JaCorey Wells has an Louisiana-Lafayette. offer from Arkansas"It’s a good program. Monticello, and senior The benefits are good," offensive lineman Mark Lebouef said. "I went up Mathieu has an offer from there two months ago Louisiana College. and I liked it. I fell in love with the coaches. They CLASS 3A have a good atmosphere ST. JAMES up there. I just felt welcomed there. That’s what After having no seniors made me commit there." sign in 2018, the Wildcats Senior receiver/defenhave bounced back with sive back Tyler Steib has several players expected offers from Texas-San to sign in the 2019-20 Antonio, New Mexico school year. State and Southeastern Shamar Smith, who Louisiana, while senior plays quarterback at St. defensive lineman Chase James but is expected to Geason has a Prairie View line up as a receiver and offer. Senior defenkick returner in colsive lineman DeAndre lege, is a three-star rated Keller and senior lineprospect on national backer Lamon Lewis has recruiting websites. received interest. He has offers from Junior defensive lineTulane, Southern man Savion Jones has Miss, Louisiana Tech, picked up offers from Louisiana Lafayette, Kansas, South Alabama, Northwestern State, Virginia, Texas-San Kansas, Southeastern Antonio, Nicholls and Louisiana, Colorado UAB. State, Southern, Troy, Sophomore receiver Texas State, Grambling, Shazz Preston has caught Navy, UTSA, Toledo, the attention of college Memphis and Nicholls. coaches and national Shamar Smith (5-11, recruiting websites. 170) said it is exciting to Preston, who is the have many college offers. See RECRUITING, 55 He is expected to make a

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

Thursday, August 29, 2019

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

THE COURIER | DAILY COMET

SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE

Numerous Southland Conference teams return bulk of starters for 2019 season By Mike Gegenheimer Staff Writer

The 2019 Southland Conference football season has some big shoes to fill after the 2018 campaign gave fans one of the wildest years in recent memory. Not only did Nicholls win a conference title just four years after going 0-12, but two teams predicted to finish at the bottom of the league — Incarnate Word and Lamar — turned the league on its head by finishing near the top and earning an at-large bid into the FCS playoffs along with Nicholls. On the other side of that historic swing were perennials powers like Sam Houston State, McNeese State and Central Arkansas who struggled to finish above .500. This year could be just as special with seven of the league’s 11 teams returning at least 17 starters, including the overall Player of the Year (Nicholls QB Chase Fourcade), Freshman of the Year (UIW QB Jon Copeland) and Newcomers of the Year (Lamar QB Jordan Hoy and ACU RB Billy McCrary). Several All Americans also dot the conference landscape with Nicholls defensive lineman Sully Laiche and SHSU receiver Nathan Stewart being named first teamers. Nicholls was picked to repeat as conference champs with a maximum point total of 20 first-place votes. Meanwhile Central

Arkansas is expected to make a comeback at No. 2 and Incarnate Word remains near the top at No. 3. But it was the Bearkats who made waves as a Top 25 pick in multiple national polls, along with Nicholls, who was voted as high as No. 12 in the STATS FCS poll. For everything else, here is a breakdown of what to expect out of the Southland in 2019:

Abilene Christian Head coach: Adam Dorrel (3rd year) 2018 record: 6-5, 5-4 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 7th (112 points) Key players: QB Luke Anthony - RB Billy McCrary LB Jeremiah Chambers What Dorrel is saying: "This is exciting times for ACU. We really had big goals when we arrived in Abilene. We wanted to get better in the classroom, get better in community service, and increase our talent on the football field. I think we have done those things." Notes: The Wildcats took a huge step in Year 2 under Dorrel, going from two wins in 2017 to six in 2018. That included a huge upset of SLC champ Nicholls. Better yet, ACU returns 18 starters, including QB Luke Anthony who was one of the best arms in the FCS last year.

Central Arkansas Head coach: Nathan Brown

(2nd year) 2018 record: 6-5, 5-4 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 2nd (154) Key players: DB Juan Jackson - RB Carlos Blackman - OL Hunter Watts What Brown is saying: “If you look at the two spots that just jump off the map at you, it's really the offensive line and running back. Those corps groups of young men are back, and then if you look on defense, our whole secondary is basically back. Your top three corners, two of your top three safeties, your two leading tacklers... So when you start adding those up, you can't coach experience, and when you have experience in the Southland Conference, that's going to bode well for you.' Notes: UCA took a bit of a stumble from its perch near the top of the league standings in Nathan Brown’s first year. The good news is that the Bears return 18 starters, so they should have a little momentum coming into the season. Even in its troubles UCA stayed strong on defense with the second best rushing defense in the league. Returning so many from that unit should make them tough to beat.

Houston Baptist Head coach: Vic Shealy (6th year) 2018 record: 1-10, 0-9 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 11th (21) Key players: QB Bailey Zappe - WR Jerreth Sterns DE Andre Walker

What Shealy is saying: "Some of the success that we've seen, particularly on offense last year, the ability to generate points and do things with the football, are good indicators of where we are. This year we are going to be a fit for teams in this league to handle, because both sides of the ball have the ability to trend up in incredible fashion." Notes: The best that can be said about HBU’s 2018 season is that the Huskies can’t get much worse. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean 2019 will go any better. Expectations aren’t particularly high for HBU, but the addition of three JUCO transfers on the offensive line could be signs of moving in the right direction.

Incarnate Word Head coach: Eric Morris (2nd year) 2018 record: 6-5, 6-2 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 3rd (150) Key players: QB Jon Copeland - CB Malick Phillips - LB Mar’kel Cooks What Morris is saying: “As a coach, finding out how you’ll handle success is one of the hardest things you’ll do. There’s a reason they pay Nick Saban and Lincoln Riley and Urban Meyer so much money. You have the ability to get to the top, but that ability to sustain at the top is really tough.” Notes: UIW was the surprise of the 2018 season, going from one of the worst

teams in the conference to claiming a share of the title (but not the automatic playoff berth). That magic might be hard to replicate, though, as they won’t be catching anyone by surprise anymore. At least SLC Freshman of the Year QB Jon Copeland, running back Ameer King and WR Kam Williams will be back, so the offense could be just as productive.

Lamar Head coach: Mike Schultz (3rd year) 2018 record: 7-5, 6-3 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 5th (123) Key players: QB Jordan Hoy - LB Isaiah Spencer - DE Daniel Crosley What Hoy is saying: "When I first came here, I was trying to earn the team's respect. I'm now trying to be a leader for this team. I want to do whatever I can to help us get better as a team so we can accomplish the goals that we want." Notes: Another surprise of the 2018 season, Lamar started off last season slow with three SLC losses before ending the year six straight wins, landing them in the playoffs for the first time in school history. The Cardinals return four of five on the offensive line. Who they’ll protect is up for question but the talent should be there regardless. It’ll either be Newcomer of the Year Jordan Hoy or transfer from Tennessee Will McBride.

McNeese State Head coach: Sterlin Gilbert (1st year) 2018 record: 6-5, 5-4 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 6th (114) Key players: DB Colby Burton - QB Cody Orgeron DE Chris Livings What Orgeron is saying: "When you step in the field house for 6 a.m. runs, you feel the energy right away. Everyone has bought into the system. ‘La Familia', that's our slogan that describes our brotherhood. There's a whole different vibe and mentality." Notes: Even in a down year McNeese had one of the best defense’s in the conference. What it lacked was a consistent offense. Gilbert, with his offensive background, is hoping to change that. He’ll have Cody Orgeron under center and leading receiver Cyrn Sutton to try to make that happen.

Northwestern State Head coach: Brad Laird (2nd year) 2018 record: 5-6, 4-5 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 10th (56) Key players: QB Shelton Eppler - DT O’Shea Jackson OL Chris Zurkle What Laird is saying: "They put the same rankings up last year, and you had teams at the top and teams at the bottom. I can tell you (UIW coach) Eric Morris is glad that preseason

See SOUTHLAND, 55

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

47

LSU TIGERS

Is this the break-out year for the Tigers? AT A GLANCE

By Mike Detillier Sports Correspondent

The LSU Tigers have been waiting for the year that the Purple and Gold are back in the national championship hunt, and 2019 just might be that year. A very confident LSU coach Ed Orgeron told me earlier this summer that the Ed Orgeron lead-up to the 2019 season is different than a year ago. "At this time a year ago we thought Joe Burrow could do the job as our starter. Now we are 100% confident he is our starter. He’s a tremendous player and our leader," Orgeron said. "Last year we had a lot of young players on defense and not a lot of depth, and we have added to the talent level and depth defensively. We feel that will be a strong point on our football team." Orgeron also talked highly of LSU’s 2019 recruiting class and the impact it can make for the Tigers this season. "I’m a coach that is not afraid to play freshmen, and I am confident we will get a lot of production from some of these young men," Orgeron said. "We like what we have seen from Derek Stingley at cornerback and also returning punts. He’s got a chance to be special. Apu Ika has been tremendous working in the middle with Tyler

LSU coach Ed Orgeron and the talented Tigers are looking for a huge 2019 season. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO]

Shelvin at noseguard. He came in at 393 pounds and now is 353 and is a very good big man athlete and player. We are counting on Cade York to be our guy as a field-goal kicker and on extra points. John Emery and Tyrion Davis-Price are outstanding running backs and both will have an impact on our team. Marcel Brooks is a tremendous athlete and fits the role of what Grant Delpit does defensively

and we feel he can help on special teams." Orgeron said he is also excited about other players too. "We love our young cornerbacks and safety prospects in Mo Hampton, Jay Ward, Raydarious Jones and Cordale Flott," Orgeron said. "Peter Parrish is an impressive young quarterback prospect. I like Joseph Evans a lot along the defensive line. He’s got some similarity

to Glen Logan, who has have that man that can been excellent for us up turn the engine over on front. And we like our the car offensively and young offensive linemen. that guy is Burrow. Kardell Thomas, Anthony Orgeron gave Burrow Bradford and Charles his chance to be a starter Turner have a chance to after not being able to be see action this season the fulltime guy at Ohio and we like the talents of State, but when we all Thomas Perry and Ray look back at things it may Parker. We also have two be the talents of the Ohio tremendous prospects at quarterback that saved wide receiver in Devonta Orgeron’s job at LSU and Lee and Trey Palmer." led the Tigers back to the But for LSU to get back top of the mountain in into the national chamSee LSU, A55 pionship picture it must

Head coach: Ed Orgeron Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 25-9 Overall record: 41-36 SEC 2018 overall record: 10-3 SEC record: 5-3 Last time in bowl game: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Aug. 31: Georgia Southern Sept. 7: at Texas Sept. 14: Northwestern State Sept. 21: at Vanderbilt* Oct. 5: Utah State Oct. 12: Florida* Oct. 19: at Mississippi State* Oct. 26: Auburn* Nov. 9: at Alabama* Nov. 16: at Ole Miss* Nov. 23: Arkansas* Nov. 30: Texas A&M* *SEC Game All games can be heard on 870-AM 2018 REVIEW Def. Miami, 33-17; def. Southeastern Louisiana, 31-0; def. Auburn, 22-21; def. Louisiana Tech, 38-21; def. Ole Miss, 45-16; lost to Florida 27-19; def. Georgia, 36-16; def. Mississippi State, 19-3; lost to Alabama, 29-0; def. Arkansas, 24-17; def. Rice 42-10; lost to Texas A&M, 74-72 (seven overtimes); Fiesta Bowl: def. Central Florida, 40-32. KEY PLAYERS QB Joe Burrow, C Lloyd Cushenberry III, G Damien Lewis, WR Justin Jefferson, S Grant Delpit, DE Rashard Lawrence, CB Kristan Fulton, LB Jacob Phillips

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

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T U L A N E G R E E N WAV E

Tulane won’t let 2018 success turn into complacency By Mike Gegenheimer

AT A GLANCE

Staff Writer

From the moment Willie Fritz walked into the first team meeting of 2018, he wanted to make one thing clear to every player, coach and staff member in the room. The 2018 season is over. It’s a hard one to forget around Willie Fritz Tulane. The 2018 Green Wave claimed a winning record for the first time in five years. For the first time since 2002 they also won a bowl game. Beating Louisiana-Lafayette in the Autonation Cure Bowl was the culmination of a promise Fritz made three years earlier when the coach took over the lifeless program to turn it back into the onceproud program it used to be. Each season, they got a little better, going from four wins to five to seven. But he doesn’t want Tulane thinking about the past. There is only one direction and it’s Tulane quarterback Justin McMillan enters 2019 as one of the leaders of the Green Wave. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO] forward. “Some people sit back in the present. We just life here at Tulane. We Tulane, the program but they’re able to lure and they look at past want to improve daily in certainly want to improve underwent a massive better recruits to campus failures and sometimes all aspects of our lives. that part of our lives as shift in the quality of its as a result of the success. they sit back and look at When we talk about well.” teams. According to 247 past successes,” Fritz football, that’s an imporIn the three short years Not only are the See TULANE, 57 said. “They’re not living tant part to everybody’s that Fritz controlled coaches getting better,

Head coach: Willie Fritz American Athletic Conference Overall record: 170-90 2018 overall record: 7-6 Conference record: 5-3 Years as head coach: 4 Record at school: 16-21 Last bowl appearance: 2018 2019 SCHEDULE Aug. 29 (Thurs): Florida International Sept. 7: at Auburn Sept. 14: Missouri State Sept. 19 (Thurs): Houston* Oct. 5: at Army-West Point Oct. 12: Connecticut* Oct. 19: at Memphis* Oct. 26: at Navy* Nov. 2: Tulsa* (Homecoming) Nov. 16: Temple* Nov. 23: Central Florida* Nov. 30: at Southern Methodist* *American Athletic Conference Game 2018 REVIEW Lost to Wake Forest, 23-17 (OT); def. Nicholls, 42-17; lost to UAB, 31-24; lost to Ohio State, 49-6; def. Memphis, 40-24; lost to Cincinnati, 37-21; lost to SMU, 27-23; def. Tulsa, 24-17; def. USF, 41-15; def. ECU, 24-18; lost to Houston, 48-17; def. Navy, 29-28; (Cure Bowl) def. Louisiana-Lafayette, 41-24. KEY PLAYERS QB Justin McMillan (GS), RB Darius Bradwell (Sr.), RB Corey Dauphine (r-Sr.), WR Darnell Mooney (Sr.) DL Patrick Johnson (Jr.), DE Cameron Sample (Jr.).

NICHOLLS From Page 8

the coordinators and then down to the players. "I know some programs, those guys leave and all of a sudden they have new coordinators every two or three years and they’re having to start all over and learn a new system and terminology. It’s been really, really big for us." While players like quarterback Chase Fourcade and defensive lineman Sully Laiche raked in the national honors over the years, the Colonels likely would not be where they are had the coaching staff not remained consistent throughout their careers. Rebowe is now the third longest tenured coach in the Southland, behind only K.C. Keeler at Sam Houston State and Vic Shealy of Houston Baptist. Rival Southeastern Louisiana, by comparison, has gone through three offensive and four defensive coordinators since 2015. And even though this is the first season Nicholls had to deal with a mass exodus of graduating players that Rebowe’s staff handpicked, the Colonels are a little better off with the continuity at the top. "It’s the people that are involved with this program," Rybacki said. "We have an excellent work environment. Coach Rebowe sets that very well. The guys we work with on the staff every day are great role models, guys that help each other every day." Rebowe knows the importance of his staff better than anybody.

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Thursday, August 29, 2019

“The guys are getting the same message that’s being passed down to the assistant coaches from the coordinators and then down to the players.” Tim Rebowe

When Nicholls extended his contract prior to last season, Rebowe made sure all of his assistants received pay raises, as well. Meanwhile, under athletic director Matt Roan, who first took over the department in 2016, Nicholls invested in some of the areas where it was lagging behind: new turf, renovated weight rooms and, as of this summer, plans to build a multimillion dollar football facility with new offices, meeting rooms and locker rooms. "You win with good people. You’re only as good as the people around you," Rebowe said. "I get to go up and talk and do all these things, but it’s the staff. I couldn’t do it without them." Rebowe doesn’t have to do much selling these days to keep his coaching staff intact. The Colonels are winning and head into the 2019 season as the No. 12 FCS team in the country. Each recruiting class gets more talented and even the money is a little better than it was. Suddenly Christophel has plenty of years left before he’s ready to hang it up. "I love doing what I’m doing," he said. "When I’m around these guys, I feel like I’m 19. I’d like to stay here. I’d like to keep building on the success of the program. When I’m old and decrepit, maybe then they’ll put me out to pasture."

Nicholls wide receiver coach Sean Murphy (right) signales in a play as offensive coordinator Rob Christophel (behind him) and quarterback Chase Fourcade look on during a practice in Thibodaux. In his five seasons, Nicholls head coach Tim Rebowe has mostly kept his coaching staff intact. [BRAD WEIMER/CORRESPONDENT – HOUMATODAY/DAILYCOMET]

Nicholls senior safety Khristian Mims (34), a Baton Rouge native, led the Colonels with 76 tackles last season, including 60 solo stops. [MISTY LEIGH MCELROY/NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY]

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ST. JAMES From Page A40

to go all in for a state championship.� One of the reasons why LeBoeuf is so confident is because of the weapons they have on offense, including himself, Smith, receivers Shazz Preston, Logan Gravois, Tyler Steib and Shen Joseph. Junior Jaquon Jones is a key returner on offensive line. “We have some playmakers this year,� LeBouef said. “We’re going to spread the ball around with a lot of passing and running. It’s not going to be a one-game show.� Smith said he sees plenty of potential for their spread-based offense.

“Our offense should be more explosive and physical,� Smith said. “We have better receivers this year and a good offensive line. We should be a fast, physical and solid football team.� Valdez said Smith will open up a lot offensively with his athleticism and ability to make plays. “We have a couple of weapons around him,� Valdez said. “We have a few guys who were young last year that have grown real fast. We just have to get those guys comfortable and be in certain positions to make plays.� This offseason Valdez also added to his offensive coaching staff. He brought in former West St. John and Southern University star quarterback Austin Howard as the new quarterbacks

coach and former Assumption High quarterback Herb Washington as new receivers coach. “We brought in some offensive guys to try to do some things offensively to be a little more proficient,� Valdez said. “We just have to stay hungry. We have to identify how to play the game. We have to play these people we’re going to play and try to get a win.� Valdez said the Wildcats will count on their experienced defense to set the tone this season. They will feature many returners in linebackers Lamon Lewis and Kaleb Brown, defensive lineman Savion Jones and DeAndre Keller. “They are something else,� Valdez said. “We’re going to hang our hat on our defense. We have six or seven starters coming

“We just have to stay hungry. We have to identify how to play the game. We have to play these people we’re going to play and try to get a win.� Robert Valdez

back defensively.� Lewis said St. James wants to have a hard-hitting and physical attack defense. “You can expect us to fly around and hit people,� Lewis said. “I think our defense is going to be better than last year’s group. We just focused on getting stronger, bigger and faster.� Sophomore Alec Mahler will return to handle the kicking responsibilities, and Smith is also expected to return kicks. St. James hasn’t won a state championship since

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St. James quarterback Shamar Smith (3) hands off to running back Sean Lebouef (2) during a game last season. [BERT MILLER/SPORTS CORRESPONDENT -- HOUMATODAY/ DAILYCOMET]

1979, but Smith said the Wildcats and their fans expect to compete for it every season. “It’s a great culture. Football around here is like college with LSU or Alabama. They really take it serious,� Smith said. “That makes you work

hard and put the work in. We’re just getting better each day. It would be a big accomplishment to win district and a state championship. It’s something I’ve been trying to get since my ninth-grade year. It’s a big chip on our shoulders.�

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Saints looking for better postseason luck this season By Mike Detillier Sports Correspondent

Drew Brees and the Saints again enter the season with Super Bowl aspirations. [THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO]

Saints have on defense. Sean Payton has done a good job accumulating talent on defense on a team that has been in the Top 8 offensively each of his seasons as head coach. Even at 40, Drew Brees is still one of the elite

51

AT A GLANCE

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

The New Orleans Saints have ridden the magic carpet during the last two regular seasons by posting 11-5 (2017) and 13-3 (2018) overall records, but they have also had “buzzard’s luck” to Sean Payton end both years in the postseason. The Saints had a walkoff touchdown pass scored on them by the Minnesota Vikings and then came the “no-call” versus the Los Angeles Rams which ended each season deep in the playoffs. Just when you think you have seen it all, you see something new. That is life and especially life in sports Hall of Fame head coach Tom Landry had the best line about football luck late in his campaign with the Dallas Cowboys. “People say you make your own luck and to an extent that is true, but many times luck meets or doesn’t meet up with you,” Landry said. “If you stay in this game long enough football luck evens out, but the trick is staying long enough for it to happen.” The big difference in the 2017 and 2018 seasons and today is what the

Thursday, August 29, 2019

players in the NFL and the best football player to ever wear the Black and Gold and now he has another huge weapon to work with on offense in tight end Jared Cook. Cook, at 32, is the perfect fit for the Saints offense to give them

another big rangy fast weapon over the middle and in red-zone spots. There is still a question mark on who will end up being the No. 2 receiver behind Michael Thomas, now the highest paid wide receiver in the NFL. Thomas has caught

more passes in his first three seasons in the NFL than anyone in league history and is the perfect fit for what Brees does best today, which is work the short to medium range areas of the field. See SAINTS, 57

Head coach: Sean Payton Years with Saints: 12 Record with Saints (including playoffs): 126-79 NFC South 2018 regular season record: 13-3 2018 playoffs: 1-1 (lost in NFC Championship) Last title: Super Bowl XLIV (2009 season) 2019 SCHEDULE Sept. 9: Texans Sept. 22: at Seahawks Sept. 29: Cowboys Oct. 6: Buccaneers Oct. 13: at Jaguars Oct. 20: at Bears Oct. 27: Cardinals Nov. 3: OPEN Nov. 10: Falcons Nov. 17: at Buccaneers Nov. 24: Panthers Nov. 28: at Falcons Dec. 8: 49ers Dec. 16: Colts Dec. 22: at Titans Dec. 29: at Panthers All games can be heard on 870-AM 2018 REVIEW Regular season: Lost to Buccaneers, 48-40; def. Browns 21-18; def. Falcons 43-37; def. Giants, 33-18; def. Raiders, 43-19; def. Ravens, 24-23; def. Vikings, 30-20; def. Rams, 45-35; def. Bengals, 51-14; def. Eagles, 48-7; def. Falcons, 31-17; lost to Cowboys, 13-10; def. Buccaneers, 28-14; def. Panthers, 12-9; def. Steelers, 31-28; lost to Panthers, 33-14. Playoffs: def. Philadelphia Eagles, 20-14 (NFC Divisional round); lost to Los Angeles Rams, 26-23 (OT) (NFC Championship game). KEY PLAYERS QB Drew Brees (6-0, 209); RB Alvin Kamara (5-10, 215), WR Michael Thomas (6-3, 212), OL Terron Armstead (6-5, 304), TE Jared Cook (6-5, 248), DE Cameron Jordan (6-4, 287), LB Demario Davis (6-2, 248), CB Marshon Lattimore (6-0, 192), S Marcus Williams (6-1, 195), DE Marcus Davenport (6-6, 265)

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ASSUMPTION From Page A10

the second round of the playoffs. "It just motivates us to keep achieving our goal of winning district championships, but most importantly, we want to get farther," Cassie said. "We want to make it to the Dome and contend for a championship. We’re

WHITE From Page A16

blast from the past for the Cardinals, but his teams certainly won’t look that way. â€œIt’s a good new start

Thursday, August 29, 2019

53

ready." On offense, Paine said the Mustangs will play both Bailey and Riviere at the quarterback spot. Bailey is also listed at receiver, joining returning catchers in senior Ra’Shaun Jarvis and junior Jaden Tyler. Senior Landon Hebert returns at tight end. "Both Damon and Sage have parts of their game that can benefit our program," Paine said. "Each of them does something

better than the other one, so we’re going to cater to both of their abilities and what they do well. I don’t see it as a battle. I think both of those guys have a place in our system and we’re going to utilize the assets they do well." As a senior, Bailey said he is ready to step up as a leader. "I want to do anything coach needs me to do," Bailey said. "It doesn’t matter where I play. We want to keep it going

from last year and don’t go backwards. We want to go forward. I think we can go pretty far. It’s going to take hard work that we’ve been putting in this whole summer." Paine said the Mustangs are thankful to have experienced players coming back on both sides of the ball, but they will have some new faces in key spots, especially at linebacker and at quarterback. "We’re excited to get

this year going," Paine said. "I think we’ve got a good crop of kids working really hard. We’ve had a good summer and a good fall camp. We look forward to getting the pads on and testing the waters with the competition on our schedule." Paine said he knows the Mustangs will have a target on their backs, especially after winning the district with a perfect league record last year. He will constantly

remind his players to stay focused. "It’s a new season and it always brings a lot of excitement with it," Paine said. "Every year is a new start, so what you did last year doesn’t matter. That’s in the past. I feel confident in the job we’ve done so far, but we still have work to do. If we become complacent, it’s a dangerous thing. We are always looking to improve."

— a clean slate,� junior running back Branton Vicknair said. “The basics of it are similar. A lot of the formations and all are similar. But it’s a new offense and I think we’re ready for something new." The dramatic changes don’t come from a place

of necessity. E.D. White was a successful program under his tutelage with a 61-43 overall record and a trip to the Class 3A semifinals in 2009. In his final season, the Cardinals reached the second round of the playoffs.Â

But the Cardinals are in a new classification this year, having moved down to Class 3A from their previous position in 4A. That means old rivalries like South Terrebonne and Assumption are replaced with Lutcher and St. James, past district foes.Â

It also means the traditional season finale against Vandebilt Catholic will now be played in the regular season opener on Sept. 6. An adjustment, to be sure, but the Cardinals are used to that by now. â€œThis year I think

it’s best for us to move down,� senior lineman Brennan Borne said. “It’s tougher competition and it’ll show us what we’re capable of. “It is (sad to lose rivalries). But it was time for a change. I’m glad this is what happened.�

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SOUTHLAND From Page 46 rankings don't mean it ends up the way it comes out. At this time of the year, we all have high expectations.” Notes: While the Demons improved each of the past two years, it’s still in the bottom half of the league in terms of wins. It’ll be tough to keep on that trend after losing the school’s first 1,000-yard in Jazz Ferguson, along with two other of its top pass catchers. What the Demons do return is their top six tacklers and turnover machine Hayden Bourgeois at safety.

Sam Houston State Head coach: KC Keeler

LSU From Page 47

college football. And Orgeron made the right move in bringing in former New Orleans Saints assistant offensive coach Joe Brady to be the passing game coordinator and assist Tigers’ offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger in directing the "spread" offense with a quick tempo style. Orgeron lavished praise on the young assistant coach this. "Steve (Ensminger) came to me and asked to put in the spread offense, and I knew immediately who I wanted and that was Joe Brady from the Saints," Orgeron said. "He impressed me so much last spring when he visited the campus with Saints offensive

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(6th year) 2018 record: 6-5, 5-4 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 4th (146) Key players: DB Zyon McCollum - LB Hunter Brown - WR Nathan Stewart What Keeler is saying: “It’s amazing how much this conference has changed and grown in the last six years. Everyone will agree there has always been that little cluster at the top and that cluster at the bottom. It is just not that way anymore. There are a lot of resources now trying to catch the guys at the top and you could see that this (past year). The parity was incredible.” Notes: Sam Houston losing four conference games was as big a surprise as anything that happened in 2018. That

could be bad news for the rest of the league as the Bearkats go into 2019 hungry as ever. At the top of the list of returners is sophomore quarterback Ty Brock, who threw for a school freshman record 2,417 yards. Of course almost half of that went to Nathan Stewart, one of only four players in FCS history with 1,000-yards season as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

Southeastern Louisiana Head coach: Frank Scelfo (2nd year) 2018 record: 4-7, 4-5 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 8th (71) Key players: WR Juwan Petit-Frere - TE Bransen Schwebel - DL Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund What Scelfo is saying:

coordinator Pete Carmichael and he has played to the talents on our team in getting rid of the ball quicker, letting our receivers and tight ends beat one-on-one coverages downfield and involve our backs more in the receiving part of the game. And it keeps defenders from playing extra men in the box and it aids our running attack also." LSU has a huge array of talented receivers in former Destrehan High School standout wide receiver Justin Jefferson, speedster Derrick Dillon, two star recruits in Ja’Marr Chase, who has a shot to be the next superstar wide-out at LSU and also a healthy Terrace Marshall. LSU also has two excellent pass receiving talents at tight end in Stephen Sullivan and Thaddeous Moss. And despite the young

"We can win every game on our Southland Conference schedule this season. Conversely, we can lose every game on our Southland Conference this schedule this season. We have to be ready to play every week in this league.” Notes: The first year of the Frank Scelfo era didn’t go much to plan. The Lions were up and down all year, finishing with a 44-0 loss to rival Nicholls in the River Bell Classic. But SLU returns QB Chason Virgil and the expectation for his second season are high after throwing for 3,034 yards and 17 touchdowns. No matter how bad they were, it’s something to build on.

Stephen F. Austin Head coach: Colby Carthel

talents of John Emery and Tyrion Davis-Price watch for halfback Clyde Edwards-Helaire to be a huge part of the Tigers attack as a runner and receiver. The Tigers need to get better up front along the offensive line and return center Lloyd Cushberry III at center and Damien Lewis at offensive guard, but improvements from both tackles in Saahdiq Charles and Austin Deculus is a must to make this offense more productive in 2019. On defense the Tigers are loaded and at the Louisiana Line Camp former LSU defensive line coach Pete Jenkins, now a consultant for numerous college and professional teams, made a bold statement about the talent level defensively for the 2019 Tigers. "Just a take a pencil and paper and write

(1st year) 2018 record: 2-8, 2-7 SLC Predicted finish in 2018: 9th (63) Key players: QB Jake Blumrick - S Alize Ward WR Tamrick Pace What Carthel is saying: "There's a lot of transition that has happened in our program and that's not easy for coaches, their families or players. We’re taking over a team we didn't recruit and that poses some interesting challenges.” Notes: SFA is hoping its a new day under head coach Colby Carthel, who brings with him championship experience from Division II. Throw in a strong recruiting class and things are looking up for the Lumberjacks. This might not be “The Year” but it should be a step in the right direction.

“Barring an injury or a suspension every starter for the Tigers on defense will get drafted into the NFL.” Pete Jenkins

down the starters defensively for LSU in 2019 when they line up versus Georgia Southern," Jenkins said. "Barring an injury or a suspension every starter for the Tigers on defense will get drafted into the NFL. Not many schools can say that. Maybe Alabama can and maybe Clemson can, but that’s about it. Upfront Rashard Lawrence, who may be the toughest guy I have ever coached in my 50 years of coaching returns along with Glen Logan, Breiden Fehoko and the two young noseguards in (Tyler) Shelvin and (Apu) Ika are outstanding." But Jenkins said one player could be the difference maker for the

Tigers on defense. "The difference is K’Lavon Chaisson being healthy," Jenkins said. "He’s one of the most gifted pass rushers I have ever worked with and he is a difference maker. Look at linebacker with Mike Divinity, Jacob Phillips, Patrick Queen and Andre Anthony, those guys are big time players. In the secondary LSU has one of the elite players in college football in Grant Delpit. He can do anything and everything out on the field. We both agree that Kristian Fulton before the injury was the best cover cornerback LSU had last season. He’s a tremendous player and the freshman (Derek) Stingley looks outstanding along with their nickel-back Kary Vincent, who is one of the fastest players in college football. And JaCoby Stevens is a stud player

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RECRUITING From Page 44

second-overall ranked recruit in Louisiana and eighth-ranked receiver in the country according to 247sports.com, has offers from LSU, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Colorado, Texas A&M, Clemson, Georgia and Alabama. NOTE

Coaches from Assumption, South Terrebonne, Central Lafourche, E.D. White Catholic, Covenant Christian Academy and Houma Christian School said they don’t have any football recruits with major offers at the moment. at safety and Todd Harris is very good also. If LSU finds the right field-goal kicker and a bell cow runner at halfback the Tigers have a chance to be special this season. You can’t worry about injuries because it happens, but that defense is loaded talent wise, they are fast and they are well coached under Dave Aranda. He’s a brilliant young coach." For LSU games against Texas, Florida and Alabama will be crucial to getting into the Final Four championship picture in college football, but no bigger player on the team than Burrow. With the talent on defense, Burrow becomes the main cog in LSU’s return to the top. And the Tigers have a talented young quarterback in Myles Brennan waiting in the wings to keep this run going for Coach ‘O’.

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WARRIORS From Page A36

line with only one starter back, so we have some spots to fill.� Spry, who gained valuable starting experience last season, said the Warriors are ready for the season. “We are kind of small, but we have been working hard,� Spry said. “I feel

BOURGEOIS From Page A20

and position and what we have to do on each play. We have the talent and athleticism. It is just about putting ourselves

like if we are working on all cylinders, we should be good and we can win some games. (Class 2A) will be a challenge, but I think we will be ready for it. We have to be ready to roll. We are looking forward to the season, have been working hard and have been doing everything in practice that we need to.� Portier said he is excited about the potential of the offense. “We have a lot of good playmakers coming back,

a lot of guys who know the plays and who know what is going on,� Portier said. “We will just try and prepare our best. We are a little shorthanded like usual. We will face tough competition so we have to brace ourselves for that, but I think we will be just fine.� Webre said the Warriors will rely on younger players to help fill some voids by players lost to graduation. “We have some

younger guys coming up who will really help us this season,� Webre said. “We just have to give our quarterback time and let routes develop.� Battaglia said the Warriors will have to work as a collective unit on defense this season and know their assignments. “Defensively, we are feeling pretty good,� Battaglia said. “We have Caleb LeBlanc returning at nose guard and Chase Voisin at defensive end

and Chad and Eyan both play on defense (at safety) as well. We have a good number of kids returning. We just have to make the plays as a collective group because losing linebacker Zachariah Trujillo last year was tough because if something didn’t get stopped, he stopped it. It was great to have a kid like that, but now we will have to have a collective effort and execute on defense.� Voisin, a senior, said the Warriors will do

whatever it takes to be successful this season. “We lost some players, but I have seen some good stuff from the little guys coming in,� Voisin said. “I think we are going to be all right. If we make the tackle and block, I think we will be all right. We have a lot of guys back on defense, so defense will be key for us. We don’t have the luxury of having 50 kids on the sideline, so if we have to play a full game, we have to play a full game.�

in the position to make those plays. We can’t wait for the season. We feel like people are sleeping on us. We have just tried to stay quiet and have been working in the dark so we can be ready to show people what we are made of on Friday

nights.� Fournier said he will look for many of his younger players to grow up quickly this season. “It’s all about how fast we can mature,� Fournier said. “We are playing a lot of young players. If we can mature quickly, I

feel like we can compete and win some football games.� The Braves will play their home games on the new turf field at Thomas B. Smith Stadium this year. This is the first year Terrebonne Parish public schools have turf fields to

play on. “It will be a huge advantage for our kids,� Fournier said. “It will be a great experience for them to play on turf. We know we will have good footing on Friday night. It will be a good thing for our kids and our

community. We will be able to practice on it and will be provided transportation. We will have to go a little later, but we can do study hall for a couple hours and then go practice. We are going to use our time wisely with it.�

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SAINTS From Page 51

But late last season we saw teams doubleteam Thomas and Alvin Kamara and the other receivers and tight ends struggled to get open. The improvement and added experience of Tre’Quan Smith and Keith Kirkwood would add a huge cog offensively for the team and everyone who has watched practice has come away impressed with undrafted rookie free agent Emmanuel Butler from Northern Arizona. Good health for veteran speedster Ted Ginn Jr. would be an element the team did not have for a good portion of the 2018 season and his speed and run-after-catch skills add a lot to the Saints offense. Up front the Saints have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL with offensive tackles Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczck and offensive guards Andrus Peat and

TULANE From Page 48

Sports team recruiting rankings, Tulane’s last two classes registered 172.85 in 2018 and 143.85 going into this season, based on the overall ratings of the players who signed with the Wave in a given class. Prior to the Class of 2018, Tulane failed to crack 134 points dating back to the Class of 2011. Most years Tulane’s rating drifted in the mid 120s.

“I see the Saints versus the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game in January and a repeat of the Patriots versus the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.”

Thursday, August 29, 2019

57

Larry Warford, but the team saw the best center in Saints history retire in Max Unger. The team moved up in Round 2 to select Texas A&M offensive center Eric McCoy and he is the strong favorite to be the starter in 2019 and will be backed up by swingman offensive center/guard Nick Easton and Cameron Tom. When healthy this offensive line unit has shown it can dominate games, but injuries late to almost every starter affected the Saints offense down the stretch in 2018. With Mark Ingram gone to the Baltimore Ravens, Kamara is now the main cog in the Saints rushing game. Look for Kamara to see more touches than any other time in his NFL career in 2019 and he will be backed up by a strong and speedy presence in Latavius Murray. Kamara is an elite pass receiver coming out of the backfield and Murray is a good one also. On defense Cameron Jordan is still the best player the Saints have

and one of the elite defenders in the NFL. The Saints are hoping second-year defensive end Marcus Davenport develops into a star. Before suffering a foot injury versus the Minnesota Vikings Davenport looked like a budding standout in the league and has gotten stronger in the lower-body and technically stronger this offseason. In the middle, the Saints acquired one of the top run-stuffers in the NFL in former New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcolm Brown. Sheldon Rankins played like a Pro-Bowl defensive tackle before he went down late in the year vs. the Philadelphia Eagles to an Achilles injury and he most likely will miss the first month or so of the 2019 season, but healthy Rankins is a difference-maker up front. This opens the door for David Onyemata, who is a very gifted young player, but he will miss the opening game of the season due to a league suspension. Taylor Stallworth and veteran Mario

Working with Saints secondary coach Aaron Glenn has paid off this offseason for the former New York Giants firstround choice and you can see improvement with his technical skills and him finding the ball quicker in Mike Detillier flight. The big battle is between veteran Patrick Robinson and P.J. Edwards, Jr. will have to Williams for the nickel fill in inside until Rankins cornerback. returns during the year. That spot is on the field The Saints are good at almost 70% of the time in linebacker with one of the today’s game. best free agents in Saints Last year was a disaphistory in DeMario Davis, pointing second year for a healthy Alex Anzalone Marcus Williams, but a and steady veteran A.J. break-out year for Vonn Klein-who had his best Bell. season in the NFL last Bell was excellent last season. season in both coverage Backing them up are and in run support and he veteran Craig Robertson, has become a core player a talented rookie in Kaden for the Saints defense. Elliss and special teams They are backed up standout Vince Biegel. by two very promisThe secondary for the ing rookies in Chauncey Saints in 2019 is the most Gardner-Johnson and talented and deepest in Saquan Hampton, who the Payton era. are keepers and more talMarshon Lattimore ented players than what is one of the elite cover the Saints thought they cornerbacks in the busiwould be when they were ness and in training camp drafted. the most improved player Punter Thomas Morfrom a year ago is Eli stead and kicker Wil Lutz Apple. are two of the best in the

business, but there is a real battle for the punt return spot between Austin Carr, former LSU track speedster Cyril Grayson, college standout return man Deonte Harris and former Vikings return man Marcus Sherels all vying for that spot. This team is very talented and Payton is one of the league’s top head coaches. It will be hard to repeat another 13-3 regular season, but the Saints will be in the hunt for another Super Bowl run. Now, let’s get a little football luck in the postseason and get that Saints/Patriots-Brees/ Brady showdown on Super Sunday that many hope we will see. I see the Saints versus the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game in January and a repeat of the Patriots versus the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game. We are living in the Golden Age of New Orleans Saints football under Payton so everyone should thoroughly enjoy the ride.

But having good players isn’t all there is to building a good team. Since 2016 Tulane won back-to-back games only six times, including a three-game win streak in the middle of the 2018 season, which stands as the longest of the Fritz era. “The thing is that we’ve had some great teams and great players,” Fritz said. “But we’ve just not done it consistently over the years. When we came in, when I looked at the records over the years, that’s one of the

things I said was to set a new standard for us, to consistently win year after year after year after year and to have that be the expectation.” Possibly the biggest factor in last year’s run was quarterback Justin McMillan. After transferring from LSU just before the season started, McMillan earned his shot midway through the season against Tulsa after Tulane started the year 2-5. In his first college start, McMillan ran for two, second-half touchdowns, including the game

winner with under four minutes to play. With McMillan under center, Tulane finished the year on a 5-1 run. The only loss was to a Houston team that finished second in the Western Division. Tulane finished third after a tiebreaker. McMillan threw for 1,304 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine appearances. McMillan returns for a senior year in New Orleans, setting the expectation for consistency Fritz spoke of at an even higher level. “I think he’s going to

championship game and made a bowl appearance. With his help, Memphis scored a school record 42 rushing touchdowns and ranked No. 6 in the nation in both scoring offense (43.8 points per game) and total offense (530.3 yards per game). “I want to do what I’ve done throughout my career,” Fritz said. “But there’s also a bunch of things we’re adding that Coach Hall has done throughout his career. It’s a meshing of two systems together. I like where he’s going with it.”

take a big step this year,” Fritz said. “I feel like he’s a guy that could play beyond college football. The good thing about Justin is that he keeps his composure a lot more than a lot of college guys do, especially at that quarterback position.” Helping McMillan with the offense this year will be new offensive coordinator Will Hall. Hall was most recently the associate head coach and tight ends coach at Memphis for the 2018 season when the Tigers reached the AAC

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