Central Lafourche eager to overcome 4-win blues
August 25, 2015
Terrebonne football looking for rebound season
August 25, 2015
The H.L. Bourgeois football team is the only local team with a first-year head coach in 2015.
He said that it’s a challenge that he embraces. His players seem pretty amped up about it, too.
Spirits are high around the halls of H.L. Bourgeois this fall as first-year coach Carey Melvin gets his team ready to battle – the coach’s first-ever season as a head coach at the prep level.
The Braves finished 2-8 last season, and have only won a handful of games in the past several seasons. But that’s not bothering Melvin or anyone else, because the coach said he’s turned things around and is attempting to change the culture around a program that be believes has the talent to win.
“The kids have been very receptive to the change going on here. We’ve seen so much growth from day 1 of spring practices to now,” Melvin said. “The kids have been very open to the coaching going on, and we do have our moments where we revert to some older bad habits, yes. But for the most part, everything is great, and we’re all very excited about the season.”
The Braves have a large number of returning starters on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Melvin said that the Braves return seven starters, but will be faced with the challenge of replacing quarterback Todd Adkins, who had started under center for the past three seasons.
The player who will step up and fill that void in 2015 will be junior Jude LeCompte – a first-year starter that Melvin said has looked good throughout the spring and in summer workouts.
LeCompte is probably more comfortable than other first-year quarterbacks because he’s joined in the backfield by his older brother Blaise LeCompte – the team’s running back.
“To be able to always have him back there with me – it’s just such an awesome feeling for both me and my family,” Jude LeCompte said. “We’re going to really cherish this season.”
“It’s a lot of fun to get the ball from him, and I think he’s doing a good job,” Blaise LeCompte said of his younger brother. “I think we will be able to move the football with him in that spot. He handles the offense well.”
Another guy to look out for in the H.L. Bourgeois backfield is athlete Kane Matthews, who will look to transition his track and field successes this past spring into touchdowns on the football field this fall. Melvin said the Braves will look to get him the ball and space and watch him fly.
“Once he’s in the open, it will be hard to catch him,” Melvin said. “We want to use that speed to our advantage as best we can. He’s done a great job so far. He’s emerged as a true threat.”
Melvin said the biggest challenge for the Braves offensively will be up front where a couple new starters are in place. One of those guys is converted defensive tackle Tre’von Nolan, who is now using his muscle on the interior of the offensive line.
Melvin said he’s helped to improve the blocking on that side of the ball.
“He’s given us some added size and strength there, which we didn’t have before,” Melvin said.
Defensively, the Braves return eight starters – an experienced bunch that is optimistic about what the fall will bring.
Linebacker Tevyn Johnson is one of the top returnees on that group – a senior linebacker that Melvin said has had a great camp.
“He’s not the tallest guy or the biggest guy, but he has a great motor and sometimes he looks like a man that’s out there amongst boys,” Melvin said. “He’s an extremely smart kid, and he’s someone that we’re counting on to have a big year for us.”
Another player back is Kristyown Dalbany, who is going to lead the team’s efforts on the defensive line.
Both players said that the Braves have a chance to have a solid defense throughout the fall. Melvin said the Braves also return several players in the secondary to round out the defense.
“We’re ready,” Johnson said. “We’ve worked hard, and I think Coach Melvin has simplified our formations and schemes. I think we’re in position to really have a great year.”
“It’s been a long summer, and we’ve all put in the work,” Dalbany said. “Now, I think it’s time for us to prove it and shine on the field.”
Melvin said he thinks it’s possible. The Braves haven’t won much in the past few years, but the coach said he thinks that’s all about to change.
The coach said the team’s mindset is good and this group thinks it can compete.
After beating Terrebonne to close out the 2014 season, the Braves are riding high with confidence that the new coach thinks can power them into the new year.
“We’re changing that mindset. These kids believe that they can win. How many we get to win this year, I don’t know. That’s why we play the games on Friday nights. But I promise you that if we keep getting this buy-in, good things will happen. The kids are excited, and they’re pumped up about the season.” •
