Offensive lineman standout set for California adventure

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One of the Houma-Thibodaux area’s biggest teenagers is taking his talents to California.

South Lafourche graduate Blayne Kiff signed a scholarship with Victor Valley College last spring – a small community college in Victorville, California.


Kiff has already moved to the West Coast and is preparing for his true freshman season at the next level.

He said the opportunity to play college ball is a feeling he can’t explain.

“I feel accomplished and I’m glad I pushed through,” Kiff said. “I just want to thank the community and South Lafourche for everything. I want to thank everyone for encouraging me to come out here and give it my all on the field.”


In Kiff, South Lafourche is getting a massive lineman.

The offensive lineman stands 6-feet, 4-inches and weighs 290 pounds.

He has a recorded 40-yard dash time at 5.0 seconds, which is considered by scouts to be good for a man Kiff’s size.


With the Tarpons, Kiff played a variety of positions on the line. During the 2015 season, former South Lafourche coach Dennis Skains said his versatility helped the team push through its injuries.

“It’s good to have guys who can play at different spots in different times,” Skains said. “Blayne is one of those guys. He’s always able to fill in and do whatever it is that we need. Having that versatility is a big plus. It’s something all teams need.”

Kiff said his path to California was boosted through social media.


He said he made a profile on the National Collegiate Scouting Association’s website – an online database that allows high school student-athletes to share film with college coaches interested in finding players.

Through that profile, Victor Valley found Kiff and initiated contact.

A few weeks later, he signed with the program, which competes in the American Mountain Conference. The Rams were 10-0 last season, averaging 37.1 points per game.


They are again expected to be one of the top teams in their classification – a program that routinely sends players to higher levels of competition after a student-athlete’s two years are completed.

“The coaches there said they liked my footwork and size,” Kiff said. “Now, I’m just going to have to learn the scheme and get ready for the upcoming season. I have to get stronger and leaner before we start playing.”

But no matter what the future may bring, Kiff said he will forever miss being a high school athlete.


He said his time at South Lafourche is something he treasures.

Kiff said he will miss doing the Tarpon Walk every Friday night and competing against all of the school’s rivals throughout the season.

Kiff said he looks forward to playing in college, but admits he will be checking his phone every week to see how his alma-mater is doing.


Once a Tarpon, he said, a player is always part of the family.

“I will definitely miss the Friday night lights,” Kiff said. “I will never get that back. I’m not even a year out of high school, but I’d give anything for one more Friday night.” •

Blayne Kiff


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