Reunion goes right for Tarpons at Morgan City

South Lafourche did just about everything right in Thursday night’s 59-0 victory over Morgan City.

That, obviously, made first-year coach Brandon Nowlin happy.

But a couple things that took place after the win made Nowlin happy, too, while also serving as inspiration for several of the team’s players for the rest of the season.

Nowlin was the head coach at Morgan City for three seasons (2010-12), and the game was his first time coaching against the Tigers on the opposing sidelines.

After the game, several old Morgan City players visited the coach and offered their support.

One of those players was Francisco Sierra – a young man who played for Nowlin during his freshman season in 2012.

Sierra’s story is unique, because he suffered severe injuries in a car crash this past spring year, and was hospitalized for several weeks with multiple injuries.

Sierra wore his old Morgan City football jersey to the game.

After the win, he thanked Nowlin for always having his back throughout his recovery, while offering his support and well-wishes to the Tarpons as they go forward in their quest to try and win the District 7-4A title.

The team embraced Sierra and invited him to lead the team’s postgame prayer. Once that was done, several players took pictures with the young man, while exchanging phone numbers – a gesture Nowlin said warmed his heart and was eye-opening to players about how precious the ability to play football is.

“I get choked up talking about it,” an emotional Nowlin said after the win. “I know how special that young man is and how hard he’s fought to get back to where he is right now. He’s got so much heart. He really inspired our kids. He told us that he wanted us to do great things this season, which just meant so much to our guys to know we had his support. For him to pray with us after the game was the perfect ending to a special night for me, my family and our team.”

Sierra said he felt compelled to reach out to Nowlin and the Tarpons because of the things that the coach did to help him throughout his career.

The former Tiger played for Nowlin just one season – his freshman year — before the coach took a job as an assistant coach at Nicholls State University.

But Sierra said in that season, Nowlin offered him non-stop support and was a guy who made a lasting impression on him.

“He’s a very smart man,” Sierra said of Nowlin. “He was one of the best that I’ve ever had.”

The coach said Sierra was relentless and earned playing time just with sheer heart and effort.

“What he may have lacked in speed, size or strength, he made up for it with work ethic, intelligence and a love for the game,” Nowlin said. “We knew he was a promising player. We knew he was a great guy to have in our locker room.”

After the accident, Sierra blossomed and became a contributor for the Tigers football team. He was a linebacker and defensive end. On a recruiting website, Sierra said he loved the game and would do anything to play at the next level – an opportunity that never came to fruition because of the accident, which took place last April.

“I am capable of playing any position needed,” Sierra said on his profile. “I am constantly putting in extra work after school at the stadium and gym to improve my skills.”

After the wreck, Sierra said Nowlin and his wife Jennifer stayed in touch to make sure that he was OK.

The accident was so bad that Sierra was left in a coma. After gradually getting better, he spent many weeks in the hospital.

Instead of walking across the stage with his classmates, Sierra watched his senior graduation from Skype in a hospital room.

Today, he has recovered to the point to where he’s able to get around. He watched the game with a couple friends and family members.

“I just wanted to see Coach Nowlin and give him support,” Sierra said. “He coached a great game and he has a good team. God truly blessed their team, and I wish them the best of luck. Coach Nowlin is a great coach and I’m sure he’s a great husband and father. He and his family were always there for me, and it meant a lot for me to be able to pray for them.”

It meant a lot to the team’s players, too.

Tarpons defensive lineman Terry Hunter said seeing Sierra touched him emotionally in a way he’s never been touched before.

The defensive lineman posted a photo of himself with Sierra on Twitter, calling the injured teenager his inspiration for the rest of the season.

Others made similar gestures after the game.

Nowlin said that warm, welcoming mentality said a lot about his players.

He said it reinforced to his guys how lucky they are to be able to play the game they love.

“It’s a privilege to be able to do this,” Nowlin said. “I think our guys have a better understanding of that. I tell them all of the time that every kid that I coach, I’m their coach for as long as you’re willing to have me – even if I just coached you for one day, one week, one season or your whole career. We had Francisco for a season and that year meant something to him. We’re so happy to see that he’s doing better, and it was so great for him to be able to enjoy the end of this night with our football team.” •

Francisco Sierra

Follow Casey on Twitter for more. 

https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair