Tarpons powered by 1-2 punch offensively in 2016

Leslie hopes for ‘powerhouse year’ in 2016-17
September 1, 2016
A little something for everyone
September 6, 2016
Leslie hopes for ‘powerhouse year’ in 2016-17
September 1, 2016
A little something for everyone
September 6, 2016

South Lafourche quarterback Jaydon Cheramie collected his thoughts, then got into his pre-snap routine on Friday night against Bonnabel.

He looked to his left, sent a wide receiver in motion and then got ready for the battle which lied ahead.


“Down … set … hike!” he shouted.

That’s when it all started.

On command, the center flicked the ball to Cheramie, who put it into halfback Corbin Allen’s belly and started the play.


Allen juked left, but had little space to maneuver. He was tackled about two yards beyond the line of scrimmage – an apparent victory for the Bruins defense.

But then the home-standing South Lafourche crowd roared.

As Bonnabel tackled Allen for an apparent stop, Cheramie trekked down the field – almost untouched until he was deep into the secondary.


He put the ball into Allen’s belly, yes – an illusion that caused almost everyone on the defense (and some in the working media) to think the halfback was the focus of the play.

But at the last possible second, Cheramie pulled it back out and moved down the field for a huge gain – an act of wizardry that will cause problems to opposing defenses throughout the 2016 season.

Cheramie and Allen are a one-two punch that will power the Tarpons’ spread offense in 2016 – a duo coach Brandon Nowlin said are among the best he’s coached in his career.


On opening night on Friday, the players lived up to the hype, combined for more than 360 rushing yards and four touchdowns in the Tarpons 40-24 victory over the Bruins – the second-straight season South Lafourche opened with a victory over Bonnabel.

“Our running game was good tonight,” Nowlin said after the win. “I think those two guys are both dangerous. I think they both want to do the right things and want to have big seasons. Together and with the help of an offensive line that we like, I think that can become reality.”

For the duo, the 2016 success is part of a plan they both say has been paved through hard work and dedication to the sport.


Cheramie’s 2016 season marks his second as the Tarpons starting quarterback.

In 2015, the signal caller was rushed into duty because of a preseason injury, but still shined, completing 74-of-141 passes for 1,024 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 743 yards and 12 touchdowns.

But Cheramie said he didn’t truly get comfortable in his rule until late in 2015, and that he worked hard throughout the offseason to try and perfect his craft.


“I’m way less nervous now,” Cheramie said with a laugh. “I know what’s expected of me and I’ve settled down. It’s much different now.”

In the offseason, Cheramie said he worked hard on his passing skills and ball-handling ability.

Through that work, he developed that magician’s like touch and the ability to keep the ball in Allen’s gut until the last possible second to read the defensive line’s reactions.


That deception hurt Bonnabel throughout Friday’s game, allowing the Tarpons to pile up more than 400 yards rushing in the win.

“He’s a good player,” Bonnabel coach Reggie Rogers said. “He’s a weapon in both the running and passing game. He’s good with his fakes, which makes it really difficult to know what to do as a defender.”

But while Cheramie spends a lot of the game distributing the ball, Allen occupies his time running people over – whether he has the ball in his hands or not.


Allen is the stereotypical power back – a player who routinely lowers his shoulder and barrels through defenders to earn extra yardage at the tail-end of plays.

Like Cheramie, Allen said he also spent the offseason grinding, adding muscle to his already-big frame.

In 2015, Allen started as a sophomore and gained 1,200 yards.


This fall, he’s noticeably bigger, faster and stronger and is off to a pretty good start. In the season opener, the halfback gained 171 yards with three touchdowns – gaining the tough, inside yards the team used to keep the Bruins’ defense honest.

“It was a good game,” Allen said. “It was a good start to our season. We’ve worked hard and we were ready to get going. I knew I was ready. I had a feeling we’d put together a good game. It was just good to get on the field and make it happen.”

But for all the headlines Cheramie and Allen may get – and rightfully so – both said they know there’s a huge catalyst to the team’s success: the South Lafourche offensive line.


Both Cheramie and Allen bragged on their line for the opening-week victory, each giving credit to the big fellows for holding off blockers long enough to allow Cheramie time to read the defense and decide whether to keep or hand off the ball.

The group is led by Chad Cheramie, Luke Vizier, Melik Guidroz, Ryan Istre and Garet Serigny.

With the combination of talented playmakers handling the ball and beefy linemen opening holes, the Tarpons said they think they’re capable of scoring on anyone they face.


Nowlin agrees. He said if the team consistently improves, the sky is the limit.

“If we execute, we like our chances against anyone we face,” Nowlin said.

Jaydon Cheramie (right) and Corbin Allen


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