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There is still a long, long time to go before the start of the 2018 prep football season.
But on June 1, 2018, at least, it sure looks like the Terrebonne Tigers are going to be a fearsome foe for locals to deal with throughout the year.
Terrebonne is unquestionably one of the best teams on paper heading into 2018 – a group which won seven games last season and which returns a slew of their top players from last season’s depth chart.
Last year, coach Gary Hill said he liked his team, but conceded that it would be a work in progress with the youth.
“We’re talented, but not battle tested,” Hill said with a laugh.
But with an entire season to learn the ropes and a spring season to continue to mesh, the Tigers think 2018 has a chance to be special – one of the best years in a long, long time around Terrebonne High.
“We have a lot of expectations for the season,” rising senior athlete Keshawn James said. “I think right now, our big focus is on becoming a more focused and efficient team.”
James is one of the biggest reasons why many like the Tigers’ chances in 2018.
Terrebonne’s offense was like an arcade video game last year. They were unstoppable and were well worth the price of admission.
In the Tigers’ spread offense, Terrebonne scored 30 or more points in all but two regular season games. They scored 40 or more points four times and even had a 60-point game.
James is one of the key cogs in that success, serving as both a quarterback, running back and even sometimes a slot receiver for Terrebonne.
“Keshawn makes life pretty easy for us right now,” Hill said after a win last season. “When you have a kid who is that special and who can do that many things, it really makes your job easier as a coach and a play caller because you know that even if you have a penalty or a missed block or a basic mistake which happens in the high school game, you can make up for it with a huge play that can go for the distance.”
James isn’t alone in the backfield, though – not by a long shot.
James’ counterpart for Terrebonne is Jakhi Douglas, who also plays several positions, including quarterback, the Tigers are difficult for defenses to figure out – something that isn’t expected to change in 2018 with both of the key playmakers back and also several returnees at the line of scrimmage.
James said the chemistry he has with Douglas is impeccable and the two are both being recruited by several colleges – both in and area and also around the country.
In Terrebonne’s spring game, the Tigers walloped St. Charles Catholic six touchdowns to zero – a number which may not seem overly impressive except that the Comets are annually one of the top teams in the state of Louisiana – a program which contends for championships every, single year under legendary coach Frank Monica.
“The spring game was greater than we expected,” James said. “I think it shocked the coaches and ourselves. But it showed us how good we can be if we keep focused and keep our eyes on what’s ahead.”
But while the offense will get all of the attention and the accolades, Terrebonne coaches and players know that the team’s defense must make a leap forward in 2018 if the team wants to chase the Class 5A State Championship Trophy.
The Tigers were terrific offensively in 2017, yes, but their defense sometimes leaked oil, allowing 25 or more points in 6 out of 10 regular season games and also again in a 35-17 loss against Ouachita Parish in the opening-round of the Class 5A State Playoffs.
But James said he sees special things in his defense and he doesn’t believe that opponents will be able to move the ball as easily next season.
Anchored by Will Robinson, Colby Clement, Cullen Butler, Dillion Babin, Montre Patterson, TJ Ruffin and others, James said he thinks this year’s Terrebonne defense is the best group that the Tigers have had in his now three seasons competing at the varsity level.
Of course, if the Tigers are in a pinch, James said he and Douglas will also spend a little time in the defensive backfield, which, of course, helps boost the athleticism in that unit.
“We play as a team on that side of the ball,” James said. “We’re working to get better every day.”
But now, it’s all about putting it all together and making sure that the team plays its best football at the right time – an annual challenge in Class 5A.
Terrebonne’s journey is rough.
They play non-district games with Ellender, South Terrebonne, Assumption and Patterson before opening up play in one of the most difficult districts in all of Louisiana – District 7-5A.
Terrebonne will have to face Andrew Robison and Hahnville, John Emery and Destrehan and all of the other college-bound standouts in the league throughout the season before getting to annual powerhouse Destrehan in Week 10 – a game which will be played in the River Parishes.
No one locally has dethroned Destrehan in recent years, but James said he thinks Terrebonne has a shot.
On paper, at least, it’s hard to disagree. This group just might have as good a shot as anyone we’ve seen in quite some time.
“My senior goal is to have a successful season and to make it as far in the playoffs as we can – hopefully to the championship,” James said. “We have a lot of seniors including myself that are going to give it all we got because we think it’s there for us this year.”
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