EDW wants to win the close ones in 2012
August 30, 2012
THS vows to overcome last year’s mental errors
August 30, 2012
New coach.
New attitude.
New results.
That’s the three-step plan in everyone’s minds at South Lafourche High School as the team prepares for its inaugural season with Dennis Skains as its head coach.
“We’ve been going hard, working hard and moving fast,” South Lafourche linebacker Braxton Acosta said. “I think we’re ready to step up and have a great season.”
The 2011 season was sort of hit or miss for the Tarpons.
When South Lafourche was good, – they looked unbeatable. The Tarpons finished with a 5-5 record and won its games by an average 34 points per victory.
But in close games, South Lafourche stumbled, dropping three games by 10 points or fewer – heartbreaking defeats that were often decided by turnovers, penalties, missed tackles or special teams gaffes.
To combat the inconsistency, the school fired former coach Terry Farmer and opted to bring in Skains, who previously served as Belle Chasse’s defense coordinator.
Just a few weeks into their first set of summer drills, players say they like the fire that the coach brings to the team.
“He loves football,” senior defensive lineman Chris Berry said. “He loves for people to go hard. Even if you do something wrong, he still just wants you to go hard and give it your all. He’s full of passion and intensity and we love his fight.”
“He’s so much more energetic than the coaches we had last year,” Acosta said. “Because of that energy, our players on defense are more fired up and we’re getting to the ball faster. It’s just a better situation.”
What’s even better about South Lafourche’s situation is the talent that Skains inherited on the Tarpons’ roster.
Senior quarterback Colby Callais leads an offense that returns players with varsity experience.
This will be Callais’ first season as a full-time starter, but he got several reps last year when standout quarterback Seth Griffin moved to halfback or wide receiver.
“Colby’s had a great summer,” Skains said. “He might have missed one day – maybe. He’s come in and has gotten extra film and he’s really tried to take care of his body. He’s constantly working on ways to take on ownership of the offense. He’s doing a great job.”
Assisting Callais in his quest to score points will be receivers Treavon Evans, Norry Galjour and Zaron Jenkins.
Up front, the Tarpons also benefit from a beefy offensive line with several prospects weighing in at more than 250 pounds.
“We should be able to put up some points,” Evans said. “We think we have a lot of weapons.”
Defensively, the Tarpons will rely on many of the same characters, as Acosta and Berry will join two-way players Evans and Galjour to stabilize the group.
Berry is a defensive end, while Evans and Galjour are defensive backs.
Devin Blackwell also figures to be a player for the Tarpons in their defensive backfield.
Their X’s and O’s should be on point, as defense is Skains’ specialty.
Some of that expertise was on display in the Tarpons’ scrimmage against Belle Chasse, as South Lafourche kept its opponent in check for much of the evening, delivering several pad-popping hits that wowed the Galliano crowd.
“When we hit someone, we want them to know that we’re there,” Evans said. “We’re not afraid to drop the hammer a little bit.”
“We’re going to fly to the football,” Skains said. “I think our guys are hungry. We’ve been hitting on one another for so long that I think we’re ready to hit somebody else.”
Even with the optimism, the best may be yet to come for the Tarpons.
Several of the team’s top players, including Evans, Galjour and halfback Brook Eymard have missed time with injuries in summer drills.
Lady Luck wasn’t on South Lafourche’s side, as almost all of the injuries were non-football related.
“Norry Galjour fell while helping fix his batting cage at his house and he hurt his elbow,” Skains said. “Treavon Evans had to get his wisdom teeth pulled. It’s just been a couple of freak things like that which have kept up from being 100 percent.”
But if the walking wounded are able to return, Evans said it could be a blessing in disguise.
“When we all get healthy, we’re coming back strong,” Evans said. “No one wants injuries, but we will all be back at the right time and we’ll hit our peak.”
Skains agreed and said the team will have more depth because of its current injury situation.
His players feel the same way and stress they have one goal – a playoff run.
“We want to go get this state championship,” Berry said. “We know no one around the state believes we can do it, but we have confidence in what we can do.”
South Lafourche coach Dennis Skains talks to his team during spring practices. The Tarpons believe their new coach will bring back fire and passion to the program looking to reach the playoffs in 2012.
