Central looks to ‘veer’ into successful season
August 30, 2012
SL hoping new coach brings back past magic
August 30, 2012
The 2011 season left a sour taste in E.D. White head coach Kyle Lasseigne’s stomach.
That tends to happen to a coach when his team posts a 4-6 record and loses three games by a combined eight points.
But with a lot of players back in 2012, the Cardinals hope to finish the job and take the next step in their playoff push.
Winning the close games is on the minds of everyone this summer in Thibodaux as E.D. White hopes to rebound from its shaky 2011 season.
“Last year, we had a lot of close football games in our district and we really made it a habit of letting those games get away,” Lasseigne said. “But hopefully this year, we’re back in the same situations and this time around, we’re making the plays we need to win the close ones.
“If we do that, we’ll be in a better situation for the playoffs.”
Defense will likely be the strongest unit within the Cardinals’ roster.
E.D. White returns six starters from a group that allowed 20 or fewer points in four of its 10 regular season games last year.
Anchoring that defensive unit will be a wealth of experience in both the linebacker and secondary corps.
Senior linebackers Stephen LeBouef and Geoffrey Hebert anchor the middle along with Levi Boudreaux.
Lasseigne said he is confident with his team’s defensive prospects.
“We have a lot of key guys,” the coach said. “That makes you feel really good – having guys with experience. If we can keep everybody healthy, I think we can have a good group there.”
Offensively, the Cardinals return just four starters, but all of them are skill position players.
Quarterback Benton Arceneaux returns under center for a second season after being a steady option for the team in 2011.
Lasseigne said his quarterback has worked hard this summer to take the next step in his progression.
The coach believes the senior will have a terrific season.
Those predictions didn’t look too bad in last week’s scrimmage against H.L. Bourgeois when Arceneaux completed several passes to keep the Braves’ defense in check.
“He’s comfortable. He’s got a year of experience and he’s got a summer – one of the best summers I’ve ever had with a quarterback,” Lasseigne said. “He understands the system and he understands the guys that he has – his weapons. And he understands where he needs to get the ball in key situations. … He’s ready to advance. … I’m happy with his performance.”
Helping Arceneaux will be the return of his favorite weapons – receiver Colby Masse and fullback Bobby Businelle.
Having those players back make E.D. White capable of making plays within its veer offense.
“We have some experience there with the skill guys,” Lasseigne said. “We should be able to make some plays with those guys that we have because they have a fair amount of experience.”
The area of concern for the Cardinals’ offense will be within its line.
E.D. White lost all five offensive line starters after the 2011 season and has an entirely new cast of characters.
“That’s the area where we are really focused right now,” the coach said. “That’s where we need the most work on the offense.”
Lasseigne said the new line has good days and bad days and will need to mesh before the start of the season.
In the H.L. Bourgeois scrimmage, the group held its own and kept the Braves’ defense in check.
“I think we’re getting better on the offensive line,” the coach said. “We need to be consistent there to contend.”
The Cardinals’ offense does have a luxury not many teams have – if they get close to the goal line, they will likely score.
Junior kicker Rene’ Thibodaux anchors a potent E.D. White special teams corps that is among the best in the area.
Thibodaux is capable of hitting kicks from as far as 50 yards away.
Lasseigne said he wouldn’t hesitate to give the kicker a shot from 60 yards if the proper situation presented itself.
“He was great as a 10th grader last year and I’m glad to have him for two more years,” Lasseigne said. “I’m confident in him. … I really believe he’s got that ability. When you’ve got that kind of weapon – use it.”
Getting three points whenever possible is critical for a team with E.D. White’s difficult schedule.
The Cardinals will play non-district tilts with Vandebilt, Assumption, Terrebonne and South Terrebonne before entering its brutal district, which consists of Class 3A State Champion St. Charles.
Lasseigne said he knows the team has its work cut out for it as they try and improve on last year’s season.
“Our district has St. Charles – they are the state champions – you have to start right there,” Lasseigne said. “Port Allen has a good football team, and they are getting better. Donaldsonville is good. Bruly is solid. St. James has athletes. It’s just up and down the schedule. You can never take a week off and we know that. We have to prepare for it and be ready.”
E.D. White’s defense flocks to the football during a recent scrimmage against H.L. Bourgeois. The Cardinals are excited about their depth on defense as they hope to improve on last year’s 4-7 season.
