ARMED AND DANGEROUS: Braves reload offensive arsenal

Start with a tour of the U.S. Defense Department.

Read a Guns & Ammo magazine from cover-to-cover and finish by listening to a thunderous rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.”

Then, and only then, can one truly conceptualize the weaponry contained in H.L. Bourgeois’ offensive lineup.

The Braves are ballyhooed as one of top teams in District 6-5A, and for good reason.

Sixth-year coach Randy Boquet returns 10 starters to an offense that had little trouble lighting up the scoreboard in 2006.

“We broke two offensive records last season for yards in a season and points in a season,” he said. “We had a good offense last then, and we should have a good offense now.”

Leading the surge will be senior running back Christian Williams.

Last year, Williams (5-foot-10, 170 pounds) rushed for more than 1,000 yards and amassed more than 300 receiving to finish with 10 touchdowns and first-team all-district accolades.

And he did it with blinding speed.

“Christian is a dangerous player who can take it to the house every time he touches the ball,” Boquet explained. “He’s explosive, has tremendous vision and really knows how to set up his blocks. He’s a heck of a lot of fun to watch.”

As is Caleb Williams, the junior running back who will also line up in the backfield.

Both rushers posted 4.5 times in the 40.

“When Caleb gets a little room on the sideline, he’s gone,” Boquet added.

Junior fullback Jeremy Lagarde (5-foot-10, 205) is also expected to strengthen the running attack. Lagarde is fast, but also possesses an ability to grind out tough yards.

He bulldozed his way to 800 of them and received a second-team all-district nod last fall. “Jeremy is more of a hammer-type of runner,” Boquet said. “He’s thunder, and Christian and Caleb are lightning.”

Junior Evan Ingram will be the player handing them the ball for another season.

But he can throw, too. Ingram passed for more than 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns during his sophomore campaign.

“He (Ingram) is a legit threat to throw the ball deeply and consistently,” Boquet said.

Justin Lirette (6-foot-2, 320) will lead the offensive line. Boquet calls the hulking tackle “one of the strongest players on the team.”

Joining Lirette is Corey Crochet, a first-team all-district and all-region offensive guard, and offensive tackle Joshua Verrett.

Kerry Guidry returns as the Braves marquee receiver and all-district kicker.

Boquet thinks Guidry can shine anywhere on the field.

“Look up ‘utility’ in the dictionary and you’ll probably see his (Guidry’s) picture,” he said. “He’s a tremendous athlete.”

Also returning are Kent Boudreaux (center) and Lance Duet (guard).

Wayne Ingram (6-foot-2, 200) will be the only new addition at tight end. Ingram has the size to make an impact in an already prolific offense.

Inexperience, however, could keep the Braves from being as dangerous on defense.

H.L. Bourgeois will look for leadership from seniors Tyler Lirette (cornerback) and Sidney Mitchell (defensive tackle). Both earned all-district honors last season.

Other incumbents include seniors Joshua Giammancheri (nose guard), Brandon Thibodaux (cornerback), Guidry (safety) and Jonathan Fitch (safety).

Boquet is particularly excited about the addition of junior linebacker Kaylon Nixon.

“He (Nixon) is one of the hardest-hitting kids that I have ever coached,” he said.

Nonetheless, the Braves will have to break in a lot of new players.

“Defensively, we’re a little young,” Boquet said. “We’ll get tested early, but I do see our defense getting better and better as the year goes on. I think we might surprise people.”

H.L. Bourgeois kicks off its season Friday at the South Lafourche Jamboree.