Braves look to make leap in Bayou District

H.L. Bourgeois halfback Markice Bogen isn’t big into making predictions.

He’s not about to say that his team is going to go to the Superdome and win a state title.

Likewise, he’s not even predicting a district title. Bogen also stopped short of talking about a playoff berth.

But with a first-year coach and a roster he believes is choked full of talent, Bogen does have a goal he’d like to share to the rest of the area: H.L. Bourgeois is better than 2010’s 2-8 record would indicate.

Oh yeah, and they hope to do much better than that in 2011.

“This year, we want to win more than two games,” he said. “At the very least, if for nothing else, just win more than two games. Whatever it takes, I’m just saying right now, we’ll win more than two games.”

Bogen’s sentiments are echoed all throughout the Braves’ locker room as the team is preparing for the start of the Ben Powell era in Gray.

The new coach landed with H.L. Bourgeois after spending time with programs such as East St. John and Vandebilt in his 12 years as an assistant coach.

With just a few days before the start of the season, Powell believes he’s ready to turn the Braves’ program around.

“Of course, I’m excited,” the coach said. “We’re building a new program, we’re putting in new stuff from the ground up and all of that good stuff, so it’s an exciting time not only for me, but I think also for our players.”

One of the reasons why the Braves may be so excited is because of the potential of their offense.

“We’re going to be an inside-zone, outside-zone team,” Powell said. “We’re definitely going to run the football. We’re going to pound it and try and make our opponents like it.”

Senior quarterback Tevin Jackson will anchor the Braves’ offense after playing just part-time last season.

Joining him in the backfield will be Bogen and senior halfback DeQuincy Dunmiles.

Powell said he likes both backs, but lauded Dunmiles’ ability to be a game-changing performer.

“He’s real quick. He’s got some good top-end speed,” Powell said. “He’s a guy that’s just real tough to tackle.”

Joining that group will be returning receiver Derian Moore, who returns for his senior season.

With that group of skill players, the Braves believe they have a winning formula.

“Things are going good,” Dunmiles said. “So far, we seem to be pretty explosive. We have the potential to really get a lot of yards and ultimately put some points on the board. We think we can really control the game with this group.”

Athletes are one thing, but without blockers, every coach knows even the most skilled backs and receivers will fall flat.

The Braves have a very young offensive line with just one senior in the group. Molding them into shape is one of Powell’s biggest priorities before the start of the season.

“We’re going to be young, especially on the offensive side,” he said. “But it’s coming along. We feel we’re getting better every day.”

One of the men that youthful line protects agrees, vowing he’d “go to battle” with his front any day.

“Our line’s getting stronger,” Jackson said. “They’ll end up being fine.”

Defensively, the Braves will have a little more experience up-front.

Willie Brown will be one of H.L. Bourgeois’ defensive leaders at nose tackle.

“He’s a really strong kid and he’s pretty talented,” Powell said. “He can move real well for a big guy.

Joining him will be Damian Nolan, who will be the team’s 3-technique, which is football jargon for second defensive tackle.

“He’s a solid football player,” Powell said. “He’s another kid who’s a pretty big guy. He’s 6-foot-3, about 250 pounds.

“Defensively, we’ve got a lot of guys who are a little older, especially up-front. Offensively is where we’ll play a lot of the younger kids.”

Joining the Braves’ chunky defensive line duo will be Moore, who doubles as a defensive back when the team is on defense.

H.L. Bourgeois’ quest for more wins will come against a favorable schedule, as favorable as the Bayou District gets could possibly get, that is.

The Braves open the season with consecutive home games against Clark and Ellender, teams who combined for a 3-17 record last season.

Once in district, H.L. Bourgeois will be the only team in the league to host both New Iberia and Westgate. The Braves will also host always-tough South Lafourche in Week 9 of the season.

No matter who’s on the schedule, the message remains the same across Gray, more than two wins in 2011 or bust.

Once that’s in hand, the team will shift its attention to the loftier goals that come with a high school season.

“There are some hard teams in this district,” Jackson said. “We just have to go harder. This is my last year here. I’m leaving it all out on the field every game. We’ll get more wins this year. … We have to.”

“We’ll win more this year,” Dunmiles agreed. “Things have changed around here. New coach, new attitude. We’ll win more games. I’d be stunned if we didn’t.”

H.L. Bourgeois Braves

District 7-5A

Sept. 2 vs. J.S. Clark

Sept. 9 vs. Ellender

Sept. 16 at South Terrebonne

Sept. 23 at Central Lafourche*

Sept. 30 at Thibodaux*

Oct. 7 vs. New Iberia*

Oct. 14 at Vandebilt

Oct. 21 at Terrebonne*

Oct. 28 vs. South Lafourche*

Nov. 4 vs. Westgate*

* Denotes district game

Coach: Ben Powell

Assistant Coaches: Rondon Anderson, John Gatlin, Troy Jackson, Toney Linn, Michael Melancon, Jeremy Polk

Record last season: 2-8

Returning Starters: 8

Players to Watch: Tevin Jackson, DeQuincy Dunmiles, Damian Nolan

Primary Strength: Size on the defensive line

Fun FACTS

0: The number of district wins the Braves accumulated in 2010, a stat they vow to change this year

18: Despite struggles, the Braves scored 18 points per game last year

5: The number of road games H.L. Bourgeois will play in a six-week span from Sept. 16, Oct. 21

H.L. Bourgeois quarterback Tevin Jackson tosses a pass during a drill. After finishing 2-8 in 2010, Jackson and the Braves vow to push for more in the new season. CASEY GISCLAIR