Cleveland Verdin
May 26, 2008
Dr. Charles "Chuck" Binford
May 28, 2008
In each season that Kyle Lasseigne has been the head football coach for the E.D. White Cardinals, the Cardinals have made steady progress.
Three years ago they made the playoffs, losing in the first-round. Two years ago they shocked Parkview Baptist with a first round win before losing at home to eventual state champion Independence.
Last season, the Cardinals finished even stronger, finishing 8-5 overall, 3-1 in district and winning their first two playoff games over Loranger and Rayville before falling in the quarterfinals to Westlake.
If that trend continues for the Cardinals, they will end up right where Coach Lasseigne wants them to be.
“Obviously, our goal is to continue that and get even farther into the playoffs,” he said. “Last year we were one win away from playing the semifinals at home with a chance to make it to the Dome, so it’s not anything unreachable. Our kids saw that last year and there is no reason we can’t get to that point if we continue developing. If that happens, we can be a team that can beat just about anybody.”
However, doing so will require several younger players to step up.
With only six returning starters on defense and one (guard Beau Arceneaux) on offense, Lasseigne has used this spring to look at his younger talent. He feels confident with what he has seen in his team over the 12 spring practices.
“We are still not as advanced on offense as we are on defense, but that will come,” the coach said. “We’ve looked really good defensively thus far this spring. The last few practices we had of the spring drills, things began to come together offensively. As spring wraps up, we’ve had a chance to evaluate all of our kids, especially our younger kids. Overall, it was a productive spring.”
While no one player has stepped out head and shoulders above the rest, Lasseigne has said he has seen several players who have shown the aggressiveness and smarts needed to succeed this season.
Two key losses from last year’s team, quarterback Drey Trosclair (Nicholls State) and tight end/defensive end Chase Clement (LSU), left holes for the Cardinals this spring.
However, the play of Tyler Duplantis this spring has at least filled the quarterback position.
“He (Duplantis) played in a couple of games last year for us so he has a little experience,” Lasseigne said. “He has done a really good job throwing the football all spring, so we feel confident he can get the job done.”
As far as replacing Clement, Lasseigne said there is no one person who can step in and do what he did for the Cardinals last season. Instead, he looks for a rotation of guys to play tight end and another rotation to play defensive end. Lasseigne expects all of them to step in and contribute.
“There is not an individual person who will step in and fill Chase’s role,” the coach said. “He did so many things for us but we do have a bunch of kids that do similar things.
“They are not going to dominate like Chase did in every area offensively and defensively,” the coach continued. “The biggest thing about Chase was his size and his athleticism and the fact that everyone that played for us had to account for him. We’re going to miss him, but we have guys ready and willing to step in.”
While Friday’s red and white scrimmage concluded the spring practices and the season is still awhile away, Lasseigne said he was pleased with what he saw.
“We’ve generally accomplished what we wanted, getting a look at our ninth and 10th graders who can make an impact,” Lasseigne said. “Overall, it was a productive spring.”
Senior cornerback Jordan Arcement (2) intercepts a pass during E.D. White’s red and white scrimmage last week. * Photo by KEYON JEFF
