Gators have high hopes for season

The South Terrebonne football team didn’t have the luxury of spring practices this year.

With his team’s grades not at the level he’d have liked, Gators’ coach Richard Curlin halted practices and forced his team to swap pads and cleats for books and extra study hall sessions.

But with the team’s academic issues now cleared up and football back on the to-do list, the Gators say they are hungrier than ever to get going this season, after having the game taken from them this spring.

“We didn’t have that spring like everyone else had, so we’re excited to be able to come out here and play,” said Tyler Naquin, who was an All-District selection a year ago at free safety. “When the game is taken from you, that makes everyone work a lot harder.”

South Terrebonne finished the 2009 regular season 7-3, a record good enough to get the team to the Class 5A playoffs.

What arguably made the team’s run possible was a midseason change in offensive philosophy, as the Gators opened up their wing-T attack and threw more passes.

Having a full summer to work on that revised offense under new quarterback Trevon Smith is one of the things Curlin said his team is excited about in the new season.

“Our skill positions, from running back to quarterback, those would be our strong points on that side of the ball,” Curlin said. “If we can keep building on those changes we made midseason that helped us out in the second part of the season; if we get more comfortable with those things early on, then I think that’s going to be a big key.”

What could stand in the way of the Gators’ offensive success is a youthful offensive line. South Terrebonne will be asked to replace all five starters up front.

Nick Conklin, Russell Dardar, Chase Fortenberry, Jason Helms, Jason Guy, Marcus Byrd and Patton Sadler are all expected to pitch in to aid the team’s front-5.

“We have some kids there that can get the job done, but it’s all about how soon they mesh,” Curlin said. “It’s all about how soon they can get comfortable with one another. If they can do that, and they can get the job done, then I think we can score points on offense.”

Smith agreed with his coach and said he sees the makings for a highly-powered offense in South Terrebonne.

“We have a good running game and a few receivers that can really catch the ball real good,” he said. “So I really think we should put up some points this year.”

On defense, the Gators return six starters, led by Naquin and linebacker Blake Luke, who was a first-team All-District selection a year ago.

Defense wasn’t a problem for the Gators for most of the 2009 campaign. Aside from a 37-3 loss to eventual District 8-5A champion South Lafourche, South Terrebonne allowed just 13 points per game in their nine other contests.

That stat is one Luke would like to keep alive in his senior season as the Gators look to make the jump from No. 2 to No. 1 in the district.

“We want to come out and show the rest of Louisiana that we can play,” he said. “If we want to win the district this year, we’re going to have to be more aggressive and make more big plays.”

With summer practices going off without a hitch in Gator-land, the players and fans are excited to see the season opener.

But don’t forget about the coaches, too, who say not having spring practice has them football hungry, as well.

“A lot of our kids are anxious to get the pads on,” Curlin said. “But a lot of our coaches are anxious to get the pads on them, as well, so we can really see some of the kids that we have some questions about. … We’re very excited for the season. These kids are ready to play.”

South Terrebonne Gators

District 8-5A

Sept. 3 @ Comeaux

Sept. 10 Ellender

Sept. 17 Wossman

Sept. 24 @ Central Lafourche*

Oct. 1 @ Thibodaux*

Oct. 8 South Lafourche*

Oct. 15 Brusly

Oct. 22 Terrebonne*

Oct. 29 @ H.L. Bourgeois*

Nov. 5 Assumption*

* Denotes district game

Coach: Richard Curlin

Assistant Coaches: Steve Barba

Davis McCormick, Francis Labat, Dale Luckett, Rusty Price, Archie Adams

Record last season: 7-4

Returning Starters: 3 on offense, 6 on defense

Players to Watch: Safety Tyler Naquin, linebacker Blake Luke, quarterback Trevon Smith, receiver/wingback Jaquis Flores

Primary Strength: Defensive experience

Fun FACTS

109: The number of wins coach Richard Curlin has with the school

911: The passing yards the Gators accumulated in a more passing-geared offense

4: The number of district games won by the Gators that were decided by 10 points or less

South Terrebonne captains (from left) Trevon Smith, Blake Luke, Tyler Naquin and Devin Leger pose in front of the giant Gator in their locker room. The Gators are looking to take the next step after a 7-4 year in 2009. CASEY GISCLAIR TRI-PARISH TIMES