Injuries fill Tigers’ offseason

If anything, Thibodaux High’s performance in their spring game on Friday was “injured.”

With several players out and Head Coach Lenny Ford on crutches, the Tigers had to limit their action in the spring game.

“I’m a little apprehensive but a little disappointed with all the injuries we had,” Ford said. “They should all be back in two or three weeks for our summer program.”

Just one year after making the playoffs for a third straight season, the Tigers are looking for a slight change in this year’s system.

Despite the injuries, the Tigers displayed their new offense they will run this year: the triple option.

Ford hopes the triple option can create better opportunities for the Tigers next season.

“I think the new offense is going to take us out of a lot of second or third and long situations,” Ford said. “I believe if we run the ball successfully, we can get in better positions to move the chain.”

Even though the Tigers fumbled the ball 10 times during the spring game, Ford said he was still impressed with the way the team is learning the new system.

“Fumbles are going to be a major issue for us and we know that,” Ford said. “. I was pleased with some of the big plays that occurred and the hustle. We have young receivers and I thought we ran the ball very well.”

When the Tigers held on to the ball, the offense was successful, scoring a touchdown and kicking a field goal.

By running the option offense, the Tigers will be forced to use a two or three quarterback system this year. Trovan Reed, Donnie Morgan and Carmichael Phargood are all vying for the position as well as Jordan Falgoust, who is also competing for playing time. Reed took the majority of the snaps and scored the only touchdown in the spring game.

Demon Bolt, one of the team’s leading receivers last season, is expected to line up in the slot and run the ball for the Tigers.

Defensively, the Tigers have to replace a slew of secondary players. Ford said he has been impressed by Bradley Ward, Russ Duet and Jamal Scott. The defensive line will be anchored by Edward Francis and Jovan Harvey, who are recovering from injuries.

Overall, Ford said he has a good feeling about the summer program considering the Tigers only had nine days to learn a whole new offense.

“I was pleased with the performance considering we only had nine days of spring,” Ford said. “We had a lot of injuries but overall the offense picked up on some of the things we tried to put in.”