Interesting Developments

Three weeks into the 2006 high school football season have answered some questions concerning area teams, while leaving question marks concerning others. Still, with district 6-5A play opening Friday night, the pre-district schedules have provided a small glimpse of what area fans can expect.

South Terrebonne enters the district as the No. 7-ranked team in the state, and a large part of that success can be credited to running back Phillip Livas. Livas has led the Gators to a 3-0 record, and is part of an offense that has improved its scoring output each game. The Gators have put up 21, 37 and 45 points over the first three weeks of the season and appear poised to end H.L. Bourgeois’ reign as the district champion.

Although the Braves are the defending champions, the Thibodaux Tigers appear to be the team most ready to match up against South Terrebonne.

Thibodaux opened up the year with a surprising win over West Jefferson, where the Tigers failed to gain 100 yards, and gave up over 400 yards. An opportunistic defense and special teams kept them in the game. Thibodaux followed that performance with a 17-10 loss to currently unbeaten Shaw, and last week lost 34-14 to Lutcher.

At just 1-2, the Tigers pre-district slate is likely to have them well prepared to contend against its Bayou District foes.

In its final pre-district game, H.L. Bourgeois was shut out by St. Charles Catholic. Although the loss is sure to have left a sour taste in the mouth of the Braves, the Comets do boast one of the top programs in the state. And after the Braves’ rushing attack proved to be impressive in the first two week, they should be well prepared for Bayou District play. Top competition will come from South Terrebonne and H.L. Bourgeois, while rival Terrebonne will also provide a fight. Do not expect the Braves, or any team to go undefeated in district play this year, as H.L. Bourgeois did last season.

South Lafourche was considered a dark horse prior to the season, but quarterback woes may affect the Tarpons in district play.

After going through five quarterbacks in a 15-14 win in week one, the Tarpons have put up just 13 points in the past two weeks. They play their final pre-district game this week against Destrehan, wrapping a difficult opening slate that included losses to West Jefferson and Jesuit.

The remainder of the district is jumbled, with Central Lafourche, Ellender and Terrebonne. Ellender has gotten off to the best start, standing at 2-1, while the Trojans and Tigers have failed to get in the win column. It took two weeks for Terrebonne to put any points on the board, but the Trojans have not scored in the past two weeks after putting up nine points in week one. Meanwhile, led by running back Jesse Turner, Ellender got off to its first 2-0 start since 1994, and has the potential to win three — possibly four — district games.

In other areas, Patterson has shown that it is a threat to reach the Superdome this season. Led by quarterback Terrence Callais, the Lumberjacks have an offense that has the ability to put points on the board at any moment in a game.

The area district football season will likely provide more questions than answers as it progresses. Those questions will likely not be answered until the final week of the year, making it one of the most interesting seasons in recent memory.

Matt LeBlanc can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or matt@tri-parishtimes.com.