NATIONAL SIGNING DAY

For the past four years they have lined up against each other Friday nights. For the next four years, they will line up with each other on Saturday afternoons.

Last week, former South Terrebonne running back Phillip Livas and former H.L. Bourgeois linebacker Kiamni Washington signed letters of intent to play football at Louisiana Tech.

“I went up there on my trip,” said Washington, “and it had a great environment. All the coaches are brand new. By me just coming in, I’ll be brand new to the system. They have a dream for the school to be going up big, so I want to be a part of that.”

Joining the pair is former Patterson defensive back Tarence Calais, who also signed a letter of intent with the Bulldogs

Recruiting website Rivals.com ranked Livas as the 34th top recruit in the state, and Calais as the 61st best defensive back in the nation. Both were three-star recruits, according to the website.

All three players credited Louisiana Tech’s atmosphere and new coaching staff as being key reasons for their decisions. The Bulldogs hired first-year head coach Derek Dooley in mid-December, following last year’s 3-10 finish.

“Everything was the same from the schools,” said Calais. “It’s just, I went (to Ruston) on my visit, and everything seemed like it was home. They had this atmosphere where everybody was together. That’s where I felt I could be for four years.”

Calais also said he feels he can have an opportunity to play early in his career. “I have a shot to go in and contribute my freshman year,” he said. “If I can go in and show them I know what I’m doing and catch onto the scheme, I can go in and contribute as a freshman.”

Washington echoed Calais’ sentiments concerning playing time. “They told me I have a great chance to play my freshman year.”

For Livas, the opportunity to play early played a role in his decision to head for Ruston. “It was the way they said they were going to use me in the offense and playing time. And the school, it was just nice when I went up there.”

According to Livas, the Bulldogs will use him on special teams early on, and try to get him into the open field, offensively. “On passing downs I’d be in the slot,” he said. “On running downs I’d be in the backfield. It would be trying to get me into the open field.”

Livas, South Terrebonne’s all-time leading rusher, spent a lot of time in open field while suiting up for the Gators. In his senior year in Bourg, Livas ran for 1,761 yards

New teammate Kiamni Washington expressed relief that the only time he will have to face Livas now is in practice. Last season, Livas shredded the H.L. Bourgeois defense for 308 rushing yards in a 28-21 win that clinched the district championship. “I didn’t really think (Phillip) was going to go there,” said Washington. “When he told me, I was happy. We’ve been playing against each other for a long time. I’m not going to have to run after him anymore.”

The fact that Western Athletic Conference opponents include teams like Fiesta Bowl winner Boise State, Fresno State and Hawaii was not lost on the players. “It’s exciting,” said Calais. “Knowing that Boise went to the BCS last year. It’s going to be fun playing that competition.”

Livas added, “It’s a nice conference to be in. It gets a lot of exposure, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

The fact that all three share some sort of friendship did not hurt their decisions to become Bulldogs, either. “It’s going to be a nice experience,” said Livas. “Because we’re all cool, and we’re just trying to go there and build up the program back to how it used to be.”

Calais echoed Livas’ sentiments. “We talked about it,” he said of the mutual decisions to bring their talents to Ruston. “It kind of did play a role.”

Other local players to sign Letters of Intent:

• Phillip Leger (South Lafourche) signed a letter of intent to play at Northwestern State University. Leger is projected to play the safety position for the Demons. He joins former South Lafourche player Tyler Cheramie on the Demons’ roster.

• Adrian Joseph (Thibodaux) signed a letter of intent to play at University of Louisiana at Monroe. Joseph, a safety, projects to the same position with the Warhawks.

• Marcus Clark (Patterson) signed a letter of intent to play at Southern University, in Baton Rouge. Clark, a linebacker, said the atmosphere and an opportunity to play early on factored into his decision. “There’s only two returners (at linebacker) that have experience,” he said.

• A.J. Carter (Thibodaux) signed a letter of intent to play at Nicholls State University. Carter, a defensive tackle, is projected to play the same position on the college level.

Staff photo by MATT LeBLANC • Tri-Parish Times * Phillip Livas, Kiamni Washington and Tarence Calais are three local players that signed letters of intent to play at Louisiana Tech next season. Other area players signing letters of intent are Adrian Joseph. Phillip Leger, Marcus Clark and A.J. Carter