Reed returns to advance Tigers

As the Thibodaux Tigers entered the stadium Thursday night for their regular season home finale against the St. Augustine Purple Knights, Thibodaux quarterback Trovon Reed could be spotted pacing the sidelines, pumping his helmet in the air and firing up the crowd and his teammates like a man on a mission.

It’s been five long weeks for the senior, who missed nearly half of his senior season while recovering from a knee injury suffered against South Terrebonne Oct. 2, but he was finally able to make his return to the gridiron.

And with the playoffs set to start Friday, Reed’s return couldn’t have come at a better time.

On Senior Night, and possibly his final home game as a Thibodaux Tiger, Reed showed why he is considered one of the state’s best recruits.

Reed took the ball around the left side and gained 33 yards on the first play from scrimmage, which was followed by calls from the fans saying, “He’s back.”

Even though his numbers weren’t as high as the Tigers have become accustomed to (nine carries, 57 yards, 1 TD), his presence on the field made a huge difference in the Thibodaux’s 31-14 homecoming victory.

Head coach Dennis Lorio said when Reed was declared 95 percent healthy and cleared by doctors last week, he had already incorporated the game plan for the Purple Knights.

While Reed’s rust showed at times, he was able to find enough success in the passing game to give the Purple Knight defenders fits.

For Reed, just getting back in the end zone was a great feeling.

“I didn’t know what to do,” he admitted. “Whether to get a celebration penalty or just walk off the field. I was that happy.”

He also played safety for one series and came away with an interception.

The senior honored his late mother by wearing No. 57 – his mother’s age when she died – on the back of his helmet.

This Friday would have marked her 58th birthday.

“I think I was a little bit too ready,” he said of Thursday’s performance. “My teachers had to calm me down in class. I was taking a test and beating on my desk. I was just so ready. It felt great to be back out here on Senior Night.”

It’s Reed’s special talent that the Tigers have relied on all along, and one Lorio is happy to have back with the playoffs beginning Friday.

“Our entire team looks different when Trovon is out there,” the coach said. “The confidence is there, even when he just hands the ball off. We block better, everybody competes a little better. We’re blessed we have a guy like him on our team.”

Reed’s competitive drive was evident throughout the game. He was sidelined when the Tigers reached a 17-point lead.

“He’s mad at me because he wanted to keep playing in the fourth quarter,” the coach said. “I said, ‘Look, Trovon, we’ve got the lead, you’ve done enough. Save it for next week.’

“We got our confidence back,” Lorio added. “It’ll be an uphill battle, but we are in it and our kids are going to compete.”

With the Tigers’ 6-4 (3-3 in District 8-5A) season finish, they’re preparing for their playoff matchup against St. Thomas More that was announced on Sunday.

The Tigers, who sit at number 23 in the state’s power rankings, can play a home game in the playoffs if they advance to the second round.

Lorio and his assistants used the off night Friday to scout potential teams he believed the Tigers would end up playing.

“Everybody gets a little breather Friday and Saturday being we played on Thursday,” Lorio said. “It’s an extra day of rest. We earned our way in and we’re excited to play anybody in the playoffs at this point.”

“We have to take it up a notch now,” Reed added. “It’s win or go home.”