Hilda Voisin Buquet
August 25, 2009
Mary Little McFarland
August 27, 2009
The sign on the outside of the South Lafourche football stadium bears the winning tradition of the Tarpons’ football program.
With 14 district titles (the last coming in 1996), state titles in 1971 and 1977 and a state runner-up nod in 1966 to their credit, there’s no wonder why losing is not tolerated in Galliano.
After going 1-7 in 2008, disappointment was an understatement. Shortly after the season ended, former head football coach Blyght Wunstell announced he was leaving the school for a teaching job at Houma’s Covenant Christian Academy.
South Lafourche High administrators launched a search for someone who could reverse the Tarpons’ losing trend… someone with a winning attitude.
Terry Farmer appears to be that guy.
Farmer is the school’s seventh head coach – its fourth since 2003.
In his two previous head coaching jobs, the 47-year-old transformed Palestine-Wheatley High School in Palestine, Ark., and Holbrook High School in Holbrook, Ariz., from losing programs into playoff contenders. He spent last season as the offensive coordinator of Dollarway High School in Pine Bluff, Ark. The team finished the season as runner-up in the Class 4A state playoffs.
Overall, Farmer’s record as a head coach is 106-41.
Farmer is relying on senior leadership to reverse the Tarpons’ recent misfortunes on the gridiron.
Despite a late start in implementing his system – Farmer wasn’t hired until July 17 – the coaching staff is confident in their not-so-secret weapon: 30 seniors, 11 of whom started last year. The majority of the team has been together throughout their high school careers.
“You can never underestimate senior leadership,” Farmer said. “That is definitely our strong point.”
With a 1-7 finish fresh on players’ minds, the team worked hard all summer on improving. South Lafourche’s seniors, the coach said, are hungry for a return to the glory days. But doing so will require the starters to step up their game, the coach admits.
South Lafourche has a winnable pre-district schedule, Farmer predicts, which should ensure the team a stronger finish than a year ago.
“We have nothing to lose right now,” senior quarterback Cameron Esponge said. “I mean, I think we got (losing) all out of the way already. It’s time for new coaches and a new era of South Lafourche football. We’ve been here four years, so it has been a while since we tasted a winning attitude. I think it’s about time we bring it back.”
Altogether, the Tarpons have seven offensive starters returning: Esponge, fellow seniors tight end Mark Mayberry, split end Bennie Smith, left tackle Brock Holbert, left guard Dillon Cheramie, right guard Brody Terrebonne and right tackle Rafe Plaisance. Junior center Louis Bourg and senior backs Sly Cheramie and Gevin Gros join Tarpon track star Rusty Borne as new starters in the Tarpons’ offensive set.
One of the team’s strongest points is its offensive line, where the Tarpons return five of six starters.
Farmer’s game plan puts heavy emphasis on the run, requiring the front line to work hard to ensure the Tarpons’ speed is put to use.
The drive to win, Plaisance said, is undeniable.
“We’ve had virtually the same line for the last four or five years now,” the senior said. “We’ve been getting after it. We’re learning all of our assignments right now and we are looking pretty impressive. I think we are going to surprise some people.”
Defensively, the Tarpons will change from a 4-4 setup to a multiple formation scheme. Leading the way on the defensive side of the ball are four returning senior starters – defensive end Roger Dowdy, linebackers Ryan Bagala and Logan Harris and defensive back Grady Fagan.
The new starters embracing their roles in the lineup are Plaisance at defensive tackle, fellow seniors John Autin at defensive tackle and Justin Lasseigne at linebacker; juniors Alex Parr at linebacker, Jared Billiot at defensive end and Justin Lasseigne at defensive back and sophomore Seth Griffin at defensive back.
Seniors Alex Parra will punt and Erick Serrano will kick for the Tarpons.
However, Farmer admitted none of the positions are set in stone as everyone is still battling at practice for a final assignment.
“It is going to be a lot of fun in the next couple of weeks,” he said. “Competing for positions makes players work harder. The players are starting to pick up the offensive and defensive systems. We still have a lot of unknowns about personnel, but things are starting to iron out.”
One thing is for certain, he said: the Tarpons aren’t going to lie down for anyone this season.
“We have the experience this year,” quarterback Esponge said. “It’s all or nothing right now.”
New South Lafourche Tarpons head coach Terry Farmer is looking to bring winning back to Galliano. Under Farmer’s leadership, the Tarpons are looking to better last year’s 1-7 overall record. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
