Tarpons’ key to 5-1 record: Senior leadership

It’s the same guys, roster-wise, for the most part.

But this year’s result – so far, anyway – is dramatically different.

Gone are the 1-9 South Lafourche Tarpons of 2008. Today, the team is 5-1, first in their district – and on the hunt for more wins.

First-year head coach Terry Farmer said the team had talent all along, but now they believe in themselves.

He credits the returning leadership with this year’s change.

“It’s a great thing when you have 30 seniors to rally your team around,” Farmer said. “We are very fortunate to have to have the leadership we do. This team knows they are winners, and it’s carrying over game after game.”

Led by senior quarterback Cameron Esponge, and a senior-laden offensive line anchored by Rafe Plaisance, the Tarpons are circling in new territory.

A win this Friday against the H.L. Bourgeois Braves will solidify the team’s first winning season since 2003. And the Tarpons are contenders for their first district title since 1996. That year, they shared the title with Central Lafourche.

They clinched their first non-loosing season since 2006 with a 37-3 win over South Terrebonne on Friday.

But Farmer and his Tarpons aren’t looking that far ahead. They’re enjoying their early success, but not letting it go to their heads, he said.

“I’ve won district titles before and really our eyes are on something more,” he said. “It really means nothing if you win the title then lose out in the first round of the playoffs. Yeah, it’s great and we would love to bring a district championship here, but we are eyeing a run in the playoffs.”

A large part of the Tarpons’ early success is the play of their defense, also a senior-laden unit.

All season, the stout Tarpons’ defense has held its own, providing a spark for the offense.

“All that is a testament to the players,” the coach said. “They come in and work hard every week. They are the ones who believed in themselves to make this happen.”

Farmer said remaining focused heading into the remaining four games of the season is crucial.

“We talk about it all the time,” the coach said. “I always tell them don’t get too high after a win or too low after a loss. We have to keep our composure and not buy into anything until we’ve reached our goal. They have done a good job of doing that so far.”

Now 2-0 overall in district play, the head coach’s fans proudly wear their pride. T-shirts bearing the phrase “Faith in Farmer” have been cropping up in recent weeks.

The head coach is hopeful that faith – and a solid performance by his seniors – takes the Tarpons to the postseason and beyond.