Russell Bruce
September 22, 2009
Zenobia Barrow
September 24, 2009
Surely the scoreboard didn’t read the way they had intended but the South Lafourche Tarpons believe they got a lot out of Thursday night’s 26-24 triple overtime loss to the E.D. White Cardinals.
For the first time since 2003, the Tarpons were 2-0 going into Thursday. Several squandered opportunities, including a blocked field goal near the end of regulation play and in the first overtime, kept South Lafourche from its first 3-0 season start since the 1990s.
But there’s plenty to be proud about this year, first-year Tarpon head coach Terry Farmer is quick to note.
For starters, this season’s two-win tally is equal to last season’s entire win record.
“We had about five chances to win (Thursday’s) game. It just didn’t happen,” Farmer said. “We kept fighting. It just didn’t work out for us.
“We have nothing to moan about, nothing to go home and complain about,” he added. “Nothing was perfect but we have to keep fighting.”
The team’s courageous response to adversity has renewed hopes – Farmer’s and Tarpon fans.
Despite trailing 15-0 at one point in the second quarter, the Tarpons defense rallied, holding the Cardinals’ run-oriented offense in check. South Lafourche’s offense responded in kind, eventually forcing the game into overtime.
“They never quit. They buckled down and stayed focused,” Farmer said. “That is something that they hadn’t been able to do in the past.”
During the post-game prayer, Farmer said his team expressed thanks for the drive. “They didn’t give up and that is what they were most proud of.”
Unlike last season, the coach said players in skill positions are rising to the challenges.
The Tarpons’ offense, led by quarterback Cameron Esponge and running backs Rusty Borne and Justin Galjour, has been clicking on all cylinders. The team scored 34 and 24, respectively.
Borne also eclipsed the 100-yard mark in all-purpose yards in South Lafourche’s first three outings.
The defense, in the meantime, has also held its own, Farmer said, holding their opponents to a combined 32 points – and allowing only six points combined in their first two games.
Friday night’s matchup against Vandebilt Catholic High School is the team’s last before district play begins Oct. 2 against Terrebonne High.
The coach is emphasizing the basics at this week’s practices in anticipation of the next test.
“It’s a pretty emotional high here right now,” Farmer said. “You would like to say a loss is good, but a loss is never good. Good things can come out of it. We’re going to regroup and work hard. These kids know they can compete now. They have confidence.”
With that fearlessness, Farmer is confident his team can compete in District 8-5A. It’s just a matter of putting it all together at the right time.
“We just have to keep playing,” he said. “We’re going to get back to work and see if we can continue to turn this thing around.”
South Lafourche’s Rusty Bourg tries to fend off E.D. White’s Jacob Daigle during high school football action last week. Despite the triple-overtime loss, Tarpons coach Terry Farmer remains optimistic about his team’s future. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
