Team expects better game experience

The Houma Conquerors have gone through some changes since their last home game five weeks ago.

But they hope the most important change comes on Saturday when they take on the Texas Pirates (4-1) at 7 p.m. in the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

The Conquerors (0-5) are the only winless team in the Southern Indoor Football League. To get their first victory, the team has to correct its errors, according to owner and head coach Franklin Thomas.

“We haven’t stopped making dumb mistakes like turning the ball over,” he said. “We have to put some points on the board. In indoor football, you have to be able to put points on the board to even have a chance to win games. We haven’t done that in our first five games.”

It’s a far cry from Thomas’ preseason goal of having the most disciplined team in the SIFL.

Offensively, the Conquerors have averaged 25 points a game, second lowest in the league. The team is dead last in turnover margin (-10), penalties (51) and penalty yards (352).

Quarterback Omar Haugabook leads the SIFL in passing yards (763), passing efficiency (99.9), and completion percentage (54.9). However, he has also thrown the most interceptions (10) and been sacked more than any quarterback in the league – 12 times for a total loss of 62 yards.

“It’s a no-brainer we’re having problems with our offensive line,” Thomas said. “It’s also a product of this being the first time Omar has played indoor football. You can’t hold on to the football as long as you do in the outdoor game. That’s the type of thing we have to clean up to make a run at it these last six games.”

The Conquerors have the second-ranked defense in the SIFL, allowing 182 yards a game.

They have given up nearly 49 points a game during their 0-5 start. Thomas said that stat is slanted due to points coming on special teams and interceptions returned for touchdowns, which doesn’t count against the defense.

“In indoor football, if you’re holding teams to under 50 points, you’re doing pretty well,” he explained. “It’s a 50-yard field, so you’re going to get scored on. Coming into a game, you hope defensively you get two to three stops, maybe a turnover or two. After that, the offense has to come in and score on pretty much every drive, even if it’s a field goal.”

Since the last home game, a 64-32 loss to the Austin Turfcats on April 26, Thomas has made changes with the offensive and defensive linemen, linebacker, defensive back and running back.

Among the key changes: linebacker Sebyro Daniels replaces Tim Bingham; defensive lineman Derrick Byrd replaces Roosevelt Thomas who suffered a concussion in the May 23 game against the Louisiana Swashbucklers; and offensive lineman DeShawn Jones replaces Arthur Smith.

After giving the team off the past week, the head coach hopes everybody returns to practice refreshed and ready to turn the season around.

“Right now, it’s about getting a good chemistry going with the new guys, and stop making so many mistakes,” Thomas said. “That’s one thing we haven’t done. Those are the things we have to do to get in the win column.”

Thomas has had more success off the field than on it with the Terrebonne Parish Council.

Last month, the council approved reducing the Conquerors’ lease agreement from a $4,200 fee per event for the main halls and $300 per additional room to a $2,500 fee and $150 for use of the center’s equipment.

Even when he signed the original lease, Thomas planned to renegotiate the deal.

“We were told $4,200 was the cheapest rate at that time. Maybe it was a misunderstanding between the former director (David Ohlmeyer) and me,” Thomas said. “We didn’t challenge it that much because we had to get ready for the season. Time was not on our side.”

Thomas and new civic center Executive Director Janel Ricca are assuring fans that Saturday’s game will go smoother than the April 26 home debut against the Turfcats.

SIFL officials delayed that game two-and-a-half hours over safety concerns about a lack of padding on the dasher boards surrounding the field.

“We have all been in contact to make everything run as smooth as possible,” Ricca said. “It’s not only a reflection on the football team but the civic center when things don’t start on time. We have a lot more lead time, so I expect the next game will come off successful.”

Thomas offered attendees of the game a voucher for either a full refund or half-price tickets for another Conquerors’ game this season. So far no one has accepted the offer, according to Thomas.

“Other than the delay and losing that first game, people said they had fun,” he said. “That’s what we expect the rest of the season – people to come in, watch indoor football and enjoy some quality family entertainment.”

Houma Conquerors’ offensive lineman Arthur Smith (far right) celebrates his touchdown in their home debut April 26. The Conquerors return to the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center on Saturday as the SIFL’s only winless team. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF