Team’s star wide receiver, 11 other starters returning

In 2007, South Terrebonne head coach Richard Curlin left 20th century football behind.

He was introduced briefly to the wonders of the passing game, but he had no plans to stick with it.

“Last year, we were forced to go to more of a passing offense,” Curlin said. “Opponents were able to put a lot of people in the box. We just weren’t effective running the ball.”

Injuries to the fullbacks meant the Gators could not successfully execute the run-oriented Wing-T offense. The team averaged seven pass attempts a game in 2006; last year, it averaged 18 attempts per game.

The biggest beneficiary was then-junior wide receiver Mike Barba. He had a breakout season with 35 catches for 745 yards and 15 touchdowns. Those stats earned him First Team All-District and Second Team All-State honors.

“Last year, I worked hard during the season trying to learn the offense,” said Barba, who is a senior this year. “Coming in as a junior, I did not really play my sophomore year. This year I hope, to improve and take it to the next level.”

“We knew he was capable of doing it, but he made some catches that I didn’t know he was capable of last year,” Curlin said. “We got more confident in throwing the ball because of what Mike was doing.”

Barba noticed teams were focusing on him by last season’s end and at the spring scrimmage against Patterson. However, Barba is confident his teammates will step up and take the pressure off.

“I’m looking for my teammates to help me out a little,” he said. “We all know I can’t do it by myself.”

A likely candidate to play at the next level, Barba is getting serious interest from several Louisiana colleges.

“A whole bunch of coaches came and talked to me from UL (Lafayette), Southeastern, Louisiana Tech and Nicholls mostly,” he said. “LSU sends me stuff, but they’re not really that interested in me.”

The Gators went 5-5 (3-3 in District 8-5A) and missed the playoffs last year after making it in 2006.

The offense returns six starters but is without potent All-District tandem quarterback Blake Martin (who is attending Louisiana College) and tight end Brandon Williams (at ULL).

Junior Quenton Lirette takes over at quarterback. Although he learned a lot from Martin, who threw for 1,302 yards and 21 touchdowns, Lirette admits he may be a better fit for the Wing-T offense.

“I’m a little more running style quarterback,” he said. “He (Blake) taught me how to be under control. I’m the leader of the team. If something goes wrong, it’s my fault. I’ve got to take control of everything and not let it get out of hand.”

After an offseason getting comfortable passing to Barba, Lirette hopes to lead the Gators back to the playoffs.

“Last year, we didn’t do as good as we should have,” he said. “I think we have the team to go back to the playoffs.”

Heading the running game will be the Gator’s leading rusher in 2007, senior Basille Dardar. The offensive line has two returning starters anchored by seniors Nick Valure and Ian Marts.

Last season, all 11 defensive starters were new. With eight of those players returning, Curlin is expecting better play from that unit, especially the linebackers.

“I believe last year we were weakest at the linebacker position,” he said. “We are going to be better at that position.”

Top returning defenders include Second Team All-District junior tackle Christian Lirette and Honorable Mention All-District senior safety Garrett Falgout.

In the kicking game, Barba (punter) and junior Justin Pitre (kicker) step in to replace Ben Landry, who graduated last year. He averaged 40.23 yards per punt, made 24-of-30 point after tries and 6-of-12 field goals last year.

With enrollment at South Terrebonne down to about 1,000, the Gators may be dropped from class 5A to 4A next year.

That may be a good thing for Curlin, a 19-year head coach at South Terrebonne. In his second year, 1991, he led the Gators to the 4A state championships.

“We were on the bubble twice before being the smallest 5A team,” he said. “Even if we drop down to 4A, it’s not like we won’t have the local teams on the non-district schedule.”