Hilda Voisin Buquet
August 25, 2009
Mary Little McFarland
August 27, 2009
Dennis Lorio returned to Thibodaux High School’s sidelines last season after a 17-year hiatus, not knowing what to expect.
Memories of leading the squad that brought home the school’s lone state championship in 1991 frequently spoke to his desire to give coaching another try. So when the head-coaching job came open in 2007, Lorio said he didn’t hesitate to apply.
Little did he know just how special last season would be.
Behind senior leadership with a will to win, the Tigers finished the season 10-0, winning their first district championship and playoff game since 1991 to help make Thibodaux football a force in the area again.
But now the coach, who holds a 54-19 overall record at the school, faces his toughest challenge yet – keeping that momentum going.
It’s a challenge he happily accepts.
Lorio said it is important to remind his team that what happened a year ago is history, and it’s time for a new Tiger team to establish its own identity on the gridiron.
“It’s Ryan Johnson’s, our offensive captain, and Javonti Knockum’s, our defensive captain, turn to be in the leadership role,” he noted. “We feel like we have enough talent and team leadership to compete for the district championship. We were fortunate to do well last year, but now we are back to 0-0.”
Lorio believes developing a team into a district champion starts with non-district play, where the Tigers play four teams who were a combined 30-7 last season and all made the playoffs – McDonogh 35, defending state champion Destrehan, perennial 5A powerhouse Dutchtown and the season ender on Cox Sports against St. Augustine.
“With only five returning starters, the non-district games will be crucial for our development,” he said. “We are going to face some very talented teams, some very explosive offenses. We have a lot of new players in the front seven on defense but we felt really good about what they did in the spring. We’re young but we have to stay healthy.”
The key to the Tigers offensive success will be their returning offensive starters from a year ago – seniors Brandon Duncan and All-District, All-Region and 2nd Team All -State selection Trovon Reed.
Reed, considered one of the state’s top recruits for 2009, looks to improve on last year’s stats in which he threw for 694 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed for an additional 756 yards and 10 touchdowns.
“Trovon picked up where he left off last year,” the coach explained. “He’s really improved his passing skills and he has a much better understanding of the offense. Everything else is new but we have talent there.”
His counterpart in the offense, Duncan, has equally impressed his coach with his running between the tackles, and is looking for big things out of himself this season.
“Me and Trovon know it’ll be up to us not to let anyone slack on offense,” the fullback said. “We still have some work to do but we are going to get it.”
Joining the two on offense are a variety of new starters including senior tight ends Dylan Douglas and Drew Loupe, senior split ends Karmichael Green and Ryan Johnson, offensive tackles senior Chris Hawkins and sophomore Joel Fussell, guards senior Dylan Chiasson and junior Gregory Robinson, sophomore center Cam Campbell and junior running backs Josh Johnson and Raheem Richard.
Defense proved to be the Tigers’ strong point last season, not yielding a single point until the fourth game of the season.
The loss of district and region MVP defensive lineman Carlos Coler (Hines Community College) and All-District and All-Region linebacker Blake Poincon (Northwestern State) leaves voids for the Tigers that an array of talent will rotate to fill throughout the season.
Led by three returning starters – senior defensive backs Knockum, Tyler Jenkins and Chad Fletcher, the Tigers secondary is sure to be a strong point this season, according to Lorio.
“We feel really good about our three returners,” Lorio said. “They are going to help lead this defense.”
Fellow senior Trenton Francis and junior Cartel Murray will help the three anchor the defensive backfield.
On the defensive line, the Tigers will rotate Douglas and Duncan at defensive end along with junior Harry Ford.
Senior Michael Cook, junior Brandon Carreras and sophomore Eric Trench will rotate at defensive tackle.
In the linebacking corps, senior Josh Arceneaux, juniors Dillon Landry, Kevin Cox and Chris LeBlanc and sophomore Trey Granier are expected to see playing time. Senior Drew Williamson will handle punting and kicking duties again this season.
“We want to take each game as it is knowing we are going to have ups and downs and just keep rolling,” Lorio said. “(The team) thinks we can win it. Other people think we can win district, so that’s our goal.”
Thibodaux’s Trovon Reed (left) and Brandon Duncan will carry the load for the Tiger offense this season. Reed will start this season at quarterback after splitting time as a receiver as well last year. The Tigers look to improve on their quarterfinal run to the Class 5A state playoffs a year ago. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
