Thibodaux finding ways to win in the playoffs

Prior to last season, the Thibodaux High Tigers had gone 16 years without a playoff win.

Despite making it to the postseason, the Tigers were “one and done” three straight times before head coach Dennis Lorio took over the team once again last year.

Lorio was the head coach of the winning Thibodaux team 16 years ago and since then has changed those misfortunes.

The team had their improbable run into the quarterfinal round of the playoffs last season before falling to Barbe in Lake Charles, setting the standard for this year’s team.

Well, they’ve responded yet again in the post season.

After their 27-17 win over St. Paul Friday night in Thibodaux, the Tigers (8-4) now have four playoff wins over the last two years and once again prepare for action in the quarterfinals.

Despite entering the playoffs as the No. 23 overall seed, the Tigers upset 10th seeded St. Thomas More in the Bi-District round before knocking off the seventh seed on Friday in the Regionals and are proving they can compete in the postseason.

The return of quarterback Trovon Reed in time for the playoffs made all the difference as the senior proved to be back in top form at the right time.

“I’m not a fool. I know how much Trovon means to our team but I still think he had some decisions to make that he could have made a little better,” Lorio said. “When we didn’t have him, we were getting knocked around. Now we get knocked around. We knock them back and keep fighting and competing. We’re blessed to have a kid like Trovon as our leader and we are blessed to be playing still in the final eight once again.

“The biggest thing is he had a hurt shoulder last year and we couldn’t throw the ball as much in the playoffs. But now we have just enough of a passing game to keep the defense modest.”

Reed’s two rushing touchdowns and one passing score would have been all the Tigers needed to hold off the Wolves but heading into Friday’s showdown against the West Monroe Rebels in Monroe, Lorio said this year’s team continued to find ways to win in the playoffs despite the script being flipped.

“Last year, we had an experienced team and were high seed and were able to use that experience to get us to the quarterfinals,” the coach said. “This year we may be in better shape than we were last year because of the way we are playing right now and at the right time.”

The Tigers’ defense hasn’t been a slouch, either.

In the second half of Friday’s game, the Tigers allowed seven points, forced a fumble on the goal line and picked off three passes in the fourth quarter.

For the Tigers to have any chance against the second-seeded Rebels Friday, the defense must continue doing what they have done throughout the playoffs, Lorio said.

“Our defense has done such a terrific job,” he said. “They play with a lot of heart. It’s amazing considering we only have three returning starters on that side of the ball.”

Linebacker Trey Granier gave credit to his defensive backs and his offense for the defenses strong performance in the playoffs.

“We’ve been getting great coverage from our secondary and our offense has kept us in the game,” he said. “West Monroe here we come.”

“We are going to take their best shot and give it our best,” Lorio added.

Thibodaux’s Trovon Reed (1) runs for a score as St. Paul’s Houston Bates chases him. The Tigers advanced to the quarterfinal round of the playoffs with a 27-17 win Friday night in Thibodaux. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER