Hilda Voisin Buquet
August 25, 2009
Mary Little McFarland
August 27, 2009
Getting off to a fast start has been a positive habit for the Morgan City Tigers in the past two seasons.
In 2007, they jumped out to a 5-0 record, and last year they began 3-1 before falling to an overall record of 3-6.
But the team’s inability to win games in District 8-4 play has kept Morgan City from advancing to the Class 4A playoffs for the last two years.
In fact, fifth-year Tigers head coach Mark Millet is 0-23 in district competition. The road to earning that first district win will not get any easier this season.
District 8-4A boast last year’s Class 4A champion Belle Chasse Cardinals and the Class 3A champion Lutcher Bulldogs after the Louisiana High School Athletic Association redistricted schools in April.
“In my four years here, this district has produced two state champions, three state finalists and five state semifinalists,” Millet said. “I challenge anybody in the state to play a tougher district than we have been in. If you want to win a state title, the road goes through Morgan City.”
To combat the stiffer competition, the head coach has switched from the Wing-T offense to a multiple set offense.
With seven returning starters, the offense has quickly picked up the intricacies of the new system, according to Millet.
“We’re going to be improved. We’re going to do a few things different offensively,” he said.
“We have gone to this new offense to help us in those games where teams would stack the box to prevent us from running the ball,” he added. “We need to be able to throw the ball with some consistency. That’s what we have tried to implement in our offense.”
Leading the way will be new senior quarterback Cory Navarro, who has played at the wide receiver position the past three seasons.
Navarro didn’t know he was going to be the quarterback until a month ago. Former quarterback Chase Garrett transferred to Tuerlings Catholic High School in Lafayette when his father, former Tigers head baseball coach Richey Garrett, accepted a job at the school.
“Cory’s handling the transition well, and he’s showing good leadership qualities,” Millet said.
The hole to fill on offense is replacing Clint Navarro, a four-year starter and first team All-District selection at running back and safety.
“You’re talking about a guy who gained 1,900 yards for us the last two years and was a tremendous leader,” Millet explained. “We’ve tried to run four guys at the tailback spot – (seniors) Tramaine Francois (and) Sean Patterson, (sophomore) Adayami Wheeler and (junior) Denver Chapman.”
Francios moved to slot end along with fellow seniors Nick Forgey and second team All-District pick Troy Smith.
Patterson is battling with senior Shermaine Francois for the starting running back spot.
The offensive line consists of returning starters senior Trevor Hampton and junior Derrick Gros, and new junior starters Zack Lorenzo, Dominique Merritt and Tommy Nguyen.
“Our offensive line is starting to gel a little bit,” Millet acknowledged. “It’s a good group and they’re getting better every week.”
On defense, the Tigers return six starters.
The head coach expects the linebackers and secondary will be the strength of the unit.
The returning starters at linebacker are senior Ashton Gibson and junior Dylan Melancon; at cornerback Shermaine Francois; at strong safety Tremaine Francois; Walthour at tackle and Smith at end.
New starters are Navarro at free safety; Forgey at end; Nguyen at nose guard, and junior Jacobi Brown at cornerback. Hampton and Lorenzo are competing for the final spot at tackle.
Millet said defensive linemen has been the toughest part of practices.
“We’re small, so we have to try and find guys that can move no matter what we’re doing,” he said. “Some guys just aren’t quick enough. Some guys just aren’t big enough to play in the league we play in.”
Seniors Sergio Cerritos and Cody Fontenot will handle the kicking and punting duties respectively this season.
The Tigers believe this will be the year that they have a breakthrough and get that first District 8-4A win.
While they hit the pads in practice, Millet said he would also do “a lot of praying and lighting candles in church.”
“I hope this is the year we take that step forward,” he said. “When our kids walk out of here, they can honestly say they played in the best Class 4A district in the state of Louisiana. I don’t think anybody’s going to argue against that.”
Morgan City throwing the football? No, it’s not an illusion. Tigers coach Mark Millet has switched to a multiple set offense. Here, Cody Fontenot tosses a pass to Brodie Anslem (7) during practice. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
