UP CLOSE: Quarterback leads offense with legs, not arm

Central Lafourche quarterback Neal Foret is at the epicenter of a triple-option offense that is still trying to find its identity under coach Chad Callais.

But Foret made sure it clicked in the Trojans district opener against Terrebonne.

The 6-foot, 195-pound signal caller rushed for 103 yards and three touchdowns in his team’s commanding 41-6 victory.

On Friday, he also completed two touchdown passes to help lead Central Lafourche past Assumption in a 28-27 nail-biter.

The Sports Net caught up with Foret to talk a little pigskin.

Sports Net: How would you say the season is going?

Neal Foret: I think it’s going good so far, but we have to do some things better. We need to stop blowing assignments and need to start holding onto football more. Penalties have also hurt.

SN: If you had to assign yourself a grade, what would it be?

NF: I think a B.

SN: Why?

NF: Because I haven’t been misreading assignments too badly. Plus my running (has been good), and I’ve done well following blocks.

SN: Tell me about the life of a quarterback. Is it an easy one or a hard one?

NF: It’s not bad. You just have to remember a lot of stuff and go over it, do mental reps and think about what you have to do before a game.

SN: When do you normally do this?

NF: The night before a game for a little bit until the (actual) game. I probably spend about one and a half to two hours a week watching (game) films.

SN: Do anything special to exercise the arm and keep it lose?

NF: Not really. We run a triple option offense, so don’t have to throw much. I enjoy throwing, but whenever I run the ball it doesn’t matter.

SN: What about the homework? Is it almost like having an extra class?

NF: It’s not that bad. You get a lot of it down in practice – just thinking about it and listening to the coach and doing what he tells you to.

SN: You didn’t complete any passes in your win over Terrebonne, but you did a lot of damage with your legs – 103 yards and three touchdowns. Do you feel more comfortable keeping the ball on the ground most games?

NF: I think I’m happy keeping it on the ground as long as we’re getting yards, but I like to throw every once in a while. I usually throw maybe three to four times a game, sometimes more. I threw a little more in our last game.

SN: So what’s it going to take to get Central Lafourche into the playoffs?

NF: Hard work and dedication.

SN: Think the team’s chances are better than that of the Saints?

NF: (Laughs) Yeah. I’m not big on the Saints.

SN: Are you buying into coach Callais’ system?

NF: I think everybody is because it’s a good system and it’s working for us.

SN: Do you have much of a life away from the field, or does being a student athlete keep you pretty busy?

NF: It keeps me busy, but I have a life away from football.

SN: Will football be a part of your post-high school plans?

NF: Maybe. I’m not sure yet. I’m kind of seeing how this season goes.