Vandebilt looks to forge ahead with youth movement

With only seven starters returning from last year’s playoff squad, the youth infusion has commenced at Vandebilt Catholic.

A lack of depth and experience in the trenches and flux at quarterback has some of the Terrier faithful concerned about the upcoming season, but an electric offensive threat, a handful of stalwarts in key positions and the potential emergence of youth has those inside the program feeling optimistic.

“Our offensive and defensive line aren’t as strong as they were last year, so you’ve got a lot of people doubting us, they don’t think we’re going to be as good as we were,” said Beau Smith, a senior wide receiver and safety. “I think we’re a sleeper team. I think we’ll surprise a few people.”

One of the most exciting players in the Tri-parishes, Elijah McGuire will split time at halfback and quarterback and figures to handle the ball on a frequent basis.

After averaging nearly eight yards per carry on 41 attempts as a sophomore in 2010, McGuire will the featured player in Vandebilt’s offense this year and looks to be a sure bet to top the four touchdowns he scored last season.

“McGuire brings strengths on everything,” Vandebilt head coach Laury Dupont said. “He can do things with a football not so many people can do because of his speed and quickness. He can take a broken play and make a good play.

“I think where he goes, we go.”

McGuire will be the Terriers’ starting running back and is slated to sub in for starting quarterback Sam LeCure in veer sets and running situations.

LeCure drew praise from his teammates and head coach for having a strong arm.

All-District wide-out Smith will flank the duo, and Dupont said sophomore tight end Chase Hawthorne will be counted on as an offensive threat as the coaching staff shifts to an approach that will rely on the tight end.

“The potential of this offense is great,” LeCure, a junior, said. “Right now, we’re just working every day and trying to get better.”

On the other side of the ball, senior linebacker Seth Ward anchors the Terrier defense. Trying to improve on an already-stellar career, including an 18-tackle game and All-State selection in 2010, Ward worked out twice a day during the offseason.

“We have a lot of athletic ability on the linebacker corps,” Ward said. “We’ve got some young guys, but they’re athletes and they have the potential to be really good. They’re big, and we’re probably the most experienced out of everybody else on the field.”

Smith, who was an All-District honorable mention at safety, will lead the defensive backs.

Considering the exodus of senior trenchmen following 2010, Dupont said the defense would aim to confuse the opposition.

“We’re going to do some movement,” the head coach said. “If our defense can move, make some sparks and cause turnovers and give the offense a chance, you never know what’s going to happen.”

Due to district reshuffling, Vandebilt’s schedule will differ from last year, when the Terriers went 8-3.

Helen Cox is off the list, and Belle Chasse was moved to pre-district. In their place, Assumption and South Terrebonne joined District 8-4A.

“Assumption went to the playoffs in 5-A and South Terrebonne was 7-3 in 5-A and didn’t make the playoffs,” Dupont said. “That’s going to be the two teams to beat. Nothing against Ellender or Morgan City, but I’d have to put Assumption as the team to beat.”

Vandebilt’s greatest strength, Dupont said, is the kicking game. “Kicking the ball in the end zone, punting the ball 40-plus yards, if we can do that, field position will really help us a lot.”

It all comes down to competing along the line of scrimmage, Dupont said.

“We lost a lot of players on offensive and defensive line,” Dupont said. “We’re rebuilding there, plus [we’re short on] depth there, too. If we could get some people to step up and play, right now we’ve got some young kids playing there, we’ll see what happens.”

The head coach said “brighter” days are in the Terriers’ future, but he refused to overlook the upcoming season, both from a competitive and player development standpoint.

“We’re in the present, so we’re kind of looking forward to these kids developing now,” Dupont said. “Our freshmen class, we feel, is going to be a really outstanding class. In fact, we’ve got five of them that made varsity. These young guys are going to have to play.”

Vandebilt Catholic Terriers

District 8-4A

Sept. 2 at E.D. White

Sept. 9 vs. St. Charles

Sept. 16 at Plaquemine

Sept. 23 vs. St. James

Sept. 30 at Belle Chasse

Oct. 7 at South Terrebonne*

Oct. 14 vs. H.L. Bourgeois

Oct. 21 vs. Assumption*

Oct. 28 at Morgan City*

Nov. 4 vs. Ellender*

* Denotes district game

Coach: Laury Dupont

Assistant Coaches: Calvin Buxton, Matt Falgout, Erik Peterson, Keith Richard, Don Rodrigue, Corey Sullivan, Brad Villavaso

Record last season: 8-3

Returning Starters: 7

Players to Watch: Elijah McGuire, Seth Ward, Beau Smith

Primary Strength: Special Teams

Fun FACTS

2: The number of home games Vandebilt plays in the first six games of the season

52: The total points allowed for the Terriers in five district games

2: The number of positions Terriers’ explosive standout Elijah McGuire will play on offense, halfback and spot quarterback

Vandebilt senior Seth Ward makes a play in a summer 7-on-7 game. Ward’s biggest contributions come at linebacker, where he hopes to lead the Terriers to a strong 2011 season. CASEY GISCLAIR