Can lightning strike twice? CCA looking to build on 2013’s magical run
August 26, 2014
To split or not to split? That is the question
August 26, 2014
E.D. White High School football is not short on confidence with a new coach, new offense and favorable schedule for the 2014 season.
After 10 seasons as head coach, Kyle Lasseigne stepped down to just run the special teams and coach the defensive line. The team finished 5-6 in the regular season and was axed by Parkview Baptist in last year’s playoffs.
Defensive Coordinator Chris Bergeron took over as head coach after being on staff for all 10 years of Lasseigne’s tenure.
“I am excited and fortunate to be given the opportunity to carry on the tradition of our great program,” Bergeron said.
With the strong senior class for the Cardinals, there are high expectations for the season after falling short of a district title the last few years.
“This year we really want to win so we can get a high seed for the playoffs,” senior running back Connor Chiasson said. “If we get that, we go out and play smart in the playoffs and do well.”
With seven games on their home turf, the Cardinals are confident they can achieve those goals.
“Our fans will provide us with a competitive edge against those tough opponents,” Bergeron said. “I am confident that the fans will have Peltier Stadium rocking week in and week out.”
E.D. White’s offense likes to hit their opponents in the mouth by running the football, primarily out of the Wing-T option attack. Bergeron’s offensive philosophy is still to run it down opponents’ throats, but with a more modernized touch as they adapt to a pro-style offense.
“We have been triple option for a while,” Bergeron said. “We threw some things in that I liked and the offensive coordinator liked and that we felt were needed.”
Chiasson said this year’s ground and pound will have a modern touch as opposed to pitches and motion used with the Wing-T.
“This year is more handoffs and stuff you see on TV,” Chiasson said.
Chiasson along with fellow senior running back Darius Charles will be the two feature backs for the Cardinals, both of which described themselves as power backs.
“I am more of a power back and a read back…not speed, definitely not speed,” Chiasson said. “I leave that to the other guys. I have good vision and just go through the line.”
Charles loves the idea of running defenders over and does not shy away from the challenge.
“The one thing I want to be consistent with is power. If you can punch a defense in the mouth and wear them down, the fourth quarter is a breeze,” Charles said. “It is enjoyable to run guys over. You get to look at them in the eye, and add that personal touch to it.”
With the philosophy of pounding the ball remaining the same, the major change comes in the pass game. The idea is to spread the ball around and get his players in position to be the most successful.
E.D. White returns junior quarterback Ben Sposito who started as a sophomore last season. Bergeron expects his second-year starter to run the offense effectively, having no doubts.
“Ben brings an extreme competitive nature. He wants to succeed,” Bergeron said. “With his leadership and him wanting everything to be executed to perfection, it is huge for us.”
Sposito will have a new target to throw to with senior Mason Perque from the Cardinal basketball team. Bergeron has been impressed by Perque’s ability on all accounts.
“He can jump and run. More importantly for us, he understands spacing and how to get open. That is key for us,” Bergeron said. “He has tremendous body control. He can go up and get the football.”
Perque took his talents back to the football field surprsing several teammates with how quick he adapted.
“It was crazy because he played with us in eighth grade and decided it is time to play again, but he looks like he has been playing with us for years,” Charles said.
Even with the addition of Perque, the one key element Charles feels the offense has missed is the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Chiasson has never been in a system that allowed him to be a threat in the pass attack, but has embraced the role in full stride.
“Everybody is used to us running the ball and throwing here and there. Now they have to worry about swing routes out of the backfield or vertical routes downfield,” the senior running back said. “It is a little different, but we have to adjust and I love it.”
While the offense goes through their transition period, nothing has changed on the defensive side of the ball.
The Cardinals will continue to run the 4-2-5, but admitted it has been challenging trying to slow down spread offenses.
“We have been evolving more to spread offenses so that has been a little bit of a transition for us,” Bergeron said.
Bergeron believes this may be the best secondary E.D. White has seen in years led by senior safeties Thomas Legendre and Marcus Kliebert.
The speed of the defense could potentially cause fits for opponents, especially at linebacker with seniors Frank Robicheaux and Luke Hagen.
“They can go sideline to sideline so trying to block them everyday is terrible,” Chiasson said.
E.D. White quarterback Ben Sposito is back for the Cardinals in 2014, something that is a source of excitement for the team under first-year coach Chris Bergeron.
