Parity rules the day

The best part about prep football season is that I get paid to watch a football game literally every, single Friday night of the season.

That’s like a dream. Who doesn’t want to be paid to do something that they love doing? Heck, if I didn’t have this job, I would be doing the same thing, except inside out. I’d be paying to watch local games so that I could support the area’s athletes.

But the worst part about the season is that if I’m at one game, I’m missing six or seven others that I’d like to attend, too.

Man, if only I could be in multiple places at once – this job would be so much more fun.

But the beauty of modern prep football is that there is so much technology that makes the game more accessible than it’s ever been before.

Because of our area’s awesome coaches, I’m able to watch bits and pieces of pretty much every local game on HUDL – a software program that’s a God sent for people like me who can’t stand to be away from the action.

So the season is now a month old (if one counts the jamboree), and I have a bit of a dilemma.

That dilemma is this: I don’t have a stinkin’ clue what’s going to happen in the rest of the season.

Parity is here in Houma-Thibodaux area prep football, and while that drives me nuts (I love to know what’s going to happen before it does), it’s an awesome thing for local fans of the sport.

In District 7-5A, area teams will be in for a challenge literally every, single night.

The River Parish teams (Hahnville, Destrehan and East St. John) dominate the headlines most of the time – and rightfully so.

But let me tell you guys a little secret. There are a handful of area Class 5A schools that can play with the best of ‘em, too.

Thibodaux is loaded (as always), and the Tigers will not be an easy out for anyone in the area. With Amik Robertson in the backfield and a slew of other playmakers to his left and right, the Tigers can score a touchdown on literally every, single play. That weapon makes them a team that will be difficult to deal with – no matter their opponent in a given week.

But Thibodaux aside, Central Lafourche is good.

Keith Menard is a heck of a coach, and the Trojans have completely turned their program around under his watch.

With Jake Allemand under center and receivers Kenneth Poindexter and David Robinson, the Trojans can put up big-time points in the passing game.

But their not half bad on the ground, either, with Nelton Allen more than capable of getting quick hitters and big-time yardage between the tackles during games.

On the periphery are Terrebonne and H.L. Bourgeois, and neither of those teams are slouches. Both can score upsets in big games, and may do so as the season unfolds.

Over in District 7-4A, we have a jumbled mess – much like we do in Class 5A.

I can literally make the argument for four – maybe five teams – to be the favorite in that district, which means that the eventual district champion may be the team that gets the luckiest bounce along the way.

Last year’s champ was Assumption, and they’re athletic as heck – as always.

But they started the season 0-2, which has many thinking that a new champion may soon be crowned.

If not Assumption, the likeliest challengers are South Lafourche, Vandebilt or Ellender – all which have proven capable of high-powered offense so far this season.

The Tarpons were the runners-up last season, and they scored 67 points in their first two games. With Jaydon Cheramie at quarterback and Corbin Allen behind him, South Lafourche has a one-two punch that may be unrivaled in the area.

At Vandebilt, quarterback Andrew Robison is a stud – a guy who may be the best individual player in the entire area.

With his cannon for a right arm and a slew of worthwhile receivers, the Terriers can blitz a defense for 40-plus points in literally every game. If they get their defense on the right page, they just may be the favorite to win the crown.

Ellender is a bit of a wild card in the mix. Sure, they don’t have the winning tradition the other schools have, but they for sure as heck have dominant players. DaVontavean Martin is an absolute stud, and he’s flanked with talented athletes all around the Patriots’ spread offense.

The key for the Patriots will be getting stops. If Ellender’s defense can get the ball back to its offense, they can beat anyone – just like everyone else.

So there you have it. The 2016 season is a month old, and I literally have no clue what’s going to happen in the future.

Pretty much every game feels like a 50/50 toss-up, and the only thing certain is that uncertainty will rule the day.

That’s good for fans, but bad for me.

I’m a control freak.

I like to know what’s going to happen before it actually happens.

Nothing about this season indicates that’s going to be the case. •

Thibodaux football

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