CCA excited about playoff possibilities
August 29, 2013
Ellender wants to build on last year’s success
August 29, 2013
Thibodaux High School’s football team is loaded with playmakers.
If everything goes well, the Tigers think they’ll be able to hang crooked numbers on opponents this season.
Using that firepower is the main key Thibodaux is using in its attempt to flip around last year’s 3-6 record and evolve into a postseason team.
“We’re excited about our offense,” Thibodaux coach Chris Dugas said. “We have some playmakers – some guys who can stretch the field. I think we’re going to have a solid running game. We had a solid spring, and we feel pretty good about our offense’s ability to give problems for other teams this season.”
The main cog in Thibodaux’s offense is halfback Donta Johnson.
The Tigers’ stud halfback rushed for more than 1,300 yards in just nine games last season. Johnson’s success earned him First-Team All-State honors for Class 5A.
Dugas said Johnson has worked hard over the summer and will be even better in 2013.
“He’s the heart and soul of our offense,” Dugas said. “He’s just that type of kid. He’s willing to sacrifice and do what’s best for the team. He’s been that way for us since his sophomore year for us. He’s got great character and his teammates look up to him. In pro sports, you hear the term ‘Face of the franchise’ a lot. Donta is that. He is the face of our team on the offensive side of the ball.”
This year, Dugas said Johnson will have double-duty and will see his time split between halfback and quarterback.
When Johnson isn’t under center, Dugas said converted safety Peyton Bonvillain would anchor the offense.
“The thing about the both of them is that they’re both exceptional athletes,” Dugas said. “It gives us some leeway and some room to do what we want at the quarterback position out of our spread offense. We like to do some things other than throwing the football with our quarterbacks in this offense.”
Offensive lineman Bryce Poincon said he likes the way the Tigers’ quarterbacking duo has looked so far in practice.
“I think there are going to be a lot of big plays,” Poincon said. “We have a lot of speed and a lot of explosiveness. It’s awesome to see.”
In addition to the quarterbacks, Dugas said Thibodaux is loaded with playmakers on the edges.
Wide receiver Jason Richard is back and has the ability to take the top off opposing defenses.
“He’s a two-time All-District kid,” Dugas said. “He was Second-Team All-District as a sophomore and then last year he was Second-Team again, but I think he only played five games because of an injury. He’s got great speed. He’s a great kid. Having him takes a lot of pressure off of Donta. That’s a big help for us.”
Thibodaux also has a slew of its offensive linemen back – a group including Poincon and Josh Matherne, who returned to the Tigers’ program after a year in Alabama.
“He’s going to play left guard for us,” Dugas said. “He’s 6-foot-3 and 240. He’s a big kid. We’re excited about what he’s going to be able to do for us.”
Defense is where the Tigers will need a little polish.
Dugas said the Tigers return three starters from last year’s group.
But he said that the players on that side of the ball have shown a competitive edge that he is excited about.
Dugas pointed to the team’s success in the spring game with E.D. White as proof that the Tigers will be able to keep opponents out of the end zone.
“They’re pretty salty,” Dugas said. “In the spring game, I was very happy – I was happier with the defense than the offense. With E.D. White, you expect a big, physical offensive line coming down at you. Our defense did a really good job holding them to just one score in that game.”
Returning linebacker Jacob Bergeron agreed with his coach’s assessment.
He said the Tigers’ defense would be able to make stops, force turnovers and give the football back to the potent offense.
“We’ve got a lot of seniors on that side,” Bergeron said. “I think we’re going to be ready to play. We have a lot of experience and a lot of guys that are hungry to go out there and show the teams in this area that we can play at a high level, too.”
So with all of the talent seemingly in place, the Tigers are focused on taking the next step.
Thibodaux is better – no doubt.
But so are the other teams in the Bayou District, including the three new additions – Hahnville, Destrehan and East St. John.
“We are excited,” Dugas said. “But we know that we have a lot of work to do. We think we’ve improved, but the rest of the district has probably improved, too. We think we have a really good chance to get things on track and to have a really, really solid season.”
Thibodaux High School quarterback Peyton Bonvillain and Donta Johnson share the football before a fall practice. Tigers coach Chris Dugas said his team will rely heavily on both players to give Thibodaux a powerful offense in 2013. The Tigers have a slew of returning skill players and linemen to make their offensive engine tick.
