Tarpons hopeful for renewed success in 2018

Year 1 was pretty good for South Lafourche coach Blake Forsythe.

The Tarpons finished as the District 7-4A runners-up, advanced to the playoffs and were able to play a postseason game at home for the first time in a while.

Now, the goal is making sure that year one’s successes are the norm and not the exception in Galliano.

The Tarpons are working hard on the practice fields this fall with hope of building on 2017’s postseason berth. The team has returnees on both sides of the ball and also momentum from what Forsythe said was a successful spring, summer and early fall camp.

“We want to make it to the playoffs every year. That’s always the goal,” Forsythe said. “I think everyone knows what’s expected of them now and I think the kids know what we’re looking for. We have some experienced players back on both sides of the ball and we’re excited to get to work and start the process over.”

The Tarpons have familiarity back around its roster.

Offensively, senior quarterback Brock Bailleaux is back after starting all 11 games for the Tarpons last year, helping lead the team to the playoffs.

Bailleaux has a powerful right arm, but if things go according to plan, he won’t be asked to use it much. The quarterback is also fleet of foot and is capable of making plays with his legs, when asked.

“I hate throwing the football,” Forsythe said with a laugh.

If the Tarpons execute their offense the way that Forsythe would like, they’ll control the line of scrimmage and get a lot of players looks in their triple option alignment.

Senior Jake Galjour will shoulder a lot of the Tarpons’ offensive load, as well as Jelby Cheramie, Terry Wheaton and Aaron Vestal, among others.

On the edges, Eric Thibodaux will be one of the team’s primary weapons to stretch the field.

Forsythe said the Tarpons slightly tweaked their offense over the offseason, but the focus will still be to control the clock and shorten games.

Up front, South Lafourche has First-Team All-District lineman Jhy Orgeron back and he will anchor an experienced, seasoned line.

“We want to get yards on first down,” Forsythe said. “We want to control the clock, down and distance and play at our speed. For us, that’s a key. If we don’t do those things, that’s when we will have problems.”

Defensively, the Tarpons have playmakers and aggressive upperclassmen who will fly to the ball.

Senior Shane Billiot is arguably one of the top returning defensive players in the area — a name that opponents will have to scheme for next season.

Billiot moved from outside linebacker to inside linebacker this season and he’s fit the role seamlessly. In scrimmages, he’s been a disruptive force to the offense.

“He’s been just relentless,” Forsythe said. “He always finds the football.”

But he’s not alone.

The Tarpons also expect good things from linebacker Austin Danos, defensive back Zack Pitre, as well as returnees Nathaniel Long, Kieran Pate, Elijah Barnett and Alex LaFont, among others. Newcomers Joseph Pierce and Caleb Carr will pitch in, as well. 

In the fall scrimmage, the Tarpons locked horns with Patterson and won the live quarter 14-0. One of those two scores came via an interception return for a touchdown.

Forsythe said the Tarpons’ intensity defensively has shined brightly throughout camp.

“We really put an emphasis on tackling this offseason,” Forsythe said. “We wanted to be better at it and I think the kids have bought into that and have done a good job. Those kids have a lot of fight.”

Now, it’s time to take it to the field.

The Tarpons’ journey starts tough. They face De La Salle in Week 1, then Thibodaux in Week 2 — both on the road.

The Tarpons also face the usual District 7-4A grind, but games with contenders E.D. White and Assumption are both on the road.

“We have to be ready,” Forsythe said. “We told the kids that the whole first month of the year is on the road away from home. The scrimmage is at Patterson, the jamboree is at Thibodaux. The first game is in New Orleans and then we’re at Thibodaux. We have to come together as a team and overcome adversity together — especially early in the year.”

SLHS football

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