Melvin believes in team as his H.L. Bourgeois debut nears
August 25, 2015
Thibodaux wants to win big again in 2015
August 25, 2015
Not much went right for Terrebonne in 2014, and the young Tigers battled injuries, inexperience and a brutal schedule all the way to a 2-8 record.
But with a little bit more experience on the depth chart and a positive attitude flowing around the program’s coaches and players, the hope is that Terrebonne will find its winning ways in 2015 and punch a ticket back to the playoffs.
Morale is high around the Tigers program as the team attempts to put the pieces together after a difficult season one year ago.
With a lot of talented players back, players and coaches think that this year’s group will likely be better equipped to handle the rigors of the season.
“Yes, we did have a rough season last year, but we studied film over and over again and watched things we could do better in to make it better,” Tigers defensive lineman Deonta Walters said. “The reason why I think this year will be different is because last year most of the guys that were playing at the varsity level, it was their first year playing it. … Now that they have that first year of expertise behind them, we’ll do better. We understand the game a little more now than before.”
Offensively, the Tigers are young throughout the depth chart, but specifically at quarterback where an underclassman will be asked to lead the team.
“Mason Turner is the guy who will be pulling the trigger for us,” Terrebonne head football coach Gary Hill said. “He’s a sophomore.”
With a young quarterback, Hill said the Tigers will rely heavily upon senior halfback Joe Alvis to move the chains for the team’s offense.
“He’s going to have to do a lot to carry us in the run game,” Hill said.
Should the Tigers get in a position to throw the ball around, the Tigers do have some experienced playmakers, most notably seniors Blake Verret and Anthony Walls.
Walters said he’s been impressed with both Turner, Alvis and all of the team’s playmakers throughout the preseason practices. The big defender said that the best thing about Turner is his ability to be coached and mentored by everyone around him.
“Mason has come a long way,” Walters said. “He’s gotten better and that’s what we need. We all coach him or talk to him when we can. I let him know that I’m good at reading the quarterback, so I just try to explain to him that he shouldn’t give away what he’s doing or who he’s giving the ball to on a play.”
While the quarterback and ball carriers might get most of the attention, Hill said the strength of the entire Terrebonne team may be its offensive line.
The Tigers will rely heavily upon senior Martin Chiasson to lead a group that will also consists of junior Bryce Terrio.
Defensively, Terrebonne was beat up this past season, but is now healthy and ready to keep opponents out of the end zone.
Walters is one of the leaders on that side of the football, as well as teammates Trenton Johnson and Jordan Cook.
Walters has played at the varsity level for the past two seasons, but he said not many of his teammates have much experience – if any – on Friday nights.
Because of that, Walters said he made it a point of emphasis this offseason to become a better team leader – a goal that he believes is helping the defense so far this summer.
“I play as hard as I can every play at practice,” he said. “I really hope that my teammates take that and follow my example. I preach to the defense all the time that just because we’re young, it doesn’t mean that we can’t play (at a high level).”
For the Tigers, they’ll find out first-hand where they fare against some of the top teams in the state.
Terrebonne will face Ellender, South Terrebonne, Assumption and Lakeshore in non-district play. Inside of District 7-5A, the Tigers will face the usual murderer’s row. In the first four district game, the Tigers will face Thibodaux, Destrehan, Hahnville and East St. John consecutively – all teams that are annual contenders in Class 5A.
Hill said the entire district from top-to-bottom is loaded.
“I think everyone is improving,” Hill said. “The River (teams) have a lot of athletes ready to step up for their teams, and Thibodaux is looking to build off of what they did (last year). The rest of us are trying to catch that momentum and have a solid season.”
For that solid season to actually take place in 2015 for the Tigers, Hill said he needs his players to believe in what’s going on and trust that last year’s struggles were just a small blip in the radar.
“Sticking with the program (is key),” Hill said. “We need to try to find a belief in ourselves. We want our young guys not to worry – just go out and play football. … We’ve been young before and we’ve been successful. … Just go out there, play some football and have some fun.” •
