CLHS Lancer Band wins top prize at State Festival
November 10, 2019
Lafourche Booking Log – November 9, 2019
November 10, 2019
Thibodaux had just lost a heartbreaker on Friday night against East St. John — maybe the toughest loss the team had suffered all year.
But instead of being overly negative, coach Chris Dugas pulled his team together and had a clear, unifying message.
“I told the kids, everything starts over and we are 0-0 again,” Dugas said. “Nothing that happened in the past matters anymore. The only thing that matters is what happens in the future.”
Dugas’ words could have been a pep talk for several local teams who are also going off to postseason play.
Our area has six local playoff participants — all who will begin their journey toward the State Championship on Friday night.
Local coaches said they were honored to make the field this weekend, but all agreed with Dugas in saying that now, it’s time to hit reset and start all over again.
“It doesn’t matter who goes where now. All that matters is taking the field and winning a ballgame on Friday night,” Terrebonne coach Gary Hill said. “Everyone is on a level playing field again, and it’s all about who is better on Friday night.”
CLASS 5A
It’s not our place to be objective or biased in this magazine.
But I think we can bend the rules a little on this one and say that Thibodaux kinda/sorta got robbed of a home playoff game.
The Tigers are the No. 17 seed in Class 5A. The Top 16 teams in Class 5A host a home game.
So how were the Tigers robbed?
Thibodaux finished 7-3 and looked all-but a lock to have a home game coming into Week 10.
But then East St. John had to forfeit several wins, which impacted both Thibodaux’s Week 10 game with the Wildcats, but also took some wins away from Thibodaux’s opponents — greatly affecting their power rating score and delivering them the No. 17 seed.
Thibodaux will travel and face No. 16 Walker — all because of a wrong committed on someone else’s campus.
That’s no easy draw.
Walker is 7-3 and has wins over Madison Prep, Landry-Walker and Scotlandville. They also lost to defending state champion Zachary by just two points on Friday night.
Dugas said Thibodaux’s outlook is to win Friday, then host the No. 1 team in the state in Round 2.
“That’s our goal. We want to go on the road, then get that big game in our place,” he said.
Also in the Class 5A playoffs are Terrebonne and Central Lafourche.
Both those teams will also be on the road.
Terrebonne earned the No. 29 seed. They will take on No. 4 East Ascension — a powerhouse with wins over Zachary, Warren Easton, St. Charles Catholic and Dutchtown.
Central Lafourche earned the No. 31 spot and will be taking a trip on the road to No. 2 West Monroe.
The Rebels are one of the most storied football programs in America — an annual contender to make it to the Dome.
“We’re going to have a good week of practice, then up there, and try and play our best football,” Trojans coach Keith Menard said. “I think our kids look forward to the challenge.”
CLASS 4A
In Class 4A, two local teams punched a ticket into the dance.
The Gators beat Ellender on Friday night to clinch their spot in the Top 32, punching a ticket into the playoffs.
South Terrebonne earned the No. 27 seed. They will travel to play No. 6 Breaux Bridge on Friday night.
Breaux Bridge is familiar with local opponents. They played Thibodaux earlier this season and lost in overtime.
Gators coach Richard Curlin said earlier this season that he likes his team, but the Gators have rarely been whole.
South Terrebonne has been ravished by injury throughout the year.
South Lafourche also made it into the field, earning the No. 31 seed after a wild weekend where they thought initially they may be out.
They will take on No. 2 Neville.
DIVISION II
In Division II, we get our only local team who will be playing at home — though they earned a tough draw.
E.D. White earned the No. 8 seed, finishing the season 5-5.
The Cardinals will take on No. 9 Evangel on Friday night. Evangel is a state powerhouse — an annual contender to make the Superdome.
They are 5-4 and just the No. 9 seed, yes.
But their losses are all to powerhouses and they enter the game white hot, having won four-straight.
On the other end of the bracket, Vandebilt earned a spot in the playoffs with a 6-4 record. The Terriers are the No. 11 seed in the field. They’ll be traveling to take on No. 6 Hannan on Friday night.
Hannan is just 4-6 on the year, but they earned a ton of power points with a vicious schedule.
But Vandebilt is hot and playing their best football at the right time.
