Tiger Drive Bridge set for weekend closure
February 3, 2015
Victory doesn’t mark a champion
February 3, 2015
Arguably the best prep local prep football senior is staying close to home for his college career.
Thibodaux quarterback Peyton Bonvillain confirmed to The Times on late Sunday evening that he has given a verbal commitment to Nicholls State University to continue his playing career.
Bonvillain was a key cog in a dominant football season for the Tigers, quarterbacking Thibodaux to one of its most successful seasons in the past two decades.
The 5-foot, 11-inch standout said he’s excited for a chance to help rebuild the local university, touting that first-year coach Tim Rebowe sold him a vision for success – a path that he bought into and ultimately committed to.
“I’m real excited about this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Bonvillain said. “Ever since I was a little boy playing backyard football, I knew I wanted to play college football somewhere. The fact that it’s in my hometown and I get to play in front of my family, friends and former teammates is great.”
Rebowe and his staff are getting an unquestioned winner in Bonvillain.
As a junior in the 2013 season, the Tigers’ quarterback started the season splitting time under center with elite halfback Donta Johnson. But by the middle of the season, Bonvillain had taken a firm grip on the job because of his versatility, leadership skills and throwing ability.
Bonvillain completed 64-of-102 passes for 1,230 yards and 16 touchdowns in that season. As a runner, he was just as lethal, rushing for 613 yards and six scores – all while helping lead Thibodaux to the Class 5A State Playoffs.
But as a senior, Bonvillain was at his best. The quarterback was one of the main spark plugs within a Tigers team that roared through the regular season with a 9-1 record – the lone loss coming to eventual state runner-up Destrehan.
He was lethal as a runner, frequently using his legs to keep his offense in positions to score. As a passer, Bonvillain wasn’t perfect, but he was serviceable – using his cannon-like arm to throw for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns.
In the Tigers’ first Class 5A State Playoff game this past season, he also showed a knack for stepping up in the biggest moments. Bonvillain combined for six total touchdowns in Thibodaux’s blowout win over Captain Shreve – the first playoff win of Tigers’ coach Chris Dugas’ career as a head coach.
“What can you say about him that we haven’t already said before?” Dugas said the next day in awe of his quarterback’s effort. “I’ll say it like this – I’d want him to be on my fantasy football team, for sure. The things that he does on the football field to help our team are immeasurable. He’s truly a special player and he’s so important to what we do.”
Because of his versatility and because he’s not the prototypical size of a college quarterback, Bonvillain said after the prep football season that he hadn’t received much college attention.
He also touted that he’d be open to making a position change away from quarterback if that’s what was needed to continue his playing career.
But Bonvillain said that Rebowe recruited him as a quarterback and that he’ll be under center to start his collegiate career.
He said he’s been working hard in recent weeks to perfect his craft and better himself so that he can head to Nicholls ready to rock when fall rolls around.
“My offseason goals are to get bigger – somewhere around 200 pounds, and to get faster – I want to bring my 40 time down to about 4.5. It’s currently a 4.6,” Bonvillain said earlier this offseason. “I also want to get more flexible and just keep learning the game, but most of all, make the grades so I can make sure I can play at the next level of competition.”
So it’s mission accomplished and Bonvillain is now officially a Colonel.
Rebowe couldn’t comment on his commitment at press-time because of NCAA rules. He will be able to talk about Bonvillain on Wednesday at the team’s National Signing Day press conference in Thibodaux.
Regardless of the comments Rebowe may make, Bonvillain is already sold on his new coach.
He said he can’t wait to play for Rebowe and be a part of the team’s turnaround efforts in the future seasons.
“I’m real excited about Coach Rebowe,” Bonvillain said. “And I truly believe that he’s going to change this program around. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”
Thibodaux High School quarterback Peyton Bonvillain shakes tacklers during the team’s game with Vandebilt Catholic this past season. After a stellar senior season, Bonvillain has decided to continue his career with Nicholls State University. He committed to the local program this past week, touting that he looks forward to being a part of the team’s rebuilding efforts under first-year coach Tim Rebowe.
