Janie Roger
September 27, 2018
Colonels rise in FCS polls
September 28, 2018
In their non-district schedule, the Tigers’ high-powered offense has flexed its muscles, totaling 159 points in four games — almost 40 points per game. But the team’s defense is also fierce, allowing just 11.25 points per game — a balanced effort that has Hill excited about what’s ahead.
The Tigers open district play this weekend against Hahnville.
“We have gotten off to a nice start. We’re happy with where we are,” Hill said. “I think our defense has been very consistent and has been really great throughout the year. And our offense is starting to click like we know that it can and we’re just trying to peak at the right time and get through the teeth of this district and maybe have a home game or two in the playoffs.”
The Tigers have all the tools.
Offensively, Terrebonne is as diverse a unit as there is in the area — if not the state.
Multiple quarterbacks take snaps, led by senior Keshawn James and junior Jakhi Douglas.
Against Patterson, they both showed their teeth. Douglas carried 7 times for 52 yards and had two receptions for 85 yards. James had 9 carries for 112 yards.
yards.
Hill said both are explosive in their own ways — a one-two threat as good as this area has seen in the past several seasons.
“It makes it pretty easy to call offensive plays,” Hill said with a laugh. “It’s hard to go wrong.”
The duo is now whole, as well. James missed almost the entire summer with a foot injury. He returned to the Tigers early in the season and is still getting his wits about him, but is making a huge impact nonetheless.
“He was not on the field, but he was never away from us, so that helps,” Hill said. “He always was in the huddle or the sideline with his helmet on. Mentally, he was always following what we were doing and staying on top of things. He’s a great kid and just a great senior leader. We didn’t know that we’d get him back as soon as we did, but it’s given us a huge lift.”
But the Tigers’ have other pieces, as well.
Halfback Chaz Ward is proving to be a force — a physical, bruising runner who gets inside yardage to keep the chains moving for Terrebonne.
Ward had 17 carries for 128 yards and two scores on Friday and he’s arguably been Terrebonne’s most consistent offensive player this season.
On the edges, all of the above-mentioned players suit up at receiver and can make plays in the passing game. Terrebonne also utilizes Keith Robinson and others, while also having a powerful offensive line.
“We have experience up front,” Hill said. “We have a lot of players there with experience and I think one of the biggest parts of our offense is the fact that we’re winning a lot of battles at the line of scrimmage.”
The Tigers are scoring points in bunches, but they don’t have to in order to win.
Defensively, they’re one of the best teams in the area, too.
Terrebonne plays a 3-3-5 alignment and they have size, speed and aggressiveness necessary to keep opponents against the chains.
Against Patterson, D’jon Scott had a pick-six and the Tigers mostly kept an explosive Lumberjacks team at arm’s length.
In all four of the team’s games this season, the Tigers’ defense has held its own and had moments of prominence.
“That group is always active. They’re very hungry,” Hill said. “They get the ball back to our offense and right now, it’s just been a real good combination for us.”
But now, the biggest challenges will start appearing on the schedule.
District 7-5A is brutally tough. On Friday, Terrebonne will face Hahnville at home — always one of the top teams in Louisiana.
In October, the team will face Thibodaux, East St. John, Central Lafourche and H.L. Bourgeois — all teams who have had their moments this fall.
They wrap up in Week 10 with Destrehan — a game which might well decide the fate of the district championship race.
Hill said the Tigers have high expectations, but the team isn’t ever looking ahead of the next opponent on the schedule.
While it may be an infamous coaching cliche, this “one game at a time” approach is how the team will get to its goals, according to Hill.
“We aren’t looking too far ahead. You can’t. In this district, if you do that, you’re going to get beat,” Hill said. “But we like the position we’re in. Our kids are focused and they know where we’re headed. We went to the playoffs last year and experienced that. Now, I think we’re trying to learn from that experience and have a better outcome this fall.”
