Bobcats, Jays prep for season

By John Burson
Sports Editor
Summer workouts have gone relatively well for the Eunice High Bobcat football team, according to head coach Paul Trosclair.
“We’ve had good participation for our workouts overall, but there are several players that have been restricted from attending regularly because they had jobs this summer. It’s understandable with the economy struggling.”
The Bobcats finished last season with an overall record of 10-2, claiming a district 5-3A title along the way. The Cats won their first playoff game before falling to St. James in the second round.
This year’s Bobcat team will need to replace a lot of offensive and defensive production that left due to graduation or other reasons. Gone are 1,690 yards passing yards that accounted for 13 touchdowns and a running attack that produced 2,236 yards and thirty-five touchdowns.
On defense, the Cats lost their top two tacklers, who combined for 216 tackles. The Cats must also replace two defensive linemen who combined for 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and totaled 110 tackles overall.
“We lost a lot of outstanding players as well as great leadership to graduation,” commented Trosclair.
“But I believe we return several players that will be ready to take over.”
Trosclair praised the work of the offensive line during the summer. “They put in a lot of time over the summer,” he said. That line returns three senior starters in Shelton Langley, Jonas Granger, and Damien Comeaux. The only other returning starter on offense is running back Georrein Dupre who average 6.6 yards per carry last season. Junior Jaden Brasseaux will direct the offense as the new quarterback.
The Bobcats do return four starters on defense, including strong safeties Cade Richard and David Middlebrooks. Defensive backs Dashawn Vigers and Brandon Ndubueze also return as starters for the Bobcats.
After participating in the Joe Nagata Memorianl Jamboree, Eunice opens the regular season Sept. 2 at Opelousas High.
Head coach Andy Hargroder of the St. Edmund Blue Jays believes that his football players are making progress as summer workouts proceed.
“We’ve had good participation and they’re working hard,” he said of the students involved in the workouts. “We lift three days a week and are also working on core and speed, rotating three groups. The kids are getting after it. We have about 45 football players and a bunch of younger kids taking part in our workouts.”
Hargroder is slowly installing his offensive and defensive schemes. “We’re taking it slow, putting in a little at a time so that there’s no confusion. The kids are responding as we let it trickle down. We’re getting there.”
The first year head coach realizes that it’s a learning progress for everyone; coaches as well as the players. “We’re all working together.”
Hargroder is excited that players who were injured last year are getting healthy over the summer. He also believes there is great potential for senior leadership.
The Blue Jays will host the Elton Indians in a scrimmage on Thursday, August 18 beginning at 6 p.m. The Jays will face Sacred Heart in the annual Joe Nagata Jamboree.
St. Edmund opens the regular season at Northwest Sept. 2.