Hilda Voisin Buquet
August 25, 2009
Mary Little McFarland
August 27, 2009
A second-place district finish and a trip to the Class 3A state playoffs is welcomed by most teams, but given the rich tradition of the E.D. White Cardinals, last season left room for improvement.
The Cardinals finished the 2008 season 4-6 overall, good enough for a playoff bid. But a first-round 27-0 loss to eventual state champion Lutcher was a far cry from what the Thibodaux school is used to.
According to head coach Kyle Lasseigne, the team remained competitive all season but his players were not aggressive enough in certain aspects of the game.
So, this season, the coach said he is pushing his team to achieve one main goal – to play more physically.
If their spring game against Thibodaux High earlier in the year is any indication of this year’s performance, it appears as though the Cardinals have attained Lasseigne’s goal.
“We believe that getting back to a more physical style of play is the key to our success this year,” the coach admitted. “We went through a tougher spring than normal in an effort to change our style. We like what we see so far.”
Lasseigne said the team worked all offseason on trying to develop the inexperienced players as quickly as it can.
Also, he said some of his bigger guys would have to adjust to playing on both sides of the football.
“That’s what has to happen,” he said following the spring game. “We have to be physically prepared to play both ways. Skill-wise in the backfield, I think we’re OK on both sides of the ball.”
Of course, having 18 seniors on the 2009 squad certainly helps.
Lasseigne will look to his senior leadership to help the several underclassmen that will take the field in the starting rotation for the first time.
On offense, the Cardinals have six returning starters, five of whom were all-district selections in 2008.
Leading the charge are two juniors – quarterback Grant Chiasson and bruising fullback Dylan Ledet, who will have the bulk of the offensive load on their shoulders.
Tyler Thibodaux at flanker, split end Jacob Rodrigue, guard Austin Ber and center Matt Mahler – all of whom are seniors – are the other returning starters looking to avenge last season.
“Although we do return some starters, we’ll look to several underclassmen to step up and play significant roles as we move into district play,” Lasseigne said. “Our new set of guards and tackles are going to have to produce immediately in order for us to be successful.”
New faces in the offense include senior split end Trey Larose, who’ll share time with Rodrigue, sophomore tight end Jordan Knight, senior tailback Dontrae Harris, senior tackle Rydon Naquin, senior guard Jade Becnel and junior guard Matt Landry (who could both see playing time this season) and junior tackle Heath Thiel.
The Cardinals’ defense will take on a different look this season.
“We start an entirely new defensive line and a new linebacker but we do have some experience in our defensive backfield,” Lasseigne said.
The lone four returning starters – seniors Jacob Daigle and Nick Robichaux at linebacker, Josh Jennings at safety and Austin LeBouef at cornerback – were all-district selections last season.
Several positions are still wide open with several newcomers battling for starting spots.
On the defensive line, senior defensive end Ethan Triche is the only starter to be named so far. Juniors Bryce Casteigne and Alex Morvant are battling for the other spot, while Mahler, Ber, Naquin, Thiel and sophomore Alex Becnel battle for the defensive tackle position.
Junior Nick Tardo fills the other void at linebacker while juniors Phillip Ledet and Eric Ford have earned the starting jobs at safety and cornerback, respectively.
Senior John Dobard will handle the Cardinals’ kicking duties this season, but a punter is still to be named.
Despite having a few guys playing both sides of the ball, Lasseigne said he isn’t worried thanks to a solid offseason workout program.
“Our players seem to be further along than in the past because of our summer strength and conditioning program,” he said. “Although our schedule is absolutely challenging, we look forward to it because it will make us a better team.”
Junior quarterback Grant Chiasson is one of several underclassmen expected to start for a young E.D. White team. With 18 seniors in this year’s class, head coach Kyle Lasseigne is looking for some of his younger players to step up. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
