June 30
June 30, 2009
Elsie Rhodes Theriot Andrews
July 2, 2009
After two games with no passing touchdowns, the Houma Conquerors needed to make a change to keep their playoff hopes alive.
They found it by effectively using the no-huddle offense in 66-0 victory on Saturday over the Lafayette Bayou Bulls.
Starting quarterback Omar Haugabook threw two touchdown passes to Clevan White, while backup quarterback Darwin Pittman tossed one to Gerald Landry.
With the Conquerors (2-7) turning in their best offensive output of the season, players and coaches said they would deploy the no-huddle more for the final two games of the year as they make a playoff push.
“We needed to add something to the offense, to be more devastating and not let the other team set up for what we’re trying to do,” said Clyde “C.J.” Maiden, who got his first win as Conquerors head coach.
“It worked good tonight, and we’ll be trying it against a better opponent on Friday,” he added.
The Conquerors play the Louisiana Swashbucklers (9-1) on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.
This will be the second time the teams have met in 12 days. The Swashbucklers won 41-16 last Monday night.
The no-huddle has been part of the Conquerors’ playbook all season. However, the weakness of the offensive line has kept the team from using the scheme more.
Maiden credited better offensive line play for the no-huddle’s effectiveness against the Bayou Bulls.
“I always knew we had great skill players, but when we get the offensive line straight in front of Omar, we’re really going to do some things,” he said.
Doug Coleman, Conquerors offensive coordinator and former Houma Bayou Bucks quarterback, said the no-huddle is especially valuable because it slows down the ability of defensive linemen to pass rush. It also helps the quarterback develop a rhythm.
“When you catch a team out of sync, what you want to do is take their coach out of their ear,” Coleman said. “The game is already fast, but you want to move on it even quicker. We had a chance to get in rhythm and catch them off guard a couple of times. We desperately needed this win. It’s a big plus.”
Haugabook, who is still making the adjustment from the outdoor to indoor game, said the offense executed better in the no-huddle than when they gathered after each play.
“We’re able to change the tempo and not be stationary,” he said. “It makes me pick up my reads quicker. I know the defense is not going to bring different blitzes.”
The Bayou Bulls, a Southern American Football League (SAFL) team, were a replacement for the North Texas Crunch, the Southern Indoor Football League’s 2009 travel team. According to the SIFL, last-minute transportation issues prevented the Crunch from traveling to Houma.
“I got the call at 6:30 a.m. from the North Texas owner saying they wouldn’t be able to make the game,” said Conquerors owner Franklin Thomas Jr. “(SIFL president) Tom Hager found them, and fortunately we didn’t have to cancel the game.”
The win will count in the league standings and for statistical purposes, but will not be used to determine playoff seedings.
With a half-game lead over the Texas Hurricanes for the last playoff spot, the Conquerors need at least one more victory to secure the position. They believe the no-huddle will be their ticket to the postseason.
“I’m going to go to the no-huddle a lot more because it doesn’t give the defense enough time to substitute or prepare for,” Maiden said. “I used it a little bit so far. Now, we pull out all the stops to try and get in the playoffs.”
Jumping for joy are Conquerors’ receiver Gerald Landry (left) and quarterback Darwin Pittman, who connected on a 25-yard touchdown pass. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
