YOUTH MOVEMENT: Tigers bring inexperienced lineup to gridiron

The majority of the the players on the Terrebonne football team are too young to drive themselves to practice.

But that matters little to first-year coach Joe Clement, who realizes you don’t need a license to win football games.

“Regardless of age, anyone can beat anyone on any given night,” he said. “I hear that a lot from other coaches in the district, and we’re going to try to believe that every night and go out and battle.”

“Battle” might be the operative word, as Terrebonne returns just seven players to a team that posted a 2-8 record last season.

And the remaining positions will be filled by new faces – many of whom are underclassmen.

“Most of this team is very young,” Clement explained. “They’re just learning what to do in the weight room and what it takes to play the game every day.”

His weathered incumbents, however, certainly have what it takes to surprise some of their District 5A adversaries.

The offense will run through junior Neil Robertson, who returns at quarterback.

Robertson passed for more than 1,500 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He also netted more than 500 yards on the ground en route to earning all-district and second-team all-regional accolades.

“We have a really young team, so we will have a big learning curve,” Robertson said. “We have a new coach, new players and new equipment. Everything is new here.”

But Robertson will find familiarity in Ross Chiasson, a returning all-district receiver.

He’ll also get support from Charles Cook and Brien Delahoussaye, who both come back to the offensive line.

“All four of these players (Robertson, Chiasson, Cook and Delahoussaye) are trying to step up into a leadership role by taking charge in practice and taking charge in the weight room,” Clement said. “Everybody else on our offense is new. They might have played a little last year, but they may be stepping into a new role this year. We’re looking for these people to step up and lead the team.”

The Tigers will seek defensive leadership from Jordan Anderson (cornerback), Dillon Miller (safety) and Keith Bolden (defensive line).

“These guys played their position well and they’re doing a good job at getting to know what they need to do in the new type of scheme we’re implementing,” Clement said. “They’re doing a good job of being leaders and showing up every day, and they’re trying to be really physical and aggressive.”

Clement expects the offensive line to be a strength. It’s not a particularly big unit, but it’s very physical.

He also thinks his defense will be solid against the run.

The secondary, however, is a different story.

“We’re a little worried about how we’ll stop opposing teams’ passing games because we’re young back there,” Clement said. “But the kids are picking it up pretty quickly, so hopefully that problem will solve itself soon.”

Terrebonne’s schedule includes experienced opponents in Assumption, H.L. Bourgeois and Thibodaux.

Clement hopes the Tigers can catch some of these teams by surprise.

“These guys work hard and talk a lot about winning,” he said. “They’re starting to learn how to work toward winning.”

Terrebonne opens its season Friday at the South Terrebonne Jamboree.