Thibodaux won an absolute slugfest over South Lafourche, scoring a hard-fought 21-14 win over the Tarpons in Week 1.
It was physical. It was a battle.
See our 5 takes.
5 TAKES AS TIGERS DEFEND HOME FIELD IN THRILLER
No. 1 – Terrance Pitre is that dude – Terrance Pitre is one of the best football players in the history of South Lafourche High School. Fresh off an amazing junior season, Terrance had a massive opening day game, scoring 2 huge touchdown, playing just about every snap both ways and putting together a Herculean performance. That this kid has no offers is an indictment on the recruiting process and frankly is why a lot of our local Louisiana Southland and NAIA schools lose each year. Get mad at me, coaches. Watch the tape. I said what I said.
No. 2 – Conditioning bites when it matters most – The conditioning level was good for both teams on Friday with cramping at a minimum for both teams. But with the chips on the table, the Tarpons had a little bit of a conditioning snafu, losing a key piece down the stretch. All those summer workouts – as much as they suck, that’s why you do them.
No. 3 – The Trick play guy got a little of his own medicine – BJ Young is known as the guy locally who hits big trick plays each week. Well, it was Lowell Narcisse who gave the Tarpons a dose of their own medicine on Friday, going with a perfectly executed double pass on the first play to hit a touchdown. It was a good call and the Tarpons bit. It was a walk-in.
No. 4 – Good special teams both ways – Kudos to the special teams coaches of both teams. That was a well played game and the third phase was solid for both teams. The teams punted well, tackled well in coverage and for a third phase that sometimes lacks in the opener, it was solid for both teams. I tip my caps.
No. 5 – Too many penalties, too many mistakes – South Lafourche did a little too much to help Thibodaux tonight. Give the Tigers credit. They have a good football team and their defense tonight was absolutely lights out. But the Tarpons had way too many pre-snap snafus to help give the Tigers field position and/or get them against the chains. Thibodaux wasn’t immune. They had a bad snap that stalled a drive and a red zone turnover. First week mistakes – both ways.
No. 6 – Both teams could be playoff teams – I think these were two good football teams competing tonight. There is a world where both teams are in the playoffs in Week 11 before this is all said and done.
No. 7 – Red Zone offense matters – Both teams moved the football fairly effectively from the 30 to the 30. But when the field condensed, it was tough both ways for the teams to generate some offense. Both of these teams will watch film this weekend and realize they can get better in scoring time.
No. 8 – Physical game – It was a physical football game tonight in Thibodaux. Those big boys were beating on one another and the linebackers and defenders were coming to the line of scrimmage and just laying the wood. It was a treat to watch.
No. 9 – The fans showed out – The stadium was packed. The home side was full. The visiting side was about 75% full. That’s what high school ball is all about.