2011 schedule - MediaSpan

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011 FOOTBALL 2011 AMERICAN PRESS 49 OBERLIN Oberlin has holes to fill on offense RACHEL WHITTAKER AMERICAN PRESS The Oberlin Tigers lost nearly 90 percent of their rushing production from the 2010 season to graduation, and that has coach Pat Miller worried. Cedric Skinner District 5-1A and Ronkeith Alfred combined to rack up 4,823 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns in Oberlin’s 13-1 campaign in which the team won its district for the second straight year and advanced to the Class 1A semifinals. But the Tigers could not extend their playoff run further as they suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of White Castle, 20-0. In the game, the Tigers did not complete a pass and threw two interceptions. Skinner also rushed for a season-low 92 yards after finishing with no fewer than 192 rushing yards in a game all year. Regarding how Oberlin’s offense will fare this season, Miller simply said, “We need a lot of work.” “We need to find 5,000 rushing yards,” Miller said. “We have about six (running) backs with a lot of potential, so we really need them to carry the load.” One of those is fullback Lance Frank, a 5-foot-8, 210- pound sophomore, who rushed for 230 yards on 51 carries in 13 games last season. Desmond Antoine also added to that production with 17 carries for 100 yards, and Miller said both players will be featured in the Tigers’ double wing/spread offense. “We have a lot of depth, but no one has the big-game experience like Cedric Skinner and Ronkeith Alfred,” Miller said. “We are counting on Frank and Antoine this year at running back; they know what it’s like to win.” When it comes to replacing Skinner at quarterback, Miller is confident in junior Mark Fontenot to fill the slot and anchor the Oberlin offense, which ranked No. 1 in District 5-1A with 40 points and 435 yards per game. Fontenot has some game experience as a starter in the double-wing set last season while Skinner was the featured quarterback in the spread formation. But Fontenot only threw 10 total passes, completing five for 148 yards and throwing two interceptions. Markeith Guillory, Tony Fontenot, Desmond Antoine and LaRobert Cason will look to extend Oberlin’s dominance. BRAD PUCKETT / AMERICAN PRESS This year Fontenot will also be Oberlin’s punter and kicker, taking over for Skinner who averaged 33.7 yards per punt. “Mark is doing a good job, getting better and better each day,” Miller said. “I don’t expect many problems (at quarterback).” Defensively, the Tigers have three first-team All- District players back — Frank, Antoine and defensive end Tony Fontenot — and one second-team honoree in cornerback Markeith Guillory. Frank was Oberlin’s leading tackler in 2010, racking up 98 solo tackles, 42 assists and four sacks in his freshman season. In week seven against Basile, Frank also returned a 32-yard interception for a touchdown and a blocked punt 40 yards for another score. Antoine led the Tigers in interceptions with four and returned a fumble 44 yards for a touchdown in a 60-16 rout of Merryville to end the regular season. Miller is relying on these four returning starters to propel an Oberlin unit that AT A GLANCE ■ HEAD COACH: Pat Miller ■ DISTRICT: 5-1A ■ LAST YEAR: 13-1, 5-0 (first in district; lost in semifinals of playoffs) ■ OFFENSE: TE Jose Botely (5-10, 160, Jr.); TE Cameron Durio (6-4, 190, Jr.); LT SAM McMAHON (6-1, 260, Jr.); LG Eric Sandifer (5-10, 190, Jr.); C Hunter Ardoin (5-9, 230, Jr.); RG ZACH MONTOU (6-0, 245, So.); RT LaRobert Cason (5-10, 215, Sr.); QB MARK FONTENOT (5-10, 155, Jr.); WB Desmond Antoine (6-0, 175, Sr.); FB LANCE FRANK (5-8, 210, So.); WB Austin Darbonne (5-9, 160, So.) ■ DEFENSE: DT Jose Botely (5-10, 160, Jr.); DT Sam McMahon (6-1, 260, Jr.); DE TONY FONTENOT (6-0, 185, Sr.); DE LaRobert Cason (5-10, 215, Sr.); SS Cameron Durio (6-4, 190, Jr.); SS Austin Darbonne (5-9, 160, So.); LB LANCE FRANK (5-8, 210, So.); (Jr.); CB MARKEITH GUILLORY (5-9, 150, Sr.); (Jr.); FS DESMOND ANTOINE (6-0, 175, Sr.) ■ SPECIALISTS: P/K Mark Fontenot (5-10, 155, Jr.) allowed 16.5 points per game in its 4-2-5 set, second only to Elton’s 16.3 points allowed in its district. “Our bright spot is on defense,” Miller said. “We got a lot of games under our belt last season, got to play a lot of kids in 14 games. Hopefully their winning mentality carries over.” Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 2011 OBERLIN TIGERS SCHEDULE at Sacred Heart- Ville Platte North Caddo at Vinton at Vermilion Catholic Iota Oct. 6 Oct. 14 Oct. 21 Oct. 28 Nov. 4 at South Cameron* at Merryville* at Elton* Basile* Hamilton Christian* 00701257
50 AMERICAN PRESS FOOTBALL 2011 THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2011 ELTON Big expectations for Elton BY WARREN ARCENEAUX AMERICAN PRESS Bigger expectations might be a concern for Elton head coach Kevin Bertrand this year, but motivation and leadership won’t be. The biggest Indian of them all, Patrick Jacobs, handled that himself, losing 25 pounds District 5-1A since last season to prepare for his senior season. “He came to us after the Christmas break and told us about this diet he was on,” Bertrand said. “He wanted to improve as a player and help the team as much as he could. To have a kid who was already good take that upon himself, I can’t say enough about him.” Jacobs also took care of his future, committing to play at McNeese State. While Jacobs slimmed down, expectations for the team beefed up after last season’s eight wins. The Indians return three starters on a massive offensive line. Each of the five starters weighs at least 240 pounds. Jacobs will anchor the line as right tackle. Cody Guillory returns at right guard and Travis Daggett will play center. “I like having 700-800 pounds of meat on one side to run behind,” Bertrand said. The new starters are Wakeland Harrimon and Chris West. In the backfield, Micah Lavan will take over the lead role. “Micah had 1,200 yards last year and is a strong runner with deceptive speed,” Bertrand said. “I like having a guy 200 pounds running downhill. Corey Monceaux, a good runner, steps in at fullback, after playing tight end last year. Victor Gonzalez and Payton Fontenot will also be in the mix there.” Austin Bertrand will be a third-year starter at quarterback. “He is such a competitor,” Bertrand said. “Last year we did not throw much but ended up with 1,000 yards. I think we could get to a point where we can throw when we want or when it is given to us.” Defensively, the front seven returns intact, with most of the offensive players pulling double duty, including Jacobs. “He is going to play as much as possible,” Bertrand said. “He has great footwork, a great first step and gets down the line real good. The Austin Bertrand, left, and Patrick Jacobs are looking for more success under second-year coach Kevin Bertrand. other tackle will be by committee with West, Guillory and others.” Bertrand said end Marcus Soileau was a pleasant surprise last year. “He started off slow, then all of a sudden he is one of the best ends in the district. He got comfortable. Monceaux will be the strong side linebacker, the leader, the one who lines people up and makes the calls. Gonzalez is in the middle. He only knows one speed, about 900 mph. BRAD PUCKETT / AMERICAN PRESS Lavan has athleticism, vision, can play all three positions.” Three new starters will be in the secondary, with Austin Bertrand the only returner at free safety. “The other guys have played a lot, just not as a group,” Bertrand said. “We are working on making sure we are communicating well.” Bertrand said his team’s confidence has risen along with expectations. “It took them a while last year to see good things were AT A GLANCE ■ HEAD COACH: Kevin Bertrand (8-4, second year) ■ DISTRICT: 5-1A ■ LAST YEAR: 8-4, 3-2, (second in District 5-1A, lost to Oberlin in regional round of playoffs) ■ OFFENSE: Pro-I (Seven starters returning) TE TRENT BAZINET (6-2, 185, Sr.); WR Caleb Bertrand (5-9, 150, Jr.); LT Wakeland Harrimon (6-4, 240, Jr.); LG Chris West (5-9, 260, Sr.); C TRAVIS DAGGETT (6-0, 240, Jr.); RG CODY GUIL- LORY (6-0, 260, Sr.); RT PATRICK JACOBS (6-3, 290, Sr.); QB AUSTIN BERTRAND (6- 0, 180, Sr.); RB COREY MON- CEAUX (5-10, 230, Sr.); RB MICAH LAVAN (6-2, 215, Jr.); WR Garrett Nichols (5-10, 175, Sr.) ■ DEFENSE: 4-3 (Eight starters returning) DE MAR- CUS SOILEAU (5-10, 180, Jr.); DT PATRICK JACOBS (6-3, 290, Sr.); DT CODY GUILLORY (6-0, 260, Sr.); DE TRAVIS DAGGETT (6-0, 240, Jr.); LB COREY MON- CEAUX (5-10, 230, Sr.); LB VIC- TOR GONZALES (5-10, 235, Sr.); LB MICAH LAVAN (6-2, 215, Jr.); S TRENT BAZINET (6- 2, 185, Sr.); S Austin Bertrand (6-0, 180, Sr.); CB Caleb Bertrand (5-9, 150, Jr.); CB Carson Ortego (5-9, 150, Jr.) ■ SPECIALISTS: P/K Austin Bertrand (6-0, 180, Sr.). happening because they were doing the right things, not because someone waved a magic wand,” he said. “The confidence grew during the season.” Sept. 2 Sept. 9 Sept. 16 Sept. 23 Sept. 30 Oct. 6 Oct. 14 2011 SCHEDULE at Kinder East Beauregard Delcambre Mamou at Bunkie Merryville* at Hamilton Christian* Oct. 21 Oct. 27 Nov. 4 Oberlin* at South Cameron* Basile* 00701242
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