After missing the playoffs for the first time in five years, don't expect the Sulphur Tors to settle for the same again.
Although expecting to win all of your games may seem too much, new Sulphur High head coach Harold Fusilier feels that preparing to win them is essential to the game of football.
“We always say we like to win them all,” Fusilier said. “Anyone that says they don't want to win them all is probably in the wrong line of business.
“There are other things that go along with that. We would like to get our team prepared to win them all is probably what I am saying. Our biggest goal is that if we feel like we have prepared the kids correctly and they gave a great effort, that is all we can ask for.”
Fusilier hopes that after missing the playoffs last year that the Tors do not want that feeling again.
“I would hope they would regret not making it,” Fusilier said. “If they don't we don't have much of a chance. I am hoping that they feel that they would like to go further.”
The Tors return just seven starters this year but Fusilier still feels that the Tors have enough upside to make up for the lack of experience.
“We don't have very many experienced guys coming back but those we do have coming back are quality players,” Fusilier said. “Are we great at every position? No.
“I think that if we can get them some experience, then I feel that we have more potential than we had last year.”
The Tors will not have to wait long for some quality experience, as this year’s schedule includes seven teams that made the playoffs last year. Sulphur will open up the season with a pair of home games against St. Thomas More (Sept. 3) and 2009 Class 2A state champion Evangel (Sept. 10).
“I always like playing them (St. Thomas More) early or first because they are always pointing out your weaknesses,” Fusilier said. “It is always good to know early where people think that you are weak.
“Evangel is going to be a challenge across the board. There are no better passing games than what we are going to see from those guys. We are looking forward to Evangel and I think that our kids are going to respond to both of those real positive.”
Even through they will play a tough schedule, there is a plus side. Sulphur will play six home games this year and will only have to leave the Lake Area twice when they travel to Leesville (Sept. 17) and Ruston (Sept. 24).
Fusilier expects the district season will be tougher than last year. Acadiana returns nearly all their starters from last year while Barbe, LaGrange and Lafayette all return key players.
“They (Acadiana) were young last year,” Fusilier said. “They always seem to have one or two great running backs.
“I think that everybody across the board is better. I know that Lafayette is going to be better. They were a fairly young team last year. LaGrange lost some good players but some of their better players are back. I don't know if they will have them across the board. Coach Sullen does a great job with those guys. I am predicting that in their second year in 5A they are going to be better. Barbe always has great skill people. Their quarterback is back after being injured for most of last year. I really believe that everyone is going to be better and hopefully we are too.”
The Tors came into the season with an exceptionally strong front seven on defense but injuries have slowed them down some.
Returning defensive tackle Cody Mills (Sr. DL, 22 tackles, 2.5TFL) has missed most of the fall practices due to an injury but will be back possibly this week. Junior Hunter Burleson has been filling in for Mills. Sophomore Ashton Joseph (6'0”, 245lbs) will lineup up at the other tackle position.
Sulphur will be running a rotation of four seniors in Logan LeJeune (6'0”, 220lbs), Jim LeBlanc (6'0”, 210lbs), Michael Bass (6'0”, 195lbs) and Gunnar Busch (6'4”, 210).
“Going into the season we felt real good about the defense,” Fusilier said. “We felt that up front we would be pretty good.
“We have four defensive ends that rotate in so there is no let up when we put one out there. I think that inside we have two quality people if we can keep them healthy.”
Junior Holden Rogers was expected to lead not only the linebackers but the entire defense. But an unfortunate injury (torn PCL) during practice last week could have him sidelined for most of the season.
Sophomore Ethan Hyatt has moved into Rogers' position and will join returning starter Jon Peterson (Sr., LB, 47 tackles, 4.5TFL, 1 INT, 1 sack) and Taylor Sedano (Sr. LB, 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery).
“We thought that we were real strong at linebacker and Holden went down,” Fusilier said. “We had to put a sophomore (Ethan Hyatt) in and he did good the other night. (Jon) Peterson is experienced and has played a whole year. Taylor Sedano was our back up last year.”
The passing game plays a big role at the 5A level and defending it has become a top priority. Senior Will Hansen (33 tackles, 2.5TFL) is the Tors only returning player in the secondary after earning a starting spot early last season. With just one starter back, the secondary will have to mature quickly.
“Of all the groups on the field our secondary is the thinnest and we are trying to come up with an answer for that,” Fusilier said. “We were exploited by Washington-Marion in the passing game but all the things that we saw we feel that we can correct.
“We just need reps. We are going to get it against St. Thomas More, this weekend against Sam Houston and Evangel. Hopefully all that is going to pay off down the road.”
Senior Sean Connor will join Hansen at safety while seniors Brentley Sorgee and Ty Clavier are expected to start at cornerback.
Although the Tors have to replace nearly all of their skill players on offense from last year, the biggest question will be on the offensive line.
Two starters are back in junior guard Jack Bergstedt (5'10”, 205lbs) and senior guard Tyler Truett (6'0”, 230lbs) but the offensive line has also been hampered by injuries. Bergstedt is still recovering from a broken arm from the spring season while Dillion Lafleur (Jr., 6'3”, 275lbs) who was expected to start at tackle is currently out with an injury.
Brett Burch is expected to start at center while Daniel Teal (Sr., 5'11”, 205lbs), Curtis Killian (6'6”, 260lbs) and John Head (Jr., 5'9”, 254lbs) and senior Derrick Ebersole are also looking for starting positions.
Sulphur will have to replace two-year starter Garrett McCain at quarterback and a pair of top receivers from last year in Will Hassien (665yds, 5TDs) and Chip Armelin (578yds, 6TDs).
Seniors Tyler Lominac (6'0”, 210lbs) and Hunter Bourgeois (5'10”, 190lbs) both were part of the passing game last year.
Lominac started at tight end and caught seven passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns while Bourgeois caught six passes for 49 yards. Garrett Landry (6'1”, 220lbs) will join Lominac at tight end providing another big target for junior quarterback Bryce Gardiner (6'0”, 190lbs).
Others in the mix at wide receiver are Cody Dardeau, Toma Stubbs, Dentzel Brown and Shawn Theirbach.
The back field will also be new this season and will include senior fullback Keith Jasmine (5'11”, 190lbs) and senior Chase Hebert, who moved from quarterback over the summer. Also getting some first team action is sophomore Brian Walker. Junior Kendal Daigle could also get some carries once he recovers from an injury.
Hebert will also see time at wide receiver and under center.
Despite the lack of experience on the offensive side of the ball, Fusilier likes what he has seen so far.
“I like the tempo that we are practicing at on offense,” Fusilier said. “They are very well organized. We moved the ball well the other night at times.
“We had a little penetration that gave us problems that we will work out. I feel confident that they are going to be able to move the football and control the game. I am not saying that we are going to score 50 points a game which would be real nice. We think that we have good skill people at receiver. The quarterback situation seems to have worked itself out and I think that our running back situation is as good as it gets. We have three or four kids that we think can play.”
The Tors will use a sophomore for field goals, extra point and kickoffs this season. While filling in for the injured Kai Ackley, Troy Price made all three extra point attempts and one of two field goals. Sean Connor is currently projected to be the Tors punter.
THE ESSENTIALS
Mascot: Tornadoes
Colors: Blue and gold.
Homefield: Matt Walker Memorial Stadium
Head coach: Harold Fusilier, first year as head coach
2009 record: 4-6 (0-4, 5th)
Offense: Spread
Defense: 4-3
Returning starters: Offense 3, Defense 4.
Key players lost: QB-Garrett Landry, RB-Calvin Peco, Jr., WR-Chip Armelin, WR-Will Hassien, DL-Corris Grant, LB-Ryan Perez, DB-Kyle Bourgeois, K-Kai Ackley.
Top returning playres: TE-Tyler Lominac, OL-Tyler Truett, OL-Jack Bergstedt, LB-Holden Rogers, LB-Jon Peterson, DL-Cody Mills, DB-Will Hansen.
Schedule
Sept. 3 vs. STM
Sept. 10 vs. Evangel
Sept. 17 @ Leesville
Sept. 24 @ Ruston
Oct. 1 vs. Abbeville
Oct. 8 vs. Scotlandville
Oct. 15 @ LaGrange*
Oct. 21 vs. Acadiana*
Oct. 29 vs. Lafayette*
Nov. 5 @ Barbe*
*Denotes district game
