Photograph: Quarterback Mark Collins of Opelousas Catholic (Photogaph by Freddie Herpin).
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
The start of the 2022 season looks much different than the one Mark Collins confronted last year as a sophomore starting quarterback for Opelousas Catholic.
Physically Collins is certainly bigger than last year, adding 25 pounds. Then there also is the obvious aspect of maturity, as the 195-pounder started every game last year.
To describe his introduction to high school varsity football as a learning experience is perhaps an understatement, Collins admits.
A look at the first two games of 2021 provides a clue to what he encountered, Collins said on Sunday during the team’s annual football media photo day.
Collins remembered quarterbacking OCS to a season opening victory at Eunice High, which was probably one of the biggest wins in recent school football history.
The next week was entirely different.
There was a loss at Vermilion Catholic and after such a signature victory at Eunice, it was back to reality for Week 3, recalled Collins.
“I was happy that I started as a sophomore last year. The first two weeks of the season last year really taught me a lot. We started off with that win over Eunice and came to loss at Vermillion Catholic,” Collins said.
Collins showed a major Week 1 win followed by a deflating loss the next week, wasn’t going to disrupt his progress.
The Vikings rolled off eight straight victories after the VC defeat, finishing 9-2.
Not a discouraging introduction , said OCS head coach Thomas David, for a first-year quarterback starter.
“It goes back mainly to the fact that (Collins) is just a good athlete. He can play college baseball and if he wants he can play college football. He has the size he needs to have. He’s just that kind of athlete,” David explained.
Collins said he attempted to navigate the team’s initial two-game roller coaster in stride.
“You just go back to practice every day and prepare for the next game. You get ready, watch the film and do what you need to do. More than anything I learned it’s not going to be easy, but no matter what, you just go back and try to improve,” Collins said.
Collins and the offense was assisted last year by a Vikings’ defense that allowed only 66 regular season points.
Offensively OCS relied on the run game, which also helped feature Collins overall athletic ability.
Collins doesn’t expect the offense to change that significantly this year.
“I think you will see the same offense as last year. We might put in some new things, but I’m not worried. Coach David is going to have a plan and we trust that,” added Collins.
David said Collins has the ability to adapt, no matter what the offensive scheme.
“(Collins) is smart mentally and he understands the offense and what we are trying to do. I thought he did a great job last year,” David said.
The Vikings, David said, will use the running game primarily again this season, but there are other weapons for Collins to consider if necessary.
“Collins has the confidence that you need. That attitude isn’t arrogance. It’s just that (Collins) is another coach on the field. When it comes down to it, that’s the kind of quarterback you want to have on the field,” said David.
