Photograph: Eunice High head coach and offensive lineman Josh Simien (77) and wing-back Isaiah Thomas (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
Eunice High
What’s New: Actually the Bobcats are moving forward and plugging in new players without any apparent drama. The coaching staff has remained intact. Other than searching for starters, an abundance of continuity exists within the Eunice High football program.
Last season: Eunice finished 6-5 (winning four of the last five regular season games) and capturing a district championship, the second in four years under head coach Andre Vige.
What Does The Coach Say: “The strength on offense is the offensive line (five returning starters) which is big and experienced. The strength on defense are the linebackers.” – Andre Vige
Offensive Story: Eunice again embraces the Wing-T. Isaiah Thomas and Bryan Allen – two strong performers – return in the backfield. Vige is concerned about inexperience at wide receiver. At this point the starting quarterback is a sophomore.
Defensive Story: The 3-4 alignment features down linemen who also block offensively. Behind the experienced linebackers (Lathan Kennedy, 104 tackles last year), there is substantial inexperience in the secondary.
Comments From Josh Simien (Tackle): “What I like about our team right now are the starters back on the offensive line and with our linebackers, we should be good there also. We’ve worked on our passing game. Our quarterback (Montana Brown) has a great arm and we have running backs who played a lot last year,”
Comments From Isaiah Thomas (Running back): “Offensively we are going to be doing the same things. I think overall the intensity is there for us right now and things are looking great.”
X-Factor: Eunice traditionally has made the Wing-T work due to a reasonably strong passing game. With a new quarterback and inexperienced wide receivers, throwing the ball successfully will be necessary.
