BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Now that he has emerged from what he describes as his football comfort zone. Juan Thomas is embracing his opportunity at JS Clark Leadership Academy.
Thomas, a longtime high school football assistant in the Baton Rouge area, has the chance to design the contours of the Clark program which will play three varsity games this season.
Last season the Bulldogs won seven junior varsity games.
Thomas, hired in February as head football coach, thinks his players can win more games in 2024 as Clark plays three varsity contests as a prelude to full Louisiana High School Athletic varsity competition presumably in Class 1A next year.
It’s the first chance that Thomas has had to be a head football coach and he is directing a program that he thinks is ascending.
“Although we lost three of our best players who transferred (Northwest and Opelousas High) recently, we have 45 on the varsity and another 26 who are out in the middle school,” Thomas says.
“Sometimes subtraction is not a bad thing. It makes the other guys step up,” adds Thomas.
The Clark football facilities are beginning to accommodate a developing team.
There’s also a practice field that has been located adjacent to the main classroom facility since the 1970’s, weight rooms, football locker rooms and the amenities most football teams feature.
Despite the relative newness of Clark football, Thomas has sufficient help.
The Bulldogs have at least seven assistant football coaches who have been assigned positions.
Thomas, who is living in the Grand Coteau area, first learned of the football opening at Clark after reading a message board at the Superdome high school football championships in December.
That was the first time Thomas had experienced the Clark football vibe.
“I saw (Clark) play last year when I was at Glen Oaks. I noticed right away that they had some athletes. When I became aware of the opportunity, I applied for it. A lot of times you aren’t going to get that opportunity, so I decided to step out of my comfort zone,” said Thomas.
During the past several months Thomas has been creating a varsity atmosphere at Clark.
The players went to a Grambling State football camp and competed in 7-on-7 games at St. Edmund and East Baton Rouge Parish.
Thomas estimates he has had 95 percent participation this summer.
“It’s been really rewarding seeing these kids grow. We went to Baton Rouge and up at Grambling in order to have them have experience at a different level,” Thomas added.
The Bulldogs, said Thomas, plan to use their athleticism by running a base spread offense and a 4-3 defense.
“All of that is not always going to be the case. We are going to be a team that is multiple in a number of ways,” Thomas said.