Photograph: Opelousas High standouts Corey Amos (19) and D’Shaun Ford (22) (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
What’s New – For the first time since the 1990’s Opelousas High is considered to be the team to beat for a district championship. The Tigers are now faced with supporting what district coaches are saying about the program as Jimmy Zachery, Jr. begins his fourth season with an abundance of returning starters.
Looking Back – Opelousas finished with a nine-win season, running the table after a season-opening loss at Teurlings Catholic. The season sparked a renewed citywide interest in the program after years of meager attendances at home games. The Tigers dominated the all-district and all-parish teams.
What Does The Coach Say – “We are in a position now where people are expecting you to win, so we have to put that on ourselves now. We have to get used to being the team with the target on the back. That’s the way we approached the offseason, to prepare for what’s ahead of us.” – Jimmy Zachery, Jr.
Offensive Standouts – D’Shaun Ford (1,370 rushing yards, district MVP), Zack Malveaux (876 rushing yards, 658 passing), Izaiah Amos, Jr. (734 rushing yards), Mekhi Jones (466 receiving yards, 6 TD’s), Korey Fontenot (390 receiving yards, 5 TD’s), linemen Bryson Baloney and Bryson Lewis.
Defensive Standouts – Linebacker Travis Esprit (79 tackles), lineman Jonathan Ford (36 tackles), linebacker Dontay Washington (82 tackles), defensive back Collin Fontenot (53 tackles),
Comments From D’Shaun Ford – “The goal right now is to make the playoffs again, win the district and finish the season undefeated. A lot of people in the community are counting on us this year and we are working to be a little bit better. I would like to run for 2,000 yards and go 10-0 in the regular season. You have to trust your offensive line.”
Comments From Corey Amos – “We have a lot of people on offense and defense that are coming back and the ones behind us are ready to step up. We are a team that trusts one another and we are taking the challenge to get better than last year.”
X-Factor – A look at the schedule shows the Tigers have at least one major obstacle – Opelousas won’t play a Donald Gardner Stadium football game until Oct. 13. Until then Opelousas makes trips to Bossier City, Natchitoches, Leesville and New Iberia. That’s a lot of miles which follow the season opener in Lafayette. Then there are the district games to face.
