Relying on instincts: Annual Bayou Bowl about players ‘making plays’
Annual Bayou Bowl about players ‘making plays’
By Robin Fambrough
Advocate sportswriter
July 15, 2012
Louisiana head coach Terence Williams doesn’t like going into a football game without a solid scouting report. But for all-star games like Saturday’s 10th Bayou Bowl, scouting reports are nonexistent.
That’s why the Donaldsonville High coach wants his players to rely on their instincts and athletic ability. The annual Texas vs. Louisiana game is set for 7 p.m. at Stallworth Stadium in Baytown, Texas.
“We’ve seen the Texas team in street clothes at meals and other functions this week,” Williams said. “They all look like solid athletes, but then so do we.
“We want the guys we have to just go out and make plays. On defense, we want guys like (Ricky) Wyatt, (Lloyd) Grogan and (Darion) Monroe to do what they did in practice.
“They’ve all signed to play at the next level, and they know how to handle just about anything I think Texas is going to throw at us.”
While Wyatt, of Neville-Monroe (Central Arkansas), Grogan, of Central Catholic-Morgan City (Louisiana Tech), and East St. John’s Monroe (Tulane) have emerged as leaders for the Louisiana defense, the offense is a different story.
Bayou Bowl rules limit defenses to a 4-3 alignment. The Louisiana offense is more intricate, becauseWilliams and his staff have installed individual packages for their spread alignment.
Williams has declined to name a starting quarterback saying, “Who starts the game will depend on what plays we decide to run first.”
Tulane signee Devin Powell, of O.P. Walker, and Quintin Wheeler, of Ouachita, both bring skill sets to the offense that Williams wants to maximize. The same is true for the running backs, including Lutcher’s Daniel Taylor, East Ascension’s Jamarcus Jarvis and Lakeshore-Mandeville’s Al-Damion Riles.
Taylor, a Northwestern State signee, is a shifty speed back, while Jarvis (North Texas) and Riles (Louisiana-Lafayette) provide power and speed. Donaldsonville’s Devon Breaux (Tulane) and Woodlawn’s Jamaal Lofton (East Central (Miss.) Junior College) are local players who help lead the receiving corps.
“You know, the guys worked and prepared all week for this,” Williams said. “I’m confident in them and the things we’re planning. Now it’s time to see how we match up.”
About team Texas
The Houston area-based Texas players headed for the highest profile schools are linebacker Elandon Roberts, tight end Brian Allen and linebacker Alvin Munrose.
Roberts prepped at Port Arthur’s Memorial High and is headed to Oregon State. Allen is bound for Utah and played at A&M LaMarque High for Texas head coach Mike Jackson.
Munrose, of Baytown’s Goose Creek Memorial, is bound for Texas A&M.
The Texas squad’s lone Louisiana-bound player is offensive lineman Terrance Boyd, of Baytown’s Lee High.
This time last year
Louisiana snapped a three-game losing streak in the series with a 30-23 victory last season.
Franklinton High’s Ronnie Wheeler returned a fumble 49 yards for a touchdown with 1:55 remaining to give the Louisiana squad a 14-point lead. Gaven Weber, of Barbe-Lake Charles, also returned a fumble for a TD for the winners.
Wheeler was voted the MVP for the Louisiana squad. Chris Nutall, of A&M Consolidated, ran for more than 100 yards and was voted the Texas MVP.
Tickets, trainers, etc.
St. Amant High’s Scott Arceneaux and Lutcher’s Scott Gardina are the athletic trainers for the Louisiana squad. ... Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at the gate. ... Those who wish to watch the game online can log on to www.abc13.com to watch live video streaming.