Central to Travel To No. 1-Ranked St. Thomas More This Friday Night

by Woody Jenkins

CENTRAL — Central travels to Lafayette to play the No. 1 team in the State in 4A football Friday night — St. Thomas More.

After Central’s 43-0 rain-soaked blow-out against Istrouma last Friday at Wildcat Stadium, the St. Thomas More game should be a nail-biting contrast.

St. Thomas More puts on an intimating homefield show, much like Acadiana or Destrehan,  and thrives on intimidating visitors.  For Central head coach Doug Dotson, it’s one of the most important games of the year.  “This is a tremendous opportunity to play a quality team and see how we stack up.  It’s our only real travel game of the season, and I hope our fans will come to Lafayette in large numbers.”

“We want to make a statement — not only about Central football but the Central community.  St. Thomas More thinks we’re a Baton Rouge school, and I want them to understand we’re not a Baton Rouge school — we’re Central!”

Dotson would like nothing better than for Central fans to outnumber St. Thomas More on their home turf.  That won’t be easy.

“This is high school football at its best,” said Dotson, who was an assistant coach at St. Thomas More from 1999 to 2004.  “They have a great heritage and a great head coach with more than 300 wins.  He is one of my mentors, but I want nothing more than to leave Lafayette with a big victory.”

St. Thomas More was 13-0 last year in 5A.  They lost in the playoffs to Acadiana, the eventual State Champion, and then moved down to 4A this year.  They run a spread offense and have a first rate quarterback.  Their running back was the All-District MVP last year.

Coach Dotson said, “Their defense is solid, and their offense is dangerous.  One of our challenges is to take care of our responsibilities.  If we fail to do that, they will have a big play.”

Central is expected to have one of its best teams in years.  This is saying a lot, since Central has won the District Championship the past three years.  By comparison, this team is young and inexperienced but talented.

“Our kids understand what we are up against,” Dotson said.

“This is going to be a knock-down, drag-out contest.  They work hard.  We work hard.  They’re solid.  We’re solid.  They’re smart.  We’re smart.  I think the key may be toughness, physicality.  How tough are we?  If we are more physical in this game, we have a great chance to win.”

Central ran away with last Friday’s game against Istrouma.  It was a rainy night as the early effects of Tropical Storm Lee moved through Central.  It was a light, slow rain that was quite bearable.

“The Istrouma game was a total team effort,” Dotson said.  “Lamonte Janeau ran well, scoring three touchdowns.  Four touchdowns were called back including two by Janeau.  Without the penalties, he would have had more than 200 yards.”

Running back Zach Evans has been out with an injury for weeks but is supposed to see action Friday night against St. Thomas More.  Dotson intends to use Janeau and Evans at the running back position.  “They’re both very fast and talented,” he said.

Coach Dotson was pleased with his defense last Friday.  “Tony Ragusa and Logan Metcalf did a good job of calling the defense.  “Zach Hetrick played well, as did Joey Jarreau.”  At quarterback, Dotson said he was pleased with Brett Courville.  “He’s a cool cat back there.  I like what I’m seeing.  He doesn’t get rattled back there.  Right on the money with his passes.  This week, with two capable running backs, we’ll see what he can do.” Central will have 92 players dressing out and traveling.

Travel Recommendations.  Central coach Doug Dotson said the travel time to St. Thomas More in Lafayette is 1 hour 30-45 minutes with no traffic.  So give yourself more time on a Friday afternoon.  The coach recommends leaving Central by 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. at the latest.  “The visitors side will fill up early,” Dotson said.  Central fans should wear maroon or white.