Volume 6, Number 1 Sept 29,1978
Hi sports fans. Lonnie Thibodeaux and his infamous sports Update are back for another year (like it or not). I'm looking forward to a great sports year, and hope you are too.
Many surprises are in store for all of you if you closely observe HLB's sports program this year. No new faces in the ones we already have. Thus far, the only coaching change has been the appointment of Mrs. Althea Pellegrin as the new tennis mentor. She replaces Mrs. Gloria Chatelain, who did a commendable job at the helm last season.
Many familiar names are now long gone. Mike Alsbrook, Clinton Boudreaux, Randy Dean, Keith Fanguy, Timmy Giroir, Emile Himel, Randy LeJeune, Ross Paisant and the Stewarts are just a few athletes who rose above the rest in past years.
This year, as it always is, new stars will rise up and provide us with some exciting moments. Ernie Bergeron, Mike Calder, Lorin George, Tommy Hunter, Jody Lovell, Jeff Morgan, Jimmy Mullooly, Jesse Myles, Timmy Ordoyne, Les Rhodes and Sam Voisin area few games to watch.
But let's not forget the girls. Not that the sorts staff doesn't recognize the female side of the athletic program or their ability, but, because of lack of space, we'll take a look at them next issue.
Led by all-state quarterback Dwight Prudhomme, the Lafayette Lions edged the HLB Braves 7-6 in a non-district contest on Thursday, Sept. 7. The season opener was played on the muddy Terrebonne Parish Stadium field.
All-state tailback Jesse Myles again led the HLB offensive game with 113 yards rushing on 26 carries. Senior fullback Jody Lovell carried the ball 16 times for 84 yards.
Coming back from a 7-0 deficit, the Braves bounced back in the third quarter with a one yard touchdown from Jesse. The senior tailback was injured on the play; therefore the Braves did not attempt the extra point. The try for the two point conversion failed.
Defensive standouts in the game include Michael Woods, who returned an interception for 35 yards, Ken Benoit and Kevin Fanguy, who sacked the LHS quarterback and Wayne Kullman, who led the defensive unit with five tackles and four assists.
Winning. It is something that the HLB volleyball team has been doing a lot of lately. Going into this week, Coach Jimmy Hebert's troops were on a long winning streak which included an unblemished district slate.
The Braves, although did not open their season so successfully. HLB traveled to Bonnabel in their opener and came home with a close loss 15-18, 12-15, 10-15. The squad then bounced back with a victory over South Terrebonne, but then dropped another close decision to Riverdale. The JV also fell to the Lassies from Jefferson Parish.
HLB, at this point, began their recent streak. The varsity defeated Broadmore in the HLB gym, but the J .V. got edged by the Bucs from Baton Rouge. After the Broadmore contest, it was all marks in the win column for the Lady Braves.
The current streak includes wins by both varsity, and J.V. non-district foes Berwick, Morgan City, White Castle, Vandebilt and another victory over Broadmore. District 8-AAAA wins were over Assumption, Hahnville and South Lafourche.
The volleyballers' record, entering this week was 10 wins and 2 losses overall, and 4 wins and no losses in the district. The J.V. team's mark is 9 and 2 overall and 3 wins and no losses in district 8-AAAA play.
Bruised and weary, Sam Voisin drags himself from the comfort of his home and into school. Sam is bruised from a football game against Lafayette the night before.
Sam's name is not heard very often, for he is a member of the offensive line. Offensive linemen go unnoticed as backs run for 30 yard gains, but should the blocking collapse they receive recognition in the form of criticism. Even backs like Robert Hughes and Tommy Hunter agree with Coach Don Rodrigue in saying that the offensive line does not get the attention that it is entitled to.
Without media attention the talent and depth of the HLB line goes unnoticed. This line is spearheaded by 10 players, Ernie Bergeron, Stan Brien, Cliff Joseph, Leslie Minter, tackles; Jay Buxton, Dan Foret, Jimmy Mullooly, Sam Voisin, guards: Mike Calder and Douglas Hebert, centers. These players go without the attention that backs and defensive players have become accustomed to without any gripes.
When asked why do they play the offensive line, they concede that even though they have been playing the line for at least 3 years, they are still attracted by the contact and hard work.
A three yard sweep for a touchdown, and an extra point by Jesse Myles, sent the East Jefferson Warriors home with the shock of a last minute 20-21 defeat Friday, September 15.
Jesse not only set a new rushing record of 186 yards in a single game, but also set a record on a 72 yard run from scrimmage, the longest in HLB history. Jody Lovell compiled 43 yards on 12 carries.
Fumbles plagued the Braves throughout then game. They fumbled 10 times, losing 5. All three of EJ's scores were set up by fumbles.
Paced by a strong running attack led by senior speedsters Jody Lovell and Jesse Myles, the H.L. Bourgeois Braves defeated the South Terrebonne Gators 13-6 in the Terrebonne Parish Football Jamboree. The game was played before a capacity crowd on Friday night, September 1, in Terrebonne Parish Stadium.
Myles led all rushers with 116 yards on 12 carries. The all-state runningback also scored the game's first touchdown on a one-yard plunge in the first half. He added the extra point.
Lovell contributed 58 yards on 9 rushes, and scored HLB's second touchdown on another one-yard dive up the middle.
Tommy Hunter to Wayne Ingram became a successful passing combination during the contest. The duo connected 3 times for 21 yards, keeping key drives alive.
Two close, hard-fought junior varsity contests, a slim loss to Morgan City and an overtime win over Assumption, opened the season for the HLB J.V. Braves football team. The Tigers hosted HLB on September 20.
In the Morgan City game the Braves were led by the running of Quinton Short. The Junior runningback paced all rushers with 58 yards on 16 attempts. He also had an incredible 114 yards on returns. That total included 44 yards on one kickoff return and 70 yards for the lone HLB touchdown on a punt return in the last quarter.
The Braves fared better in their opening district contest against the visiting Mustangs from Napoleonville. Short again led the running attack with 84 yards on 15 carries. His totals also included a 14 yard pass reception and a 60-yard kickoff. The slim victory was delivered, though, by Vincent Watson. His 3-yard touchdown plunge in overtime broke a scoreless tie, and gave the Braves a victory.
