The persistent rain has played havoc with Brother Martin’s preparation for the football season.That fact magnifies the importance of events like the scrimmage with Covington August 16 and the jamboree against Vandebilt tonight at Nicholls State at 7:45 p.m. Additional pressure comes from playing Petal High School from Mississippi in Week 1.
“That will be Week 3 for them,” said Coach Mark Bonis.
Coach was happy with the scrimmage against Covington, which is picked to be a contender in District 6-5A on the north shore.
“We played physical, Brother Martin football. We played as a team, tough, competing, finishing. We played hard-nosed. The kids flew around and showed some excitement.”
The first team scored four or five times against the Lions’ two scores. The “twos” scored several times also.
The scrimmage included special teams.
“Jack Landry is our kicker. He missed his field goal try but made all his extra points. The field goal was a 45-yarder that had the distance but was wide left. Matthew Alfonso is our punter and did a great job. Brady Faust will return kicks,” Bonis said.
Sophomore Chris Smith and freshman Ryan Rouge alternated at running back during the scrimmage. Another sophomore, Joshua Payne-Morgan, will see action against Vandebilt.
Bonis thinks his offensive and defensive lines will be good. “We’re trying to develop a seven-man depth (not counting the tight end) on the o-line to make sure we’re ready when guys inevitably get banged up. We’ll also rotate three or four tight ends. We play a three-man front on defense, and we think we’ve found six capable guys.”
“Our concern defensively is the secondary because of lack of experience. We return only one guy. We’ve got some good athletes back there, but it’s a different story when you’re under the lights and seeing things happen at game speed.”
The production at running back will determine how much defense Running Back/Wide Receiver Erick Lassair plays. “Erick’s been trained on both sides of the ball, but it’s a matter of getting him healthy.” Bonis said. He left the Covington scrimmage early with an ankle injury.
Bonis is happy with his receiving corps. “When everybody’s healthy, we can rotate seven or eight guys,” he said.
Speedy Davonn Moore is out now with a medical problem, but “he’s going to be a tremendous weapon for us. We may not pass the eye test when we get off the bus, but we have some small shifty receivers that we’re really excited about,” Bonis said.
Quarterback is manned by senior John-Paul Pierce. “J. P. is a leader not only in the huddle but with the whole team. I also have confidence in our backup, Drew Martin. Both have matured tremendously. They help coach up our younger guys. I plan on playing Drew a couple of series with the ones in the jamboree,” Bonis said.
The leaders on defense include Matthew Alfonso, Brendan Brown, John Luke Buchert, and Jabari Watts.
“This group of seniors has the potential to be the closest group I’ve been around, this being my 12th year at Brother Martin. It’s a good group of kids who really care about one another. We graduated a couple of great players, and everybody forgets about Brother Martin. Our guys have taken that and run with it. They feel somewhat disrespected. They’re gonna practice and play with chips on their shoulders. I believe we will be successful this year depending on how close to a family our guys get,” Bonis said.
“Three guys have been offered college scholarships – Pierce, Lassair, and Zach Breaux. We also have guys that have not been offered that,” Bonis said. “College coaches tell me the first four or five weeks of the season will be important.”
Brother Martin has exchanged films of scrimmages with Vandebilt. Bonis thinks the Terriers will be a very good team with a good quarterback. But the jamboree “is really about us. We’re facing the toughest schedule we’ve played since I’ve been here.”
— By Brother Neal Golden, S.C.
