Tom Dodge
Iota’s Josh Andrus is entering his sixth season as the Bulldogs’ head football coach – and this will be a year he will always remember.
Even with the coronavirus pandemic halting spring football and delaying the start of the 2020 season, Andrus said his team has remained focused through it all.
“We only have 11 guys, so this is the smallest senior class we have had in a while,” Andrus said. “But they are two or three year starters and they know what it takes to be a winner.
“It hit them really hard not having a spring and they are doing the extra stuff to make sure they are prepared for the season – whenever it happens.
The LHSAA ruled there will not be pre-season scrimmages or jamborees this football season.
“We missed the physical part of blocking and tackling during the spring,” Andrus said. “Those are the two most important things on offense and defense – but I don’t think we will be behind anybody but it may take the first couple of games to work things out.”
Iota finished 9-3 overall, 3-2 in district last season and advanced to the second round of the Class 3-A playoffs.
“This year’s team will be full of youth,” Andrus said. “Our success will depend on how fast we grow up and gel.”
Returning starters on offense include junior quarterback Dawson Ardoin, senior wide receiver Zan Connor and junior wide receiver Seth Guillory along with junior tight end Owen Harmon.
“We return some skill guys who got significant playing time last year,” the coach said. “We will be smaller but as a team we will be more athletic and faster.
“We made some changes on offense to use their abilities better,” Andrus said.
The offensive line has two returning starters with junior Nick Hebert and sophomore Hanz LaCasse.
New starters on offense include juniors running back Tyler Charlot and wide receiver Daylan Luson along with senior lineman Gage Monceaux as well as junior lineman Diego DeSoto and Ashton Breaux.
“We moved Tyler from wide receiver to running back because of the way he ran the ball after the catch – I think he will have a surprising good year at running back for us.
“We like what we see from Owen Harmon, Zan Conner and Seth Guillory as receivers.
“We are excited about our offensive line, led by Nick, Hanz and Ashton,” the coach said. “With Diego and Gage we will have a chance to have an effective offense.”
There are five returning starters on defense led by senior linemen Dakel Thibodeaux and Ethan Zaunbrecher.
Other returners are seniors linebacker Trevor Lopez, cornerback Owen Daigle and safety Jeb Decuir.
“The defensive side of the ball will be controlled by our experienced D-line and the young but talented linebacker group,” Andrus said. “We are switching to the 3-4 defense this year because we feel we have a really talented linebacker group.”
New starters on defense as sophomore linebackers Clay Doucet, Carson Crochet and Luke Duhon.
Junior Ty Regan is projected to start on the defensive line, while juniors Parker Jayes and Parker Seilhan will play at cornerback and safety, respectively.
“We should have a strong defense again this season,” the coach said.
The Bulldogs began the 2019 season with five straight victories before a loss to District 5-3A champion Church Point.
Iota earned wins over Ville Platte, Pine Prairie and Mamou but finished third in the district race after a loss to the Northwest Raiders.
The Bulldogs opened the playoffs with a 32-22 win over Wossman before falling 18-13 at Baker.
With the LHSAA’s delay of the season until Oct. 8, the schedule will be released on Aug. 28.
If the season begins with the third playing date, games against Iowa and Welsh will not happen and the Bulldogs would travel to Lake Arthur and South Beauregard for the first games of the season.
A home game against North Vermilion will conclude Iota’s non-district schedule.
If the season begins with the sixth playing date, the Bulldogs will take on Church Point to open district play.
Iota’s district battle continues with games at Ville Platte, home against Pine Prairie, at Northwest and the home finale against Mamou.
“I think it will be a three-team battle for the district title between us, Church Point and Northwest,” Andrus said. “I think it will come down to how we play each other.
“I think Mamou will be better this year,” the coach said. “Pine Prairie and Ville Platte are looking to improve.”