IOTA – The Iota footbal team has survived 0-10, 1-9 and 2-8 seasons the last three years.
Third year head coach Josh Andrus is counting on the return of 13 starters to help his Bulldogs improve in 2017.
“Last year I felt we were ready heading into the season,” the coach said. “We had little things that set us back – injuries and the lack of focus.”
Andrus said the summer workouts were desgined to help in both those areas.
“We worked on injury prevention and mental things during workouts,” Andrus said. “Those two things I thought hurt us.
“We got better as the year went on and I am hoping the things we did over the summer helps us to get off on the right foot.”
Andrus said he is pleased with the senior group.
“The last couple of years we have had good senior leadersship but without the depth,” he explained. “This year we have seniors with depth and ability.
‘They have been through the ups-and-downs of the games,” Andrus said. “They have been through the good and bad of a season so they know what to expect. They are good leaders for the younger players as they build trust in each other.”
Even with 13 returning starters, Andrus said all slots will be earned.
“The compeitition between the guys has been good,” he said.
“The freshmen nede to be ready to play and expect to play,” he said. “That helps motivate the older guys as no one has a safe job.
“Last year we got dowm to our fourth-string quarterback so injuries could move players into the line-up,” he said.
“The weight room and running drills have been competition to help prepare the guys,” Andrus said.
Eight of those returning starters are on offense, led by senior tight end Hunter Andrus (6-2, 195) and senior wide receiver Brett Clay (6-0, 170). Andrus was an All-District selection last season.
Andrus and Clay will be the prime targets for junior quarterback Trae Rankin (6-3, 170). Rankin will be handing off the ball to senior running back Kaleb Guillory (5-6, 190), the leading rusher for the Bulldogs last season. Senior fullback Alex Frey (5-6, 180) fills out the backfield.
Along the offensive line, senior Garrett Broussard (5-10, 215) and sophomore Connor Braquet (6-3, 210) return at the guard positions, with junior Juwan Felix (6-2, 290) returning at right tackle. The new members of the offensive line include sophomore center Brayden Hebert (5-8, 175), sophomore left tackle Wyatt Shuff (6-2, 260).
On the defensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs return five starters from last year. They include senior defensive end Kaden Johnson (6-2, 190) and senior linebackers Levi Manuel (6-0, 180) and Hunter Andrus. Manuel and Andrus were both All-District selections last season. Returning to lead the secondary are juniors Kam Aucoin (6-2, 200) and Mitchell Lege (6-2, 165). Lege was an All-District pick last season.
New starters include senior Conner Fontenot (5-9, 215) and sophomore Chris Newman (5-9, 220) at the defensive tackles and sophomore Dylan Montgomery (6’-205) at defensive end opposite Johnson. Alex Frey will take over as a starter at linebacker. Senior Brett Spell (5-6, 170) joins Aucoin at safety. Junior Nick Grant (5-6, 170) joins Lege at cornerback.
Lege also returns as the Bulldogs’ punter.
The Bulldogs are joining the new, realigned District 5-3A, which includes Church Point, Eunice High, Crowley, Mamou, Northwest, Pine Prairie, and Port Barre.
“We don’t have to travel as far in our new district,” Andrus said. “It will be a very competive district, but I think the district we came from prepared us for this.
“Staying healthy is the key.” he said. “If we can stay healthy we have a good chance of winning a lot of ball games.”
Iota will scrimmage Westminster Christian Academy at 6 p.m. on Aug. 17 at home.
The Bulldogs will face Eunice High at the Joe Nagata Memorial jamboree on Aug. 25.
“It will be a measuring stick to see what we need to do to compete in that district,” Andrus said.
The Bulldogs open the sesaon Sept. 2 at Basile.