Thibodaux defense puts on strong showing

• Advocate staff report
• Published: Sep 30, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:48 a.m.

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THIBODAUX — If the first two games are any indication, scoring against Thibodaux could be a challenge this season.

After having two games canceled because of Hurricane Gustav, Thibodaux returned to the field in dominant fashion. The Tigers have not allowed a point this season in wins over Lutcher (3-0) and Assumption-Napoleon-ville (28-0).

“Our defense makes it very tough in practice every day, so we know how good they are,” Thibodaux coach Dennis Lorio said. “We struggle trying to do things in practice. They’re very intense and very well coached. If you’re going to have aspirations to be a championship team, you’ve got to have a big defense.”

Thibodaux’s defense yielded only 133 yards of total offense against Assumption and sacked Mustangs quarterback John Mabile eight times for minus-51 yards.

Thibodaux has not posted back-to-back shutouts since 1992, when it ended the regular season with three straight shutouts.

Finally, it’s game time

It took a little time, but Ellender finally kicked off the season Friday.

Like most schools in the area, Ellender had its first two games of the season canceled because of hurricanes Gustav and Ike. But because of damage to the football locker room, Ellender had to cancel its Week 3 game against Jesuit because the football equipment and uniforms had to be cleaned of mildew.

The missed games and practices took a toll on Ellender, losing its season opener to H.L. Bourgeois.

It was a memorable weekend for H.L. Bourgeois coach Joe Riley and Vandebilt coach Walter Dupre. Riley picked up his first win as the Braves head coach by beating Ellender. On Saturday, Dupre helped the Terriers edge Holy Cross-New Orleans 46-40 in overtime.

E.D. White Catholic-Thibodaux honored Thibodaux resident Yockey Bernard before Friday’s game against Redemptorist by naming the football field after him. Bernard has been cutting the grass at Harvey Peltier Stadium for 41 years. The school also held a groundbreaking ceremony on the Dr. Richard Morvant Complex of Champions, a multi-purpose practice facility.