Comeaux shows steady progress

• By BRIAN HUDGINS
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Oct 2, 2008 - UPDATED: 6:13 a.m.

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LAFAYETTE — A steady progression has created a sudden impact for Comeaux High School.

The Spartans finished 5-5 last year and saw the playoffs remain a step out of reach, as the season ended with a loss to Sulphur. From that point, Comeaux has forged a 3-0 start thanks to the effects of time.

“Last year, they were 16-year-old sophomores and now they are 17-year-old juniors,” said Comeaux coach Brian Langlinais. “They are a year faster, stronger and wiser. They have a good will to commit and work hard.”

Some of that will and wisdom comes courtesy of quarterback Garrett Kreamer. The 5-foot-9, 150-pound senior passed for 1,230 yards and nine touchdowns last season and is building on that this year.

“Kreamer is talented and he is a mature kid,” Langlinais said. “He has a lot of football sense and he won’t make mistakes to cost a game. He is a competitor and would do whatever he has to do, whether it would be catch passes, return kicks or block. That in itself, when the kids around him see him compete, they want to get better.”

Juniors Michael Strentz and Dillon Williams have set a fast pace through three games. In the Spartans’ season-opening 45-7 win over Northside, Strentz accounted for five touchdowns and 254 yards as a rusher and receiver.

Williams has carried 44 times for 299 yards and three scores. In a 17-14 victory against South Terrebonne, he kept the chains moving for the Comeaux offense by grinding out 139 yards on 22 carries before kicker Jerad Hayes provided the winning points in that contest by hitting a 37-yard field goal with six seconds left.

The Spartans defense has made strides this season, holding Northside, South Terrebonne and Lee to an average of seven points a game. It is a group that faced some tough challenges a year ago within District 3-5A.

“We start nine juniors and two seniors on defense,” Langlinais said. “Those kids took a beating (last year) and they learned. We have guys that can run and make plays and the defense has given the offense more chances to touch the ball.

“You just have to rely on coaches to put kids in the right position and play competitively. If you can play consistently, not turn the ball over and play good defense, you can be in every ballgame.”

Quinterrius Augustine and Tevin Duhon combined for three interceptions in the Northside win.

Comeaux faces New Iberia on Friday, before tackling a district that includes Acadiana, Barbe and St. Thomas More. Langlinais knows the Spartans will have a stiff challenge again this time around.

In this week’s Class 5A Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll, Acadiana is ranked first, Barbe is fifth and St. Thomas More is eighth.