J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO: Wendal Octave cracks a smile as he thinks about the upcoming prep football season during St. James High School’s picture day earlier this week. (Staff photo by J. Edmund Barnes) VACHERIE – Sometimes all that is needed to improve a player is time. Especially in the case of prep football athletes, where in the space of 12 months a kid can go from a 5 foot, 4 inch flyweight wide receiver who only plays junior varsity to a 6 foot, 1 inch welterweight who sees time on both sides of the ball on the varsity squad. According to St. James High School head football coach Rick Gaille, Wendal Octave falls into this sort of athlete. “Wendal Octave is easily the most improved player (on the team). I could not imagine a year ago the development, physically and work ethic wise,” said Gaille. “(Octave) is one of the bright spots. He’s a very neat young man.” Octave, normally a wide receiver, said he will also return punts this fall, “I’ll do it all. Whatever it takes.” “We had a good spring practice,” said Octave. “It was a good experience for the young guys. If they can handle the spring, they can handle the season.” Octave credits his physical development with an off-season program of running on the levees as well as making as many of the voluntary workouts held during the summer as possible. “I want to get faster so I can stay in the whole game. I’m filling some big shoes.” The shoes Octave referred to belonged to Davin Dennis, an all district selection who will attend Kansas State University this fall. While Octave runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds, he said he hoped to bring his time down significantly. “I’m working to get it down to a 4.4 or 4.5. I feel I can get a 4.4. I’ve got to work on it to be a better player,” said Octave. “I’ve been lifting weights and coming to just about every summer practice we had. Coach (Gaille) said I had no choice. (He said) I’ll call you out.'” Octave had some help in developing his work ethic. He credits his Uncle Lansing with putting the pressure on him to develop his football skills and to strive to be the best. “If I mess up he’ll call me up that night and tell me how to improve and run my routes,” said Octave. Octave also credited his grandmother in pushing him to excel. To set the example for the younger players, Octave said one had to come to every practice and to set a good example. “I just play my game and be an example to the guys not to talk trash,” said Octave. The two games which are most important to Octave are against Donaldsonville and Lutcher. “I don’t like to lose to them. We’ll beat Donald-sonville. We’ll walk the walk, then we’ll talk the talk,” said Octave. “We’ve got a really good team this year,” said Octave. “If we stop playing around and clowning around we’ll go to the (Louisiana Super) dome.”