Wildcats get back to business
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, May 14, 2003
By GEORGE MAHL-Sports Editor
RESERVE – Some players look down at Spring football practice because they just got finished playing other sports. Others enjoy it because they are ready to go to work. The East St. John High School Wildcats fall in the latter category.
“These kids our excited and so is are coaching staff,” said ESJ head coach Larry Dauterive.
Right now, the Wildcats are practicing Monday through Friday from 2:30 to 5:15.
“The coaches we have right now make my job easier. I’ll blow the whistle at 2:30 and before you know it it’s 5:15 and time to go home,” Dauterive said. One thing Dauterive has going during this Spring practice that he did not have during last years practice is the fact that he knows the players and the positions that they’ll play.
“Last year at this time, we were just figuring out what positions to put people in,” explained the second-year head coach.
Besides Dauterive knowing the players and positions, this Spring the Wildcats have installed a new defensive scheme.
“This is new to everybody, but the transition has been easier and more sound for the players,” Dauterive said.
The injury bug is something every team has to deal with during Spring practice. Dauterive said it’s just part of life.
“Last year, we didn’t have Ryan (Perrilloux) because of his knee. You just try and stay healthy.”
Even though East St. John will lose defense ends Vegas Franklin and Kirston Pittman to graduation, the Reserve school will feature a high-powered offense that will put points on the board.
Sophomore quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, running back Derron Thomas and wide receiver Reggie Joseph feature a triple threat that will make it difficult for opposing defenses to stop. Thomas and Joseph are two seniors being highly recruited by several division one universities.
” We have the talent and we are making progress. All we can do is stay healthy.”
East St. John will hold a black and gold scrimmage on May 19 at Keller Stadium. The Wildcats will play West St. John High School in the River Parishes Jamboree in August.
