By: RHETT MANUEL
Sports Editor
BASILE – Anyone who knows Basile High head football coach and Evangeline Parish Football Coach of the Year Kevin Bertrand knows a couple things about him.
First, he’s a man of few words. Even on gameday, Bertrand is rarely vocal. It only happens when he needs it to and that way his words are guaranteed to have a high impact.
Second, he’s a man of high character. Ask him anything about his team and the love he has for both the sport he coaches and the school he represents becomes obvious.
Basile football has always held a high standard. Most years, it feels like a foregone conclusion that the Bearcats will find a way to win at least seven games and find its way into the state quarterfinals.
But down years happen, and that happened to be the case this year. By its own lofty standards, Basile “struggled” to a 5-5 season with a defense that was largely young and inexperienced.
Still, no one approached the game with more passion than Bertrand did and because of his ability to pull the best out of a developing squad he is, once again The Gazette Coach of the Year.
“It’s just a testament to our program that it was almost disappointing for us to go 5-5,” he said. “I think our program is headed in the right direction and it’s in a great place and every one of us wants to keep it going. Being (named Coach of the Year) is an honor.”
Basile came into the season expecting to replace plenty. After losing its starting quarterback, two 1,000-yard rushers and the majority of its defensive production it was almost foolish in hindsight to expect the Bearcats to maintain that same lofty standard.
But, Basile isn’t every small-school program. Its ability to cultivate physicality through its state-renowned wrestling program puts it in a position to accelerate the development of players on the front end.
Still, nothing can prepare you for injuries. When Basile had its fight with the injury bug as the year went on, an already young team seemingly got younger. Despite that setback, Basile still found itself in the thick of the District 5-1A championship race.
“It seemed like we got younger as the year went on,” Bertrand said. “The playoff week, we were counting our defensive guys and over half of them were either sophomores or freshmen.
“It was a bunch of young guys. But we’re excited for them in the future because they got a lot of experience this year and I think that’ll help us down the road.”
It’s the Basile Way. Develop, cultivate and ultimately win games in droves.
The Parish Offensive MVP, Basile running back Tucker Leblanc, is a prime example of that mantra. He waited behind more experienced players and ultimately proved himself.
“Tucker just showed the example that it may not come to you quick, but you keep working hard and it’s going to pay off for you,” Bertrand said.
The pay-off is coming for Basile. When it does, you can expect for Bertrand to be beaming with pride over the results.
Just, in the way he’s known to do … quietly.
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