Senior focus

In 2018, the Mamou Demons came under new leadership when Dwight Collins was named the head coach.
That transition to a somewhat unfamiliar system had some rocky patches as the season began. But, as the 2018 campaign waned, Collins and the Demons saw a ton of progress that resulted in a plethora of confidence heading into this football season.
“You may not have been able to tell in terms of wins and losses, but the players and the team got better and better as the season progressed,” stated Collins, whose team went 0-10 in 2018. “I for one could tell that we began to compete more. One thing about this team last year was that they showed no let down. Up until now, counting the spring and the offseason, I see them getting a better understanding of everything. That includes what we want to accomplish during practice and what it takes to become a Mamou High football player.”
One reason the team is responding in such a positive way is the fact that Mamou fields 18 seniors on their roster. A number of those seniors have been through the fire and every since their freshman season have not had many wins to hang their hats on.
However, according to Collins, this senior class is hungry to make themselves known; a factor that could carry this Demon team into a successful season.
“The seniors want to be the group that resurrects this program,” said Collins. “Right now, we have a number of those guys playing with a ton of confidence in themselves and their teammates. We are just hoping that it spreads to the underclassmen. There is no doubt that this senior class is talented enough to be able to make those things happen. It is just a matter of them bringing it to the field every day at practice and every Friday night.”
Offensively, Mamou will remain in the pistol set that spreads out the opposing defense, allowing their talented skill guys room to operate and make plays. However, Collins and his coaching staff have a few tweaks to the offense that they were able to put in over the spring and during fall camp.
“Instead of a double wing look out of the pistol, we will stay more in a twins set with a tight end and flanker to the other side,” commented Collins. “I know that with the two wing set, those wings have to be able to block and take the right angles. Last year we were not consistent enough in that area. So, we decided to move to a more wide open set to fit our personnel.”
The Demons return a wealth of talent at the skill positions to allow the newly tweaked offense to flourish. Senior Daylon Ardoin comes back to guide Mamou at the quarterback spot. Behind him at the running back position will be Jalon Bradley, who did get time at quarterback last year.
Joining Ardoin and Bradley will be returning wide receivers Payton Vidrine and Kyrian Green. Marcraveious Roberts looks to add to the talented receiving corps.
Justin Fontenot, who played a number of postions on the offensive side of the ball last season, will take over at the tight end spot. Converted offensive lineman Devin Messer will find himself playing tight end also, as well as moving to the backfield when the Demons go to a two back set.
On the offensive front, Mamou really only returns one starter back from last season, Keon Fontenot. All-parish offensive lineman Landin Soileau would have been a returning starter but was lost to an injury before the fall campaign could begin.
Joining Fontenot up front will be Tanner Atchinson, Brayden Thibodeaux and Isaiah Noel.
“We will probably start with Devin Messer up front just until we can get other guys healthy and ready to play,” said Collins. “How well those players gel will be a big key for us this season. As they say, your offense only goes as far as your line takes it. It will be important that they are able to get it going early on in the year.”
In terms of knowing the system, the Demons will definitely be more comfortable on the defensive side of the ball, as Collins was the defensive coordinator two years ago before taking over the head coaching job.
Mamou utilizes a 3-4 scheme, not only because Collins likes the defense, but also because the Demons struggle to find enough linemen on the front. With that scheme, the linebackers become very important and have a good one coming back in the form of all-parish performer Parker Granger.
Elson Laurent, a returner from last season will move to the rover position from his linebacker spot that he occupied last year. Joining Granger at the other outside linebacker will be Devin Boone.
Up front, Mamou has Carter Ashford and Devin Messer back to stop up the middle of the defense.
The secondary for the Demons is loaded with solid defenders. Players like Kayden Serie, Raylin Thomas and Damarcus Wilson look to make it hard for opponents to throw the football this season.
“Because we have more returners on the defensive side of the ball, we will have to rely on those guys to hold the line for us until the offense can find its rhythm,” said Collins. “I am expecting alot out of our defensive unit and I really think that we can be a solid unit this coming year. With the schedule we have,e it will be important to get a good start.”
Mamou leads off the season with the Merryville Panthers, a second round Class 1A playoff team and winner of five games in 2018. The Demons then travel to perennial powerhouse Basile for an inter-parish showdown.
Mamou returns home to take on Port Barre, a team they beat two years ago. The Demons finish non-district play by hosting the Sacred Heart Trojans, who have made the Division IV playoffs the last four years.
Mamou opens district competition with a very talented rival, Ville Platte High. The Demons then host Highway 13 foe Pine Prairie in their second league game.
A trip to Northwest High is on tap for the Demons in week seven. Mamou follows that with another road trip, this time to a salty Church Point squad.
Week ten sees the Demons hosting Iota to end the district and regular season. All told Mamou will face eight teams that reached the playoffs in 2018, three of which made it to the second round of the post-season or beyond.