by Taylor Williams
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| De La Salle Head Coach Cory Bordelon |
March 29, 2010 - We all know that most successful athletic teams pride themselves on having high aspirations and goals… on the condition that they are actually achieved in a reasonable amount of time. When measuring progress, experienced coaches and team leaders look for gradual improvement over time rather than immediate success. In no sport is this more applicable than football, and it holds particularly true for younger players and teams. No coach recognizes and understands that more than Cory Bordelon, head coach of the De La Salle Cavaliers, a 3A school prominently located on historic St. Charles Avenue. De La Salle’s surrounding area represents some of New Orleans most reputable, ingrained, and longstanding members of society- the people whose families helped build this city. But while the school’s location in the uptown area is undoubtedly prominent, the Cavaliers’ football team is still en route to attaining that status. The Cavs’ squad is comprised mostly of underclassmen, fielding two sophomore quarterbacks in Jay Gros and Anthony Thomas, as well as an equally young supporting offensive cast. Though they are losing key defensive players in free safety Chance Washington and tackle Michael Rousseau to graduation, the younger players are ready to step up and fill the voids. But while the Cavs’ team is undoubtedly talented, it’s young talent that lacks the depth and experience characteristic of the championship teams. Consequently, Coach Bordelon has set realistic objectives for the 2010 season, including taking down division powerhouses Holy Cross and John McDonogh and making the 3A playoffs.
Given his extensive experience in coaching, which includes stints at Archbishop Hannon and Jesuit as head coach and offensive coordinator respectively, Coach Bordelon knows that the ability to compete at high levels is rarely granted overnight. As the coach at Hannon (now in Covington), Bordelon’s team saw the return of only 18 players from its original 65 man roster after the Katrina season, but still managed to post a near .500 season within a year. No crazy championship endeavors with just an 18 man team, but the plausible goal of remaining a solid, respectable team. Bordelon also served as the strength and conditioning coach at Jesuit where he literally set the bar for the 5A powerhouse players. His ability to set the bar attainably in both the weight room and on the field motivates his players to the max because they know their goals are within their immediate reach. In addition to moving at a steady pace of improvement, the football team has also seen a gradual increase in administrative support for the program, a factor whose importance cannot be overstated. With these kinds of incremental improvements over the course of the next couple seasons, the De La Salle Cavaliers stand to make a major run in their division, whose current leaders are on the verge of the rebuilding stage as well. Hopefully these teams can set the bar as well as the Cavs have and help maintain the competitive atmosphere that drives the success of Louisiana football.
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