From a Losing Season, Comes Winning Attitudes

by Reagan Tucker

 

 

December 2, 2009 - With only a single win, the Fontainebleau Bulldogs didn’t quite have the season they had hoped for; and for the graduating players, it was less than ideal. However, after sitting down with three of the seniors, it was clear that they had not been deterred, and their spirits were not crushed as many might assume.

 

 

Thomas Babin had shown his perseverance prior to this season. At 6’0, 210 pounds, he is what many would consider to be too small for his position as linebacker. However, what some might find to be a weakness, proved to be his greatest motivator. “I wanted to prove everyone wrong because everyone says that I’m undersized for a linebacker, but I can play with kids that are bigger, and stronger, and faster than me.” And he certainly did. With 105 tackles, nearly half unassisted, his size proved to be anything but a deterrent. He set out with two goals in mind this season; to make 1st team All District and to have over 100 tackles. Both were fully recognized, but these achievements aren’t the most important things he is walking away with. Babin credits the losses with teaching him an important lesson, “You have to give it all you have, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing. You still have to keep fighting. That just shows character.”

 

 

 

Justin Church, who stands 6’5, 210, never worried about proving his placement as Defensive End, but he certainly always had the drive to play his position to his greatest ability. “Coming into my junior year, I wasn’t that good of a player. But I kept working at it, and you just have to give it your all. Never give up, even if you think you aren’t going to succeed.” Despite the Bulldog’s losing streak, Church says that he worked hard to enhearten his fellow teammates. “I always try to get others motivated, and get everyone fired up to play. I try to be the best leader I can be, on the field and in class.” Perhaps his leadership quality can be attributed to his own accessibility to a player to look up to. His older brother, Logan Church, played quarterback for the Bulldogs until he graduated two years ago. Church is not only a leader on the field and in the classroom, but in the community as well. This coming summer, he is traveling to Mexico City on a mission trip with his church. He says that he didn’t let the losses diminish his spirit, as evidenced by his impressive 65 tackles and 13 sacks this season. He has also already begun to work out in preparation for next football season.

 

 

 

Defensive end Scott Korte, 6’4, 230, follows not only in the footsteps of his father, former University of Arkansas and Saints player, Steve Korte; but also in those of his older brother Steven Korte, former Fontainebleau High School and LSU fullback. Scott Korte is very at home as Defensive End, describing the position as “The perfect combination of athleticism and speed.” Like Babin and Church, he didn’t let their dismal season discourage him. With 53 total tackles, 5 batted balls, and 3 caused fumbles, Korte says his strategy is to “Play hard and be relentless. Don’t let anything bother you, don’t let adversity get in the way of anything.” With the recent family tragedy of losing his older brother Shane Korte in January, he is the personification of perseverance. He says Shane’s memory serves as his inspiration. “This year I dedicated everything I did - in the weight room, and on and off the field – it was all dedicated to his memory. That was definitely my motivation.” Korte also says that the coaches at Fontainebleau have taught he and his team not only about football, but they have given them lessons on life too, teaching them to keep pushing ahead and to give it their all, in every arena of their lives.

 

 

 

Babin, Church, and Korte all plan to attend college after they graduate and to continue playing football. If their sportsmanship, talent, and determination to excel and thrive serve as indicators of where their futures might lead, we can be sure that this isn’t the last we will hear of them.

 

Of the players, Head Coach Mike Matherne says, “When you want them to do something, they work at it. And they’re good at it.” Of the 2009 season, he says, “We lost a lot of close games. I’m hoping it’s a learning experience for them.” If their testimony is any proof, it certainly was.
 

 

 

THE BAYOU-25

Name
Ht.
Wt.
Pos.
School
Nic Jacobs
6-5
260
DE
Many  
James Wright
6-3
200
WR
Belle Chasse 
Jarrett Fobbs
5-11
185
Ath
Huntington  
Tyran Mathieu
5-10
170
CB
St. Augustine 
Eric Reid
6-3
220
FS
Dutchtown  
Tharold Simon
6-3
205
FS
Eunice  
Alfred Blue
6-2
215
RB
Hahnville  
Trovon Reed
6-0
180
Ath
Thibodeaux  
Frankie Jackson
5-9
195
RB
Capitol  
Terrance Broadway
6-2
215
QB
Capitol  
Munchie Legaux
6-4
195
QB
Edna Karr 
Taylor Bullock
6-3
215
QB
Catholic New Iberia
Armand Williams
6-3
190
WR
Slidell  
Jordan Allen
6-6
270
OT
West Monroe 
Trevence Patt
6-0
180
SS/FS
Breaux Bridge 
Will Briscoe
6-3
185
QB
Central  
Tauren Nixon
5-11
170
CB
Southern lab 
Ivan Robinson
6-3
265
DE
South Beaureguard 
Robdonovan Lewis
6-0
180
CB
Jonesboro Hodge 
Brad Wing
6-3
185
Punter
Parkview Baptist 
Seth Ancar
6-0
200
LB
South Plaquemines 
Karl Butler
6-1
200
FS
Brother Martin 
DJ Welter
6-0
225
LB
Notre Dame 
Collin Ellis
6-1
200
SS
Dunham  
Audoniss Madison
6-4
305
OG
Edna Karr 
Conner Nichols
6-3
205
FS
Airline  
Andre Hal
5-11
175
CB
Port Allen 
Alex Hill
6-4
300
OG
Slidell  
Wendell Beckwith
6-3
225
LB/DE
Clinton  
Dwayne Mitchell
6-2
215
LB
Edna Karr 
Jeremy Myers
6-2
215
Ath
St. Michael 
Gavin Webster
5-11
210
QB
Lutcher  
LaCraig Brown
6-4
275
DE
Richwood  
Damien Jacobs
6-4
300
DT
H. L. Bourgeois
Kenny Welcome
6-2
275
DT
MCDonogh 35 

CLICK HERE
TO ORDER YOUR COPY OF
LOUISIANA FOOTBALL MAGAZINE TODAY!

 120 full color pages, Preview of all high schools 1A to 5A and Colleges

 

 

Parent of a football player?

Lee Brecheen's Parent Consulting

IS THE ANSWER!

LCN-TV is proud to present
"Louisiana Football TV Magazine"

on cable systems:
   Cox        140
   Charter   109
   Vision      41
   Eatel      135
   Kaplan     14
   RTC       152
 
LCN-TV your Louisiana Connection Network

 

 

 
Website Designed and Hosted by NetShapers, Inc.