By Mike Coppage
At first glance, the town of Many and the city of Youngsville couldn’t be much more different.
Many is rural, located in sort of a media no-man’s land near the Texas state line between Alexandria (80 miles to the east), Shreveport (80 miles north) and Lake Charles (100 miles south). Its population dropped from nearly 4,000 in 1980 to less than 2,600 in 2020.
Youngsville, teeming with brand-new businesses, subdivisions, top-rated schools (and traffic circle roundabouts), saw its population soar over 300% in a 15-year period. It’s the fastest growing city in Louisiana.
The communities, despite their contrasting appearances, have something in common, according to Southside High football coach Jess Curtis, who won multiple state championships at Many High, his alma mater, before taking over as the head coach at the Youngsville school several months ago (with a quick pit stop at Natchitoches-Central).
“Southside has the same type of kids I had at Many,” said Curtis, who played tight end on the school’s first team to reach the state finals in 1988. “They’re used to a hard-nosed style of coaching. That’s definitely what we have here.”
The Curtis era is off to a successful start at Southside, which hosts Barbe (3-1, 1-0) in a District 3-5A game on Thursday at Comeaux High at 7 PM. The Sharks (2-1, 1-0) are coming off an emphatic win in their league opener against Lafayette High, a 28-0 shutout.
“I am just really pleased with the progress we have made so far this season,” Sharks’ defensive coordinator Josh LeBorde said. “The boys have bought into the system and believe in what we are teaching. We have a lot to still improve on but we are getting better every day.”
The Sharks bring an impressive coaching pedigree to their defense. Curtis is a defensive-minded coach. LaBorde has head coaching experience with stints at successful large-school programs.
Jayden Hypolite (14 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks), Kaden Williams (14 solos, 12 QB hurries), Carson Goulas (13 solos), Shemar Broussard (10 solos, six QB hurries), Cooper David (seven solos, two sacks) and Jaik Chadwick (five solos, four QB hurries, sack) are among the statistical leaders.
Defensive backs Derrick and Emanual Collins have combined for 15 tackles, five pass break-ups and three interceptions. Derrick Collins, a senior and Emanual’s older brother, picked off two last week.
“Cooper David has been a big emotional leader,” Curtis said of the 6-foot-0, 200-pound senior linebacker. “Carson is really big with his energy and motor. Derrick is a shutdown cornerback. We put him on No. 7 (Lafayette High WR Kevon’te Landry) last week. Hypolite (6-5, 200) has been good on the edge.”
The Sharks held Madison Prep to negative rushing yards in Week 3 and limited Lafayette High to 10 yards on 12 carries.
Curtis, who praised former SHS head coach Josh Fontenot for building a “rock solid foundation,” retained some of the previous staff and kept the same offense, the Flexbone, while incorporating more of the triple option.
“I believe in it,” Curtis said of the triple option offense. “Early in the season, we didn’t pitch when we needed to. We have a fourth option: the pass. If defenses don’t respect it, we can get a touchdown.”
Cruz Holden, who shares the starting QB role with Parker Dies, threw a TD pass last week to Kade Fontenot, who also caught a pass from Dies.
“Both quarterbacks are selfless,” Curtis said. “They push each other. It’s really paid off. We have backs who can hammer you and backs who can run by you. It’s a great mixture.”
Power backs Justin Willliams and Ramon Singleton have feasted behind the Sharks’ offensive line. The duo combined with slotback Ashton Labit, another physical runner at 6-foot-0, 210-pounds, to rush for 256 yards and three TDs on 56 carries last week.
The Sharks possessed the ball, Curtis said, for the entire third quarter and held the Lions to a total of seven first downs.
Singleton and Williams each came into last week’s game averaging more than 7.5 yards per carry. Singleton, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior, ran for over 200 yards against Madison Prep. Williams is a sophomore.
Dies and Holden each ran for a score vs. Lafayette, and Dontavian Jean-Batiste carried for another score. Labit was a great change of pace, rushing for 51 yards on six carries.
Singleton has rushed for a team-high 331 yards on 46 carries with four TDs and a two-point conversion. Williams has added 43 rushes for 270 yards and two TDs. Kollen Francois also has a TD.
In Week 1 at Notre Dame of Crowley, the Sharks fell behind 21-0 before staging a furious rally in a 21-20 loss.
“Our extra point hit the upright,” Curtis said. “If we make it, we’re going to overtime.”
Barbe, which lost to the Sharks 38-13 last year, has won three straight games since a 52-49 loss to undefeated Airline in Week 1.
The Buccaneers are led by senior running back Eric Jones Jr., who rushed for 102 yards and a TD on 16 carries in last week’s win vs. Carencro and caught three passes for 47 yards, quarterback Jelandon Gray (passing & rushing TD) and receiver Luke Leger (five receptions, 78 yards, TD).
“Barbe will hurt you in 100 different ways,” said Curtis, who aims to get the Sharks to at least the state quarterfinals every year. “You have to be consistent to reach the quarterfinals or semifinals. The biggest thing is preparation.”
A newlywed who recently purchased a house in the area, Curtis estimates that he has around 10 years of coaching left in the tank.
“I want to continue to build this program,” he said. “It was a no-brainer (to apply for the job). The only question was how soon I could get down here.”
Make sure you tune in to VSN as the Sharks host the Barbe Buccaneers on Thursday at 7 P.M.