Monday, September 19, 2016

A Trojan jersey retired

A former two sport letterman at Sacred Heart took the field Friday night joined by his parents John and Bridget Fontenot, head baseball coach Gary Ashford, and pastor Tom Voorhies. Up in the press box, public address announcer Chris Bordelon read off the list of accomlishments as a pitcher for the Trojans and the McNeese State University Cowboys. At the end of the statement, Bordelon proclaimed, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud and honored to officially retire Kaleb Jon Fontenot's Trojan jersey #1."
Going through the humbled Fontenot's mind was the time he spent on Soileau-Landry Field as a player. "I was just thinking about all the good times I had on the football field through high school here at Sacred Heart and the people I've met," he said while sitting in the bleachers during half time of the football game against Houma Christian.
While he took the field for the pre-game ceremony, he walked past the painted roof of the bathrooms that reads "Do or Die." For Fontenot this Trojan motto signifies a sense of pride in what he does. He said it means to him to "go out and play every day and give it your all on the football field, baseball field, no matter what it is." He continued, "You're doing something so you might as well give it 100 percent."
Fontenot takes this pride with him as he continues his career pitching for the Spokane Indians, which is the Class-A minor league affiliate of the Texas Rangers. He says it "feels awesome" to be associated with former Ranger pitchers like Nolan Ryan and current ones like Colby Lewis. He also said, "It's awesome to see those guys here and have the very educated baseball coaches there helping you throughout your path."
This path has led Fontenot from Sacred Heart to McNeese where he became prepared for the atmosphere of professional baseball. He likened pitching in Spokane to pitching in the Southland Conference Tournment at Sugarland Field. "I think that helped me big time just with the atmosphere there," he said. "It prepared me just for the nerves to just calm down and pitch the ball."
As Fontenot continues his path to pitching in the Major Leagues, he will take with him his unwavering faith that he learned at Sacred Heart. He calls this faith, "very important because without praying to God I don't think you have that good foundation." Faith to him helps him along his path and getting through any struggles he may face. "But at the end of the day before you go to bed," he says, "say your prayers and feel some relief."

Friday, September 9, 2016

Mamou hosts East Beauregard

The Mamou Green Demons looked to even up their record after a tough opening loss against Ville Platte High as they hosted East Beauregard in front of a packed Demon Stadium. The home team kept the game close, but a prolonged Trojan drive in the third quarter combined with Demon missed opportunities resulted in a 26-14 loss and an 0-2 record for Mamou.
"At some point in the game we have to flip that switch and be able to take the game to the next level," said Brian Brumfield after the game. "We've got to dig deep somewhere down and get that desire to overcome some of the pain and some of the injuries and be able to play football. We just got to be able to come up with a win."
Mamou fielded the opening kick and began the night on the home 36-yard line. The opening drive resulted in a punt, and the ball came to rest on the home 48 yard line. Adam Chapman and Joab Perron combined for a two yard loss setting up 2nd and 12 at midfield. On third down, Ahmad Guillian was in on the tackle for the stop, but a flag went down on a personal foul penalty against Mamou setting up 1st and goal on the 10 yard line. Guillian was again on the stop for no gain, and Jaylen Griffith was in on the tackle in the back field bringing up 3rd and goal from the 13 yard line. But East Beauregard found the end zone on the next play. Mamou was down 6-0 at the 4:17 mark of the first quarter.
Griffith returned the kick off to the home 48 yard line. Shawn Malveaux was on the receiving end of a shovel pass for a Demon 1st down inside Trojan territory on the 33 yard line after an 18 yard gain. Malveaux again received a shovel pass, and the ball came to rest on the 15 yard line after a personal foul penalty against the Trojans. Landon Deshotels stayed on his feet eluding tackles running down to the 3 yard line for 1st and goal. On 4th and goal, the Demons scored a touchdown as Alex Chapman surged into the end zone. The game was tied at 6 with just under a minute remaining on the clock in the first quarter.
East Beauregard went on to recover a Mamou fumble at the 1 yard line resulting in the fullback waltzing into the end zone putting the Trojans up 12-6 at the 8:55 mark of the second quarter. East Beauregard lead by the same score at the half. The Trojans marched down field in a drive taking up most of the 3rd quarter and ended the drive by taking it around the right side for a touchdown to go up 18-6.
East Beauregard would later take over on downs to close out the 3rd Quarter with the score remaining 18-6. Mamou picked up a fumble in the 4th quarter and had it 1st and 10 on its 41 yard line. A pass was complete to Griffith who ran across the 50 for a 1st down. Joab Perron with a pass and catch ran down to the 16 yard line for another 1st down. Deshotels kept the ball for a gain of seven yards and then completed a pass to Nakyrien Jack for a touchdown. Deshotels ran in the two point conversion as the Demons trailed 18-14 with 6:45 remaining in the game.

The onside kick was fielded by East Beauregard. They went on to go three-and-out but intercepted a pass from Deshotel returning it for a touchdown taking all the air out the balloon of the Mamou faithful. The two point conversion was good as the Demons trailed 26-14.
Mamou next travles down Highway 104 Thursday night to take on Oberlin with a similar 0-2 record after losing 28-25 to Oakdale and losing 41-0 to Kinder.