Football Preview: Menard looks to establish stability in second year at Assumption

Veteran coach Keith Menard made the move to Assumption from Central Lafourche in 2020 after seven years with the Trojans. His first year on the job with the Mustangs was tumultuous, dealing with COVID-19 issues.

In 32 years as a head coach at Sacred Heart-Ville Platte, Rayne, Central, Many, Catholic-New Iberia and Central Lafourche, Menard has posted a record of 171-167.

Despite the challenges a year ago, Menard, a former Nicholls State quarterback whose wife graduated from Assumption, managed to guide the Mustangs to the Class 4A state playoffs with a 4-3 record.

“It was crazy last year,” Menard said. “I have COVID in the summer and we had to stop practice, then I had back surgery in August. We finally got playing but missed time and that did not help, especially without a jamboree, with a new system and new players. We made the most of it.”

Assumption showed the ability to score last season.

In their four victories, the Mustangs scored 35, 40, 44 and 32 points, respectively.

Assumption returns nine starters from a year ago, including five on offense.

“We are pretty young but we feel good about what we have,” Menard said.

That includes senior quarterback Sage Rivere (5-11, 202). In 2020, Rivere completed 69-of-121 passes for 800 yards with nine touchdowns.

“It will be Sage’s third year starting,” Menard said. “He has had different systems every year. He really looked good this summer. He has become more vocal, more of a leader. I really have enjoyed watching him grow and how he can lead our team.”

Senior Ja’Keice Gilton (5-11, 202) is back to handle the running game after a solid junior season in which he rushed for 477 yards on 95 carries.

“He had a really good year last year, coming out of nowhere,” Menard said. “He runs extremely hard. Ja’Keice likes to run inside. That’s what we need in the running game.”

The wide receiver and tight end spots are good with three returning starters.

Junior Jayden Goudy (6-2, 215) is back at tight end while senior Tramon Oliver (5-9, 140) and juior Marcus Mollere (5-8, 160) return at wide receiver. Sophomore Reece Turner (5-9, 150) is the other wide receiver.

“Goudy started every game last year as a sophomore,” Menard said. “he has great hands. Mollere was our second guy last year and now he is the guy. Turner is a really good athlete. Tramon can be our possession receiver.”

The challenge for Assumption lies up front, where all five starters from last year graduated.

The new starters will have to grow up in a hurry and two key players who were expected to start will not. Those who will start include junior right tackle Eric Butler (6-2, 215), left guard Jairen Joseph (6-1 1/2 , 280) and center Luke Bourge (6-1, 200).

“Renard Richard is hurt and Jace Caswell quit,” Menard said. “Luke Bourge has to step up for us and we expect he will. The other spots are up for grabs.”

The defense has four returning starters.

“We feel our defense will have to hold us together early in the season,” Menard said.

The front has four new starters, including senior end Lloyd Allen (6-4, 230) and junior end Deondre Davis (5-8, 180), along with junior tackle Dylan Cavalier (6-2, 220) and sophomore tackle Chase Jacobs (5-9, 240).

“We’ve got young guys that play with a lot of energy,” Menard said. “We’ve got about six or seven who can play up front. We like our energy, effort and speed.”

At linebacker, junior Ty’Jai Jones (5-7, 192), the team’s leading tackler in 2020, returns and he will be joined by junior Jerry Wiggins (5-8, 170).

“Jones was a heck of a player, an all-district player last year,” Menard said. “He just makes plays He naturally knows where the football is. He just has it. He can really run and make plays. Wiggins was a defensive back and he is aggressive and gets after it.”

The secondary is the strong suit with three returning starters, including seniors Dontrell Thompson (5-8, 170) and Devon Diaz (5-11, 170), along with junior Randell Wise (5-11, 160). The new starters include senior D’Ante Davis (6-1, 185) and sophomore Bryston Thomas (5-7, 162).

“The secondary is our strength,” Menard said. “Davis moved from wide receiver to safety and he is a good athlete. Our corners played virtually every snap last week in Thompson and Diaz. Thomas will play closer to the line of scrimmage while Wise can flat out run.”

The schedule opens with a tough test at talented Donaldsonville on Sept. 3 before the Mustangs host McMain. Then comes a buzz saw of difficult games, at E.D. White Catholic and at home against St. James and Thibodaux.

“It wasn’t planned that way but it is really tough,” Menard said. “Donaldsonville went to the quarterfinals while E.D. White sent to the semifinals. St. James won a state title two years ago. Both Thibodaux and us needed a week five game and Chris Dugas is a friend.”

District 8-4A action opens at home against South Terrebonne and Morgan City before the Mustangs travel to Vandebilt Catholic and Ellender. The regular season finale is at home against South Lafourche.

“Vandebilt Catholic will be really tough,” Menard said. “They are just solid and well coached with many kids back. They are really good on defense. It’s hard to say after that. South Terrebonne has a good quarterback. South Lafourche is improving and I wouldn’t count them out. Ellender has really good athletes. I think it’s time for us to take a step forward. The goal is to be practicing on Thanksgiving.”

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