SAINTS ALIVE WITH DISTRICT TITLE HOPES:

Each year, a coach will endure the loss of key players that accounted for a team’s success. The hope is that the new upcoming class will have more players who can fill the previous class’ shoes.  

That is certainly not the case though for Frank Cazeaux, who starts his fourth year as head coach for the St. Martin’s Episcopal School football team. He will have thirteen seniors on his roster this year, as the number thirteen actually might prove to be lucky for the Saints this upcoming fall.  

During Cazeaux’s four years at the helm, the Saints have won 24 games and his 2010 Saints were an impressive 7-4 overall and 4-2 in 9-1A. St. Martin’s lost to Oak Grove 28-0 in the first round of the playoffs.  

“We were thrilled we made it to the playoffs and all we can do is learn from the past. In any playoff situation, it’s always the luck of the draw as to who your opponent is going to be. We can’t pick and choose,” Cazeaux said. Even though six players were key losses due to graduation, that will not stop this year’s team from possibly achieving more, given the experience and expectations of Cazeaux. A full 10-game schedule awaits the Saints, including a pre-season scrimmage on the road against Fisher on August 19th. In all, 14 starters are back for what is a season, established team. 

Seven starters return both on offense and defense, along with nine special teams starters from a year ago. Out of the 23 returning starters this year, 13 of those happen to be seniors. This advantage is a key factor that will help bring hope to the team’s success and possibly allowing them to advance deeper into the 1A playoffs.. 

“The most important thing for us is that there’s leadership on our team. The seniors are showing great leadership and it’s something that the kids take a lot of pride in and I think we have that in place,” Cazeaux said. 

With the help of their seniors on the starting roster this year, the Saints are looking to make it past the bi-district round, something that has not been done since 1992. “Our focus is to get past that bi-district round this year and try to be an overall better football team on the field,” explained Cazeaux.

Senior Beau Egan (6’2 170) will take the driver’s seat as the starting quarterback for the second year in a row at Tony Porter Field. Egan is a strong and competitive athlete who wants to help lead his offense to a successful year. â€œBeau has been our starter for two years now and we’re looking forward to seeing great things from him. This is his senior year and it’s his year to shine. He has a great arm and is an outstanding leader for us. He directs our offense very well,” Cazeaux said. 

This year could be one of the most competitive teams that Cazeaux has seen. Out of the 23 returning starters from last year’s 7-4 team, four key players are an essential, including Egan, tailback Parker Caronia (Sr., 6’0 190), defensive end/guard Daniel Campbell (Sr., 6’3 195) and tackle Blaise Jurisch (Sr., 6’3 220).  

“Parker has been our starting tailback for the past three years and we’re looking forward to seeing some great things from him.” Caronia rushed 1,000 yards his sophomore year, which Cazeaux said was an outstanding accomplishment. “Daniel and Blaise are the backbone of our offense and defensive line and we’re looking for some great leadership from them and I’m excited to see how they perform this year.”  

Linebacker Jacob Fresenda and strong defensive back Blaine Kern are gone. Tight end Blake Ridley and guard Chris Giambelluca are no longer in the picture as well. Despite the significant losses, the Saints remain one of the most experienced teams in the state in 1A. 

“You can’t worry about who you don’t have. Every year we lose players and it’s always that time for that one man to step up to the plate and become a great football player. My coaching staff is confident that multiple players on this team will make us proud,” Cazeaux said. 

As they start their 2011 football schedule against Lusher on September 8 and end the season finale with competitive rival Metairie Park Country Day in early November, the team is hopeful to end their 2011 season on a high note with so many returning players.

With long-time nemesis South Plaquemines moving up to 2A, St. Martin’s appears primed to win 10-1A, return to the playoffs and achieve their goal of advancing.