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News

September 24, 2004

FHS begins title hunt against Hammond
By Joe Parfait

MANDEVILLE - The Fontainebleau Bulldogs have accomplished one of their goals on the season, now they must turn their attention to goal No. 2.

When Justin Beitzel kicked a 27-yard field goal in overtime to beat Salmen last Saturday, the Bulldogs finished the pre-district part of their schedule with a 2-1 record. That was goal No. 1.
Now it must turn its attention to the goal that has eluded the team since the school opened. This year Fontainebleau believes it will win its first district football title.

To prepare for a district race the Bulldogs played John Ehret and Salmen in the last two weeks. Both teams are regulars in the playoffs, and both have state championships to their credit.

Coach Larry Favre is not completely satisfied with the outcome of those two games. While the Bulldogs won one, they could have won both had it not been for mistakes. At the same time, Favre said, the mistakes are correctable. He pointed out fumbles and penalties that have cost the team touchdowns.

One of the things he likes about his team is the fact it is not getting down on itself when it makes a mistake or falls behind in a game. "When we fell behind we were able to stay positive and confident on the sidelines. We never got rattled, and we never gave up. I think that's the sign of a turn in the program. That's something we haven't seen here at Fontainebleau, especially against that level of competition," Favre said about last week's game.

Favre is also high on the way his defense is playing. The defense has been a big key to the team's success so far this year.

"I think the reason why the team's confidence is high, the reason we're competing at a higher level is because we're doing a much better job on the defensive side of the ball. I think how the defense plays is really crucial," he said.

Hammond comes to the Dawg Pound tonight and would like nothing better than to put a crimp in the Bulldogs' plan for a district championship. The Tornadoes suffered their first-ever loss to Fontainebleau last year, 17-13, when Steven Korte scored on a 47-yard pass play with just over two minutes left in the game.

The Tors went into last year's game with a 1-2 record. This year they are undefeated and sporting a lot of confidence. While Hammond hasn't played a powerhouse schedule, it did beat Franklinton, a good Class 3A team, 34-9, last week.

Hammond is quick on the defensive line and has good returning players at the skilled positions. Brad Moore, son of coach Carmen Moore, returns at the quarterback position after taking over that job midway through last season.

"He's not making mistakes to hurt his team. He doesn't make fancy plays, but he doesn't hurt his team either," said Favre of the younger Moore.

Hammond will bring in a power multiple offense that comes out of the "I" formation a lot. The Tors like to give the ball to fullback Matt Betts, who ran for 116 yards last week and two touchdowns. They will also try to make big plays with 6-foot-3 receiver Merrick Lanaux. Lanaux caught an 80-yard pass for a touchdown and another pass that went 41 yards to set up a touchdown.