By BRIAN GUILBEAU
AMERICAN PRESS
It's 20 and counting for South Cameron.
Not since Week 10 of the 2000 season have the Tarpons lost a regular-season football game.
At 7 p.m. Friday, Class 1A's third-ranked Tarpons go for No. 21 as they play host to the DeQuincy Tigers. And, forgetting about the previous 20 wins is important to South Cameron coach Parry LaLande.
"Sometimes it's hard to keep the kids focused," LaLande said. "At times they tend to think they are good and we have to get on them during practice and show them they are not as good as they think."
"I don't see anything that South Cameron does that we can use to our advantage," DeQuincy coach Pat Miller said of the team that has beaten the Tigers two years in a row. "They don't make any mistakes."
If South Cameron wins its 21st consecutive regular-season game Friday, it's going to have to win without the guy who quarterbacked the previous 20 wins.
Senior quarterback Brett Baccigalopi broke his leg during fall practice and is out for the season. Junior Andre Savoie moved under center for the scrimmage and jamboree and is learning the Tarpons' scheme.
"The bottom line for Savoie is he needs experience," LaLande said. "Until he plays more, it will be hard to say. He will be better each week and he's got some seniors around him to help him out."
"We still expect South Cameron to throw the ball," Miller said. "He's got a good touch on the ball and we expect them to try and throw just as much as run."
The Tarpons will face a DeQuincy squad long on speed, but a team with only five wins the past two seasons.
"Their speed is a concern of ours," LaLande said. "In the past they looked like they had one or two guys with speed, but this year it looks like they can all go.
"They are faster than we are."
"We've got some pretty good skill people," DeQuincy coach Pat Miller said. "We are going to try to get them the ball and see what happens."
Three backs will see time carrying the ball for the Tigers. Junior C.J. Joyce, senior Marico Payne and freshman Willie Record have each had carries in the preseason and could figure heavily into the DeQuincy offense.
"All three did well in the jamboree," Miller said. "We are waiting for one of them to step up."
"They are an improved ballclub from last year," said LaLande, whose squad beat DeQuincy 14-0 last season. "They are faster than us and we are concerned about giving up the big play. We need to be able to contain them for 48 minutes."