Guidry oversees rebuilding project at Benton
By: Lance Snow
Updated: August 14, 2012
Orange cones,
barrels, and hard hats; Benton's practice resembles a construction zone in
2012.
It's a fitting scene. Head coach Caleb Guidry's rebuilding Benton, and the retooling begins in the
trenches, where the offensive and defensive lines return one starter: Senior
Jacob Seegers.
And if coach Guidry's the general contractor, Seegers is the
site manger:
"He had an
opportunity to play early last year. Took advantage of that opportunity,"
Guidry said. "He turned himself into a good football player and now he's gonna
have to be the leader."
Seegers is embracing
the role.
"Any guys that
have any questions, just come to me I'll help you out with anything you need," Seegers said. "I
love it. I'm ready to step up and they say I'm gonna play both ways. And I
wanna play both ways. It's gonna be great."
It might be great,
but it's not with glory. It comes with grit. The Tigers' offensive crew makes
its money pounding the rock, and Coach Guidry's making sure this crew gets
their due.
"Our top
offensive lineman gets to wear a hard hat. Follow me, that's what it says on
it. Our system is based in a way that we can play with some of these guys that
aren't very big offensively. We dont' have typical offensive lineman here."
More credits
certainly welcome, but Seegers says it's about the results.
"Once you see
your running back score and you see them getting recognition. It helps us feel
good. Knowing we helped to pave the way for them."
This once proud
program has suffered two straight losing seasons, something Guidry's not accustomed
to; but this blue collar crew's isn't concerned with who gets their due, as
long as they don't lose.
"We try to throw
them a bone when we can, but they know what little recognition they're going to
have. That's the attitude we have to take. We're all in this and we want a
"W"."
The players say they're
optimistic about the 2012 season.
"This is gonna
be a good team. We can be in every game we play. Fight to the fourth quarter
and be in the game at the end."
