SIDELINES ... with TRYVE BRACKIN

Preseason high school football practices are only days away. Meanwhile, the LSU-Oregon season opener is only weeks away and pro football fans are awaiting the final word on the owners versus players decisions. Yep, August nears and with the month comes the real football fever right along with the worries about hurricane season.

St. John High cranks up its preseason camp next week and has increased its weight room workouts this week in final preparation. Friday of next week Coach Barry “Tut” Musemeche takes his Eagles on their annual weekend “camp” trip to Mississippi. Musemeche began the away camp participation when he was at St. Michael’s. The Eagles will spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Mississippi camp, usually sharing the visit with another high school team or two.

The Eagle mentor finds such an away camp a good way to bring about team player bonding.

Coach Bob Howell will have has Plaquemine High Green Devils begin their preseason workouts August 1. White Castle High mentor Ferrante Dominique will continue regular weight room workouts through next week and will begin outdoor workouts in two weeks. The same will occur at East Iberville High, but the school’s grid program does not usually draw its full numbers until school begins.

Talk continues to grow in the parish about a top-notch District 9-A three-way battle for league honors involving defending state champ White Castle and traditional state powers St. John and West St. John.

Plaquemine is expected to wage a three-way battle with Lutcher and St. Michael’s for honors in a newly created 4-A district.

Meanwhile, East Iberville seems to continually be attempting to rebuild a losing overall football team year after year. Although more discipline has been brought to the program through its coaching staff, headed up by Kelsy Dotson, the Tigers suffered each year with low participation numbers out of a low enrollment high school. Hopes are to improve the school’s feeder elementary and junior high grid programs. When that has been accomplished in the past, it has helped.

If the LHSAA ever gets wise to beginning a Six or Eight Man football league for small 1-A, Class B, and Class C schools, then EIHS is a prime target. But, hey! This is Louisiana! Innovative ideas seem to be far and few ‘round de’hes parts!