ROSEPINE, La. (KALB) - The Rosepine Eagles are entering their second season under head coach David Weldon after finishing 1-9 last season.
“I trust them with my life,” senior Wyatt Colletti said. “I trust them with my whole senior year, because I know that we can do it if we really try, and I know that as long as we stick together as a team, we can accomplish anything.”
Senior AJ Hogg said Weldon has helped him improve as a player and earn a starting role this season.
“He’s lifting me up when I was down. Coach Weldon helped me get out of a slump. He helped me improve myself,” Hogg said. ”Now I get to start. I feel like with our new offense, we’re definitely going to be better. Rushing in for more touchdowns. Defense is going to be better. I feel like we’re going to get a lot of stops, multiple picks, and I feel confident in my boys.”
Colletti said Weldon’s coaching philosophy emphasizes simplicity and teamwork.
“His coaching philosophy is you work hard, and you get to play,” Colletti said. “He likes to make it real simple. It doesn’t leave much room for mental errors so we can be at our full potential. He’s a lot about family here. It makes us stronger as a team.”
The Eagles have a full coaching staff for the first time in several seasons, giving players more one-on-one reps.
“We were shorthanded,” Coach Weldon said. “Being able to bring in Coach Dustin Smith, bring in Coach Cryer, bringing in Coach Bo Cryer as well to help. It has been instrumental because now when we go into our individual periods, we actually have individual coaches to work with the kids and help develop them. I look at our coaching staff as something special.”
Senior Brayden Bergeron said the coaching staff’s emphasis on self-improvement carries over to game day.
“They all ask for self-improvement, so we come here and work as hard as we can. I mean, doing that allows us to play better on game day. We want it, and we’re going to get it,” Bergeron said.
The senior class is focused on setting an example for younger players.
“It’s good to have that leadership, to have the younger guys look up to you and just to let them see your role as a leader. I think we definitely have a lot of trust, focusing on incorporating a bond as a team,” senior Carson Broussard said.
Hogg also said being a role model comes with responsibility.
“I’d like to be able to have them remember this year as a good year for us, get multiple wins, even making it to the playoffs,” he said.
Players feel community support has helped them through recent seasons.
“It encourages us and empowers us as a team itself to see how we have fans backing us up and makes you feel stronger,” Colletti said.
Hogg said the atmosphere at home games boosts the team’s confidence.
“When we have home games, we have everybody here. It’s very chaotic, and it’s very loud, and it’s really nice to hear. There’s a whole bunch of pride, a whole bunch of confidence. I get a huge confidence boost when I hear a band play. Our cheerleaders are confident. They don’t give up on us. They keep cheering even if we’re down. Just overall, great fans,” Hogg said.
Rosepine opens the season at home against the Montgomery Tigers on September 4 at 7 p.m.
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