Surging to Playoffs

ERATH – Jordan Lahasky has collected some special memories this season as a senior linebacker for the Erath Bobcats, and he’ll get the chance to add to that list now that EHS will keep playing beyond week 10.
Lahasky has an unsung but vital role in the Bobcats’ defense, a unit that has helped the school return to the Class 3A state playoffs.
That second-season quest begins on Friday as the No. 12-seeded Bobcats (7-3) meet No. 21 Iowa (5-5) at home.
The mood is far different from last year, when a loss to rival North Vermilion in the finale knocked EHS out of the playoffs and saddled the Bobcats with a losing record.
Seniors like Lahasky have made sure it’s different.
“A lot of the seniors were starters last year,” Lahasky said. “We had a young team, but this year we’re that much more experienced. We knew what we needed in the offseason, and knew what we had to do.
“It wasn’t easy to do, but we all worked hard and it has really been rewarding.”
For Lahasky, part of the change was a physical makeover thanks to an improved diet prescribed by his father, Dr. Ronald Lahasky.
“I knew I had to cut out the carbs and lose the fat he said, “and eat protein, fruits and vegetables. My dad runs a weight-loss clinic and he helped me a lot.”
Lahasky got faster and leaner. The next step was tactical.
“Last year,” he said, “I had a lot of problems with hesitation. I would take that first step, then second-guess myself – which as a linebacker is exactly what you don’t want to do. You’re in the middle of nowhere.
“Now I’m learning to trust my reads.”
“Jordan has always been a leader for us, through the summer and into the season,” coach David Comeaux said. “He’s a great kid to coach, someone who gives it everything he has, and he’s a fun kid to be around. He’s always got something to say.
“He is one of the most improved players on the team. He’s been coached-up by coach (Keith) Calvert, who has helped him to be his best. Jordan has a good understanding of his position and our defense.
“A player like that can help your defense be a cohesive unit.”
“Coach Calvert is a good coach,” Lahasky said. “We know when he’s serious. He’ll tell you what’s wrong, but he’ll tell you why it’s wrong, what you can do to do it right, and why you do it right. I appreciate knowing the ‘why.’ ”
Lahasky said defenders “need to trust each other. If a defensive lineman leaves his gap to go for a tackle, it puts us in a bind. He needs to hold his gap and trust the linebackers to make the stop.”
It has worked so far, including a pair of wins that are special to Lahasky.
“North Vermilion is a huge rivalry, and to beat them (33-19) for homecoming in front of all those people is something I’ll cherish for a while,” he said.
“Franklin (a 47-34 win) threw a lot and had a quarterback who was shifty. They ran a lot of quarterback draws, and I had to make sure he didn’t get out of there. It may have been my best game.”
New addition Calvert has epitomized the job done by the EHS staff this season.
“I’ve been pleased with the coaches, how they’ve taught and prepared the kids week after week,” Comeaux said. “They’ve done a good job with fundamentals to get us to this point.
“Defensively, we’ve been pretty consistent at all three levels (line, linebackers, secondary), but we have a pretty powerful front 6 in the box. And our offense is built for the playoffs. If we play tough, we’ve got a chance.”
Out of sight is last year’s disappointment. Instead, the school is selling blue-and-white T-shirts with a one-word message - “BELIEVE” - that serves as the theme for 2015.
“It will take the same things we’ve been doing – work hard, focus at practice, play well,” said Lahasky, who will enter pre-medicine at LSU next fall. “There will be a little extra pressure to see if we can keep it going.”
All the pieces seem in place – including Lahasky – to write new history.
“It’s fun to watch right now,” Comeaux said. “The kids are excited. But, we’ve still got goals left to accomplish