FOOTBALL: Sharks coach: Great ‘heart,’ focus on fundamentals after loss to First Baptist

Published 3:38 pm Saturday, September 1, 2018

The Sabine Pass Sharks will focus on fundamentals this week as they recover from a tough, penalty-riddled road loss to First Baptist Christian Academy in Pasadena.

A touchdown run late in the game helped First Baptist secure the 19-14 win, but they had to hang on to win as a last-minute TD run by Sabine Pass was called back on a penalty.

“We dominated the first half, although it was 6-6 at the half,” coach Jason Thibodeaux said. “Penalties killed us. We had three TDs called back on penalties.”

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Fatigue was also a factor, Thibodeaux said, as several of the 16 Sharks who traveled to Pasadena battled cramps due to dehydration. He said the sideline needs more organization to keep players hydrated.

Sabine Pass took an early 6-0 lead but fell behind 13-6 in the third quarter. The Sharks responded with a fourth-quarter touchdown and 2-point conversion to lead 14-13 with 4:44 remaining.

But the fatigue that Thibodeaux feared might visit his small squad — several players played on offense and defense — was apparent late in the game.

Injuries, he said, forced some players to play positions they’d never played before.

“There was lots of confusion,” he said.

Nonetheless, Thibodeaux said he saw sparks of offense and an excellent defensive effort.

Lineman Shane Foreman, a junior, and linebackers Logan Odom and Kirk Blood, both seniors, turned in excellent defensive games while also playing offensive line.

“Those guys never saw the sideline,” he said.

Thibodeaux said touchdowns were called back for a block to the back and for illegal formation.

“I’ll take the blame for that,” he said. That’s why the focus will be on fundamentals at practice this week.

He liked the heart that his players showed, he said.

“The scoreboard said we lost,” he said. “But I saw a lot of winning out there.”

Sabine Pass has a bye this week and returns to action Sept. 14 when they travel to Hull-Daisetta in Liberty County. Thibodeaux said that’s always a well-coached team and will be a sterner test than Friday’s game.

“The bye week will help us get these kids mentally ready,” he said.