Coach Doug Dotson Gets High Marks For His Years as Central Head Coach

Edwards-Dotson Combined to Win Four Consecutive 5A District Titles

CENTRAL — After five years on the Central High School coaching staff, including the past two years as head coach, Doug Dotson resigned last week and accepted a position as head coach at Erath High School just south of Lafayette.

Between Dotson and Coach Sid Edwards, the Wildcats won the District 4-5A Championship for the past four years and went to the State Playoffs for the past five years.  Dotson’s 2011 team was a Cinderella squad that proved all the experts wrong with a miracle come-from-behind season and a historic playoff victory over undefeated and No. 1-ranked St. Paul’s of Covington.

Dotson said his time in Central was a great experience for his family and himself that he will always treasure.  “There have been so many great people and great experiences in Central that this was a very difficult decision to make,” he said.

Nevertheless, Dotson said it was time to return to his roots.  Erath is just a few miles from Acadiana High School, where his father was a legendary high school coach.  He is living with his mother Jane until the end of the school year when his wife Michelle, daughter Bailey, and son Brett join him.  Bailey will graduate from Central High in May.

Dotson had a lot of thanks for his players and fellow coaches and the people of Central.

“Coach Sid Edwards is one of my best friends.  It was a tremendous honor to serve with him, and I am so grateful for the opportunities he gave me.  He’s a tremendous friend, and I will always turn to him for advice,” he said.

Dotson had a lot of praise for his coaching staff, starting with David Simoneaux, his top assistant and close friend, and Steve Johnson who served as a “right hand man.”  He had special words for Frank Fresina — “Five years on the defense together and lots of success!”  He recalled holding opponents to 21 straight scoreless quarters until Catholic recovered a fumble in the end zone.  He has a special place in his heart for Coach LeSage — “someone I admire as much as any man.”  He spoke of Justin Hutchinson — “the unsung hero of our program” — and freshman coach Mike Gardner, a tremendous worker.  And his praise for the other coaches went on and on.

Dotson talked about all that goes on behind the scenes to make Central football so successful.  He said the parents had been so generous with their time, hard work, and support, starting with Ronnie Edgens.

The Wildcat Band and Spirit groups, including the Kittens and Silks, were so vital to the program, he said, and he had special praise for Beth Pastorek and the cheerleaders.  “She started with only 12 girls and developed a program with 45 cheerleaders.  It has been a tremendous blessing for this team.  There are so many outstanding young ladies involved.  From the outside, it looks easy, but it is a very difficult job.”

Dotson said the subtleties have made a great difference for Central High football.  “For instance, look at the great printed football program that’s offered at the games.  It’s worthy of a college media guide.  This is a result of a tremendous effort by people such as Connie Guerin, Michele Mansur, Stacie Cazes, Rob Hetrick, the Metcalfs, the Jarreaus, and the Sansones.  It is truly first class.”

Coach Dotson said, “I’m going to say something that I know you will leave out but I’m telling you to put it in the paper.  I want to thank Woody Jenkins and the crew at the Central City News for your coverage of Central football.  It is unmatched anywhere in Louisiana.  I appreciate everything you do for our program.  Every week our players wait for the Central City News — and so do I — to read your great coverage.  People here just don’t realize how special this newspaper is.”

After five years and more than 55 games coaching in Central, Dotson said he has many unforgetable memories from Friday nights, but four stand out:

• Miracle in Metairie. In 2008, Central played Brother Martin in the playoffs.  The closing moments of that game were as chaotic and exhilarating as any game ever played.   With the score tied 7-7 and five seconds left on the scoreboard, Central’s Josh Johns blocked a Brother Martin field goal on the 23-yard line and with no time left on the clock Josh Veals ran the ball back for a touchdown and a 13-7 victory.  It was madness!

• Catch in the Cathouse. In a playoff game against Ouachita in 2009, 1.6 seconds on the clock, and Central behind by 28-23, Will Briscoe threw a 50-yard Hail Mary pass that was easily deflected by four Ouachita defenders, but there at the right place at the right time were the waiting hands of Daniel Hebert, who dragged the defenders into the end zone.  Central won 29-28.

• Miracle in Zachary. In 2010, in a classic Central-Zachary game, Logan Metcalf blocked a Zachary PAT at the end of the game, ending regulation time with the game tied 6-6 and sending it into overtime.  In the first overtime period, both teams kicked field goals, leaving the score 9-9.  In the 2nd overtime period, Central’s J. R. Richardson powered his way in for a touchdown and Central led 16-9.  Zachary passed for what looked like a Zachary touchdown but Central’s Cooper Moore intercepted the pass and ended the game with a 16-9 Central victory.

• Greatest Goal-Line Stand. In 2011, Central played Scotlandville with the district title on the line.    With 1.7 seconds on the clock and the score tied 25-25, Central’s Jonathan Thibodeaux tried a 26-yard field goal to win the game, but it was blocked. Scotlandville picked up the ball and ran 80 yards for a touchdown and won the game 31-25. The scoreboard flashed the score.  Then there was a flag on the field, and the touchdown was called back!

The game went into overtime.  Central’s Thibodeaux kicked a field goal, and the Wildcats led 28-25.  But Scotlandville got the ball and had four attempts to score from the 10 yard line.  On 4th down, Scotlandville dropped a pass in the end zone, and the game was over.  Central had won.  But, no, the refs called a pass interference penalty on Central, and Scotlandville had four more downs to score from the one-yard line!  In an amazing display of defensive determination, the Wildcats held the Hornets for all four downs — an unprecedented eight-play goal-line stand—and won the game 28-25!

Central had its worst record but perhaps its sweetest season in 2011.  After opening the season 2-4 and being written off, Central stormed back to win five straight games.  In the first round of the State 5A Playoffs, Central was the 32nd seed and faced the undefeated No. 1 seed, St. Paul’s, that had defeated Central twice over the past three years.  In that game, Central made history, becoming the first 32nd seed in state playoff history to beat the No. 1 team in the state!

Doug Dotson leaves quite a legacy, and the 2012 Central team is expected to be one of Central’s best teams ever.

At Erath High, located close to his boyhood home, Dotson has a school very similar to Central demographically.  His team is composed of “hard-working, blue-collar kids” with determination.  His goal is to build “a solid program.”  Erath football has been consistently average, and Dotson hopes to make it a champion.

If his success at Central is any indication, the fans at Erath High School have a lot to look forward to.