Courville: Top Candidate for All-State QB

Field General With 2,800+ Yards, 26 TD’s

by Woody Jenkins, Editor

CENTRAL — When District 4-5A coaches meet next Wednesday to select an All-District team, one player worthy of consideration is Central’s senior quarterback Brett Courville.  He’s also a potential All-State selection and major college prospect in both football and baseball.

Courville’s numbers are outstanding.  He’s passed for more than 2,000 yards, averaging 200 yards a game, and run for another 800 yards, accounting for 26 TD’s by passing and running — one of the highest totals in the state.  He’s an able field general who puts together a win.  Central is 9-1 this year and just won its 5th straight District 4-5A Championship, the second under Courville.

But this young man is about more than numbers.  He’s a student of the game, an all-round athlete, an outstanding student, and a standard-bearer for the Wildcats’ public image.

Every Sunday night, Courville travels to Coach David Simoneaux’s home. David’s girlfriend makes dinner, and the coach and the quarterback review game films.

“He gets a head start on the week.  He prepares religiously.  He is a student of the game.  He dissects the opposition’s defense, and he’s ready,” Simoneaux says.

“He has superb physical ability.  He’s not large — 5’9” and 195” — but he’s an all-round athlete.  He’s a pocket passer and a running back from the quarterback position.”

Courville passes with great accuracy.  He’s had only five interceptions this year in more than 200 passing attempts, and most of the interceptions were in end-of the-half Hail Mary situations.

Central is blessed with a stable of five or six running backs who could easily be named All-District or All-State.  “With the talent we have on offense, we need someone to distribute the football.  Brett does that flawlessly,” Simoneaux said.

Courville reads the defense.  The Wildcats run the triple option.  Courville hands off to the tailback, runs, or throws. He has a sure hand and doesn’t make many mistakes.   He’s a bullet passer, he runs like a fullback, and he likes to hit hard.  He quick-kicks when necessary, and averages 40 yards a punt.

“We say he’s a combination of Cool Hand Luke and John Wayne.  Nothing ever bothers him.  No real highs or lows, just solid and steady.  A cool character,” the coach said.

Simoneaux says Courville is a model football player.  “He’s our standard-bearer.  We don’t worry about Brett.  He’s always at the workout.  On time.  Setting the standard. He’s a two sport athlete.”

“The key to Courville is his character — great character — and his tremendous work ethic,” Simoneaux said.  “If Courville’s not picked up by a major college, somebody’s making a big mistake.  I think of one game recently.  By the end of the first quarter, he had run for 58 yards and passed for 198.”

Courville has a high grade point average.  He is an All-District baseball player.