Hurricanes hope to continue their winning ways
Mel LeCompte Jr.
Posted on September 19, 2002

Freddie Herpin / Staff Photographer
North Central head coach Herb Lamb hands the ball to Kenard Tanner (4) as Brad Baker (20) watches at the annual Hurricane Media Day before the season started.

LEBEAU - Led by running back Chris Cane's standout performance Friday night (180 yards rushing with a touchdown; plus two-for-two on the halfback option pass, with one of the tosses for six points), the North Central Hurricanes (1-1) edged Avoyelles 21-20.
"We always figured Cane could break out sooner or later," complimented Hurricanes coach Herb Lamb. "We thought he'd be our main man on the offensive sid of the ball, so the coaches challenged him."
But the thrill of victory was short-lived. Emotions from the young North Central team lingered about as long as the stadium lights.
"With the type of kids we're coaching, the win didn't affect them one bit," the coach explained. "That game should've brought high expectations, but it did the opposite.
"We're still trying to convince our kids, to sell them on the game of football."
Usually, a football team's victory translate into spirited practices the next week. According to Lamb, preparations for their Friday road trip against Hanson have been difficult.
"We haven't had practice as long as we'd like," he said, noting illnesses and a variety of incidentals have kept members of the squad away from the field this week. "We've had probably one of the worst practices after such a big victory."
The Hurricanes are an extremely young squad, with only two returning starters from last season.
They travel to Hanson Memorial of Franklin, where the Tigers are seeking their first 2002 'W', after close calls to Burke, 18-13, and Ascension Catholic, 14-0.
The Tigers are known for keeping their game plan simple, relying on poundings rather than precision.
Lamb says, "Hanson has a lot of history on their side. They're larger than Avoyelles, but I don't believe they have the speed Avoyelles has.
"They have a basic run-at-you strategy, throwing the ball a little bit.
"They're sound fundamentally."
While coach Lamb is trying to pump up his team for more emotion, the 'Canes will be facing a Hanson team full of adrenaline from Homecoming week activities.
"They'll be hungry," mentioned Lamb. "If we don't go in there wanting to win, we're going to be in for a long night."