After falling to the Sam Houston Broncos 32-27 in the season finale, the Southside Sharks have flipped their focus to the 2023 LHSAA Division I Non-Select playoffs. With a 7-3 record, the Sharks hold the #13 seed and will host the #20 Thibodaux Tigers on Friday night. If Josh Fontenot’s team is victorious over the Tigers, a long road trip to #4 Airline awaits them the following week.
One aspect of the Sharks that has consistently been strong this season is the defense. Coined the “fire-ant” defense by play-by-play voice Steve Peloquin, Southside has made things very difficult for opposing offenses, whether it’s pressure and sacks or interceptions and takeaways from the secondary. One of the leaders of the group has been Corey Ledet Jr, a senior defensive lineman who has played really well throughout his career, but especially the last two seasons. He’s a physical pass rusher who has a nose for the football and can get after the quarterback better than most.
Ledet is the newest Prep Profile for ESPN Southwest Louisiana.
QUESTION: With the first round of the playoffs approaching on Friday, what can you tell me about the season for this Southside Sharks team and what is the expectation for Friday night?
ANSWER: We’re trying to get better as a team every single day. On defense, we have to stop missing so many tackles and do a better job of bringing guys down.
Q: You’ve had a lot of success getting into the backfield and disrupting things for opposing teams’ offenses. What has been your mindset in that aspect?
A: That’s my job. My coaches and teammates depend on me to be that type of player every game, so I have to do everything I can to get there.
Q: One of your assistant coaches told me that you would like to play linebacker. What can you say about that and why don’t you play linebacker?
A: My team needs me to be upfront on the defensive line and put pressure on the quarterback, so that’s where the coaching staff puts me because it’s best for the team.
Q: What has it meant for you to be one of the leaders of this 2023 Southside team?
A: Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve tried to be a leader, so it’s meant a lot to be one of the leaders in this locker room. Hopefully, I can continue to do my part.
Q: I know you guys want to take things one game at a time, but if you win this game against Thibodaux, the Sharks will go on the road to battle with Airline. How does a team mentally handle a long trip like that?
A: We have to stay focused each and every day.
Ledet and the Sharks will battle Thibodaux this Friday night in the first round of the playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. with pregame beginning at 6:45 on Acadiana’s Classic Country Mustang 107.1 FM.