COACH TEX MARTIN AND HIS TROJANS WILL NOT BE CLOWNING AROUND AT THIS SATURDAY'S BAYOU BOOGIE
When talking to Central Lafourche head cross country coach Tex Martin, it doesn't take long to hear the love and pride that the coach has for his Trojans-or "the Front Line" --as he calls them. But it takes more than heart-felt sentiments for a team to be ranked in the Top 10 in the state, which is where we have Martin's team ranked going into the first week of the season.
It takes talent, and Central Lafourche has plenty of it, especially on the boys' side where, despite their seventh-place finish in Division I a year ago, MileSplit LA has the Trojans ranked at No. 10 in our preseason poll.
Last year, the Trojans were led by Samuel Hodson, who has joined his older brother at Mississippi College. Luckily. for Martin, Hodson's younger brother-Benjamin Hodson is back to lead the Trojans in 2024.
Samuel Hodson had Central Lafourche's highest finish at the LHSAA Division 1 State Championships last year at No. 29 (16:17). Benjamin Hodson (No. 32; 16:20) was right behind big brother.
Heading into the 2024 season, Martin is happy with the work that his Trojans put in this summer.
"We took on a bigger challenge than we have in the past," Martin said. "We've really driven the mileage up. I've pushed them, and I'm proud of the way they have responded."
Once again, the highlight of the Trojans summer training block was their annual trip to Arkansas for the Lake Ouachita Running Camp, where Martin partnered with Highland Baptist head coach Toby Blissett to offer the runners from all over Louisiana a meaningful running camp experience.
"The camp really sets the tone for the year," Martin said. "They didn't want to leave."
Hodson will not be alone in leading this year's boys' team. He will have 800m specialist Trevin LeBouef, who competed this summer at the AAU National Junior Olympics.
Behind Hodson and LeBouef, the Trojans have a "tight group" of solid runners which includes sophomore Trey Detillier, junior Levi Martin, senior Hayes Grabert.
Martin said that while Detillier may be the smallest runner-pound for pound-he is the hardest working runner on the team.
After not having enough runners to field a full girls team last year, Martin is excited to be able to put a girls team on the line in 2024. The team will be led by sophomore Alicia Hodson and senior Camryn Falgout.
A newcomer to this year's team will be freshman Mattie Adams, who reminds Martin of a state champion runner he coached at Covenant Christian-University of New Orleans' Emma Bourg.
"Their times at that age are comparable, but it's more the times-it's the attitude toward competition which is the thing that stands out," Martin said. "That's the same thing I see in Mattie that Emma had."
Central Lafourche will open up their season on Saturday, September 7 at St. Michael's Bayou Boogie.