SLC champion Colonels face focus issue of different sort against rival Southeastern Louisiana

The Nicholls football team faces a focus issue of a different sort when the Colonels take on Southeastern Louisiana at 6 p.m. Thursday in Hammond in the regular-season finale.

A week ago, the focus was avoiding all distractions in preparing for a home game against Lamar that could clinch the Southland Conference title for the Colonels.

That was accomplished with a 37-24 win over the Cardinals.

Now the task is to stay focused to avoid any letdown against the Lions.

“We always preach that after the 24 hours (to enjoy a win), the last week is over,” junior defensive back Tyler Morton said. “This week is like any other week.”

“We prepared very hard last week to get the job done Saturday. We did that, and we accomplished that. It’s a quick turnaround. This game is just as important as the last. The focus has to be just like it was last week,” said junior tight end Lee Negrotto.

 “Last week was last week. It was great. It felt awesome. It was a different type of focus. This week, we’re definitely going to have to focus in, keep our composure out there,” senior kicker Gavin Lasseigne said. “They (the Lions) will try some cheap stuff and we will just have to overcome and be the bigger team and show that truly are as good as we’ve shown this season.”

“It’s always going to be a big game because it’s our next game, but this is a little different because it’s the River Bell. It’s the Southeastern game. It’s the Thursday night game. Everybody is looking and it’s always going to be a big game because it’s our next challenge,” senior linebacker Jacob Parker said.

Playing on Thursday means a short week for the Colonels.

“I think it has its pros and cons. You don’t have as much time to recover but after the game, looking forward, you get a longer time. Honestly, I don’t see it as a bad thing. It’s the same approach,” said Negrotto.

“I think it’s a good thing to keep the guys focused with that quick turnaround,” Lasseigne said. “We have a lot of guys that need their bodies to recover over a full week, but I have nothing but confidence. I think 100 percent, we will be ready to go and show what we can do on Thursday.”

“I think you always want a chance to recover and everything, but it’s all about how we prepare. It’s a mentality. It’s the mentality that we go into the game with. If we go into the game with the right mentality, we will take care of business,” said Parker.

Playing a final regular-season game before the start of the playoffs could cause a potential lapse in focus. But Thursday night is no ordinary game – it’s the River Bell Classic against rival Southeastern Louisiana.

“This game means a lot,” Negrotto said. “There’s a lot to be said about a rivalry game. It’s for a trophy that we want. It hasn’t been standing here in a while. We really want it back.”

“I think it’s nice what we took care of last week and we have nothing but 100 percent focus on Southeastern,” said Lasseigne. “It’s a big rivalry week, getting that River Bell back over here where it belongs.”