Lafayette High School Commodores

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI) — Lafayette has reached the pinnacle of 4A high school football in recent years.

The Commodores have been playing for State Championships in recent seasons but this year head coach Eric Robertson and Lafayette are keeping the focus simple.

“We’re looking forward to going out and competing against other teams,” Robertson said. “Our kids have worked really hard this summer and we’re disappointed with how we finished last year so we just want to get back out and compete.”

That disappointment is driving Lafayette in 2015.

Championships are nothing new to Lafayette, but what the Dores aren’t used to is falling out of the playoffs early.

Last season, a tough defeat in the second round to Cleveland saw the Commodores bow out before the north half semis, something that has happened just one other time since 2008.

That’s what will drive the defending Region 2-4A Champions for 2015.

“We definitely want to win the region title,” coach Robertson said. “That’s one of our goals. Our ultimate goal though is to get back to the State Championship game.”

Returning for Lafayette in 2015 are leading rusher and receiver Tyrell Price plus a big and experienced offensive line led by Eli Johnson.

The Commodores will usher in talented junior quarterback Will Ard to the offense, which gives a boost to the passing game but Coach Robertson is still searching for one thing to lay his hat on.

“Each team is different and we’re still trying to figure that out with this group of seniors,” Robertson said. “Our work ethic is really good and I think we’re capable of running the football. I think we’re going to be able to throw it a little bit more this year too but our strength this year should be our offense.”

For the new season, Lafayette isn’t taking it easy on the schedule.

It’s a rugged, non-division slate that will prepare the Dores for region play but the biggest challenge may be beyond their opponents.

“The biggest challenge is pushing through adversity that we’ll have along the way,” Robertson said. “Whether that’s injuries or tough games early with Oxford, Louisville or Charleston. We have some really quality teams on our schedule and the ability to push through that adversity to get better each week is a challenge.

“Another big challenge for us is to score more points offensively. That’s where we struggled last year and we put a big emphasis on that in the spring so hopefully we’ll see a big improvement there.”

With a loaded 4A North in 2015, Lafayette hopes to be there at the end to play for a State Championship right in their own backyard.