CL's Breaux, SL's Bruce sign on with Colonels

Thu. February 02, 2012 at 10:59 a.m. | By Kelly McElroy/Staff Writer

Once heated rivals on the high school football field, Central Lafourche defensive lineman Jared Breaux and South Lafourche offensive lineman Gary Bruce Jr. will now join forces on the gridiron next season in Thibodaux.

On Wednesday, Breaux and Bruce each signed National Letters of Intent at their respective schools to play football at Nicholls State next season.

Breaux (6-foot-2, 270 pounds) will join Nicholls defensive lineman Jordan Thompson and long snapper Ty Boudreaux as former Central Lafourche players on the Colonels roster, while Bruce (6-3, 270) will join offensive lineman Rafe Plaisance and tight end Mark Mayberry as former Tarpons playing for Nicholls.

"(Breaux and Bruce) are both linemen, and we've already had some good success with some kids from down that way that are on our team right now," coach Charlie Stubbs said. "Now we just got a few more. They know how to work hard, and I know we've got some good players in them. I really believe that they can come and play and contribute on what we've built."

Stubbs said he was impressed with what he has seen on Breaux.

"He will be a good asset for us on our defensive line," Stubbs said. "He's got great size and speed. We look forward to seeing what he can bring to our team."

Stubbs also said good things about Bruce.

"Gary has a good motor. He's also in good shape," Stubbs said. "We'll get him stronger and ready to go. I really believe he'll develop into a very good tackle for us."

Breaux, who had 115 tackles and was a first-team all-district player his senior season, signed in front of family, friends, teammates, classmates, teachers, coaches and administration in the Central Lafourche auditorium and never stopped smiling during the half-hour ceremony.

"To be able to sign in front of my teammates, my family and anyone who has anything to do with football and my life was phenomenal. It was very special," Breaux said.

"I have been playing football for 11 years now, and it all starts with hard work. You only get out what you put in."

Trojans coach Travis Douglas, a former Nicholls player, said having Breaux, who also had serious interest from Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State, play close to home is a positive.

"We have Jordan Thompson who played here there now, so it will be good for Jared to go there," Douglas said. "They played together for two years on the defensive line so they have two guys who know each other and have played well together. Plus we can go out and see them. We can go right there and watch them play. Being it's my alma mater, I like sending kids there."

Douglas said Breaux made life tough on opposing offensive linemen during the last three seasons.

"He was dominant for the last three years," Douglas said. "We had a coach on the field in him. He got guys in the right position. He knew plays and is a tremendous kid to coach. He is so quick. He studies film. He's strong and can do all the things a football player needs to do."

Breaux said playing close to his family was important to him.

"Nicholls is close to home, and I think it's important that my family can watch me play," Breaux said. "I guess hard work pays off."

Bruce, who was also a first-team all-district player this season and was his team's Outstanding Offensive Lineman three consecutive seasons, also said playing close to home was also a big factor in his decision.

"I chose Nicholls because it is close to home, and when I went on my official visit, they made me feel like I was at home," Bruce said. "They are also young and a building program, and I think we will do really good this year."

Former Tarpons coach Terry Farmer said Bruce elevated his play each season he wore a South Lafourche uniform.

"He just kept getting better and better every year," Farmer said. "I first saw film on him when he was a freshman, and then when I was here, he was a sophomore. We had a lot of talent on the team, and he didn't play a lot. Which was probably a good thing because he got to play with the younger kids and get better. He will hook up with his mentor Rafe (Plaisance) again at Nicholls. He played here with Rafe when Rafe was a senior and he was a sophomore."

Bruce also had some interest from Louisiana-Monore and Louisiana-Lafayette.

"Towards the end they (other schools) started to contact me less, but Nicholls really stayed with me," Bruce said. "That is why I chose Nicholls. They really stuck with me and stayed by my side."

Like Breaux, Bruce too hopes to play early with the Colonels.

"I really think I have an opportunity to play early," Bruce said. "They are real young on the offensive line. I just need to get a little stronger and look to compete with those guys."

Bruce's late father, Gary Bruce Sr., was a letterman at Nicholls in 1977 at nose guard. Bruce Jr. said he looks forward to carrying his father's legacy at Nicholls forward.

"I get to carry on where my dad left off," he said. "He didn't finish his four years, but I expect to finish my four years and do the best I can."

Sports Writers Teddy Renois and Chris Singleton contributed to this report.