By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

BAY ST. LOUIS — Tate Thigpen enters his first season as head coach at St. Stanislaus this season.
And the new mentor hopes to help guide the Rock-A-Chaws back into the Class 3A state playoffs once again.
Thigpen served as the offensive coordinator last season under then head coach Tim Lala as SSC went an impressive 9-2 overall and won the Region 8-3A title. It marked the first region crown for SSC since 2016.
The Rocks rolled into the playoffs after an 8-1 regular season mark, and knocked off Crystal Springs 23-20 in the opening round of the Class 3A South State playoffs before falling to perennial state power Noxubee County in the second round. Noxubee went on to play for the state championship.
Thigpen had a big hand in the success of St.Stanislaus last season, as he directed an offensive unit led by since departed standout senior signal-caller Ian Gonzalez Rioz. In his only year as a starter, he was responsible for 36 touchdowns, as he threw for 1,822 yards and 18 touchdowns and and added in 1,431 rushing yards and 17 more scores. He also returned a kickoff for a game-winning touchdown in the first round of the playoffs.
“We were really busy over the summer, we’ve got a lot of offensive production to replace so we got a lot of work in,” Thigpen said, in an interview this week. ““We graduated a lot of starters, a lot of guys who contributed heavily to our program, so trying to get these young guys sped up a little bit. Getting them to where they can contribute and make all that come together.”

This marks Thigpen’s second stint as a head coach. His first was at Glenncliff High in Nashville, Tenn. He came to SSC last season from Seminary, where he also served as the offensive coordinator.
Standout senior place-kicker Evan Noel, who is committed to the University of Arkansas, is back for the Rocks and expected to be an effective weapon once again this season. He was 8-of-12 on field goal attempts with a long of 49 yards and he hit on 42-of-43 point after attempts last year. He also averaged almost 40 yards per punt attempt.

On of the younger players that Thigpen is counting upon is sophomore defensive lineman Sam LeJeune. As a freshman last year, the 6-foot-4, 285-pound LeJeune collected 42 total tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He also had 17 quarterback hurries, as he teamed up with departed senior Sam Bradford to wreak havoc on opposing offensive units.Bradford signed with Louisiana Tech.
Lala left after one season due to personal reasons, as he returned to Jackson County to be the offensive coordinator at St. Martin.

“I am honored that Saint Stanislaus has offered me the opportunity to serve the school as Head Football Coach, and I look forward to working with the faculty, staff and administrators at the school to continue building on the amazing level of achievement we reached this past season, both on and off the field.” Thigpen said.