Club History
1979 • Soccer in Houma began in Fall 1979 through the efforts of Bob Mayers, Fr. Lynch, Mr. Felix, and John Telford. • Players were ages 8–12, training at Annunciata and behind Ellender Jr. High. • This program became the foundation of the Bayou Soccer Association (BSA). 1982 • Vandebilt Catholic High School launched Houma’s first high school soccer team, coached by John Telford and Fr. Joseph Coyne. 1983 • John Telford and Fr. Joseph Coyne created a high school recreation league. All local high schools participated from September through November. • The Terrebonne Chargers U12, coached by Bob Mayers, became the first Houma team to win a state championship.
Origins: 1979-1983
Growth & Recognition 1984-1989
1984 • Louisiana Soccer Association (LSA) was formed. • Bayou Soccer Association became officially recognized by LSA. • The club’s early logo featured a cypress tree and a soccer ball rising from the swamp. • The Houma Blast team represented the area at the AAU Junior Olympics (photo submitted by Patrick Ghirardi). 1986 • Soccer became an officially recognized LHSAA varsity sport and a state championship event. • Houma Blast participated in the 1986 AAU Jr. Olympics in Cocoa, Florida.
The 1990s: Identity and Expansion
1990 • Under BSA, the Houma Sidekicks (formerly Houma Force) won the U14 State Tournament and advanced to Region III in Atlanta, GA. 1990–1991 • The central soccer hub moved from the YMCA to the “Winn Dixie Fields.” • Houma’s long-running Gobbler Cup tournament was introduced. 1992–1993 • Houma hosted a state tournament for the first time behind Winn Dixie. • Around this time, the club-wide identity “Blackhawks” was created by Dean Maltezos. • Dan Franz and Joe Comeaux played prominent coaching roles in these early Blackhawks years. 1994 • The U18 Blackhawks won the Louisiana State Championship and advanced to Region III in Houston, TX. • Houma Gators team photo (submitted by Nick Chancey). 1995 • The Houma Gators, formerly Blackhawks in 1993–94 (they were Blackhawks for one season under coach Rick Alexander), competed under Bayou Soccer Association. • Coached by Steve Malcolm, the Gators won the Pelican Cup (recreational state tournament) at Moore Park in Lafayette, defeating STYSA Eagles 4–3 in extra time. • They advanced through a 16-team field with wins over East Ascension (13–1), Raceland (4–0), St. Charles Fireball (3–1), and CLECO Shockers (2–0) in the semifinal. • Pelican Cup medals from 1995/96 (photo submitted by Nick Chancey). 1996 • The Houma Gators, again coached by Steve Malcolm, won the Pelican Cup at LSU-Shreveport with a 3–1 win over RAPSA Knights (Pineville). • They advanced with wins over STYSA Roadkill (5–1), East Ascension (13–1), and Carrollton (3–1). • Blackhawks U12 (1997) won the Louisiana state title under Joe Comeaux (photo referenced). 1998 • Houma-Terrebonne Soccer Association (HTSA) registered over 750 children in the fall season, creating field capacity challenges and accelerating facility development.
Early 2000s: Consolidation and Competitive Growth
January 2005 • Four Blackhawks teams competed in the Premier Select Division (U11, U12, U14, U15), all boys’ teams. Spring 2005 • Robichaux Ford and Bayou Black Electric served as uniform sponsors. Fall 2005 • Five Blackhawks teams (four boys, one girls) competed at the U11, U12, U13, and U17 levels in the Premier Select Division. January 2006 • HTSA adopted the logo that would define the club’s red, white, and blue identity. Spring 2006 • HTSA U18G United and U14B Heat were state champions. • Through the efforts of Abelardo Carbajal, HTSA launched an adult league for players aged 18 and older. July 2006 • Five Blackhawks teams (four boys, one girls) competed in Premier Select at U11, U12, U13, and U17. Fall 2006 • Batteries Plus became HTSA’s uniform sponsor. January 2007 • Three boys’ Blackhawks teams competed in the Premier Select Division at U11, U12, and U13. Spring 2007 • HTSA U16G Heat and U12G Hurricanes won their state tournaments. U16G Heat advanced to Region III, finishing with one win, one draw, and one loss. • HTSA hosted the East District State Tournament (April 28–29, 2007). Fall 2007 • 794 total players participated across all divisions. • Trapp Chevrolet became the main sponsor through Fall 2007 and Spring 2008. January 2008 • Three boys’ Blackhawks teams (U11, U12, U14) competed in the Premier Select Division. Spring 2008 • The Lakes Soccer Complex hosted the LSA Division 1 State Tournament for U17–U19. Fall 2008 • Teppco Marine became the uniform sponsor for Fall 2008 and Spring 2009. • Over 60 teams from across Louisiana competed in Gobbler Cup XVIII. Spring 2009 • The Blackhawks program fielded four teams: U12 Ladyhawks, and U13, U15, U18 Blackhawks in the Premier Select Division. • 72 teams were formed with 806 players across recreational (U6–U10), Division 1 (U11–U19), and Premier. July 2009 • The same four Blackhawks/Ladyhawks teams continued competing in the Premier Select Division. Spring 2010 • Five Premier Select teams: U11 Ladyhawks, U13 Ladyhawks, and U11, U12, U14 Blackhawks. • Over 1,050 players participated across the previous calendar year. • Synergy Bank became the main club sponsor for HTSA.
2011–2014: Tournament Success and Player Growth
Fall 2011 • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks competitive player total (2011–2012): 281. Spring 2012 • The Bayou Shootout, Houma’s premier spring tournament, was launched with over 70 teams and 19 clubs from Louisiana and southern Mississippi (boys and girls ages 6–14). • Blackhawks 01 Black (U11 Boys), coached by TJ Freeman, won Coupe de La Ligue. • HTSA Sharks U10, coached by Lee Andre, won the Recreational State Cup. Fall 2012 • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2012–2013): 229. Spring 2013 • HTSA Firebirds U9, coached by Kevan Keiser and playing an age group up, were finalists in the LSA Recreational State Cup, narrowly losing 3–2 to a U10 Gonzales team at Lafreniere Park. • HTSA totaled 1,107 players: 579 fall recreational, 176 new spring recreational, and 352 competitive. 2013–2014 • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2013–2014): 331 (a record at the time). • Blackhawks 02/03, coached by Joe Comeaux, finished second in the U11 FA Cup state tournament in Lafayette (2014). Spring 2014 • HTSA served over 950 players (496 fall rec, 145 new spring rec, 331 competitive). • Ladyhawks Black 01/02, coached by Matt Kelso, won C2 Presidents Cup with a 2–0 win over Mandeville Lakers White 01/02. • Blackhawks 02/03 Black, coached by Joe Comeaux, finished runners-up in U11 Boys FA Cup after a 4–3 loss to LA Fire 03B LP1. Fall 2014 • The Blackhawks Development Program (BDP) for U10 players was introduced. • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2014–2015): 315.
2015–2016: Academy Transition and Award-Winning Coaches
Spring 2015 • Blackhawks logo updated. • Blackhawks 02/03 Black (U12), coached by Joe Comeaux, were C2 Presidents Cup finalists (2–1 loss to Madisonville YB Predators). • Blackhawks 03/04 Black (U11), coached by Jeramy Arana, were U11 Black Division finalists in Youngsville (1–0 loss to Dynamo Juniors 03/04 Orange). • Ladyhawks 03/04 Black (U11), coached by Alanna Dehart, were U11 Red Division finalists in Youngsville (1–0 loss to LSC Lady Hurricanes). Fall 2015 • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2015–2016): 321. • A record 20 competitive teams: – 10 Blackhawks teams (2x U10D, 2x U11, 2x U12, U13, 2x U15, U17) – 10 Ladyhawks teams (U10D, U11, 2x U12, U13, 2x U14, U15, U16, U18). • Shane Fletcher and Jeramy Arana later received state-level coaching awards for their work during this era. Spring 2016 • The BDP was replaced by the Blackhawks Academy. • Ladyhawks 04/05 Black, coached by Matt Ferguson, reached the C1 State Cup semifinal (4–0 loss to Baton Rouge 04 Black). • Blackhawks 00/01 Black, coached by TJ Freeman and Matt Robichaux, were C2 Presidents Cup finalists (4–0 loss to CABOSA Shreveport United Blue). • Blackhawks 02/03 Black, coached by Kieran Gilberthorpe, were C2 Presidents Cup finalists (2–1 loss to LA Fire Spartans). • Jeramy Arana was named LSA Competitive Coach of the Year (2015–16). • Shane Fletcher was named LSA Recreational Coach of the Year (2015–16). Fall 2016 • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2016–2017): 322. • HTSA formed 19 competitive teams – 10 Blackhawks (2x U11, 2x U12, U13, 2x U14, U15, U17, U18) and 9 Ladyhawks (U11, 2x U12, 2x U14, 2x U15, U17, U18). • 2016 marked the 25th anniversary of the Gobbler Cup.
2017–2018: Expanded Programming and College Pathways
Spring 2017 • The Pre-Academy, Lil’ Hawks, and Three-Year-Old Program were introduced, all led by licensed coaches to reach younger players. • Ladyhawks 00G Black, coached by Matt Kelso, were C2 Presidents Cup finalists (2–0 loss to Calcasieu Eagles). • Ladyhawks 02 Black, coached by Kieran Gilberthorpe, reached the C1 State Cup semifinal (2–0 loss to eventual champions St. Tammany Tigers). • Ladyhawks 03 White, coached by Kieran Gilberthorpe, won the C3 Open Cup Blue bracket in Lafayette (1–0 win over STYSA Storm). • HTSA 14U–Lucas, coached by Tim Lucas, won the C3 Open Cup Red bracket (3–1 win over Mandeville 2003/2004 Roquette). • Five HTSA players from U18 Blackhawks and Ladyhawks graduated into college soccer programs. • Six players were selected for Louisiana ODP. Fall 2017 • HTSA signed a uniform partnership with Nike, replacing Puma as the competitive uniform provider. • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2017–2018): 259. • 17 competitive teams formed – 9 Ladyhawks and 8 Blackhawks (across 11U–18U). • As of August 21, 2017, 659 recreational players were registered. Spring 2018 • Blackhawks 07 Black, coached by Joe Comeaux, finished second in the Bob Abbott Cup 11U Blue Division. • Blackhawks 07 White, coached by Adam Leblanc, finished second in the Bob Abbott Cup 11U Red Division. • Blackhawks 06 Black, coached by Joe Comeaux, finished second in the Bob Abbott Cup 12U Division One. • Ladyhawks 06 Black, coached by Chris Staszak, finished second in the Bob Abbott Cup 12U Division Two. • Ladyhawks 00 Black, coached by Henry Ruiz, won Presidents Cup (3–2 win over Cajun SC 00G at Burbank). • Ladyhawks 02 Black, coached by Matt Kelso, reached the State Cup semifinal for the second straight year (2–1 loss to LA Fire Red). • Seven players were selected for Louisiana ODP. • HTSA graduated two players from U18 Ladyhawks to college programs: Molly Thompson (LSU) and Reagan Chauvin (NSU), along with former club players Ashton Zeringue, Maddie Robichaux (NSU), and Laresah Gros (NSU). Fall 2018 • Blackhawks Academy expanded to include 7U–9U age groups. • Blackhawks/Ladyhawks players (2018–2019): 220. • 16 competitive teams formed (8 Ladyhawks, 8 Blackhawks across 11U–18U). • As of August 21, 2018, HTSA registered 633 recreational players, plus 47 in 7/8U Academy, 45 in 9/10U Academy, and 35 in the Three-Year-Old Program.
2022: Historic Regional Champions and Leadership Transition
2022: Historic Regional Champions and Leadership Transition 2004 Boys Blackhawks • Head Coach: Travis Dupre • Assistant Coach: Chris Staszak • Won the Louisiana Presidents Cup, advancing to the USYS Southern Regional Presidents Cup. • Became the first male soccer team in Louisiana history to win a USYS Regional Presidents Cup. • Advanced to the USYS National Presidents Cup. Leadership • After serving as Club President for nearly a decade, Coach Kevin Keiser was relieved of his duties. • The Board elected Coach Clay Duplantis as Club President.
2023: From HTSA to Bayou Soccer Club
• Newly-elected President Clay Duplantis led a full rebrand from Houma-Terrebonne Soccer Association to Bayou Soccer Club (BSC) to unify the club’s identity and logos. • The HTSA logo was retired and replaced with a new Bayou Soccer Club shield. Staff Changes • After nearly 10 years as Director of Coaching, Matt Ferguson stepped down to pursue his career. He was succeeded by Coach Holly Moran, who joined from Mandeville Soccer Club. • Long-time Club Administrator Gabrielle “Gabi” Erny retired and was succeeded by Audra Keiser, a long-time player parent, team manager, and spouse of former Club President Kevin Keiser. On-Field Success • The 2005/06 Boys, coached by Clay Duplantis, won the Louisiana Presidents Cup and advanced to USYS Southern Regionals in Greenville, SC.
2024: Back-to-Back Titles
2006/07 Boys Blackhawks • Head Coach: Clay Duplantis • Assistant Coach: Matt Bascle • Won back-to-back Louisiana Presidents Cup titles. • Advanced to USYS Southern Regionals in Frisco, TX. • Reached the Semifinals, losing to eventual National Champions Boca FC from Florida.
2025: Girl's Make Historical Run
2008 Girls Blackhawks • Head Coach: Coach Clay Duplantis • Assistant Coach: Coach Holly Moran • Won the Louisiana Presidents Cup State Championship. • Advanced to USYS Southern Regionals in Frisco, TX. • Became the first girls’ team in club history to break bracket, win the semifinal, and reach the Regional Final. • Qualified for the USYS National Presidents Cup in Tampa, FL. • Finished in the top 8 USYS Division II teams in the United States for the U17 girls age bracket. • This marked the second Bayou Soccer Club team to reach the National Presidents Cup, following the 2004 Boys.