The Erath High football team has taken on the persona of its leader, senior running back/linebacker Mason Hebert.

The 5-foot-8, 190-pounder draws attention walking the field during pre-game warm-ups with his bulging biceps and a large tattoo on his right arm. Once the game starts, he’s assuming every job imaginable while leading the Bobcats to wins in six of their first seven games.

“I mean, he’s a football-playing junkie,” EHS coach Eric LeBlanc said of Hebert. “That’s the best way to describe him. He loves football. He practices the way he plays – with the same intensity.”

LeBlanc said Hebert’s ability to bring that same intensity to his craft every day is what has helped him lead the team in tackles and rushing (89-388, nine TDs.) 

“That’s what has really made him the player he is,” LeBlanc said. “The things he does on the field are special. He’s a 4.0 student. I have so many good things to say about him. His work ethic is what really puts him over the top.”

Hebert has rushed for two TDs in each of four games, including a season-high 71 yards on 12 carries with two TDs in a 43-7 win over Berwick in Week 7. He also has 81 receiving yards on six catches. 

“His measurables, physically, might not be the same as the rated prospects, but he has everything you’d want in a college football player,” LeBlanc said of Hebert, who has a scholarship offer from Louisiana Christian University.

Hebert makes the calls on defense from his linebacker position, a skill that comes second-nature due to his pre-game preparation. 

“He puts our team in position to win with his film study,” LeBlanc said. “He wants to know what he needs to be doing for the team to be successful. He makes sure he puts our kids in the right spots.”

The EHS weight room is set up where the strongest lifters are on the last group of racks. Hebert, who plays four sports, has been a member of that group for years.

Hebert didn’t get a chance to suit up for Erath’s Week 8 game at St. Martinville, which was canceled after a shooting outside the stadium prior to kickoff left one person dead. 

“We met Friday night when we got back to the school,” said LeBlanc, whose Bobcats (6-1, 0-0 District 5-3A) host Kaplan (6-1, 1-0) on Friday at 7 P.M. “We talked about how this doesn’t affect our goals whatsoever.”

The Bobcats moved from No. 1 in the Division III Non-Select power ratings to No. 2 behind St. James after last week’s game was canceled.