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People SearchFind an individual who either played a sport or was a member of a support group. Search by last name by clicking on the first letter of the person's last name.
Mr. Marcus Wilridge
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Home Phone: -- Wilridge still a ‘playmaker’ Bruce Brown When Crowley’s Marcus Wilridge played football for Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns from 1999-2001, he put together three respectable seasons, resulting in him ranking No. 7 in receiving yardage in UL history. But he never felt he was fully utilized to realize his self-proclaimed role of “Playmaker.” “At UL, I expected more out of it,” said Wilridge, who was among other members of the Lafayette Gators in semi-pro action on Saturday at Clark Field. “I’m a little more free now, so to speak. I was not allowed to do as much when I played at UL. After college, I was disappointed, chilling and wondering what happened. But it didn’t pay to be sitting at home, and I’ve been enjoying it since. “I’m having fun now. I’m allowed to be a playmaker.” The Gators’ roster also includes former Comeaux High star Reggie Flugence, who was the MVP of the LHSCA All-Star Game after his prep career before signing with Mississippi State. Also on hand is Jerome Wiltz, the fullback on Cecilia High’s 1995 state champion. But few are enjoying the return to action more than Wilridge, who had 111 catches for 1,422 yards as a Ragin’ Cajun under Jerry Baldwin. “I was working for a company that was renovating apartments, but work was a little slow,” Wilridge said. “Now I’m able to concentrate on football. “The team started last year, under a different name. Last year it wasn’t really all together. We didn’t have any statistics taken for our games or anything. As it went on, I decided to give it a try and see how it would go. “Then this year the other team went down to another league, with less exposure, and I didn’t want to go down. We’re still trying to get it together this year and we’re picking up more players.” While the Gators are in a more settled situation this year, they could use more personnel. “We’ve got over 20 guys,” Wilridge said. “There are some teams with 50-60 people.” Lafayette is also not having the best of luck playing games yet. “Our first game was supposed to be against a team from Alabama, and they couldn’t come because of the hurricane that went through there,” Wilridge said. “Last week we went to Arkansas for our first game. “Last year there was a lot of travel. I met a lot of people and made some friends. I really liked it, and that’s one reason why I decided to play again this year.” Wilridge scored twice when the Gators defeated Arkansas in that opener, so his skills are still in evidence. Players at this level are always looking for a way to get noticed and get a chance to move up to more lucrative leagues. One way is to be a playmaker. Another is to catch a scout’s eye. “At the beginning of July, I ran for some scouts at Southern University,” Wilridge said. “It was something that was arranged through the league, and they weren’t taking too many. “I ran pretty good. I still do a good job of running (pass) routes.” Wilridge led UL in receiving in both 1999 and 2000, the Cajuns’ first two years after school record-holder and current Indianapolis Colts standout Brandon Stokley finished his career. Wilridge’s top performance was a 7-catch, 131-yard effort against Middle Tennessee in 1999, with other 100-yard games included against Nicholls State in 2001 (107 Fellow Crowley product Nick Dugas, who was on the Gators’ roster earlier in the summer, was UL’s top pass catcher in 2001. “I’m enjoying the chance to show what I can do on the field,” Wilridge said. Originally published July 24, 2005
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