About this time last year, Laney Fouts received some devastating news. She hurt her knee near halftime of Captain Shreve’s matchup with Byrd.

Shreve led 1-0 at the time but eventually lost 2-1 to Byrd. Fouts tried to return to the game, but later find out she had a serious ACL tear forcing her to miss the remainder of the 2019-20 season including the Lady Gators’ two playoff games. Rehab was brutal for the now senior captain.

“I had a very long recovery going to rehab three days a week,” Fouts said Thursday night following her teams 6-0 first-round LHSAA playoff game against Comeaux. “I did my best to get back together to be able to play my senior season, and I did that. I came back strong and I credit my physical therapy and all my training with coach (Erik) Lane.

“And this year we won the Byrd game 1-0 and I’m so happy. It was the ultimate redemption. It was fantastic.”

Fouts is the no-nonsense quarterback of the Lady Gators team. During pregame activities Thursday night at Lee Hedges, several of her teammates were joking around anticipating and easy victory in the No. 3 versus No. 27 matchup. But Fouts brought them back together with a commanding voice that shut down the frivolity in short order.

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