Inside the Locker Room 2021

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Featuring 2021 High School Football Pre-Season Coverage You Need

INSIDE THE

Weekly Citizen • Donaldsonville Chief • Post South

Team-by-Team: Ascension Catholic ........................... 6

Donaldsonville ................................. 16

St. Amant ......................................... 26

Ascension Christian .......................... 8

2021 Football Schedule ................. 18

Louisiana State University ............. 30

East Iberville .................................... 10

Plaquemine ...................................... 20

New Orleans Saints ........................ 32

St. John ............................................ 12

Dutchtown........................................ 22

White Castle..................................... 14

East Ascension ................................ 24

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AUGUST 2021

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ascension catholic 6

PHOTOS BY KYLE RIVIERE

Ascension Catholic has won two straight District 7-1A titles.

Veteran Bulldog squad looking for another district title

BY KYLE RIVIERE

A

scension Catholic has won the District 7-1A title two years in a row.

The Bulldogs are hoping that three times will be the charm, propelling them to another run to the Division-IV state championship game in 2021.

Ascension Catholic certainly has the personnel to do it. The

Bulldogs return most of their roster from a team that went undefeated during last year’s regular season.

Ascension Catholic was the No. 4 seed in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they were upset by Cedar Creek in the opening round.

Since the loss, head coach Benny Saia has retired, following two seasons with Ascension Catholic.

Taking over for Saia this season will be first-year head coach Chris Schexnayder. Schexnayder has been an assistant for the Bulldogs for the past nine seasons. Most recently, he was the team’s defensive coordinator.

When first hired, Schexnayder said, “I want to bring a tough, hardnosed and hard-working mentality to the team, but I don’t think it’s going to take much to bring that to the program, because it’s al-

AUGUST 2021

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HEAD COACH: Chris Schexnayder

MASCOT: Bulldogs

RECORD IN 2020: 7-1 reached the playoffs

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 @ SCI ACADEMY SEPT. 10 vs. METAIRIE PARK COUNTRY DAY SEPT. 16 vs. ARCHBISHOP HANNAN SEPT. 24 @ VERMILLION CATHOLIC OCT. 1 vs. THRIVE ACADEMY

7-1A

OCT. 8 @ WHITE CASTLE* OCT. 15 @ ST. MICHAEL OCT. 22 vs. EAST IBERVILLE* OCT. 29 vs. ASCENSION CHRISTIAN* NOV. 5 @ ST. JOHN*

*District Game

All-State running back Khai Prean returns for the Ascension Catholic offense in 2021.

ready here. I think our guys already fit that mold. I just want to continue what we’ve started over the years.”

Schexnayder will have a lot to work with in his first season as the head coach, especially on offense.

The Bulldogs bring back a fourstar prospect at running back in Khai Prean. Prean was recently ranked the 158th-best 2023 recruit by Rivals.

Prean was the district’s Co-Offensive MVP last season. He has scholarship offers from a plethora of different schools, which includes Mississippi State, Tennessee and Michigan State.

Prean will be joined in the backfield

by Casey Mays, who is also one of the most dangerous return specialists in the area.

The Bulldogs will bring back almost their entire offensive line. The only player they lost was Owen Smith up front.

AUGUST 2021

At receiver, Ascension Catholic will return two first-team all-district performers in Troy Cole and Brooks Leonard.

Once again, Leonard will be catching passes from his twin brother, Bryce. Bryce Leonard, who was firstteam all-district in 2020, will return as a two-year starter at quarterback for the Bulldogs.

The Ascension Catholic defense should also be formidable.

The Bulldogs will be led by defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp, who is also a four-star recruit and ranked as the 128th-best 2022 prospect by 247Sports. Tap has scholarship offers from an array of powerhouse programs, such as LSU, Alabama, Florida and Texas.

Tapp was the district’s Defensive MVP in 2020 as he piled up 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Although, the Bulldogs did lose two first-team all-district linebackers in Jacob Dunn and Brayden Duhon.

However, they’ll bring back Prean and Lex Melancon in the secondary, and Tre’ Williams we be joining Tap on the defensive line. Williams was a first-team all-district performer last season.

Ascension Catholic will have to reload on special teams. They’ll have dangerous return men with Prean and Mays, but the Bulldogs lost Dunn, who was an All-State kicker. They also lost an all-district punter in Matthew Lafleur.

In addition to District 7-1A action, Ascension Catholic will have a challenging non-district schedule. They’ll face Vermillion Catholic, St. Michael and Metairie Park Country Day.

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ascension christian 8

PHOTOS BY CHUCK MONTERO

Ascension Christian is looking to improve on a 1-6 record in 2020. One of those losses came against parish foe Ascension Catholic.

Lions hoping to make big improvements from last year

BY KYLE RIVIERE

I

t was a season of uncertainty for Ascension Christian in 2020.

The Lions had to replace one of the best quarterbacks in program history, as well as break in many new starters. And they had to do it all in a shortened offseason due to the pandemic.

But this season, there has been much more consistency and stability for Ascension Christian. The Lions are hoping that this will lead to a big turnaround in 2021. The Lions are seeking their first winning season in four years.

Ascension Christian was dealt a huge blow during their last offseason as senior starting quarterback Zach Diez sustained a back injury that ended his year before it even began.

It turned out to be a sign of the struggles that would come for the Lions as they fought through a

tough 2020 season.

Ascension Christian won its opener against Fisher, but the Lions then closed out 2020 with six straight losses Ascension Christian will return 10 starters from that team—five on offense and five on defense.

Some of the starters lost were significant performers from last year’s squad.

The Lions lost four all-district players, which included Nick Davis. Davis was one of District 7-1A’s best pass rushers for the past two seasons.

Ascension Christian also lost running back and linebacker Brady Gueho and linemen Collin Pederson and Chris Moore.

But despite those losses on the line, head coach Josh Puryear said that his team should be stout in the trenches this upcoming season.

“I think we have a chance to be solid on the offensive line,” Pur-

year said. “We have key guys like Brock Stafford, Daniel Pyle and Luke Gautreau playing there, so I’m confident in the things that we can do upfront. I also like the way our older guys have been working this offseason, reaching out and showing our younger guys how things should be done.”

Brock Stafford is a junior who Puryear has high hopes for in 2021.

He said that Stafford broke his leg last season and didn’t get back to 100 percent until the Lions’ final regular-season game. Now that he’s back, Puryear thinks he’ll have a tremendous year.

Also returning for Ascension Christian is quarterback Ethan Cormier. Cormier now has a year of starting experience under his belt, after having to take over for the injured Diez in 2020.

He’ll have two key weapons returning for him offensively in junior running back Adin Carter AUGUST 2021

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HEAD COACH: Josh Puryear

MASCOT: Lions

RECORD IN 2020: 1-6

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 @ FISHER SEPT. 10 vs. BEN FRANKLIN SEPT. 17 @ HOUMA CHRISTIAN SEPT. 24 vs. WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN OCT. 1 vs. ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL

7-1A

OCT. 8 @ CENTRAL PRIVATE OCT. 15 vs. ST. JOHN* OCT. 21 vs. WHITE CASTLE* OCT. 29 @ ASCENSION CATHOLIC* NOV. 5 @ EAST IBERVILLE*

*District Game

Head coach Josh Puryear said that his team will be the strongest on the offensive line in 2021.

and senior wide receiver Emory Templet. Coach Puryear said that he also expects freshman running back and linebacker Wyatt Stafford to have a breakout season.

Another returning leader for Ascension Christian will be senior fullback and linebacker Brayden Tregre.

AUGUST 2021

Coach Puryear said that his team is holding itself to a high standard this season. They’re looking to make big strides from last year.

“We have a lot to prove this year, and we’re hoping to take this season week by week,” Puryear said. “We have some goals that we have set for

ourselves this year that we believe we can achieve. It’s going to take a lot of hard work and toughness, especially because a lot of our guys will be going both ways. We’re hoping to stay injury free this year.”

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east iberville

PHOTOS BY JOHN DUPONT

East Iberville, seen here against Grand Lake in their first-ever Class 1A semifinal game for the Tigers last season, hope to surpass the historic 2020 season this year.

Tigers looking to build on great 2020 run

BY JOHN DUPONT

C

oach Justin Joseph and his East Iberville Tigers head into the 2021 season hoping to fulfill the mission they almost accomplished last season.

A loss to Grand Lake in the Class 1A semifinals ended a Cinderella season for East Iberville, which had not won a single playoff game

heading into the 2020 season.

The Tigers finished the season 8-2, which elevated a program that had been relegated to the cellar for many years.

But the only part tougher than moving to the next level is to remain there – and it will pose a challenge for the Tigers.

The loss of several seniors left some holes in key spots along the roster, but it’s part of the game,

head coach Justin Joseph said.

Of the 32 on the roster, 22 will be upperclassmen and the remainder will come from seventh and eighth grade.

“We have some younger guys who will get real-life experiences this year,” he said.

But the Tigers will not be short on skilled players.

Trey Perkins, a first-team AllState offensive player last season,

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AUGUST 2021

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HEAD COACH: Ron LeJeune

MASCOT: Tigers

7-1A

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 @ SLAUGHTER CHARTER OCT. 8 vs. ST. JOHN* SEPT. 10 @ DENHAM SPRINGS OCT. 15 vs. WHITE CASTLE* SEPT. 17 @ LIBERTY OCT. 22 @ ASCENSION CATHOLIC* SEPT. 24 @ CENTRAL PRIVATE NOV. 5 vs. ASCENSION CHRISTIAN* OCT. 1 @ EAST FELICIANA

returns for his junior year in the quarterback spot after playing wide receiver last season. The Tigers will utilize the pistol offensive scheme.

Other top returnees include senior center Lance Captain, junior running back Devin Jones, sophomore wide receiver Jaden York, freshman running back Noah Cushenberry, and senior receiver Dontae Lodge.

“We have plenty of skilled guys, and that will be a plus for us,” Joseph said.

The biggest challenge will be shorAUGUST 2021

ing up the offensive line.

“They need experience,” he said.

“I have no doubt once they learn the pays they can execute well, but I’d like to see them a little more aggressive.”

With the success of the program last season, the Tigers have had to seek larger schools for pre-district action.

After an opener against Class 1A foe Slaughter Charter, the Tigers face a tough road that will include 5A foes Denham Springs and Liberty, as well as Class 2A opponent East Feliciana.

*District Game

“You won’t see any cupcakes on this schedule,” he said.

Joseph expects the traditionally tough opposition from White Castle and Ascension Catholic, but he said the program cannot let its guards down against foes such as St. John or Ascension Christian.

“To do as well as we did last year, we need to be focused on the team at hand each week,” Joseph said. “We can’t take anyone lightly.”

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st. john

PHOTOS BY JOHN DUPONT

St. John senior Joseph Schlatre, seen on a reception last season in action at Grand Lake, figures as one of the top prospects for the 2021 Eagles.

Minton and Eagles hoping to rebuild

BY JOHN DUPONT

F

irst-year head coach Coby Minton is a new name to St. John football, but he and his family name are no stranger to Louisiana high school football.

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Minton join SJHS after three years as Central Catholic-Morgan City offensive coordinator under his father, Tommy Minton, who coached at Plaquemine High, Patterson and other schools over the last 30 years.

He now faces the task of bring-

ing some fire to the St. John football program, which has been through several coaches and only seven wins over the last several years. SJHS won only one game last season.

Considering the crop of returnees for the 2021 season, Minton

AUGUST 2021

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HEAD COACH: COBY MINTON

MASCOT: Eagles

7-1A

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 vs. HANSON MEMORIAL OCT. 8 @ EAST IBERVILLE* SEPT. 10 @ CENTRAL PRIVATE OCT. 15 @ ASCENSION CHRISTIAN* SEPT. 17 vs. HIGHLAND BAPTIST OCT. 22 @ HOUMA CHRISTIAN SEPT. 22 @ BELAIRE OCT. 29 @ WHITE CASTLE* OCT. 1 vs. CONVENANT CHRISTIAN NOV. 5 vs. ASENSION CATHOLIC* *District Game

likes his chances of changing the direction of the program.

He will usher a group of skilled seniors for action on both sides of the ball.

Minton is particularly upbeat about his offense, including All-District receiver Joseph Schlatre, who was one of the bright spot last season.

“We’ll be looking to get the ball in his hands in different ways,” he said.

“As good as a football player he is, Joseph is also an outstanding leader and one of the hardest workers I’ve ever coached.”

Schlatre, a four-sport athlete, will also play basketball, baseball and compete in the school’s inaugural season of powerlifting.

Junior Maddox Bennett, a starting receiver last season, will transition to quarterback to lead the Eagle gap scheme offense.

Other offensive standouts will include junior Andrew Kleinpeter, along AUGUST 2021

with seniors Colton Canella and Josh Daigle.

“It’s great to have experience there,” Minton said. “Josh gives versatility, you can put him at running back or fullback and handle both duties and allow us to be versatile.”

He also touted wide receiver John Merritt Bueche, who has previously played as a halfback.

“He’s blocked for us, and he’s been versatile,” he said. “John changes our looks.”

The Eagle 3-4 defense will utilize much of the same talent, including Merritt and Schlatre.

“It will be a chance for those guys to be versatile,” Minton said.

Minton will lead a 28-team roster that will face a solid district, including East Iberville, which came one game short of the Class 1A championship game last season.

White Castle and Ascension Catholic will continue to bring plenty tal-

ent into the district, while Ascension Catholic will dress out a much-improved team for 2021, he said.

“A chance to see where we match up and get a chance to get guys out there and carry out a game plan week to week,” Minton said.

“The leadership and experience could make a difference for the Eagles this season, he said.

“When you take over a program that hasn’t had a tone of success, it makes you worry what kind of leadership you’ll have, but this senior class has been great, done everything asked of the and don’t mind being vocal leaders, and that’s what’s really going to help building the program,” Minton said.

“We will work to get continuity and figure out perfect combination to grow and get better each week.

13

white castle

PHOTOS BY JOHN DUPONT

The White Castle Bulldogs, seen between plays last season, aim to make a longer run for in the Class 1A playoffs in 2021.

Veteran Bulldogs seeking more playoff success

BY JOHN DUPONT

O

ne year after Marc Brown took a coaching job last summer for White Castle in the middle of a pandemic, he says he’s firmly on the ground for the 2021 season.

“We’re getting there,” he said.

“I like where we are right now, but

we will find out after our scrimmage.”

Brown leads a team of WCHS Bulldogs into action one year after an 18-13 loss to Homer in the Class 1A quarterfinals to end the season 5-4.

Much of the roster returns for the 2021 season, including senior Jamarcus, a three-year starting linebacker, along with junior wide receiver Derrick Tate, junior run-

ning back Jacob Green and junior guard Fred Villavaso.

Senior Hakeem Young will move from wide receiver to starting quarterback to lead the spread offense.

“It will take us a few weeks to get him settled and see what he’s comfortable with, but we think he will do very well in that spot,” Brown said.

Leaders on the 4-2-5 defense

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AUGUST 2021

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HEAD COACH: MARC BROWN

MASCOT: Bulldogs

7-1A

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 @ SOUTHERN LAB OCT. 8 vs. ASCENSION CATHOLIC* SEPT. 10 vs. LIBERTY OCT. 15 vs. EAST IBERVILLE* SEPT. 17 @ DONALDSONVILLE OCT. 21 @ ASCENSION CHRISTIAN* SEPT. 24 vs. LIVONIA OCT. 29 vs. ST. JOHN* OCT. 1 @ PORT ALLEN

will include senior inside linebacker Jason Williams, junior defensive tackle Dorian Davis and senior defensive back Derrick Tate.

Experience will be the biggest strength for the Bulldogs heading into the season, Brown said.

“Last year was a little different with us coming late, but this year we’ve had a chance to have an off-season, a summer, and it was completely different teamwise and workwise,” he said.

“Having a spring session was also a tremendous help.”

Depth will be the key challenge for the Bulldogs this season, as well as trying to remain healthy throughout AUGUST 2021

the season amid a tough pre-district and the usual assortment of 7-1A foes.

The Bulldogs will open the season against Southern Lab, a perennially tough 1A program.

“You’ve got to play good people in order to get better, and I felt that would be good to help us open early,” Brown said. “We look forward to the challenge we won’t back down from anyone, plus we get to play at Mumford Stadium, and we look forward to it.”

The district schedule will bring its traditionally tough conders, including Ascension Catholic and East Iberville,

*District Game

the latter of defeated the Bulldogs last year.

“We will do what we can to get things back on track our way,” Brown said. “That’s the kind of rivalry game where you throw the records out, it’s always tough.

“Considering what we had to deal with last season and when I got the job, I was amazed at how far we got,” he said. “I’m hoping we can go further this season.”

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donaldsonville 16

PHOTOS BY KYLE RIVIERE

Donaldsonville Pic 1: A veteran Donaldsonville squad will bring back 13 starters in 2021.

Tigers will be led by dynamic senior group in 2021

BY KYLE RIVIERE

O

ne of the great advantages in sports has proven to be experience. When two teams are equal in talent, many times, it’s the team with the most experience that finds a way to win.

Donaldsonville is hoping that, that will be what gives them the edge this upcoming football season.

The Tigers bring back a veteran

unit in 2021 that features a large group of seniors that’s hungry and looking to get over the hump and be contenders in Class 3A. “We have a great group of seniors,” Donaldsonville head coach Brian Richardson said. “This is the biggest group of seniors that we’ve had since I’ve been the head coach. They really stepped up this spring and took big leadership roles for our team.”

The Tigers will return 13 start-

ers from last year’s squad.

That team took some big steps forward as they went 4-2 during the regular season. That included a 50-28 blowout victory on the road against defending 3A champion St. James.

Donaldsonville went on to host a first-round playoff game. It’s a game they dominated, crushing Bogalusa, 46-8.

In the second round, the Tigers held a third-quarter lead against

AUGUST 2021

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A.J. DOHMANN 225.687.5337

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HEAD COACH: Brian Richardson

TEAM MASCOT: Tigers

RECORD IN 2020 5-3 2nd Round of Playoffs

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 vs. ASSUMPTION OCT. 8 @ E.D. WHITE* SEPT. 10 @ PORT ALLEN OCT. 15 vs. ST. JAMES* SEPT. 17 vs. WHITE CASTLE OCT. 22 @ PATTERSON* SEPT. 24 vs. THRIVE ACADEMY OCT. 29 @ LUTCHER* SEPT. 30 @ KENTWOOD NOV. 5 vs. BERWICK*

9-3A *District Game

Donaldsonville returns senior quarterback Treveyon Brown.

Madison Prep, but the Chargers went on a huge run in the final 18 minutes.

They went on to eliminate Donaldsonville and steamroll to the Class 3A state crown.

From that team, Donaldsonville has lost four all-district players in offensive lineman Christian Howard, linebacker Wardell Forcell, defensive back Josh Collier and 1,000-yard running back Rae’land Johnson. All four players signed with colleges last February.

Johnson ran for a phenomenal 333 yards in the Tigers’ blowout win over Patterson.

But fortunately for the Tigers, they will return most of their other starters.

This will include Treveyon Brown, who has started at quarterback for the past three seasons.

Brown spearheads a group of skill players that Richardson has hailed AUGUST 2021

as the biggest strength of his team in 2021.

“We return an experienced group of skill players. This should result in a very balanced attack on offense and stability on defense,” Richardson said.

Brown’s top two targets in Jamarcus Miller and Daimar Robinson both return, along with running back Robert Kent.

The Tigers will tweak their offense this upcoming season. Coach Richardson said that they will still operate out of the spread, but they will incorporate some schemes and concepts from Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.

The defense will be loaded as well with Randell Oatis, Payton Cargo, Ramone Brown and Maliek Robertson on the defensive line, Kent at linebacker and Robinson and Raiyen Oatis in the secondary.

Coach Richardson said that he’s also expecting three first-year starters to do big things in the defensive backfield. These players will be Carlos Bell, Lawrence Forcell and Rashade Schonberg.

Coach Richardson is just excited to see the final progression of his seniors in 2021.

“I love the process. Some of these guys started as freshmen,” Richardson said. “They took their lumps. They got blown out by West Feliciana. Now they’re seniors. I just enjoy seeing them put their cleats on, on time, getting to practice on time and getting on the bus on time. I enjoy watching the changes take fruition. They’ve learned a lot, and hopefully, it’ll all pay off in regard to wins and losses this season.”

17

2021 FOOTBAL WEEK 1 - SEPT. 2 - 3 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic at Sci Academy Ascension Christian at Fisher East Iberville at Slaughter Charter St. John vs. Hanson Memorial White Castle vs. Southern Lab

Class 4A

Plaquemine at St. Thomas More

Class 5A

Dutchtown vs. Covington East Ascension vs. Destrehan St. Amant vs. John F. Kennedy

Class 3A

Donaldsonville vs. Assumption

WEEK 4 - SEPT. 23 - 24

Class 4A

Ascension Catholic at Vermillion Catholic Ascension Christian vs. Westminster Christian East Iberville at Central Private St. John at Belaire White Castle vs. Livonia

Plaquemine at Lake Charles College Prep

Class 5A

Dutchtown vs. Northshore East Ascension at Zachary St. Amant vs. George Washington Carver

Class 1A

Class 3A

Donaldsonville vs. Thrive Academy

WEEK 2 - SEPT. 9 - 10 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic vs. Metairie Park Country Day Ascension Christian vs. Ben Franklin East Iberville at Denham Springs St. John at Central Private White Castle vs. Liberty

Class 3A

Donaldsonville at Port Allen

Class 4A

Plaquemine vs. East St. John

Class 5A

Plaquemine vs. East St. John

Class 4A

Plaquemine vs. Istrouma

Class 5A

Dutchtown vs. Sci Academy St. Amant vs. Opelousas

WEEK 5 - SEPT. 30 - OCT. 1 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic vs. Thrive Academy Ascension Christian vs. St. Martin’s Episcopal East Iberville at East Feliciana St. John vs. Covenant Christian White Castle at Port Allen

Class 3A

WEEK 3 - SEPT. 16 - 17 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic vs. Archbishop Hannan Ascension Christian at Houma Christian East Iberville at Liberty St. John vs. Highland Baptist White Castle at Donaldsonville

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Donaldsonville at Kentwood

Class 4A

Plaquemine at Belaire*

AUGUST 2021

ALL SCHEDULE Class 5A

East Ascension at Walker St. Amant vs. Helen Cox

WEEK 6 - OCT. 7 - 8 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic at White Castle* Ascension Christian at Central Private East Iberville vs. St. John*

Class 3A

Donaldsonville at E.D. White*

Class 4A

Plaquemine vs. Tara*

Class 5A

Dutchtown at Woodlawn* East Ascension at Catholic* St. Amant vs. McKinley*

WEEK 7 - OCT. 14 - 15 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic at St. Michael Ascension Christian vs. St. John* East Iberville vs. White Castle*

WEEK 8 - OCT. 21 - 22 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic vs. East Iberville* Ascension Christian vs. White Castle* St. John at Houma Christian

Class 3A

Donaldsonville at Patterson*

Class 4A

Plaquemine vs. Liberty*

Class 5A

Dutchtown vs. McKinley* East Ascension at Woodlawn* St. Amant at Catholic*

WEEK 9 - OCT. 28 - 29 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic vs. Ascension Christian* St. John at White Castle*

Class 3A

Donaldsonville at Lutcher*

Class 5A

Dutchtown at St. Amant* East Ascension at McKinley*

Class 3A

Donaldsonville vs. St. James*

Class 4A

Plaquemine at Broadmoor*

Class 5A

Dutchtown at East Ascension* St. Amant vs. Woodlawn*

WEEK 10 - NOV. 4 - 5 Class 1A

Ascension Catholic at St. John* Ascension Christian at East Iberville*

Class 3A

Donaldsonville vs. Berwick*

Class 4A

Plaquemine at St. Michael*

Class 5A

Dutchtown vs. Catholic* East Ascension vs. St. Amant*

AUGUST 2021

19

plaquemine

PHOTOS BY JOHN DUPONT

Kobe Major, one of last season’s most accomplished players on the Plaquemine offense, returns to action for his senior year with the Green Devils.

Shorthanded Plaquemine will still pack a punch in 2021

BY JOHN DUPONT

T

he numbers aren’t quite as big this year, but Plaquemine head coach Paul Distefano says his Green Devils

will still a solid punch this football season.

The progression of the players who started as freshmen and have grown into their positions brings a lot of hope for Distefano, a 10-year coach who led PHS to a

6-3 season that ended in playoff action against eventual Class 4A champion Carencro.

But the combination of a rainy summer and COVID quarantines has held things back for the Green Devils, he said.

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AUGUST 2021

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HEAD COACH: Paul Distefano

MASCOT: Green Devils

7-4A

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 @ LAKE CHARLES PREP OCT. 8 vs. TARA* SEPT. 10 vs. EAST ST. JOHN OCT. 15 @ BROADMOOR* SEPT. 17 @ ST. THOMAS MORE OCT. 22 @ LIBERTY* (Olympia Stadium) SEPT. 24 vs. ISTROUMA OCT. 29 @ ST. MICHAEL* (Olympia Stadium) OCT. 1 @ BELAIRE* *District Game

“Our junior class has a lot of experience as far as five of them who started as freshmen, and an additional four who state last year,” he said. “We’ve been very young the last few years but this year we’re not even close to where I’d like for us to be at this time due to practice restraints.”

Approximately 60 players will dress out for varsity this season, as opposed to 85 last year.

PHS will utilize the Spread Wing-T offense this season, “We went to a true spread last two years, but this year I feel we need to get back to our roots,” Distefano said.

Senior running back Kobe Major, a first-team All-District 6-4A entry last season, will be at the helm of the offense.

“During the last two years he’s been AUGUST 2021

the featured back, just a tough oldschool hardnosed player, not flashy,” Distefano said. “He can carry the load if he has to, but I don’t think he’s going to have to pound it 30 times a game.”

Distefano also sees a world of potential with junior wide receiver Delano Sanders and offensive linemem Charles Bouvay and Makai Lee, both three-year starters, along with starting center Jayden Rogers.

Junior Mike Mitchell may get time in as quarterback.

The offense also includes threeyear line starters Brandon Thymes, Shamar Carter and Mike Mitchell, who may also get time as quarterback.

Three 2020 District 6-4A Defensive MVP Dekhan Dupree will poses the biggest threat on the other side of the ball, while other top returnees include Antoine Pierce and Robert Lockett.

The defense also includes two junior defensive ends who were starters their freshman year – Aiden Kane and Titus Pierre.

The Green Devils will face a daunting pre-district schedule that includes Lake Charles Prep, East St. John and St. Thomas More.

Distefano expects a tough battle in district against Istrouma and Liberty Magnet.

The Green Devils will play a ninegame regular season schedule which will end in Week 10, a move that could give them time for some injuries to mend before playoffs.

“We don’t have a Week 10 and we don’t intend to schedule one,” Distefano said. “Out of nine games, we have four running backs who are as good as anyone in the state.”

21

dutchtown

PHOTOS BY KYLE RIVIERE

Dutchtown running back Dylan Sampson returns after rushing for over 3,100 yards and more than 40 touchdowns the past two season.

Sampson and Griffins looking to take next step

BY KYLE RIVIERE

I

n 2020, the Dutchtown Griffins won a playoff game for the first time in three years. This season, they’re looking to take the next step.

It surely won’t be easy after losing much of their roster from last year, but Dutchtown brings back one of the most explosive athletes in the state in running back Dylan

Sampson. And with Sampson, they’ll always have a puncher’s chance.

But Sampson won’t be the only weapon the Griffins bring back in 2021. In fact, head coach Guy Mistretta is excited about what his offense could look like this upcoming season.

“We return plenty of experience and leadership on the offensive side of the ball,” Mistretta said.

“Of course, Dylan Sampson is our

top returner, but Baylor Langlois also returns in the backfield, as well as both quarterbacks, Pierson Parent and Sean Winfield.”

Last season, Dutchtown was a run-dominant team.

Sampson rushed for 1,327 yards and 15 touchdowns despite only playing eight games. Langlois was the team’s second-leading rusher as he paired with Sampson in the backfield to give Dutchtown a very productive one-two punch.

Good Luck To All Area Teams

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HEAD COACH: Guy Mistretta

TEAM MASCOT: Griffins

RECORD IN 2020: 6-2 2nd Round of Playoffs

5-5A

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 vs. NORTHSHORE OCT. 15 @ EAST ASCENSION* SEPT. 10 vs. EVANGEL CHRISTIAN OCT. 21 vs. McKINLEY* SEPT. 17 vs. COVINGTON OCT. 28 @ ST. AMANT* SEPT. 24 vs. SCI ACADEMY NOV. 5 vs. CATHOLIC* OCT. 8 @ WOODLAWN*

*District Game

Dutchtown will also return its second-leading rusher from last season, Baylor Langlois.

Sampson has been the Ascension Parish Offensive MVP for the past two seasons. He’s a Tennessee commit.

Both Parent and Winfield saw action at quarterback. Though, Parent saw the most snaps. He proved to also be a big threat on the ground throughout the season.

Dutchtown will lose two first-team all-district offensive linemen in Reed Davis and Matt Gallman, but the Griffins return their other three starters in Hayden Harms, Will Delaune and Ty Quibodeaux.

Also, tight end Caleb Ickes will be back.

The offense will be under new leadership in 2021. During the offseason, Dutchtown hired Mike Janis as its new offensive coordinator. Janis was recently the head coach at Albany.

The Griffins also hired Josef VeAUGUST 2021

nus as their new offensive-line coach and run-game coordinator. Venus was previously the offensive-line coach at Lutcher.

Dutchtown will be trying to top what it did last season, when it finished 5-1 during the regular season and hosted a first-round playoff game. That’s a game the Griffins won—blanking Terrebonne, 29-0.

In the second round, the Griffins lost a hard-fought 20-10 contest to fifth-seeded Destrehan.

If Dutchtown wants to see the same kind of success this season, its defense will have to grow up and grow up quickly. The Griffins have parted ways with many of their best defensive players from last year.

The departures include defensive lineman Joseph Johnson, linebacker Chris Washington and defensive

backs Justin Agu and Jordan Jackson.

“We must develop new starters on each level of the defense, but we are confident that we have players ready to fill those holes. It will be important for leaders to step up on the defensive side of the ball as well,” Mistretta said.

Dutchtown will return just two starters on the defensive line in Gabe Marable and Brody Anderson.

The secondary will also feature plenty of new faces in AK Burrell, Kade King and Evan Reddix. But fortunately for Dutchtown, it will return Tanner Vadnais and Alvin Lewis. Vadnais was a first-team all-district selection in 2020.

Dutchtown will also have to make big changes in special teams. The Griffins are losing a first-team all-district kicker in Christian Donnelly.

23

east ascension 24

PHOTOS BY KYLE RIVIERE

East Ascension has not lost a game to parish rivals Dutchtown and St. Amant since 2017.

Spartans looking to rule parish and district in 2021

BY KYLE RIVIERE

W

hen it comes to Ascension Class 5A football, East Ascension has been the gold standard in the parish for the last few years.

The Spartans have not lost a game to parish rivals St. Amant and Dutchtown since 2017. And East Ascension is hoping to extend its dominance into 2021.

Like most of the other teams in the state, last season was a rollercoaster ride for the Spartans due to the pandemic.

East Ascension’s game against Dutchtown was cancelled, and so was its matchup against Woodlawn. But at the last minute, head coach Darnell Lee was able to schedule a road game against highly-ranked C.E. Byrd. It’s a game the Spartans eventually lost, 27-20.

East Ascension also had to

replace its starting quarterback.

The season started off with a battle for the top spot between Kullen Wheat and Troy Dunn, but Wheat eventually sustained a season-ending injury, forcing Dunn to become the full-time starter.

Despite his inexperience, Dunn helped lead the Spartans to the second round of the playoffs, before losing to eventual state champion Acadiana.

During the spring, Lee was very pleased with Dunn’s maturation at quarterback.

“Troy Dunn is a different animal now,” Lee said. “He’s got a year under his belt, he’s throwing the ball better, he knows what to expect now and he has a good feel for the plays that we’re running.

The guys around him are a little bit better. We did lose some key guys on the offensive line. That’s big when your quarterback is on the move, trying to keep defenses off-balance.”

The Spartans lost a lot of talent on the offensive line, including three players that signed with colleges in Gavin Soniat, Dezmond Schuster and Canaan Quinn.

But fortunately for Dunn and East Ascension, they will return plenty of talented skill-position players.

The Spartans lost all-district wideout Navell Chopin, but they’ll bring back tight end Jacquel Mack and receivers Zhavier Jupiter and Jacorey Mitchell.

The East Ascension backfield will also be loaded with all-district running back Walter Samuel leading the charge.

“Walter Samuel is special. He’s around 205 right now, and he’s probably the fastest person on the team,” Lee said. “He can catch the ball out of the backfield, and we’ve been running some empty-formation plays with him.”

East Ascension lost the most on defense. They’ll return only five AUGUST 2021

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www.ajdohmanncdjr.com

HEAD COACH: Darnell Lee

TEAM MASCOT: Spartans

RECORD IN 2020: 5-4 2nd Round of Playoffs

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 @ ZACHARY SEPT. 10 vs. SCOTLANDVILLE SEPT. 17 vs. DESTREHAN SEPT. 24 BYE OCT. 1 @ WALKER

OCT. 8 @ CATHLIC* OCT. 15 vs. DUTCHTOWN* OCT. 22 @ WOODLAWN* OCT. 29 @ McKINLEY* NOV. 5 vs. ST. AMANT

5-5A *District Game

East Ascension went 5-4 in 2020, reaching as far as the second round of the playoffs.

starters on that unit from last year.

Among the departures were players like defensive linemen Jerrell Boykins, Jr. and Ashton Milton and defensive backs Blake Thompson and Kael Babin. Boykins was All-State and a Louisiana Tech signee.

But Coach Lee is thrilled that all-district middle linebacker Rionte Jones returns as the leader on defense.

He’s also excited about defensive ends Thomas Lee, Jr. and Alex Lambert and defensive backs Kendrick AUGUST 2021

Broussard and Brennan Thompson.

Lee said he also expects big things from first-year starting defensive lineman Sydney Joseph.

And if it comes to special teams, East Ascension will return starting kicker Evan Kern.

“We’re going to be young in some spots, but we’re going to have some guys with experience that are going to help us,” Lee said.

The Spartans will have to be on the top of their game week in and week out. Their schedule will be absolutely

brutal in 2021.

East Ascension will have non-district games against Zachary, Scotlandville, Destrehan and Walker.

In District 5-5A, they’ll face Catholic, Dutchtown, St. Amant and a vastly-improved Woodlawn squad. To win the league, they’ll have to take down defending champion Catholic, something they haven’t done since 2017.

25

st. amant

PHOTOS BY KYLE RIVIERE

St. Amant will be led by two-year starting quarterback Cole Poirrier in 2021.

Gators looking to compete in District 5-5A in 2021

BY KYLE RIVIERE

T

he St. Amant Gators will have to replace numerous starters in 2021, but one position they won’t have to restock is quarterback.

The Gators will return a twoyear starter in Cole Poirrier, and they’re hoping that the experience and skill they bring back under center in 2021 is enough to spark the rest of the team into making a run in District 5-5A. St. Amant made big improvements in 2020, despite the chaos of the season due to the pandemic.

Just a season earlier, the Gators missed out on the playoffs for the first time in eight years. But in 2020, St. Amant went 4-2 and made a return to the postseason.

But there were some negatives along the way. Due to COVID-19, two of the Gators’ regular-season

26

games were cancelled. And they did end the year with back-toback losses.

St. Amant lost an overtime thriller against archrival East Ascension in the regular-season finale. They were then eliminated by fourth-seeded Ponchatoula in the first round of the playoffs.

Now, many starters from last year’s team are gone. But fortunately for the Gators, they’ll bring back their most important starter.

Poirrier was both first-team all district and first-team All Parish a year ago. He heads into 2021 as arguably the best quarterback in Ascension.

Poirrier also handles the Gators’ kicking and punting duties.

Although, he did lose some valuable weapons around him on offense. The Gators will be without first-team all-district wideout Remy Rizzuto, as well as All-Parish receiver Justin Storks and running back Reggie Sims.

The offensive line will be without Kaleb Rock.

But the cupboard isn’t completely empty for the Gators offensively. St. Amant will return wide receiver Noah Louque, along with tight end Tanner Oliver. On the offensive line, the Gators will return both Layton Smart and Cullen DeArmand.

Defensively, St. Amant lost three first-team all-district performers in defensive lineman Tyler Legendre, linebacker Sam McCorkle and defensive back Evan Bourgeois.

Other defensive players the Gators lost include defensive linemen Aiden Borne and Brant Billingsley and defensive backs Zack Gonzales, Kevin Domino and Rantrell Gordon.

The St. Amant defense should still be solid up front. The Gators bring back 6-foot-4, 240-pound junior defensive lineman Dylan Carpenter, who already has a AUGUST 2021

GL-00096591

A.J. DOHMANN 225.687.5337

www.ajdohmanncdjr.com

HEAD COACH: David Oliver

TEAM MASCOT: Gators

SCHEDULE: SEPT. 3 vs. GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER SEPT. 10 vs. BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SEPT. 17 vs. JOHN F. KENNEDY SEPT. 24 vs. OPELOUSAS OCT. 1 vs. HELEN COX

RECORD IN 2020: 4-3 Reached Playoffs

5-5A

OCT. 8 vs.McKINLEY* OCT. 15 vs. WOODLAWN* OCT. 22 @ CATHOLIC * OCT. 29 vs. DUTCHTOWN* NOV. 5 @ EST ASCENSION*

*District Game

St. Amant has worked hard this offseason, including taking part in a seven-on-seven event at Dutchtown.

scholarship offer from Tulane.

Carpenter very well could be in for a breakout season, along with returning starter at linebacker, senior Lee Amedee. Jax Melancon will also be one of St. Amant’s top backers.

Track star Tre’Shawn Dunn will be one of the Gators’ top cornerbacks that returns in 2021.

“We’re excited about the upcoming season,” St. Amant head coach David AUGUST 2021

Oliver said. “We’ve been working hard in our offseason program, and really focusing in the weight room with our strength and conditioning.”

St. Amant is also excited about playing on a brand-new turf field at The Pit this upcoming season.

“This is going to be a huge thing for us,” Oliver said. “We’re planning on practicing there at least once a week so that we’ll be able to get a feel for

the turf before our game on Friday night. And with the turf, we always know that we’ll have great conditions.

“We have a lot of trouble practicing when there’s a lot of rain—not just because of lightning, but also because the field is so muddy and torn up.

Now if that happens, we can bus our guys over to The Pit and practice on the new turf.”

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louisiana state university 30

PHOTO COURTESY OF LSU ATHLETICS

With the injury to Myles Brennan, sophomore Max Johnson will begin the season as LSU’s starter at quarterback.

LSU looking to make 2020 a distant memory

BY KYLE RIVIERE

T

he big question heading into this season is: Was 2020 just an aberration for LSU? We’ll soon find out the answer.

It was a whirlwind of extremes for the Tigers in the past two seasons.

In 2019, LSU completed a 15-0 run to the national championship.

Everything went right in what many proclaimed as the greatest season in the history of college football.

Just one year later, virtually everything went wrong for LSU. The Tigers suffered through a 5-5 campaign that was historically bad and downright embarrassing at times.

But major changes have been made since last year’s debacle.

LSU has hired five new coaches, including new offensive and defensive coordinators.

But there has been consistency as well. The Tigers will bring back almost all of their starters from last year’s team.

Jake Peetz will now leading the offense, along with new passing-game coordinator DJ Mangus.

The Tiger offense had some deficiencies last season, but they still found a way to be productive.

LSU averaged 32 points per game and scored at least 34 in six of its 10 contests. The Tigers scored 41 or more four times.

All but one starter returns on the offensive line. Left tackle Dare Rosenthal transferred during the offseason, most likely giving way to East Ascension alum Cam Wire to take over. Wire started multiple games in Rosenthal’s absence last season.

The LSU offensive line will be led by new offensive line coach Brad Davis.

They’ll have to do a much better job of run blocking in 2021.

Last season, LSU ran for just 122 yards per game.

LSU returns their two leading rushers from last season—Tyrion Davis-Price and John Emery.

With Myles Brennan out with a broken arm, sophomore Max Johnson will be the Tigers’ starter at quarterback. Johnson showed impressive flashes last season as he threw eight touchdowns and just one interception.

Johnson started LSU’s last two games in 2020 against Florida and Ole Miss. The Tigers won both contests and averaged 45 points per outing.

Johnson will have a plethora of talented receivers to throw to—including Kayshon Boutte. Boutte set an SEC record for receiving yards in a single game when he went for 308 against Ole Miss last season.

Other receivers returning will be Jaray Jenkins, Koy Moore, Jontre Kirklin and Trey Palmer. LSU also AUGUST 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF FANSIDED.COM

All-American cornerback Derek Stingley, Jr. returns to a Tiger defense that struggled mightily in 2020.

has some impressive incoming freshmen in Chris Hilton, Jr., Deion Smith, Brian Thomas, Jr. and tight end Jack Bech.

LSU will definitely need to improve on defense under new coordinator Daronte Jones.

The Tigers were historically bad on that side of the ball in 2020—giving up 35 points per game. They surrender at least 41 points five times.

LSU will return its entire starting defensive line, including their top-two sack leaders in Andre Anthony and BJ Ojulari. Also returning will be Ali Gaye, Glen Logan, Neil Farrell, Jacquelin Roy and Joseph Evans.

Head coach Ed Orgeron has also AUGUST 2021

raved about incoming freshman Maason Smith.

LSU has a new defensive-line coach in Andre Carter.

Blake Bell is the new linebackers coach, and he has a lot of talented players to worth with.

The Tigers will return Damone Clark and Micah Baskerville. LSU has also added Clemson transfer Mike Jones, Jr., as well as former Mississippi State linebacker Navonteque Strong.

Safety was a weak spot for the Tigers last season, but they’ll have plenty of depth there in 2021.

LSU will return Todd Harris, Jr, Jordan Toles and Jay Ward will play the position after moving from corner.

The Tigers also bring in Georgia transfer Major Burns, as well as incoming freshmen Sage Ryan, Derrick Davis, Jr. and Matthew Langlois.

At corner, LSU returns arguably the best tandem in the country in Derek Stingley, Jr. and Eli Ricks. They have combined for 10 interceptions the past two seasons.

The Tigers also return Cardale Flott and Dwight McGlothern.

LSU will also be strong in special teams as it returns Cade York. York made all 36 extra points last season and made 18 of 21 field goals. One of those field goals was a winning 57-yarder in the fog against Florida.

31

new orleans saints

PHOTO COURTESY OF THEATHLETIC.COM

The Saints return Alvin Kamara after he piled up more than 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns last season.

Saints head into 2021 following turbulent offseason

BY KYLE RIVIERE

I

t’s been an offseason unlike anything we’ve ever seen during the Sean Payton era in New Orleans.

And as a result, there is a thick cloud of uncertainty that will follow the Saints into the 2021 season.

After 15 years, New Orleans will begin a season without its future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees, who decided to retire during the offseason.

His heir apparent will be either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill, but early indications point to former No. 1 overall pick Winston winning the battle.

Winston served as Brees’ backup last season. The last time

32

he started was for the Buccaneers in 2019. Winston threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns, but he also threw 30 interceptions.

But the quarterback position isn’t the only one that will bring huge question marks into 2021.

So many starters departed during the offseason for the Saints.

New Orleans’ defensive line was gutted.

The Saints lost team sack leader Trey Hendrickson, as well as defensive tackles Sheldon Rankins and Malcolm Brown. Also, David Onyemata was slapped with a sixgame suspension for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.

The players that New Orleans will return on the D-line will be Cam Jordan, Marcus Davenport, Shy Tuttle and Malcolm Roach.

Rookie Peyton Turner looks to also make an immediate impact.

Last season, Tuttle (28) and Roach (16) combined for the amount of tackles Onyemata totaled (44).

The loss of such key personal may hinder what has been the Saints’ greatest strength on defense—their ability to stop the run. Last year, they ranked fourth against the run, as they surrendered just 94 yards per game.

New Orleans will still be solid at linebacker as it returns leading tackler Demario Davis, along with Kwon Alexander.

They’ll also be strong in the back half with safeties Marcus Williams, Malcolm Jenkins and C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

However, there are huge red flags at cornerback.

Marshon Lattimore returns, but he may be suspended to start the season following an offseason arAUGUST 2021

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEWORLEANSSAINTS.COM

The Saints defense will be led by one of the best middle linebackers in the league in Demario Davis.

rest.

Jenoris Jenkins left, and Patrick Robinson abruptly decided to retire just recently. That leaves the Saints with Ken Crawley, P.J. Williams, rookie Paulson Adebo and recent signees, Brian Poole and Prince Amukamara.

Offensively, the Saints offensive line will still be strong, and they’ll have a backfield comprised of Alvin Kamara, Latavius Murray and new acquisition Devonta Freeman.

Kamara had more than 1,600 total yards and 21 touchdowns last season.

But the Saints will be short on proven pass catchers.

New Orleans lost its top two tight AUGUST 2021

ends in Jared Cook and Josh Hill.

They’re left with second-year player Adam Trautman and Juwan Johnson, who will be transitioning to tight end from wide receiver.

And at receiver, the Saints will be without Michael Thomas for the first seven weeks of the season as he recovers from ankle surgery.

The Saints also parted ways with Emmanuel Sanders during the offseason.

They’ll have to rely heavily now on the injury-plagued Tre’Quan Smith, second-year player Marquez Callaway and recent addition Chris Hogan.

Smith and Callaway combined for just 661 yards and four touchdowns last

season.

Receiver and Pro Bowl kick returner Deonte Harris is also facing a possible suspension to begin the season after being arrested for a DUI during the offseason.

Special teams will also be a concern for New Orleans this season as longtime punter Thomas Morstead retired and kicker Will Lutz will be forced to miss the first half of the season as he recovers from surgery.

Taking his place will be Brett Mahar, who went just 20-30 in field goals the last time he started back in 2019.

33

LSU 2021-2022 SCHEDULE SEPT. 4 @ UCLA

OCT. 16 vs. FLORIDA*

SEPT. 11 vs. McNEESE

OCT. 23 @ OLE MISS*

SEPT. 18 vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN

NOV. 6 @ ALABAMA*

SEPT. 25 @ MISSISSIPPI STATE*

NOV. 13 vs. ARKANSAS*

OCT. 2 vs. AUBURN*

NOV. 20 vs. UL-MONROE

OCT. 9 @ KENTUCKY*

NOV. 27 vs. TEXAS A&M* *SEC

SU 2021-2022 SCHEDULE SEPT. 4 @ TROY

OCT. 23 vs. PRAIRIE VIEW A&M

SEPT. 11 vs. MILES COLLEGE

OCT. 30 vs. ALCORN STATE*

SEPT. 18 vs. McNEESE STATE

NOV. 6 vs. FLORIDA A&M*

SEPT. 26 vs. MISSISSIPP VALLEY STATE*

NOV. 13 vs. JACKSON STATE*

OCT. 9 vs. TEXAS SOUTHERN*

NOV. 27 vs. GRAMBLING STATE*

OCT. 16 @ ARKANSAS-PINE BLUFF* *SWAC

NSU 2021-2022 SCHEDULE SEPT. 4 @ MEMPHIS

OCT. 23 @ HOUSTON BAPTIST*

SEPT. 11 @ U.L. -LAFAYETTE

OCT. 30 vs. NORTHWESTERN STATE*

SEPT. 25 vs. NORTH ALABAMA

NOV. 6 @ McNEESE*

OCT. 2 vs. HOUSTON BAPTIST*

NOV. 13 vs. INCARNATE WORD*

OCT. 9 vs. SOUTHEASTERN*

NOV. 18 @ SOUTHEASTERN*

OCT. 16 @ INCARNATE WORD* *SOUTHLAND

34

AUGUST 2021

ONLY ON EATEL CHANNEL 4 EATEL has been a member of the Ascension community for over 85 years and we are proud supporters of local high school academic and athletic programs.

Tune in each week to watch our exciting local high school sports coverage featuring East Ascension, St. Amant, and Dutchtown games.

AUGUST 2021

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