2025 High School Footbal Preview

C2 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

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Week-by-week schedule Week 1 Thursday, Sept. 4

Nondistrict: Westgate vs. Lake Charles College Prep (at Dutton Wall Stadium), Westlake at Rosepine, East Beauregard at Grand Lake, Vinton at Rosepine, DeQuincy vs. Hamilton Christian (at Jack Doland Memorial Stadium), North Central at Merryville.

Friday, Sept. 5

Nondistrict: Barbe at Airline, Sam Houston at Leesville, Sulphur vs. St. Louis Catholic (Navarre Stadium), South Beauregard at DeRidder, Iowa at Jennings, LaGrange at Peabody, Abbeville at Washington-Marion, Gueydan at Pickering, Oberling at Vinton, Welsh at Kinder, Sacred Heart at Oakdale, Basile at Lake Arthur, St. Edmund at Elton.

Week 2

Thursday, Sept. 11

Nondistrict: Lake Charles College Prep at Barbe, Grand Lake at Rosepine, Vinton at Merryville.

Friday, Sept. 12

Nondistrict: Teurlings Catholic at Sam Houston, Sulphur at Northside, DeRidder at Many, Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Tx. at Iowa, LaGrange at Westlake, Leesville at Tioga, Washington-Marion at South Beauregard, Eunice at Jennings, St. Louis Catholic at Bunkie, DeQuincy at Lake Arthur, East Beauregard at Opelousas Catholic, Montgomery at Pickering, Iota at Kinder, Welsh at Oakdale, Mamou at Basile, Northwood-Lena at Elton, Hamilton Christian at Highland Baptist, Bolton Academy at Oberlin.

Week 3

Thursday, Sept. 18

Nondistrict: Barbe at Northwest, Slaughter Community Charter at LaGrange, Orangefield, Tx. vs. St. Louis Catholic (at Max Caldarera Memorial Stadium), Oakdale at Grand Lake.

Friday, Sept. 19

Nondistrict: Sam Houston at East Ascension, Vandebilt Catholic at Sulphur, DeRidder at Newton, Tx., Parkview Baptist at Iowa, Many at Leesville, Washington-Marion at Westlake, Jennings at Welsh, Opelousas vs. Lake Charles College Prep (Navarre Stadium), Buckeye at South Beauregard, DeQuincy at Oberlin, Crowley at East Beauregard, Pickering at Northwood-Lena, Rosepine at Kinder, Hamilton Christian at Vinton, Bolton Academy at Lake Arthur, Basile at Sacred Heart, Montgomery at Elton, Merryville at LaSalle.

Week 4

Thursday, Sept. 25

Nondistrict: Bolton Academy at LaGrange, South Beauregard at Welsh, Vinton at Delcambre, Elton at Gueydan, Grand Lake at Montgomery.

Friday, Sept. 26

District 3-5A: Barbe at Carencro, Sulphur at Sam Houston.

Nondistrict: Westlake at DeRidder, Iowa at Wossman, Leesville at Pineville, St. Louis Catholic at Washington-Marion, Jennings at Northwest, Lake Charles College Prep at Mansfield, Lakeview at DeQuincy, Oberlin at East Beauregard, Merryville at Pickering, Ascension

Episcopal at Rosepine, Kinder at Eunice, Lake Arthur at Oakdale, Highland Baptist at Basile, Hamilton Christian at St. John.

Week 5

Thursday, Oct. 2

Nondistrict: DeRidder at Jennings, Iowa vs. St. Louis Catholic (at Max Caldarera Memorial Stadium), Port Barre at South Beauregard, Grand Lake at DeQuincy.

Friday, Oct. 3

DeQuincy, Bolton Academy at East Beauregard, Rosepine at Mansfield, Lake Arthur at Richwood.

Week 8

Thursday, Oct. 23

District 3-5A: Carencro at Sulphur.

District 3-3A: St. Louis Catholic at South Beauregard.

District 4-2A: Rosepine at Vinton.

District 4-1A: Oberlin vs. Hamilton Christian (at Lafayette Christian).

Friday, Oct. 24

District 3-5A: Southside at Barbe, Lafayette at Sam Houston, Acadiana at Sulphur.

Nondistrict: Peabody at Washington-Marion, Catholic-New Iberia at Lake Charles College Prep, Westlake at Erath, East Beauregard at Westminster Christian-Lafayette, Pickering at LaSalle, Rosepine at Lake Arthur, North Iberville at Vinton, Logansport at Kinder, Oakdale at Marksville, Eunice at Welsh, Ville Platte at Basile, Elton at Hanson Memorial, Merryville at Northwood-Lena, Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy at Oberlin.

OPEN: Leesville, Hamilton Christian.

District 3-5A: Barbe at Lafayette, Sam Houston at New Iberia.

District 3-4A: DeRidder at LaGrange, Eunice at Iowa, Leesville at Washington-Marion.

District 3-3A: Westlake at Lake Charles College Prep.

District 4-2A: East Beauregard at DeQuincy.

District 5-2A: Kinder at Holy Savior Menard, Port Barre at Oakdale.

District 6-2A: Lake Arthur at Lafayette Renaissance Christian Academy, Lafayette Christian at Welsh.

District 4-1A: Elton at Basile, Merryville at Grand Lake.

Nondistrict: Notre Dame at Jennings, Pickering at Pine Prairie.

Thursday, Oct. 9

Thursday, Oct. 30

Week 6

District 3-5A: Sam Houston at Southside.

District 6-2A: Notre Dame at Lake Arthur.

District 4-1A: Hamilton Christian at Grand Lake.

Friday, Oct. 10

District 3-5A: Barbe at Acadiana, New Iberia at Sulphur.

District 3-4A: Eunice at DeRidder, Iowa at Leesville, Washington-Marion at LaGrange.

District 3-3A: Jennings at Lake Charles College Prep, Jennings vs.

Lake Charles College Prep (Navarre Stadium), St. Louis Catholic at Westlake.

District 5-2A: Oakdale at Holy Savior Menard.

District 4-1A: Basile at Merryville, Oberlin at Elton.

Nondistrict: Kinder at South Beauregard, DeQuincy at Erath, Crescent City at Pickering, Winnfield at Rosepine, Westminster Christian-Lafayette at Vinton, Welsh at Loranger.

Open: East Beauregard.

Week 7

Thursday, Oct. 16

District 3-4A: Iowa at Washington-Marion.

District 5-2A: Kinder at Oakdale.

District 4-1A: Elton vs. Hamilton Christian (at Lafayette Christian).

Nondistrict: Iota at Westlake, Vinton at Pickering.

Friday, Oct. 17

District 3-5A: New Iberia at Barbe, Carencro at Sam Houston, Sulphur at Southside.

District 3-4A: Leesville at DeRidder, Eunice at LaGrange.

District 3-3A: South Beauregard at Jennings, Lake Charles College Prep vs. St. Louis Catholic (Max Caldarera Memorial Stadium).

District 6-2A: Welsh at Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy.

District 4-1A: Grand Lake at Basile, Merryville at Oberlin.

Nondistrict: Jonesboro-Hodge at

Week 9

District 3-3A: Jennings vs. St. Louis Catholic (at Max Caldarera Memorial Stadium).

District 4-1A: Basile at Oberlin, Hamilton Christian at Merryville.

Friday, Oct. 31

District 3-5A: Sulphur at Barbe, Acadiana at Sam Houston.

District 3-4A: Washington-Marion at DeRidder, LaGrange at Iowa, Leesville at Eunice.

District 3-3A: South Beauregard at Westlake.

District 4-2A: DeQuincy at Rosepine, Vinton at East Beauregard.

District 5-2A: Port Barre at Kinder, Oakdale at Avoyelles.

District 6-2A: Welsh at Lake Arthur.

District 4-1A: Grand Lake at Elton.

Nondistrict: Lake Charles College Prep at Comeaux, PIckering at Ringgold.

Week 10

Thursday, Nov. 6

District 3-4A: DeRidder at Iowa.

District 3-3A: Lake Charles College Prep at South Beauregard.

District 6-2A: Notre Dame at Welsh.

District 4-1A: Hamilton Christian at Basile, Oberlin at Grand Lake.

Friday, Nov. 7

District 3-5A: Sam Houston at Barbe, Lafayette at Sulphur.

District 3-4A: LaGrange at Leesville, Washington-Marion at Eunice.

District 3-3A: Westlake at Jennings, Lake Charles College Prep at South Beauregard.

District 4-2A: Vinton at DeQuincy, East Beauregard at Rosepine.

District 5-2A: Avoyelles at Kinder.

District 6-2A: Lake Arthur at Lafayette Christian.

District 4-1A: Merryville at Elton.

Nondistrict: Haughton vs. St. Louis Catholic (at Max Caldarera Memorial Stadium), Pickering at Plain Dealing, Oakdale at Red River.

Index

Barbe Buccaneers.............................. C3 Sulphur Tors......................................... C4 Sam Houston Broncos....................... C6 DeRidder Dragons............................... C7 Iowa Yellow Jackets............................ C8 Leesville Wampus Cats...................... C8 LaGrange Gators................................. C9 Jennings Bulldogs............................. C10 Wash.-Marion Charging Indians..... C10 St. Louis Catholic Saints.................. C11 S. Beauregard Golden Knights....... C12 Westlake Rams.................................. C13 LC College Prep Trailblazers.......... C14 Pickering Red Devils......................... C15 East Beauregard Trojans................. C16 DeQuincy Tigers................................ C16 Kinder Yellow Jackets...................... C18 Vinton Lions........................................ C18 Rosepine Eagles................................ C19 Lake Arthur Tigers............................C20 Oakdale Warriors..............................C20 Welsh Greyhounds............................C21 Basile Bearcats..................................C22 Elton Indians.......................................C22 Hamilton Christian Warriors............C23 Grand Lake Hornets.........................C23 Oberlin Tigers....................................C24 Merryville Panthers...........................C24

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C3

Barbe: Coach hopes experience translates to wins

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

JORDIN GRIFFIN

Junior running back

The Barbe High Bucaneers took a step forward in 2024 — and look to carry that into the new season.

The Bucs went 6-5 for the second consecutive last year and were close to winning their first playoff game since 2017. They played in five games decided by eight points or less and dropped their average margin of loss by more than 17 points.

Head coach Skeet Owens is looking forward to seeing how the Bucs surpass last year’s accomplishments.

“We made progress,” Owens said. “I think last year we were much more competitive — especially in the playoff game, you know. We received better.

“We had a good veteran-senior group so we were able to be better on the road and obviously play better in the playoffs. We had a chance to win. They scored with a few minutes left to go to

beat us up in Covington.”

Owens said the team is trying to build on that success this season.

“A lot of these guys have played two years now, so, hopefully, that experience will translate into some quality wins down the road.”

The Bucs will draw on an experienced core of skilled players on the offense. Fleet-footed junior quarterback Jelandon Gray returns for a third season as a starter, while junior Jordin Griffin will take over the lead running back role after Eric Jones graduated.

“We got a lot of veterans and experience at skilled positions on offense,” Owens said.

Gray (5-11, 163) threw for 1,952 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024.

“The ball’s jumping out of his (Gray) hand,” Owens said. “He’s obviously lightyears ahead of where he was two years ago. He’s continuing to get better.

“It makes it much easier for our coaches to call plays or add plays or to mix things in when you’ve had that experience for two years.”

Griffin (5-9, 170) ran for 575 yards and four touchdowns last year, and will share time with senior Landon Kirklin, who played more of a role in the receiver corps with

23 catches for 281 yards and three scores.

“He’s (Griffin) obviously

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JELANDON GRAY

Junior quarterback

explosive,” Owens said.

“He’s one play away from changing the scoreboard.

“We’ve also been working Landon Kirklin on that, who played a lot of flanker last year for us. Landon Kirklin is probably going to get a lot of carries early with Griffin getting back in shape.”

Besides Kirklin (5-10, 183), Gray will have three other seniors targets to rely on in Myles Ledoux (5-9, 174), Sawyer Kuypers, a transfer from Sulphur, and tight end Truett Forsyth (6-1, 175).

“We’ve got to replace some numbers, but I think we have some guys that can do that,” Owens said.

Ultimately, the offense will hinge on the development of the line. There are two returning starters in senior Travis Miller (6-2, 220), and junior See BARBE, C7

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C4 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

Sulphur: Senior-led Tors eye end to playoff drought

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

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Sulphur is in the midst of one of their longest playoff droughts in two decades, but head coach Cody Gueringer feels the Tors are ready to turn the corner.

The Tors return 14 starters and have a senior-heavy lineup with the Class of 2026 holding down 13 of 22 starting spots.

“They’re starting to understand what we expect and what we want and rise to those occasions,” Gueringer said.

“The older guys have been around and understand the task at hand of doing the little things right and trying to hold each other accountable.”

Sulphur hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2021 — their longest streak since they missed the postseason four years in a row from 1993 to 1996.

They will have a strong senior presence (seven) on offense, especially at the skill positions with wide receivers Jordan Jardneaux (5-8, 165) and Jayden Shirley (5-8, 160) and running backs Tyler Joubert (5-8, 165), and Luke Clark (5-9, 160).

Jardneaux was the Tors’ top receiver last year with 32 catches for 317 yards and four touchdowns.

Joubert led the ground game last year with 467 yards and four touchdowns.

“I like that they’re (Joubert, Clark) physical and finish runs,” Gueringer said. “They’re guys that have been in this system for three

years, so they understand the nuances of it.

“And I love that they want to be physical, and they desire to make plays.

We will lean on running game with play action pass to open up the most experienced group (wide receivers) on offense.”

The other three seniors will carry the offensive line in Sergio Ibarra (5-8, 225) and returning starters Noah Parker (5-9, 211) and Cooper Cross (6-0, 233).

They will mentor sophomores Drew Couvillon (6-2, 300) and Amar Holman (5-9, 275).

“They really are progressing really well.

Coach (Albert) Allen, a Sulphur alum, came in and he’s done a really good job with them,” Gueringer said. “What he does really well as a young coach is he’s got a lot of different guys understanding every aspect of the offensive line to where if anybody goes down as the season goes on, they’re sort of ready to step up.”

Those seniors will help sophomore Dalton Shirley transition into the role of starting quarterback.

“He’s a baseball kid, so his growth and maturation with those receivers that have had those reps is really good,” Gueringer said. “I’ve seen more growth in him in the weeks that we’ve been out there than I’ve seen in a lot of kids in a long time.

“I look forward to See SULPHUR, C5

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C5

SULPHUR Continued from C4

watching him progress and continue to make plays and understand what we want offensively.”

After allowing 30 points a game last year, The Tors are looking to

address some of the defensive issues they faced last year.

“Coach Trenton Guay came in and really held those guys accountable to a higher standard,” Gueringer said. “We just kind of raised the expectations of accountability and understanding to just do your job.

“They really began to understand that and pursue the ball. The relentless pursuit of the football is a big deal to us because good things happen when you run to the ball. So the pursuit of it has ratcheted it up, and so it’ll be good to see it translate.”

With an entirely new

defensive line, returning linebackers seniors Jarrett Abshire (6-0, 200) and Briggs Beddoe (6-0, 170), and junior Wesley Bushnell (6-0, 180, 86 tackles) will take on the important responsibility of anchoring the defense.

The Tors also have a seasoned secondary with three returners in seniors

Jasper Grimball (6-0, 170, 46 tackles) and Hudson LeBlanc (6-1, 160) and junior Tracy Washington (6-1, 170, 37 tackles).

Sophomore Ethan Stephenson (6-1, 155) will replace two-year starter Paxton VanMetre as the Tors’ kicking specialist.

“He’s got that desire, and he’s got the work

ethic for it,” Gueringer said. “He told me in the summer and even right before the summer started, he said, ‘I want you to know, coach, that if the ball’s on the 30, that we’re going to be able to get three points.’ That in high school, especially at this level, is extremely important.”

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C6 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

Sam Houston: New Broncos step into spotlight

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Sam Houston Broncos are entering the 2025 season with many players who want to make an impact as they step into the spotlight for the first time.

“A lot of new guys, but they’ve been a part of the program,” Davis said. “They’ve been role players for a while. Now they get a chance to be the guy, the starters, and we’re expecting them to step up and do really, really good things.”

Sam Houston went 6-5 last year, averaged more than 400 yards and 35 points a game. But many of those behind the explosive offense have graduated, leaving opportunities for a new crop of Broncos.

One of the biggest transitions comes under center, where senior Gavin Breaux takes over for four-year starter Gavin Stout, who threw for nearly 8,000 yards and 84 touchdowns in his career. Breaux has

seen limited action at quarterback the last two seasons.

“He’s played some other positions for us, but hasn’t really been the guy at quarterback full time,” Davis said.

“It’s two totally different guys.

“One’s a true pocket passer, and the other one is a big body, thick, strong kid that can throw it, but can also run it. So you’ll see a different dimension to the offense a little bit this year.

He’s the bruiser.

He’s a big guy, but he can throw the ball. He’s got a really strong arm. We excited about him and just ready to see him play against somebody else.”

Joining Breaux in the backfield is senior running back Emmanuel Hanney, who has

made significant strides heading into his final season, according to Davis. He will replace Drew Bailey, who ran for 1,753 yards and 24 touchdowns last year. In spot time, Hanney averaged 5.4 yards a carry as a junior.

“He’s (Hanney) a kid that has taken some drastic steps forward.

We’re really looking forward to seeing him progress and take off his senior year,” Davis said. “He plays a lot faster (than Drew Bailey). The kid has some wheels. Once he gets to that second level, if you don’t hang on and hold on to him, you’re not going to catch him. He is an extremely strong kid.”

ALBERT SIMIEN

Junior offensive lineman

The Broncos will also lean on a quartet of senior receivers — Cooper Wiersema, Michael Calloura, Kemarien Edwards and Andrew Peloquin — to replace last year’s trio of Ayden Rose, Ty Stout and Drew Dronet who accounted for more than 1,600 yards.

Up front, the offensive line is anchored by junior left tackle Albert Simien, a 6-foot-5, 280-pound force rated as a four-star recruit by 247sports.com with offers from multiple Division I programs.

Sophomore left guard Jaxin Smith joins Simien.

New additions to the line will be seniors Ulysses Mairena and Caige Wheeler and sophomore Jeremy Wiltz.

“Now the other three on the offensive line also got some varsity playing time last year,” Davis said. “They were kind of sub guys, got in when somebody was banged up or whatever,

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C7

DeRidder: Entire defensive line returns for fall season

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

Defenses thrive on experience and communication to anticipate the offense’s next move. With a defense loaded with seniors, DeRidder wants to foil opponents’ plans with all knowledge and skills they have honed during their careers.

The Dragons have 11 seniors on the roster and seven of them are returning starters on the defensive side in linemen Amari Willis (6-2, 225), Deacon Shirley (6-0, 250) and Ja’ron Jackson (6-0, 240), linebackers Grant Cooper (5-10, 185) and Arick Hall (5-10, 185) and defensive backs Zaden Scott (5-9, 165) and Javaughn Fairley (5-8, 165). Junior Paxton Romine’s (6-0, 230) return gives the Dragons their entire defensive line from 2024.

Cooper and Hall will be the generals of the defense. The pair combined for 208 tackles last year as the Dragons went 5-6.

“They’re two of our captains,” Parmley said. “We voted on that the other day.

“They’re definitely the leaders of the defense right now. They’re very consistent.

They’re kind of different players. Eric is a very good technician, a linebacker. He sees it.

He reads it. He’s going to be in the right spot nine times out of 10. And Grant is just one of our overall better athletes on the field. He’s an explosive kid that can make plays sideline to sideline.”

Parmley is excited to see what the defensive line can do this season. Willis led the group last year with 85 tackles, while Romine had 75 tackles and 10 tackles for a loss.

Shirley made 66 tackles while

BARBE Continued from C3

Kyle Wilkinson (6-3, 235). New additions up front include juniors Jace Brown (6-1, 190) and Jackson Collins (510, 225) and sophomore D’Andre Dugas (6-4, 280).

“We’re going to have some young guys step up, whether they’re ready or not,” Owens said. “They’re going to have to get in there.

“We’ll learn as we go, and hopefully, we’ll improve this fall camp

Jackson had 32. future, but in the meantime “It’s (defensive line) going Rushford could be called on to be awesome,” Parmley said. to move under center early “We had to move Deacon Shirin the season. ley. He’s going to play some “Connor is both ways for us. He’s also going to get the going to play some offenball no matter sive line because, I didn’t have very much returning on there. I’m excited to see those guys have a really good senior year.”

While the defense will rely on senior leadership, the offense will be a mix of old and new starters and youth and experience.

The success of the offense will depend on proven playmakers — running back Connor Rushford, and Ayren Woods and Fairley at receiver.

There would have been a fourth man in the group, but senior running back Reed Williams had surgery in the summer that will keep him out this season.

“The main guys on offense that came back from last year, Connor Rushford, Javaughn FairCONNOR RUSHFORD ley and Ayren Woods are Senior running back going to be some playmakers for us,” Parmley said. what position we put him at,” “That (Williams injury) was a Parmley said. “He is a running big hit for me. We might have back, quarterback, receiver. to do some things we hadn’t He’s going to be one of our done in the last couple years main guys. from a depth perspective and “We’re looking at maybe use some guys both ways, but that’s what we’re going to have moving Connor to that spot (quarterback) right now. Then to do.”

I got a sophomore (Michael With 1,000-yard passer Parmley) that has done a really Tanner Davis lost to graduagood job all offseason and tion, the Dragons are looking summertime that we’re thinkto sophomore Michael Parmley as the quarterback of the ing is going to be that guy

quite a bit, and then when we get into the season, we can get more comfortable with these guys.”

Barbe will have to plug in seven new starters on the defensive side to fill the holes left by graduation. Returners include junior defensive linemen Conner Vallaire (6-4, 215) and Wilkinson, plus linebacker Eli Simon (5-11, 195) and safety Tristan Bilbo (6-2, 175).

“We had a lot of guys that didn’t really start, but they played up quite a bit,” Owens said.

RISE UP. STAND TALL. FINISH LOUD.

“Hopefully, that’ll translate to some experience and some better play.

“Hopefully, we make them get a bit more disruptive up front and make some plays in the backfield, because some turnovers and those things like that.”

New additions to the defense include linemen Wyatt Couvillion (So., 6-2, 260) and Jordan Marks (Sr., 6-1, 195), Bo Armstrong (Jr., 5-10, 190) at linebacker and Myles Pitre (Jr., 5-10, 175), Trey Foney (Sr., 5-7, 155) and Dedrick Tillman (Jr., 5-10, 150) in the secondary.

eventually. It just depends on whenever we want to pull the trigger on that.”

Upfront, senior John Leseau (5-10, 240) is the only returning starter. Shirley will draw double-duty to help shore up the offensive line, while juniors Leonard Joubert (5-10, 255), Thomas Poczontek (6-3, 306) and Alex Rochelle (6-2, 255) will move into starting roles.

“That’s (offensive line)

BRONCOS Continued from C6

but they have playing time, also. That’s a really good group up front – strong, really big. I am really excited to see how they kind of set the tone up front for us.”

Simien and Smith will also rotate in on the defensive line alongside junior Ian Meche and seniors Jeremy Jones and Darrion Williams, giving the Broncos experience in the trenches.

“Three explosive guys, not the tallest and biggest guys, but they’re

what we’ve been working on the last six months,” Parmley said. “We’ve got a kid, Leonard Joubert, who was kind of our sixth man on the offensive line last year.

“He played a lot for us, but wasn’t a starter. He’s going to be a key figure up there for us.

Thomas Poczontek right now is our center. He’s a big-body kid who’s done an outstanding job in the offseason preparing his body for it. Alex Rochelle right now is a tackle for us.”

extremely fast-twitched.

Really excited to see how they do,” Davis said. “And then, obviously, we’ll use big Albert Simeon and Jackson Smith and a couple of O-line guys in some short yardage situations to go over there and help out, put some good size on that side.”

The linebacker corps is expected to be the nucleus of the defense, led by returning senior starters Cameron Mayo and Kaiden Guillory, plus underclassmen Parker Smith and Owen Myers.

“I’m really excited about where the defense is right now,” Davis said.

“They’re led by two returning starters that are both going to be seniors, Cameron Mayo and Kaiden Guillory. That’s our two outside linebackers — big body, well-built kids that kind of set the tone physically.”

“The two backers in the box are extremely talented, too, young guys, but are going to fit the mold of what we’re doing extremely well. So the linebacker crew is really going to be what sets the tone for us this year.”

The secondary will be all seniors in Coby Issac, Bradyn Pitre, Brody Young and Drew Johnson.

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C8 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

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Iowa: Players cross-train in case of emergencies

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Iowa Yellow Jackets have won seven playoff games in the last three seasons and reached the semifinals twice — and they don’t plan on that success ending, despite losing

several key players from 2024’s semifinal run.

They just have to get everyone in the right position.

“It’s going to be based around the same things,” Iowa head coach Tommy Johns said. “We’re having to move some people

around.

“We’re still trying to figure out who’s going to fit where. It always takes us several weeks to figure out who we want to keep.

Same thing we did last year. It’s kind of like musical chairs until you figure out who fits where.

You really don’t know until you start playing games.”

To achieve the depth that they need for another deep playoff run and handle position changes and injuries, Johns has each player train for multiple positions. It helped

during their playoff run when they lost several linemen. One of those who stepped into a starting role is senior Haidin Hamilton (5-11, 250). He is one of three returners on the offensive line along with senior Kohl Fulton (6-3, 290) and

junior Izac Montou (5-10, 215).

“We had several linemen that went down, one of which had to start the game and hadn’t played it down all year, hardly, at that spot and did a

See IOWA, C14

Leesville: Adjusting to life without Xavier Ford

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

Is there life for the Leesville Wampus Cats after Xavier Ford? Longtime head coach Robert Causey says there is.

In his nine seasons leading the Wampus Cats, Causey has had many high-caliber play-

ers. Even after they are gone, he finds a way to keep the Wampus Cats winning more than 70 percent of their games.

They’ve also won a playoff game in eight of nine seasons.

“We just keep doing what we’re doing,” Causey said. “There was foot-

ball before him, there’s going to be football after him. There was football before me, and there’s going to be football after me. Looking forward to coaching these kids and seeing what we can accomplish and improving them as people each and every year. That’s always

been our approach to what football really was.

We have a lot of new faces, young kids playing.

Our approach with them is the same. Be the best version of yourself.”

Ford was the Louisiana Sport Writers Association Mr. Football award winner last year

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after smashing his way to 3,467 yards and 52 touchdowns to carry Leesville to the semifinals. He finished his career with 8,592 yards and 120 touchdowns.

“It was a great time.

He made us better people,” Causey said. “He had a lasting effect on all

of us, and we hope that we had the same effect on him. There was an example set for the younger kids.”

Causey is looking to senior Miles Marlin (5-9, 185) and sophomore Grant Braxton (5-6, 170) to power the ground See LEESVILLE, C9

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C9

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RISE THROUGH THE GRIT.

LaGrange: Roster draws on strengths of juniors, seniors

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The last couple of seasons, LaGrange had to get the job done with young players. With head coach Idaibi Ogbanga entering his third season running the program, he finally has a roster that can draw on the strength of senior and juniors with multiple seasons under their belts.

They started to show some of that growth last year when they won the most games (five) since 2016 and experienced the postseason for the first time since 2019.

“Every year we’ve been young,” Ogbanga said. “This is kind of the first year I got older guys, more seniors. Those freshmen and sophomores that I’ve been playing are finally juniors and seniors.

“I have my biggest senior class this year. I have 20, 25 seniors. A lot of them have been playing for three years. Some have been playing since their freshman year, some have been playing since their sophomore year, so we got a lot of experience this year on the offensive side of the

ball for sure.”

That senior class has their sights set on a playoff win, something the Gators haven’t experienced since 2014.

“They want to win a playoff game,” Ogbanga said. “That’s the goal for this group of seniors.

They want to go all the way, of course, but they want to be better than the last group. They want to set a standard for years to come.”

LaGrange went 5-6 last year and lost at District 3-4A rival Iowa in the first round of the playoffs.

The Gators will be strong offensively with nearly every starter back and several seniors, including quarterback Patrick Bertrand, who had more than 2,100 passing and rushing yards last year, running back Dillian Green and first-team all-district lineman Keilyn Turner (6-3, 305).

“I got Coach Sullen as office coordinator,” Ogbanga said. “He’s a former alumnus like me, as well.

“He’s been building them up, and I trust him with everything on that side of the ball.”

JACOB PAJINAG

Senior linebacker

Bertrand, Green and junior James Butler give the Gators a dynamic backfield.

“They’re (Green, Butler) looking real good.

He’s (Bertrand) very locked in, very ready to go,” Ogbanga said.

“Dylan Green’s going to be Dylan Green. He’s just one of the most elusive backs I’ve seen in a while. Just a real good athlete.

“Butler’s only a junior, he’s strong as an ox.

He’s like our power back type of kid, but he’ll be playing some outside linebacker for us, as well. He’s going to be a two-way player, him and Landon.”

Tanner will start for the fourth season on the line and will lead the Gators’ most experienced line in several years that includes fellow seniors Armald Leday (6-0, 275), Sionee Seau (5-10, 223) and Dayven Lee (6-0, 255).

“Keilynn Tanner’s going to be a force to reckon with,” Ogbanga said. “Tanner is very experienced, and he got a lot stronger in offseason.

He’s been working his butt off.

“I think he’s just one

of them kids that you’re just blessed to have. He just comes off the ball, he’s aggressive, strong as an ox, too. It’s just really a blessing to have him on the side of the ball.”

Four receivers are back in seniors Kyren Richard, Dylan Bertrand, Frederick Narcisse and sophomore Landon Mitchell.

Mitchell was a defensive star as a freshman last year with eight interceptions and first-team all-district honors. He is one of six returning starters who helped the Gators improve from 45 points allowed per game in 2023 to 28.5 last season.

Other returners include Seniors Kaleb Douglas (DT, 5-10, 265), Kamario Scott (LB, 5-10, 185) and Giovanni Anderson (CB, 5-8, 140).

“They’re a lot stronger, I’ll say that,” Ogbanga said. “The kids have been in the weight room since the spring, so they’ve gotten a lot stronger. We’re going to season with 742 yards

eight touchdowns LEESVILLE and on 35 receptions. Broom Continued from C8

to power the ground game this year.

“We have two that we really like,” Causey said. “Both of them are strong kids. Kind of similar, a little bit, but each is unique in their own style with the way that they execute with their offense.”

While Braxton and Marlin get up to speed, returning quarterback Trel Broom and top receivers senior Mike Davis Jr. and sophomore Julius Brown will be the focal point of the offense.

Davis had 36 catches for 661 yards and seven touchdowns, while Brown had a breakout freshman

threw for 1,995 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore.

“He’s (Broom) getting bigger,” Causey said. “I think he got even taller.

“Last year as a sophomore he had a real good season. He just did what he could do. He didn’t try to play outside the realm of his ability. He was a humble kid that learned to grow into some leadership because he was just steady. He just led by example. He’s not a big vocal guy. He’s a lot stronger. I’m looking forward to seeing him improve and continue to improve.”

With just one returning starter – junior left guard Jaron Eakes (5-10, 220) — the Wampus Cats are rebuilding the offensive line with juniors

KEILYNN TANNER

Senior offensive lineman

be a little bit more physical up front at the

line spot.

“Probably the strongest I’ve seen since I’ve been here as far as strength-wise, on both sides of the ball. I think that’s what kind of hurt us last year when we got into district. We did well in non-district, and

we only lost one game in non-district. Then when we got to actual district, we beat Washington-Marion, and we struggled against DeRidder, Eunice, Iowa and Leesville. I just felt like they were more physical than us.”

Hunter Garton, Presley Hall, Xaiden Horn, Raymond Wade, and senior Isaiah Slover “It is just finding that ability to gel,” Causey said. “The hardest thing is individually they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

“We’ve got some size and they’re fairly strong kids. Offensive line is how you play as a unit.

It is getting them to play together and where they fit. Now it’s time to find that cohesion with our guys up front. Once you find that, then you have a chance to be pretty good with your guys up front.

It’s cohesion with your five or six guys that you play up front.”

The will have to retool on the defensive side and will center it around their only two returning starters and leading tacklers from last season

linebackers Jacob Pajinag (6-0, 215) and Maysn Williams-Escoffey (5-10, 200). Williams-Escoffey led Leesville with 114 tackles as a junior, while Pajinag had 99 tackles and seven tackles for a loss.

“This is probably the fewest guys I’ve ever had to ever return, but excited about our little group to see their growth as we just continue to come to practice every day and just keep improving every day, see what we can do when the game starts,” Causey said. “That’s (Pajinga, Williams-Escoffey) got to be the centerpiece, and every piece fits off of that. You got to have that nucleus, and those will be the two in order to keep things calm, keep things together, lead by example, kind of have that common effect.”

C10 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

Jennings: Quarterback ‘more than capable passer’

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The last couple of seasons, Jennings has built two nine-win teams around a small core of returning starters. They had 11 in 2023 and eight in 2024. This time, head coach Bret Fuselier looks to create another winner with 10 returning starters after losing 10 first- and second-team all-district players from a 9-2 team that reached the regional round. They went 9-4 in 2023 and played in the

quarterfinals.

“I feel really good about them,” Jennings head coach Bret Fuselier said. “I know we have a lot of guys to replace, especially on offense.

“I feel really good about the guys we are replacing them with. It is about the program here.

We are at year three. You look at some of those guys stepping up this year, and they were contributors on JV the last two years. It’s their time to step on that Friday night field, and I think

those guys are ready to do that. It is going to be how much those new guys can grow and really get that experience on a Friday night.”

Graduation hit the Bulldogs hard on the offensive side with only four starters back in quarterback Chris Ned, junior lineman Ayden Leger, sophomore running Liam Leblanc (5-10, 160) and senior wide receiver Humphrey Ned (5-10, 185).

“We lost a lot of production with Rejohn

Zeno at running back,” Fuselier said. “We replace four offense linemen, but I feel really good.”

In 2024, Ned was one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the area with more than 800 rushing and passing yards.

He scored 24 rushing touchdowns and plus 11 through the air.

“One thing about him (Ned) is that he did a great job this offseason on getting better at all of his skills, not only running the ball,” Fuselier said. “He went to a quar-

terback camp in Dallas, and got himself ready to play that position.

“He proved last year that he was a more than capable passer.

He’s doing more now to call this offense at the line of scrimmage, and we’re putting a lot in his hands.”

Ned will have great receivers to throw to, including two-way player and 2024 District 3-3A defensive MVP Humphrey Ned. The 5-10, 185-pound senior caught 17 passes for 414 yards

and six touchdowns.

Other wide receivers include seniors D.K. Sams, Bryson Hargrave and Hudson Dupuis and tight end Dejohn Zeno.

“One thing that has helped is we do have some receivers this year who are more than capable,” Fuselier said.

“This is the best receiving corps since I’ve been here.”

On defense, Humphrey Ned had 106 tackles, 22 tackles for a See JENNINGS, C12

Washington-Marion: Team hungry to make their mark

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

Wins have been hard to come by at Washington-Marion the last few years, but head coach Dio Bernard feels the Charging Indians can become a contender in District 3-4A this year.

“This group of emerging playmakers is pushing the standard higher every day — and they’re hungry to leave their mark,” Bernard said. “This year’s team is

built on grit. We’re tough in the trenches, smart in the film room, and relentless on the field.

“We’ve made major strides in the offseason, both physically and mentally, and I’m proud of the way our guys have approached every challenge we’ve put in front of them.”

Over the last three seasons, W-M has won two games.

W-M has plenty of experience and maturity

on offense with seven returning starters led by senior two-sport star Monte Farmer (6-8, 175) at quarterback and four returning starters on the line.

“We’re blessed to have key returners who set the tone every day,” Bernard said. “Monte Farmer leads us at quarterback with poise and command.

Senior left guard Adonis Cannon leads physical offensive line that includes three

juniors, returners Davian Flagg (6-1, 256), Quenton Miller (6-0, 258), Michael Snyder (6-0, 350), plus sophomore Brandon Williams Jr. (5-8, 240) “In the trenches, Adonis Cannon leads a senior offensive line group that brings experience, size and toughness,” Bernard said. “Cannon, who has already received offers from LCU and Arkansas-Monticello, has emerged as one of

the top linemen in the region and sets the tone for everything we do up front.”

W-M had to rely on its passing game last as Farmer threw for 1,442 yards, but the addition of junior running back R’lon Porter (5-9, 170), a transfer from Lake Charles College Prep, will beef up their run game.

Another transfer, senior wide receiver Victor Fisher Jr. adds even more big-play ability to

the receiver corps that includes returners Tyson Boullard (5-8, 152) and Craig Tillman (5-8, 160) and senior Braylon Hardy (6-3, 171). Fisher, who played at Iowa High School in 2023, caught six passes for 105 yards and a touchdown for Grand Island (Nebraska) last year, while averaging 17 points and 8.9 rebounds for the basketball team.

“Several players have See W-M, C11

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C11

St. Louis Catholic: All about attitude, effort on defense

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

St. Louis Catholic limped to a 1-10 finish in 2024 but look to turn things around with 15 returning starters and 16 seniors projected in starting roles. First-year head coach Chris Truax sees plenty of talent on the Saints roster to build a successful team.

“We got some talented guys,” Truax said. “We’re trying to get in the right positions, but

we’ve got both offensive, defensive, and special team schemes in.

“It’s all about scheme and getting these guys put in the right position to be most successful for the betterment of the team. We’re just building this deal this year, and I think

we’re going to have some success.”

Senior quarterback Konnor Boudreaux will run the offense for the second consecutive year.

Truax described the senior as having a strong, Division I-type arm. He completed 50 percent of his passes last year with 468 yards and four touchdowns.

“It starts with that quarterback,” Truax said. “Konnor Boudreaux is a guy that we expect great things from.

“We’ll be un-

der center. We’ll be under the gun. We’ll be running a college-style offense, and he’s still learning it.

We’re not where we need to be yet, but he’s a guy that has got a Division I arm. We just got to keep pushing him and be demanding of him, and he’ll be ready to lead this team.”

Truax said the offensive line as pivotal to the team’s improvement.

Seniors Austin Hebert (6-3, 215) and Lane Cryer (5-10, 190) and sophomore Brady Hess (6-3, 225) return while senior Deyton Rowland (6-2, 235) and junior Richard Edwards (5-10, 190) move into starting roles.

“The main thing that comes around with the last part of the offense is that offensive line,” Truax said. “We’re trying to blend those pieces right now, and we want to get

the right five out there and have a congruent bunch on a Friday night.”

Backfield duties split between juniors McKylin Carrier (5-9, 175) and Josh Carrier (6-1, 205).

B.J. Willis, the Saints’ top receiver last year (40 rec., 316 yards), Trace Moreau, Harris Hurt and Fischer Willis will play receiver.

In the kicking game, sophomore Will Flavin replaces all-state Zachry Sugandi-Pruitt and will team up with four-star junior deep snapper Clayton Powell (6-2, 170).

“I’ve seen him make some 50-yard field goals, so I think he’s going to be a serious weapon for us,” Truax said.

Senior leadership anchors the Saints’ 4-3 defense with seven returning starters in end Holden Bertrand (6-1, 205), linebacker Brayden

Boudreaux (5-11, 175), tackle Alex McCall (6-3, 250), linebackers Matt Hebert (5-10, 175) and Ty Willis (5-10, 175), cornerback Hayden Hill (Sr.) and safety Kullen Miller (5-10, 155) and Willis.

Lebato made 68 tackles last year, while Josh Carrier, who will move to the defensive line, had 100 tackles. Hebert picked off four passes last year, and Hill broke up six passes.

“I think defensively, we’re a senior-based team, and those guys are learning a college system on defense,” Truax said.

“It’s all about attitude and effort, and these guys are giving us more.”

“I think the strength of our defense will be our defensive line. We’ve got returning starters and we added Alex McCall. I think Kyle Lebato will be an all-state nose guard for us this year.”

defenses and open up opportunities across the field. R’lon Porter, a talented junior transfer who sat out the 2024 seasons, brings fresh legs and explosive potential to our backfield.”

Defensively, W-M will look to junior linebacker Jajuan Hicks (5-8, 180) and senior cornerback Dre Bernard (5-9, 173) to lead the defense on a path of success. Hicks led the team with 98 tackles and three sacks last year.

Bernard was named to

the 3-4A all-district firstteam, American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Big Schools and Class 4A all-state teams last year.

He gave receivers fits with five interceptions, a dozen broken-up passes and a pick-six to go with 54 tackles. He is drawing interest from Louisiana-Lafayette, McNeese State, Lamar, Southern and Grambling.

“On the defensive side, we’ll lean on Jajuan Hicks, a high-motor linebacker who flies to the

ball, and Dre Bernard, an all-state, All-Southwest Louisiana defensive back, who will anchor our secondary with leadership, lockdown coverage and physical play,” Bernard said.”

Bernard brought in former C.E. King (Texas) head coach George Young to run the offense and he is already making a big impact.

“I think that the great thing about Coach Young joining the staff, me and him have the same

type of football mind,” Bernard said. “It’s crazy.

Before me and him even talked terminology or anything, he put his install in and the verbiage was identical. So, that really helped the kids, too, because now the calls, everything’s the same.”

Bernard highlighted several defensive players who have elevated their play in the offseason including junior safety Shane Richard (6-0, 167), defensive end Hearnest

Arvie (6-2, 210) and defensive lineman Carson Guice (5-9, 228).

Second-team all-district sophomore Ladarius Levier returns at cornerback, while senior Ethan Johnson (6-3, 171) and junior Kendrick Ryan (63, 184) move into starting roles in the secondary.

Other new starters include linemen Josiah Arvie (Jr., 6-1, 238) and Braylon Guillory (Sr., 6-2, 218) and linebacker Daniel Godfrey (Jr., 5-9, 178).

KYLE LEBATO

Junior defensive lineman

W-M

Continued from C10

taken major strides this offseason and are ready to make a name for themselves in 2024,” Bernard said. “Victor Fisher Jr., a 6-5, 202-pound wide receiver and transfer from Nebraska, brings size, athleticism, and big-play threat to our offense that we haven’t had in years.

“His presence on the perimeter will stretch

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C12 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

South Beau: Knights will lean on veteran defense

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

Their offense was decimated by graduation, but the South Beauregard Golden Knights will leverage the great depth and experience they have on the defensive side in 2025.

“We’ve got a lot of kids back on defense,” head coach Brad Kellogg said. “They’ve been a little bit ahead of us this past week. We got wheezing pads last week. We’re going to rely on them because I got a lot of new faces on offense.”

The Knights have returners at all the levels on defense, starting with a pair of four-year starters on the line in seniors Shooter Soileau (6-2, 265), a two-time all-district first teamer, and Dawson Barrow (6-0, 260), plus junior Luke Wisby (5-10, 200).

“They (Soileau, Barrow) kind of anchor my defensive line there in the middle,” Kellogg said.

“If they do what they’re supposed to do, it’s kind of hard to run the ball in between the tackles with them guys.

“Pretty much both of them are force of double teams. Both are pretty quick off the ball. It’s almost like having two of the same, to be honest with you.”

It is that group that prompted Kellogg to switch from a 3-4 defense to a 4-2-5. Junior Kade Kellogg (5-10, 205) will be the fourth lineman.

“Our problem is always speed on the edge,” Kellogg said. “It’s never really inside.

“When we get beat, it’s usually somebody getting outside of us. But we changed defense this year. So we’re running basically a 4-2-5. It gives an extra defensive line, somebody with their hands in the ground.”

Second-team all-district junior defensive back Mason Richards (5-8, 160) will anchor the secondary that also includes junior returner Micah Dupre (6-0 180).

All three linebackers are back in juniors Hunter Bellard (5-10, 180), Heith Craduer (5-10, 180) and Grant Crawford (5-10, 195).

Offensively, the Knights have to replace quarterback Christian Wold, a 1,000-yard passer and rusher, and their top running back, Cullen Dickerson. To lead the run game, Kellogg moved senior Jacob Marcantel (6-0, 195) from wide receiver (47 rec., 444 yards, 4 TD) to running back.

“He (Marcantel) can tote it,” Kellogg said.

JENNINGS Continued from C10

loss, two interceptions and broke up four passes. He also returned a fumble and a punt for a touchdown.

“Humphrey is just a playmaker,” Fuselier said. “He is one of those guys that does things that you can’t teach as a coach.

“He has instincts about him. That is what makes him such a great player.

When he has an opportunity to make a play like a 50-50 ball, he always seems to come away with it. He is a big-time playmaker for us.”

In the backfield with Chris Ned will be junior fullback Marquel Gordon and Leblanc (5-10, 160), looking to replace the production of Rejohn Zeno (1,548 yards, 21 TDs) “We are a little bit more multiple now,” Fuselier said. “He (Leblanc) is a guy that had to start last year a freshman.

“Physically, he was ready for that role. He didn’t get all the carries, but he did a lot of little things that made our offense go. He’s put on some good

weight, worked speed. think primed big seaeven sophomore.”

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Chuck Cochran, DDS Jake Cochran, DDS

“It just makes us a little more well-rounded on offense. Marcantel is just a bull.”

With senior Walker Langston (6-0, 195) at

running game, keep people from loading the box up on us.”

With just one returner on the offensive line

quarterback, Kellogg hopes to take advantage of his two big tight ends, seniors Logan Parks (6-4, 215) and Noah Royer (6-4, 215), to open more space for the run game.

“They’re both 6-4, So, we’re going to do a lot of basically a two-tight end,” Kellogg said. “Not traditional handto-ground tight end, but more like the colleges are doing with the flex tight ends and trying to create some match-up problems with those inside receivers.

“It actually made us a little more diversified.

With Walker being able to throw like he can, it kind of gives us a little one-two punch. That’s going to open up our

– senior Isiah Lampton (5-9, 185) — Kellogg is hoping the group meshes quickly. Seniors Logan Drounett (5-10, 205) and Tanner Prejean (5-8, 215) and juniors Joseph Farque (6-2, 260) and Eli Benoit (5-10, 215) move into starting roles on the line this year.

Kicking specialist Sam Smith (6-2, 185) will be another of the Knights’ weapons. He made 33 of 35 PATs last year with a

GRANT CRAWFORD

Junior linebacker

strong leg that Kellogg hopes will pin opponents deep. Smith also plays soccer and set a school single-season goal record (45) as a junior.

“He’s a soccer kid,” Kellogg said. “Matter of fact, possibly a scholarship soccer kid, and he’s got a strong leg. “We’re

and he’s on his I he is for a son as a

Jennings has a pair of three-year starters at safety in Humphrey Ned and Gerald Watson. Both were all-district first teamers last year.

Also back in the secondary is cornerbacks Sams and Gage Mouton. Watson broke up 10 passes as a junior. 6-2, 300-pound senior Nate Broussard returns on the line.

“You look at the starters C10 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST returning, and29, 2024 that is where we have the most returning,”

CHRIS NED

Junior quarterback

really hoping he can kick it in the end zone like St. Louis every time. He’s really been working on that. We don’t kick a lot of field goals. He’s so strong-legged. He just keeps trying to get that ball in the end zone every time.”

Fuselier said. “Jennings, traditionally, has always been good on defense.

“That is something we take pride in over here. One thing that we feel good about ourselves over here is our athletic ability. We want to be physical. We do that every day in practice, and I think that is one thing you are going to see this year is that this might be the fastest we’ve been since I’ve been here on defense. We did get more physical as the year went on last year, but we don’t want to wait until week two or three to make that happen.”

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By Rodrick Anderson Kellogg said. “I feel pretAmerican Press ty good.

“That’s the No. 1 Head Coach Brad KelBUYING OR SELLING? LET’SInGET IT DUNN thing. the league logg’s first season with we’re playing in, the the South Beauregard more depth you have, Golden Knights was a bit the better chance you’re of a crash course. He got

big cha to the they ar their r “We offens it’s giv

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C13

Westlake: Rams ready to build on breakout season

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

‘We got three or four Westlake more than doubled guys that have a lot its win total from 2023 to 2024, of experience at safebut graduation always brings about some changes. With 14 ty for us and returning starters, head coach John Richardson feels his team outside linebacker. can make the right adjustments for another big season.

We’re thinking that “We have several guys they’re going to step that are three-year starters,” Richardson said. “Coming off a 7-5 season, we are looking to up.’ improve off last year.

“We had a good bounce back here last year and we do have a lot of returners and we obviously lost some key guys. The key losses, especially the ones that stand out, were the three that we lost on offense.”

The Rams return Brody Anderson at quarterback for a third season after he topped 2,000 yards. But the Rams’ top downfield threats – Kevin Rideau and Ryan Allen – graduated. The duo accounted for more than 2,500 all-purpose yards and 31 touchdowns. To compensate, the Rams will need more out of its ground.

“We’ll probably be a little bit more run maybe this year than in the past year with those guys missing,” Richardson said. “The two receivers, Ryan Allen and Kevin Rideau, they’re going to be hard to replace.”

The run game is not starting from scratch. Senior running back Braylon Garrick (5-8, 190) returns along with four senior linemen in Brady Roy (5-9, 190), Luke Lemaire (6-2, 290), Dallas Taylor (5-9, 230) and Hadley Hardesty (6-5, 240).

Garrick ran for 881 yards and

John Richardson Westlake High football coach 13 touchdowns in 2024.

“Some of those guys are three-year starters up there now,” Richardson said. “Hadley’s going to be a four-year starter, so we do have a lot of experience there.

“Braylon struggled last year with a lot of injuries. He only played probably half of the snaps last year and had about 800 yards. This year, if he can stay healthy, he’s going to have a big year. He’s gotten faster.

He’s in better shape.”

Richardson is looking for Anderson (6-3, 190), a dual-threat quarterback, to build off his sophomore season when he threw for 2,161 yards and 24 touchdowns and scored six on the ground. He will be key to helping bring the new crop of receivers up to speed.

Senior Peyton Kile (5-8, 170) is the only returner in the group.

He had 24 catches for 254 yards and touchdown last year.

“We’re expecting, obviously, another big year out of him (Anderson),” Richardson said.

“I think he’s gotten faster, and I think he’s a little bit bigger.

“I think he has a better understanding of what we’re trying to do. We do have some younger receivers that are coming up and stepping up.

They kind of took a backseat to the others. I’m expecting them to really kind of rise and have really good years for us this year.”

Defensively, the Rams return eight starters and look to take the next step in their evolution. The allowed 22 points a game last year, but had a tendency to give up big plays, something Richardson wants to stop.

“We got a lot of experience back on that side (defense) of the ball, though,” Richardson said. “We just tend to give up big plays at times that were just back breakers.

“I really think this year that they’re going to come around and be a much more solid group.”

Their top five tacklers return in seniors Brody Duplechin (5-9, 180, 87 tackles) and Braydon Ellzey (5-7, 165, 78 tackles) at linebacker, tackle Cooper Cryer (5-9, 230, 83 tackles), and safeties Phil Clophus (5-10, 165, 51 tackles) and R.J. Lavan (5-10, 170, 57 tackles). Also back is senior defensive tackle Cooper Williams (5-10, 240, 37 tackles, 22 hurries),

BRAYLON GARRICK

HADLEY HARDESTY

Senior running back

Senior defensive lineman

With junior safety Austin Clophus (5-9, 160) and senior cornerback Connor Reinking (5-9, 150), the Rams have four of five back in the secondary, giving them an edge when covering pass-happy offenses.

“We need the secondary to step up,” Richardson said.

“We got three or four guys that

have a lot of experience at safety for us and outside linebacker.”

Sophomore Carter Felice and junior Alicia Cuppens are battling to be the Rams kicker.

Cuppens was an honorable mention all-district guard for the Westlake girls basketball team that reached the Non-select Division III semifinals.

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WHERE COURAGE MEETS THE FIELD. 10/10

LCCP: Trailblazers want to build on strong finish in 2024

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

After weathering a rocky start last season, Lake Charles College Prep is hungry to build on their late surge.

Prep returns 17 starters from last year’s regional finalist team. They started the season 1-5, then won five in a row before losing at John F. Kennedy in the second round of the playoffs.

“We played well late,” head coach Erick Franklin Sr. said.

“We tried to put it together.

“A lot of young guys had to play, but we put it together late. I think this team is talented. I think this team is the best team we have had since we made the semifinal five years ago. There is just a lot of talent across the board.”

Nine of those returning starters are on the offensive side where the Trailblazers averaged more than 35 points a game in 2024. Two bigtime game-changes return to anchor that side juniors Dylan Vital and Ayden Carter.

Vital threw for more than 2,500 yards as a sophomore with 24 touchdowns. With offseason improvements, Franklin sees him taking his game to the next level.

“He (Vital) had a good offseason, lost some more weight,” Franklin said. “He’s looking real skinny now, finally, after two years, trying to get his weight down, about 6’3 now.

“He should have a good year. He should be a 3,000

IOWA

Continued from C8

tremendous job,” Johns said.

“But that’s why we have to continue to do those things, just in case we need them.

“He went there and did a very, very good job for us.

Same thing with Hayden Hamilton. You got to cross-train these guys. That’s why we have an offensive and defensive position, just in case. We’re going to need that depth to carry us through the season, that’s for sure.”

Hamilton, Fulton and Montou, plus juniors Drake Swain and Wyatt Guidry (5-11, 215) will be in charge of protecting first-year junior quarterback Lawston Broussard (5-10, 165) as he becomes comfortable

yard quarterback if he can stay healthy.”

Carter, 5-8, 170 pound multi-sport star, was one of the fastest sprinters in the state as a sophomore at 10.63 seconds in the 100-meter dash.

On the football field, he was a Swiss army knife for the Trailblazers with 2,159 all-purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns.

“The guy (Carter) plays running back for us, also a receiver,”Franklin said. “He’s the fastest sophomore in the state, actually. He ended up pulling his hamstring in regionals, so he didn’t get to run at state at all. He should have a really good year. He had a good offseason and put on some weight. He is already jacked up.

He is short but he is thick.”

Running back Hunter Phillip saw some action last year with more than 300 yards and five touchdowns, and should benefit from a healthy offensive line that returns four starters in seniors Ca’ron Henderson (6-0, 290) and Myles Joseph (6-4, 320), junior Tristan Rogers and sophomore Aiden James (5-9, 240).

“Well, that was a big deal last year,” Franklin said. “I think we lost two offensive linemen in the Westgate game on injuries that were non-contact injuries.

“That was a big part of us not being able to run the ball last year. I think with Phillip Hunter going to the backfield, and Jeffrey Nevels, if they can stay healthy in the backfield, we should be able to run the ball this year.”

Other offensive weapons that return this season are juniors Caiden Jones (WR, 5-10, 163) and Kylon Guillory (TE).

During their fivegame win streak last year, Prep’s defense was lights-out at eight points a game and returns eight players on that side. Franklin wants to see better play in close games to make the defense more potent.

“I think the adjustment we have to make was getting the game plan down and scheme down to where they can understand and play faster,” Franklin said.

“That’s kind of what we did this offseason.

“A lot of the games we lost were close games, and we just didn’t close out at the end for most of those games. I think that’s been the focus this whole offseason, getting them to understand how important every

snap is and every rep counts. You don’t have time to play around and think the next

running the offense. ““We’re excited to see what he’ll be able to do,” Johns said.

“We’re kind of centering some things around his skill set until he gets comfortable. We’ll add to the offense as he’s able to go and as he’s comfortable. The biggest thing is not putting too much on his plate early on is our main goal.”

To keep the pressure off Broussard, Johns will look to senior running back J’vien Adams (5-6, 165) and wide receiver Jeremiah Bushnell (6-3, 195), a University of Houston commitment. They will have to pick up the slack on offense since Cohen Charles Jonathan Walker Jr. graduated, who combined for 40 touchdowns.

“They got to step up into new leadership roles, No. 1, and kind of help take some of

these young ones under their wings, so to speak, and do whatever it takes for us to be able to move the ball,” Johns said.”

To fill Charles’ — who now plays for McNeese State — multi-faceted role, Johns is looking to junior Kaston Lewis (6-10, 175), who has an offer from McNeese State. Lewis will play safety, running back and return kicks like Charles.

“To me, at running back, they’re very, very similar,” Johns said. “He hits at a different tempo.

“He smokes it in there.

He’s got a natural feel for it at running back. He’s a big body, so we can get him down in the box when we need to, as well. He’s very versatile, and he’ll play the same spot that Charles did on defense.”

Defensively, Iowa will look to stop opponents at the line of scrimmage with three of four defensive linemen back in Senior Kyan Rivera (5-11, 230) and juniors Gaven Brown (6-3, 205) and Landon Joseph (6-1, 205), plus senior linebacker Bryceson Fontenot (5-11, 195).

Junior Thomas Harris (5-10, 205) is the new addition to the line.

“Up front, definitely the strength as far as the amount of people that we have coming back, three of the four back,” Johns said. “They started four us as sophomores last year, and did a really, really good job.

“The two ends have had a great offseason, and I thought Kyon’s had one, as well. Harris has been with us since middle school, as well. He’s come along

movements for the most part.

It’s just a different position than getting down with your hand in the dirt. I think he’ll have some time where he’ll get to go to the end and pass rush because he still loves to pass rush for us.”

Mal-

CAIDEN JONES

Junior wide receiver

person’s going to make the play. You need to make the play. So I think we get those things together, we should be really good on defense.”

Senior Brendan Malveaux moved from defensive line to linebacker and led the Trailblazers with 100 tackles and 15 tackles for a loss.

“Brendan Malveaux was a d-end for the first two years of high school,” Franklin said. “I moved him to linebacker last year, and he ended up being an all-district player.

“We are getting him faster and used to the linebacker

veaux is one of three all-district players that returned this season along with senior linebacker Elijah Frank (6-0, 200) and junior safety David Thomas. Other returners include defensive ends Elijah Williams (Sr.) and Kellen Ford (Sr., 6-3, 190), senior tackle Ian Pete (56, 190), junior safety Braedon Reed (6-1, 172) and junior cornerback Kai Fontenot.

JEREMIAH BUSHNELL

Senior wide receiver

fine. We have some depth we can put in there, as well.

We have a couple of different guys we can rotate in there. We’re looking hopefully for a lot of production out of those guys to try to alleviate some of the pressure off the guys in the back, so they come along.”

Returning in the secondary is Lewis plus senior Zachariah Guillory (5-9, 180).

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C15

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Pickering: Red Devils want to continue to progress

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Pickering Red Devils have battled through lean years to get to this season.

After three consecutive winless seasons, the Red Devils broke a 31-game curse with a season-opening win, then closed out the year with three consecutive wins.

Now they look to build on that success with returning starters at most of the positions, including 13 seniors and juniors.

“My first year, we went 0-10,” Pickering head coach John Dougherty said. “We didn’t have a lot of players, but a lot of those players I did have were young a few years ago are still with me and are seniors and juniors this year.”

The 4-6 season was their best since 2020.

“The things that I have implemented the last couple of years is strength, toughness and discipline, those things you need to be successful,” Dougherty said. “Those types of things don’t happen overnight.

“It is a process that you have to go through. It takes a couple of years to get going, but it is going in the right direction. We averaged more points on offense, and we went down on defense from aver-

‘The things that I have implemented the last couple of years is strength, toughness and discipline.’

John Dougherty Pickering High head football coach

aging a horrendous 50 points a game to 28 points a game allowed. We have done a tremendous job of changing those negatives into positives.”

With four seniors on the offense line — Matthew Blankenship (5-11, 255), Blake Brown (5-11, 185), Ethan Brown (5-10, 245) and Mariano Bunch (6-0, 180) — the Red Devils are switching to a split-back veer offense.

“We are going to have a senior group, basically, of offensive linemen and running backs,” Doughtery said.

“We are going to move forward with the split-back veer offense. We are going to run the ball and control the game.

I have two tight ends that are

really good blockers, tall guys and strong. They can block and catch, so I think they will help us quite a bit.”

Senior Braden Ford (5-9, 150) will start at running back after picking up 421 yards and scoring five touchdowns last year, while senior Israel Araiza (5-9, 150) will move to quarterback.

Pickering is sticking to at 3-5 defense after making huge improvements last year. They allowed 26 points over the final three games.

“Defensively, we’re going to go back to what we did last year,” Dougherty said.

“I took over the duties as a defensive coordinator last year.

“That’s where my background comes from.

We improved greatly on calls, turnovers, making big stops and being the bend don’t break kind of attitude. We are going to continue with that.”

They will be strong up front with sophomore Jackson LaPlante (6-3, 190), junior Landon Noel (6-1, 260) and Bunch returning. Seniors Ford, who had 30 tackles and 6.5 sacks as a junior, and Xavier Mitchell (5-10, 215), who is back from an ACL tear, will lead the linebacker group.

“The biggest starters we have coming back on defen-

sive line is Jackson LaPlante, Landon Noel and Mario Bunch,” Dougherty said. “All the inside linebackers are back, with Xavier Mitchell, who is one of our strongest kids. He tore his ACL in Week 2 last year. That’s one of those big pieces we are hoping for.

He’s back and ready. Braden Ford, the outside linebacker, had six and a half sacks last year.”

Araiza returns at cornerback, but they do have some holes to fill in the secondary since A.J. Berry and Ladarius Previtera graduated. Juniors Caleb Falls (5-10, 165), Braxton Baker (6-0, 180) and fresh-

BRADEN FORD

Senior linebacker

man Rylan Cossin (5-9, 150) look to fill the void.

“I have a couple of guys stepping in there that I think will do a good job,” Dougherty said. “Braxton Baker, who actually played d-line last year, can really come up in the safety position.

“He’s a tall, tough guy. He can come downhill quick and be an extra linebacker. Rylan Cossin, a freshman, is probably going to get a lot of playing time as a cornerback. He’s a kid that can really get after it. He is not afraid of you.”

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C16 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

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East Beau: Trojans return to roots, ready to rebound

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

DRY CREEK — For a program used to going to the postseason, East Beauregard’s 2024 campaign wasn’t what was expected. The Trojans finished 1-8, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2017 and posting their worst record since 2012. But they are making the necessary changes to right the ship this year.

“I think we’re going be a lot better than we were last year,” Simmons said. “Obviously, last

year did not go the way we were hoping it would go, but we are excited about what we got coming back this year and look for better things.”

The two biggest changes will be to the schemes they run on both sides of the ball.

The Trojans experimented with the spread offense last season but struggled, scoring more than 14 points only two times, so they will return to their traditional double-wing.

“We did try to change things up on offense,” Sim-

mons said. “I don’t necessarily think that was all the problems that we had.

“I think it was just a combination of multiple things, but we are going to go back to doing more stuff like we used to.

We will mainly be double wing, but we will still mix in a little spread stuff here and there.”

The switch will put a lot of responsibility on the offensive line where the Trojans return three key contributors. Senior guard Toby Dyer (6-0, 240) enters his fourth year as a starter,

joined by junior center Evan King (6-1, 195) and senior right guard Clayton Cooley (6-2, 260).

“We got a couple of good linemen back,” Simmons said.

“We got a senior in Toby Dyer, who has been playing for three years now, so we’re excited about him.

“Evan King grew a lot this offseason. He got a lot bigger and stronger. Clayton Cooley is probably one of the better athletes on the team regardless of position. He is a big kid,

TAKE IT HOME TEAM...

but he moves really well for a lineman. We are excited about those three guys coming back.

Especially in the double-wing, the offensive line is a huge part of what we do.”

They will make room for senior all-district first team running back Dakota Strother (5-9, 180), plus seniors Donovan Carter (5-11, 185) and junior Drew Fontenot (5-10, 180). Strother ran for 980 yards and eight touchdowns last year.

See EAST BEAU, C17

DeQuincy: Tigers blend experience and youth

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

DEQUINCY — After a 9-2 regular season in 2024, DeQuincy returns to G. Dalton Faircloth Stadium determined not to let momentum slip. Losing 13 seniors leaves plenty of questions, but head coach Tate Woodard believes the blend of youth and talent can keep DeQuincy moving forward.

“We’re breaking in quite a few guys that don’t have a lot of Friday night experience, but we’re a little bit talented,” Woodard said. “So I think that if we can grow our guys up pretty quick early on, that we’ve got a chance to be in

some ballgames. If not, we’ll struggle. But we got some talented guys that are younger.”

Woodard said the Tigers have no desire to back-track after winning nine games for the first time since 1991.

“We had a really good year last year,” Woodard said. “It was some valuable experience from a winning standpoint, because we haven’t won like that in years around here.

“It’s been since 1991. It’s the last time the DeQuincy team won nine games in the regular season. It was good for the kids to be able to experience that. This group just doesn’t want to be the group

that goes back to the 2-8s and 5-5s. I think we’re talented enough to do that if we can grow up from an experience standpoint early. It’s going to be a challenge, but our kids had a really good summer, good attendance this summer.”

DeQuincy’s offense brings back six starters, anchored by seniors Bruce Vanwinkle, Carter Kellogg and Gunner Grove—all second-team all-district selections in 2024— on the offensive line that also includes junior Hunter Folse at right tackle and sophomore Gage Schultz at left tackle.

Under center will be sophomore Grant Rainwater (6-1,

165), who takes over for his older brother Carson.

“He’s got a really big arm,” Woodard said. “I kind of already told our coaching staff that it’s going to be like coaching Brett Favre this year. He’s going to make a throw that’s going to be great, and he’s going to throw a missile right to somebody. He just hasn’t had the reps.”

In the backfield will be junior Ty Lavergne (5-10, 175), who returns after scoring five touchdowns as a reserve last year, joined by senior Nigile Ceaser (5-10, 185). Lavergne, a national champion bull rider, replaces his older brother

Wyatt, who ran for more than 1,500 yards last year.

“We moved Ty to running back Week 6 after Hext got hurt against Grand Lake,” Woodard said. “He kind of got his feet wet against Jonesboro-Hodge, and then had a really good district from there.

“He’s actually a little more explosive than Wyatt was. Wyatt was such a patient runner, really setting up his blocks well and whatnot. But Ty’s similar in a way that he’s just freaking tough. I mean, hell, he’s a national champion bull rider. But he’s got a little more See DEQUINCY, C17

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DEQUINCY Continued from C16

gear at the top end than Wyatt did. He’s got a chance to run away from people if he gets out in the open.”

The rotation at receiver features sophomore Bear Shaheen (5-7, 160), senior Turner Rodriguez (5-10, 160), senior Kolby Pool (5-10, 160) who caught 36 passes for 416 yards and two scores, and junior Landon Joyce (6-0, 145).

“That’s going be our strength, especially breaking in a sophomore quarterback, and the sophomore quarterback’s got a really good arm,” Woodard said. “But I think that with the younger Lavergne returning, and Conner Snell, who was JV running back last year, it’s going be a good formula for being able to break in early, being able to run the ball.”

On defense, the Tigers run a 4-3 scheme and return six starters. They limited opponents to 11.3 points last year but have to replace American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Small Schools defensive MVP M.J. Clark.

“I don’t think you replace a guy like MJ, but we’re going to try to recreate him with a few different guys,” Woodard said. “I don’t know that we’ll get after you from a four-man front rushing the passer like we were able to the last few years with MJ and Hayes. But we have some guys that are athletic to fill those roles. We’ll have to bring some second-level pressure and not be able to just rely on four.”

Up front will be seniors Kaden De-

cloutte (6-6, 225), Andrew Morlawski (6-0, 185), Hayden Hall (5-7, 185) and Vanwinkle. Vanwinkle is a three-year starter who earned all-district second team honors last season.

At linebacker is another all-senior group in returners Turner Rodriguez (510, 160) and Gunner Grove (5-10, 175) both earned second-team all-district honors, plus Nigile Ceaser (5-10, 185).

The Tigers have a physical secondary with three returning starters — senior

Koby Pool (5-10, 160) and juniors Landon Joyce (6-0, 145), Ty Lavergne (5-10, 175). Senior Kentrell Rogers (5-9, 170) will start at cornerback.

“Ty doubles as a strong safety,” Woodard said.

“We treat them guys like linebackers.

“So he got 11 games worth of experience in that position last year.

“We’ll move Koby Pool to corner. He was a strong safety last year, but he’s kind of a do-it-all kid for us. He’s a really good ath-

lete. I look for him to have a big year on the offensive end.

“Landon Joyce is returning, all-district safety. He’s probably our best athlete.

He can absolutely fly. We’re going to double him at receiver this year.”

LANDON JOYCE

Junior free safety

EAST BEAU Continued from C16

“He (Strother) was right at almost 1,000 yards rushing. He had a good offseason, so we’re excited about having him back,” Simmons said.

Quarterback Carter Causey (5-10, 170) returns after missing most of last season due to injury. In limited action, he completed 13 of 24 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns. The offensive unit also features senior wide receiver Ethan Harvey (6-2, 190), a second-team all-district selection. He had 10 receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, East Beauregard is making a shift from a 4-2-5 to a more traditional 50 front, designed to better fit the personnel.

The Trojans allowed 37 points a game last year.

“That was kind of our thing last year was we would play well for a drive, and then just give up a big play,” Simmons said. “That was kind of the downfall for us defensively last year. We were kind of all or nothing. I think this year we’re going to be a little bit more bend-but-don’t-break-type deal. We will try to make the offense make mistakes and make them earn it a little bit more.”

Junior linebacker Drew Fontenot (5-10, 180) led the Trojans with 105 tackles last year. “(Drew) Fontenot has been starting since his freshman year,” Simmons said.

“He’s a leader and a great kid. He doesn’t miss. He does what he’s supposed to every day, and he just has a nose for the football. He’s pretty much the quarterback on defense. We’re very confident that Drew’s going to do a good job there.”

Dyer and junior Gage Hooks (5-10, 185) return on the defensive line.

“We have some young guys up front,” Simmons said. “Toby (Dyer) is going to have to play two ways. He’s just got to get in better shape. Gage is not real big, but he’s quick and fast off the ball. He’s got a great motor and finds a way to get to the football.”

The secondary has a wealth of senior experience. Sean Scanlon (5-9, 170), Ryder Howell (5-10, 175), Hayden Woofter (6-2, 185) all return, with Howell leading the team in interceptions (3) last season.

“I do think we got a lot of experience,” Simmons said. “We did get a lot better as the year went on in the secondary. I felt by the end of the year, we were not too bad on defense and those guys were a big part of that.”

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Vinton: We don’t want to be one-hit wonders

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

VINTON — After breaking a decade-long drought with a 6-5 record in 2024, the Vinton Lions return to the field to prove that last year’s breakthrough was not a fluke. It was the program’s first winning season since 2014, and head coach Tyler Lavergne believes the culture he’s installed is ready to sustain success.

“We’re headed in the right direction,” Vinton head coach Tyler Lavergne said. “It’s just a matter of being able to continue the culture that we have built and get a little bit better each year.”

Despite that optimism, the Lions must fill 11 vacancies in a small 2A program that lost multiple seniors to graduation.

“We got a lot of holes to fill, and we have some young guys that are excited to step up and play to their ability to try to match the success we had last year, if not build on it,” Lavergne said.

Offensively, Vinton will return six of its 11 starters and will use a split-back scheme.

Senior tight end Braylon Beard (6-1, 160) and juniors Dallin Jones (510, 135) and Cobe Durio (5-8, 135) anchor the skill positions. Senior Jaiden Briggs (5-10, 165) returns at running back and will

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work alongside junior fullback Micah Roper.

“I think he just carries over some of the same culture and success that we had with last year’s group,” Lavergne said of Briggs. “Given his experience, he just wants to build on his abilities and his fundamentals this season. He is just trying to be that leader.

“It’s good to have him to rely on some type of experience in the backfield. We will rely on him heavily in our run game, as well in the passing game a little bit this year.”

Up front, the offensive line is young and undersized compared to See VINTON, C19

Kinder: Stout defense drives Yellow Jackets

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

KINDER — With virtually its entire skill group back and more than a dozen seasoned players returning, the Kinder Yellow Jackets enter the season with high expectations.

“I see more of the same thing,” Kinder head coach Justin Reed said. “Hopefully, the kids are getting very comfortable with what I expect of them each day — whether it is in season or offseason.

“I think we are going to get more out of them.

They’re going to be more efficient. And more efficiency leads to consistency, which leads to just a better output on

strength of our team.”

Self had a team-high 25 tackles for a loss with two sacks and seven quarterback hurries, plus 91 tackles, last year.

Eaglin led the team with 117 tackles to go with 21 tackles for a loss, five sacks and a pair of fumble recoveries.

“Pound for pound, he Self) definitely is our strongest kid,” Reed said.

“He moves like a running back, but he plays with the mentality of a defensive lineman.

“Bryson is a very talented player. He can really run side to side.

He’s extremely physical.

I would say he’s probably one of the best tacklers on our team as well. He See KINDER, C19

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On the defensive side, the Yellow Jackets return nearly the entire front seven. Leading the way is senior lineman Eli Self (6-0, 207) and junior linebacker Bryson Eaglin (6-0, 192), who both were first-team all-district players in 2024. Hayes John (5-11, 268) will start on the line again and Paxton Pierotti (5-11, 190) and Riley Fontenot are back at linebacker.

“We feel good about the guys that we have coming back,” Reed said.

“We return almost our entire defensive line and we return our starting linebackers.

“We feel like that’s going to be kind of the

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C19

Rosepine: Eagles eye turnaround under Weldon

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Rosepine Eagles have had as many wins (four) as they have had coaches in the last two seasons. But they ended the 2024 season on a high note and are optimistic heading into their first full season under David Weldon.

“The enthusiasm amongst our kids has skyrocketed,” Weldon said. “We want to make sure each week that we’re competing and we’re giving our absolute best every week.

The wins are going to work themselves out.

“We had a great summer workout. Attendance was very good. The kids worked extremely hard. Our strength and speed increased so much from the previous years. We had 14 kids in the 1,000-pound club.

At the end of last season, we had one kid. Even our 40 times went from two or three kids that ran sub-five second 40s to

VINTON Continued from C18

years past, according Lavergne. Senior Logan Granger (6-1, 215) and junior Kourtlyn Kile (58) are the lone returning starters, joined by sophomores Andrew Bertrand and Taylor Vincent, and junior Uriah Patin.

“It is a very young offensive line and very light on experience,” Lavergne said. “But our guys are very dedicated to the sport.

“They worked all summer long to be able to be ready to go, so I’m expecting good things from our offensive line this year. It’ll be a little bit different than what we’ve done in years past, as far as size-wise.

We’re not going to be able to rely on our size and get a push. We’re going to have to rely on our quickness, speed and knowledge of the

13 or 14.”

Weldon took over the team in Week 10 after a 0-9 start that led to Frank Rosegrant stepping down. The Eagles responded by beating East Beauregard 20-6.

Weldon hired Troy Gardner as offensive coordinator to overhaul an offense that averaged less than seven points a game last year. Gardner has set up the Eagles with a run-passoption offense.

“Bringing back Troy Gardner to run the offense was instrumental,” Weldon said.

“He’s going to run his RPO spread. The growth of our offense from the summer to now is just been unbelievable.”

The new offense fits the Eagles offensive line that has five returning starters in all-district first-team senior Theodore Wogoman (6-0, 285) and senior second teamer Jarron Perkins (6-1, 315). Also back is senior Patrick Gibson (5-11,

offense.”

At quarterback, the Lions turn to junior Michael Lange, a first year starter.

“He is very green as far as starting for the Lions, but we are excited to have him,” Lavergne said. “He is a very cool-headed kid, very athletic, very gifted. The coaching staff is confident to let him run the offense.”

Lavergne expects some growing pains on offense.

“We just have to kind of take our lumps when it comes to the inexperience up front,” Lavergne said. “We have to be able to handle adversity and get used to being in pressure situations on Friday night.”

Defensively, the Lions will shift back to a 4-3 front, and Lavergne has pushed for more physicality.

“Going into this season, we are working

245) and junior Tug Haymon (6-3, 285) and sophomore Brent Borget.

“We’re going to have to rely heavily on the offensive line with their experience,” Weldon said. “They’re gritty. They will get in the trenches and battle.”

Weldon is looking forward to seeing freshman Sley Gardner (6-1, 165) run the offense.

“He’s a special young man,” Weldon said. “Just by looking at him, he doesn’t look like a freshman.

“He doesn’t carry himself like a freshman. I like how our kids have already rallied around him. He’s carrying himself much older and much more mature than most freshmen in my 25 years I have done this. I am very excited to see what the future holds for Slate.”

Senior running Devin Janice (5-6, 185) impressed Weldon over the summer.

“Devin Janice has just been seeing it this summer,” Weldon

on being more physical,” Lavergne said. “In our spring game, we didn’t have a lot of physicality on the defensive front.

Our big focus this season is trying to get back to being a physical, violent football team.”

Senior Braylon Beard will line up at defensive end alongside junior Kason Hillary (6-0, 195), who collected 20 tackles, one sack and two tackles for loss in 2024. Sophomore Conner Lejuhn moves into a starting role.

In the linebacker corps, senior Jaidon Briggs (43 tackles, three TFL, two forced fumbles) and junior Cobe Durio (19 tackles, one PBU, 1 INT) return alongside converted lineman Kortlyn Kile.

The secondary will be led by senior Nico Barks, a three-year starter who made 35 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions last year.

said. “I like his vision and his quick burst, and his low center of gravity.

“It is going to make it tough to tackle that young man, especially the way that he can cut and find a hole.”

At wide receiver, the Eagles will look to juniors Ryker Blackman (Jr., 5-11, 195), Brynnum Chaney (5-10, 165) and Jacob Norris (Jr., 5-10) and sophomore Colt Hayes (5-8, 140).

“The fact that we have weapons on the perimeter and guys like Brynnum and Norris that can go out and Colt Hayes that can get the ball, you just can’t sit and load the box up against us anymore,” Welddon said.

On the other side of the ball, Weldon installed a 3-3 stack scheme to create a physical, strike-first defense after allowing 36.8 points a game last year.

“We will send a backer or two when we need to,” Weldon

KINDER Continued from C18

brings a toughness about him that is necessary for playing linebacker.

Those two guys are definitely guys that we’re building our defense around.”

Senior defensive backs Mason Lafargue (5-9, 162) and John Roberts will anchor the secondary that will include new starters senior Cooper Lemons (5-9, 167), junior Wyatt Howell (6-1, 165) and sophomore Gare May (5-7, 142).

Dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Thomas (6-1, 192) returns for his junior season after throwing for 1,899 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, nine interceptions last year.

He ran for 449 yards and six touchdowns on 89 carries.

“With his second year

said. “We’re just not going to sit there and accept people running on us. We’re going to fill the gaps and we’re going to get physical.”

Anchoring the front are seniors Wogoman and Caleb Preece (6-2, 180), a first team all-district player last year.

Three return at linebacker in junior Zach Preece and sophomores Dax Curry (5-7, 142) and Brayden Bergeron.

Senior Jackson Carter (5-7, 140) will lead the secondary as a threat in the pass coverage and stopping the run.

“He gives our offense fits because he just runs and he’s got such great eyes back there like he is playing center field,” Weldon said. “You might think you have something red, and he’ll go knock it out of the air.

He isn’t afraid to run the alley and hit you in the mouth.”

New starters on the defensive include junior lineman Wyatt Coletti and linebacker Carson Broussard (5-8, 150).

as a starter, Isaiah is not having to learn a new system or a new position,” Reed said. “I think it’s allowed him to really focus this offseason on what he needs to do better and the things he needs to work on.

“As far as leadership is concerned, we’ve seen him take a step forward in that area as well.”

Kinder lost 1,000yard back Logan Leboeuf, but returns senior Roberts (5-10, 173) who ran for almost 400 yards and eight touchdowns and earned second team all-district honors.

Key to the Yellow Jackets’ spread offense is deep senior receiver corps with Brandon Perkins (5-10, 165) and Jon Luke Bendily (6-2, 202). Perkins was the top receiver last year with 763 yards and two touchdowns in, while Bendily caught 27 passes for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Also

back is senior Payton Seemion (5-10, 170) and senior tight end Riley Edwards (6-0, 182).

“Jon Luke is more of a deep threat,” Reed said.

“Jon Luke’s skill set is more of a straight-line runner.

“Perkins kind of does everything. He’s got some top-end speed, but he’s also got some quickness about him.

He’s got a full route tree that he can run.”

The biggest question on the offensive side as Kinder tries to top last year’s offense that averaged 32.8 points a game is up front. Center senior Monroe Guidry is the only full-time returning. John saw significant time on the line last year.

New starters include sophomore Kenny Hyatt (6-0, 238) and Jackson Crawford (6-0, 265) and senior Lee Fontenot (59, 295).

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C20 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

Lake Arthur: Season hinges on consistency and execution

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

Last season, the Lake Arthur Tigers started off hot, but inconsistency caught up with them as the season wound down. With eight starters back on each side of the ball, they have the right elements if they can find some consistency.

Lake Arthur started the season 4-1, scoring 36.8 points a game and playing solid defense (12.6 ppg), but they closed out the season on a four-game losing streak as the offense (14.8 ppg) and defense struggled (36.6 ppg).

“I just think we’ve got to be consistent,” head coach Tarius Davis said. “I think last year

was kind of consistency on both sides of the ball.

“I think we’ve got the guys.

We need to be consistent on offense to continue to finish drives and stuff like that. And the same thing defensively.

You’ve got to be good, consistent tacklers. I think at times last year, our tackling was inconsistent, and it is hard to win that way, especially from a defensive standpoint.”

The Tigers will make a few changes on the offensive by playing out of the gun more often with a pair of seniors returning at quarterback in Cameron Bonin and Jaxson Davis.

“We always try to put our players in the best situation

to be successful without reinventing the whole wheel,” Davis said. “The blocking schemes are going to be the same. We are going to run a little bit more read and option stuff.”

Lake Arthur has to replace their top running back – Carson Myers – and receivers Zavier Drake and La’Nelle Shankle, but Davis feels that there are still plenty of weapons. Carter Guillotte (5-9, 151) returns after running for 413 yards and six total touchdowns last year. Junior Jaydon Prudhomme (186 yards, 3 TDs) and sophomore Tyler Campbell (138 yards, 2 TDs) will get time in the backfield as well.

“We have Carter Guillotte,

who’s going into his senior year and got some playing time last year,” Davis said. “Jayden Prudhomme going to be back there, and a lot of people haven’t seen a whole bunch of him in varsity games. He gives us a guy that has serious speed and serious home run threat.”

Returning at receiver is junior Gabe Turner (5-9, 150) and senior Breyon McZeal (6-1, 155), who showed his big play-making ability with a pick-six and a kickoff returned for a touchdown last year.

The biggest question on offense will be on the line after losing Darius Levi and Ahmad Boudreaux. Senior Tyler Mallett (6-0, 230) returns at left guard, sophomore Cy Breaux

(5-10, 217) at center and junior Aiden Simon at right guard.

New on the line will be juniors Landon Daigle (5-10, 190) and Desean Benoit (6-2, 270).

“I think we have the pieces to be competitive and have success for years,” Davis said.

“It is just kind of finding the right mixture and putting it together.”

Defensively, the Tigers will look to last year’s leading tackler, junior Wyatt Monceaux, plus three retuning linemen up front in seniors Mallett and Merrick Jones (5-9, 271) and junior Brock O’neilion (6-4, 157). Monceaux (5-10, 157) had 97 tackles and three sacks See LAKE ARTHUR, C21

Oakdale: Warriors ready to embrace spread offense

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

OAKDALE — After several seasons of wing-T football, the Oakdale Warriors are charting a new course for 2025. With a fresh offensive coordinator, Andre Reed, in place and 15 of 22 starting spots filled by seniors, head coach Kevin Bertrand believes the transition to a spread attack will unlock their full potential.

“We brought in a new offensive coordinator, some guys that are more in tune with that offense,” Bertrand said. “I think it’s a natural progression for us, and the kids have been doing a pretty good job with it.”

Bertrand decided to make the switch because of an experienced offensive line. Four of five linemen — seniors Tylon Jackson, Paul Subion and Courtland Hobson, plus juniors Jayce Thomas — are back.

Jackson (5-11, 250) earned first-team all-district and American Press All-Southwest Louisiana honors last year.

Senior Tommy Smith will start at left tackle.

“That is where it is all going to start, the job that they do,” Bertrand said of the line.

“We’re going to live and die by our offensive line. They’re doing a good job of picking up the blocking schemes, and I am anxious to see them against somebody else.

“That unit gives us some pretty good size and continuity. We know we can line up and run or pass with confidence.

What they do up front will determine how explosive we can be in the backfield.”

The Warriors have three returners who can play receiver or running back in senior all-district players Brandon Baker-Guidry (5-8, 174) and Deverrick Winnfield (5-9, 160) and junior Jacarvi Alsbury. The

FEEL THE ROAR. CHASE THE WIN.

trio combined for 10 touchdowns and more than 1,500 yards in 2024.

“We’ve had different guys that could run the ball for us,” Bertrand said. “We’re going to have the same thing this year.

We’ve got several guys who play several different positions, so they may be listed as a receiver, but they may end up in the backfield depending on who we’re giving breaks to.

“They have been through the good and the bad. They know how to handle adversity.

They are ready to step up. They are going to be big for our offense.”

Bertrand expects a big senior season from dual-threat quarterback Chris Waller. He ran for 450 yards and threw for 624 during his junior season.

“He can throw and run,” Bertrand said. “He was one of our leading rushers last year.

“He does a good job of understanding the offense and

making sure people are where they need to be. He is going into his second year starting, so I am expecting bigger things.”

Defensively, Oakdale aims for balance and aggression after they gave up more than 30 points six times last season.

“We are wanting to be a real balanced defense,” Bertrand said. “We can cover, and we can stop the run. I don’t want to be weaker in one area than the other.

“I think we got our seniors spread out pretty good. We’re looking forward to seeing all these guys, especially those guys that have played so much.

I want to see us start fast. We installed a lot of stuff from the spring into the summer. Being physical is what I want to see. I want to see us fly to the football.”

Senior all-state linebacker Jacob Sumbler returns after leading the Warriors with 110

tackles and 13 tackles for loss last year, earning first-team all-district and American Press All-Southwest Louisiana Small Schools honors.

“He’s (Sumbler) such a smart kid and he sees it and understand it,” Bertrand said.

“He loves watching film, and he’s like another coach on the field. He’s a guy that we know that we can rely on.”

Jackson and Hobson will return on the line along with sophomore Gavin Valle. Subion is a new addition to the line.

“We have a lot of guys that have a lot of experience playing so, of course, we’re going to lean on that just to get us through and hopefully we will have a better year,” Bertrand said.

Other returners on the defensive side include sophomore Jewel Hayward and Alsbury at linebacker, Winnfield at cornerback and Baker-Guidry at safety.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C21

EVERY PLAY. ALL HEART.

ONE TEAM.

Welsh: Greyhounds fueled by strong junior class over the Greyhounds spread offense. He got a handful of starts after Jonovan Begnaud, a two-year starter, was felled by an injury in Week 6.

Helping Haydel’s transition to full-time starter will be four returning starters at the skill positions in senior running back Darien Pugh (5-6, 165) and Bennet, who are both physical runners, plus wide receivers Devanta Castille and Jordan Strong and tight end Nick Gillett, all juniors Pugh scored six touchdowns in the final five games last season. Bennett was slated to be a starter last season after running for 366 yards and six touchdowns in 2023 plus a kickoff return touchdown, but an ACL injury ended his season in Week 1.

“I think both runners are extremely physical,” Courville said. “Darian is not afraid to stick his nose in there. Azarias is a little bit bigger, but he’s just another guy that’s real physical in the run game. We look to establish a physical run game.

Up front, the offensive line

returns three starters — senior Jayden Turnley (6-1, 320) and juniors Noah Lefranc (5-6, 180) and Bryant. Courville is optimistic that newcomers Tanner Lejeune (junior) and Jaxson Trahan (senior) will benefit from the leadership of the returning trio.

“Having those three guys back is huge,” Courville said.

“I know we’re replacing two of them, but those two new starters will be able to rely on our guys that are coming back to make sure they’re all on the same page. We have some pretty decent size up front.”

Defensively, Welsh will lean on its secondary and defensive line early. Strong, who had seven interceptions and two pick-sixes last season, anchors the back end alongside Bennett and junior cornerback Baelyr Thibodeaux (5-6, 145).

“He (Strong) is a guy that we’re going to need to create a few turnovers

during the year,” Courville said. “When he creates those turnovers, he can be dangerous out there.”

Up front, Bryant and seniors Keegan Grimes (6-0, 272), Grif-

(5-10, 145), and McZeal and LAKE ARTHUR byTurner at cornerback.

Thibodeaux (5-7, 150) at strong safety. “(Campbell) is going to surprise a lot of people,” Davis said. “He is just a really good football player and athlete.

“Kyson Daniels is going to

be a young player that is going to be physical and athletic. You name it, he’s going to give you that on the field.

“He’s going to be a sophomore, but he looks like he’s a senior already. We’re going

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

WELSH — After back-toback quarterfinal runs in 2023 and 2024, the Welsh Greyhounds enter the 2025 season with many questions. Gone are 13 seniors — including six all-district selections and several multi-year starters who helped anchor those teams. But head coach Ronnie Courville said the next wave of Greyhounds are ready to step into the spotlight.

“This year we are replacing a pretty big senior class that was pretty significant for us,” Courville said. “There’s been a lot of question marks going into fall camp, but I think these younger guys are stepping up and earning positions the right way.”

The Greyhounds will field a lineup heavy on juniors — 11 starters — including a trio of two-way standouts in juniors Jordan Strong (6-1, 186), Hagun Bryant (5-11, 245) and Azarias Bennett (5-8, 180).

Junior quarterback Grant Haydel (6-2, 160) will take

Continued from C20

last season.

Also returning is senior safeties Davis and Khye Horns-

Campbell will line up alongside Monceaux at linebacker, while sophomore Kyson Daniels (6-3, 180) will play on the line and junior Brayden

STRENGTHEN. RECOVER. EXECUTE. TRAIN.

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Junior offensive lineman

to use him in line at tight end some, but we’re going to try to spread him out some because the whole idea is going to be to try to get the ball in space to our athletes as much as we can.”

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fin Hebert and Davian Brown will be tasked with controlling the line of scrimmage.

“In high school football, we’ve got to stop the run,” Courville said. “That’s first and foremost, stay ahead in AZARIAS BENNETT the sticks, so we can have Junior running back a chance on third downs.”

Senior Gus Doise returns at linebacker and will be joined by new starters Jakyrin Woodard (junior) and Levi Mallette (junior).

Sophomore Hunter Lejeune will start in the open cornerback spot.

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C22 AMERICAN PRESS THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025

Basile: Banking on seniors, defensive depth in 2025

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Basile Bearcats have a lot of good things going for them heading into the 2025 season, and a few things that need some work to keep their 18-year playoff streak going.

It has second-year head coach Dale Guillory ‘cautiously optimistic’.

“I’m cautiously optimistic.

I’m very proud of the way they bought into the system now and the senior leadership is really good and I thought we had a really, really good offseason.”

The optimistic part is the Bearcats return six all-district players on defense. They allowed 19.3 points a game in 2024.

“We return more guys outside the ball,” Guillory said.

“We had a pretty good defense last year and I think that, especially early on, that’ll probably be more of the strength of the team.”

They will be strong up front with a rotation of six players with a variety of skill sets to handle just about any type of offense.

Slated to start are seniors Romyn Cortez (6-3, 275) and Cayden Luben (5-10, 225) and sophomore Zachary Mason.

Landon Istre, sophomore Ethan David (6-1, 205) and junior William Ashford (5-10, 170) will rotate in.

“We have a good rotation right now that we’re rotating guys in, especially on that front,”’ Guillory said. “So we have a good group of guys that are rotating in there.

“They kind of give us a varied skill set. Some of them are bigger, heavier

guys, harder to move, and some of them are more explosive, faster guys and have a chance to run things down the line of scrimmage. It’s a pretty good little combination.

I’m optimistic right now.”

They have a pair of all-district linebackers in senior Tanner David (5-10, 170) and junior Carter Darbonne (5-11, 180). David led the Bearcats with 70 tackles last

PIERSON COMEAUX

Senior fullback

year.

A three all-district seniors return in the secondary in Kye Smith (5-8, 145), Pierson Comeaux (5-8, 145) and Austin Ashford (6-1, 160).

Logan Bergeron (5-6, 140), Say Smith (5-9, 130) and Marcus Evans (5-9, 130) will also play in the secondary.

“I like that they have experience,” Guillory said. “I like that they have some time now in the system.

“We will see multiple types of offenses. We’ve lined up to almost everything that we’re going to see. They’ve done a good job of getting that secondary lined up. I’m really pleased

about that right now.”

What has Guillory cautious is having to replace a 1,000-yard rusher on offense (Bryan Hardy) and three offensive linemen, plus having to plug in six underclassmen on that side.

“We’ll replace some guys on offense, but I think we have some promise there,” Guillory said.

Cortez and Luben return on the right side of the offensive line and will be joined by William Ashford sophomores Gabe David (5-11, 220) and Zac Mason (6-4, 245).

“Physically, I think that they’re capable, but they just don’t have the experience,” Guillory said.

“You’re concerned about what they’re going to do when the lights come on. Are they going to freeze up? Are they going to remember their assignments?”

Skill wise, the Bearcats have a mix of seniors – fullback Pierson Comeaux (5-8, 145), wing back Kye Smith (5-8, 145) and wide receiver Austin Ashford (6-1, 160) - and sophomores – quarterback Ricky Malone (5-8, 145), wing back Logan Bergeron (5-6, 140) and tight end Ethan Davis (61, 205). But all of them gained valuable experience last year in the wing-t offense.

Comeaux ran for 551 yards and nine touchdowns on 108 carries, while Malone completed 50 percent of his passes in multiple starts.

Elton: Hungry for more after first playoff win since 2017

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Elton Indians have come a long way since winless seasons in 2019 and 2021.

They won five games in 2022 and upped it to six in 2023. 2024 was a big turning point as the Indians went 8-4 and won a playoff game.

“It was a big step for our program to actually win a playoff game,” Elton head coach Marcus Lejeune said. “We want to step it up to move beyond the second round, so we have to take care of our day-to-day routines.

“It’s a lot more serious with a lot more intensity and focus than we have had. We have high expectations. We have a big senior class. Last year we had a small senior class, and a lot of these underclassmen lettered”

Prior to 2024, Elton hadn’t won more than seven games since a 10-2 season in 2011, and their last playoff win was 2017. The Indians last reach the quarterfinals in 1995.

“Our day-to-day preparations have to be more focused, more intense,” Lejeune said.

“Our responsibilities have to be maintained and improved.

“We need more quality work during the week, and lots of stepping up on Fridays.”

Lejeune is counting on his senior class that will fill more than half the starting spots this season.

“We are looking for our seniors to be the leaders, all of them, with positivity,” Lemoine said. “We have a lot of lettermen.

“We have a lot of experience, that is the big plus for us on defense. They are all famil-

iar with who we are playing.

Hopefully, it will be an advantage for us.”

The Indians lost 2,000-yard runner Tristan Lejeune to graduation, but return junior Makelin Lemoine, a powerful runner in his own right. The 5-10, 185-pound tailback ran for 1,648 yards in 2024 and 24 total touchdowns, including two-pick sixes on defense.

“He broke a lot of long runs because of what the tailback (Tristan Leblanc) would do,” Lejeune said. “He has always been a tailback for us in his younger years.

“He broke a lot of long runs.

Now he is going to be that guy and carry the load. With him being a junior and all the experience of playing in those games and being a physically strong back, it’s a big plus for us.”

Lemoine will be joined in the backfield by returning quarterback Devin Simon (5-10, 200, Jr.), senior fullback Keilan Crosby (5-11, 220) and sophomore running back Calvin Thomas (5-11, 175).

“Right now, we’re trying to figure out our direction and our identity as far as offense, and what we want to do,” Lejeune said. “We are looking for some senior leadership and some underclassmen leadership as well.”

What they will not have to worry about on the offensive side is the line. Senior guards Jeremiah Fontenot (5-8, 150) and Ivan Gutierrez are back along with sophomore center Aaron Gobert (5-11) and senior tight end Jaylin Thomas (6-1, 225). Senior Quentin Martin (6-2) is also back but will move to the defensive side, while ju-

nior Kelby Istre (6-1, 280) will take over the left tackle spot and senior Jhonny Sanchez (61, 300) will play right tackle.

“You have the three in the middle that we are returning, so we are looking for the tackles to be able to contribute,” Lejeune said. “They just don’t have the starting experience, but they are very capable.”

Elton limited opponents under 20 points seven times last season but gave up more than fourth five times. Lejeune is looking for more consistency from the defense now that they have nine experienced starters back in Thomas, Dmarion Poullard (5-11, 175, Jr.) and senior Chris Ardoin on the line, linebackers Fontenot and Simon and Derek Ross (6-0, 175, Sr.), Derek George (5-10, 149, Jr.) and Quincy Lavan (510, 145, Jr.) in the secondary.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2025 AMERICAN PRESS C23

Hamilton: Warriors have new goals after big playoff win

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

They won a playoff game for the third time in program history, roster numbers are up and there is plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. All of it is fueling Hamilton Christian’s drive to find new, higher goals to shoot for.

“Coming off a 9-2 year and making so much progress, the next thing is for us is to try to get past the second round,” head coach Dexter Hamilton said. “I don’t want to put too many big lofty goals on them, but I think district wise, we will be in the running.

“I think we have a shot at the playoffs and a home game if everything works out. Our goal is to be better than last year, which means winning a second-round game will be our goal. We are excited about what we see. When you go from 18 players to almost 35, you have to be excited be-

cause you know you have the program headed in the right direction.”

The only time the Warriors have one a regional round game was in 2015 when they beat Catholic-Pointe Coupee 13-7. Hamilton’s beat St. John 41-30 in the bi-district round of the Select Division IV playoffs last season. The program also won a bi-district game in 2007.

The Warriors have a loaded group of skill players on offense led by junior quarterback Javon Vital. He had 47 total touchdowns as a sophomore, including four on special teams and was named to the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A all-state first team as a kick returner. He was also the American Press Male Athlete of the Year after leading the Warriors to their first basketball state championship.

He had 1,503 rushing yards and 1,239 passing yards.

“We have Javon Vital, anything (is possible),” Washington said. “If the Vermilion Catholic quarterback can run it 40 something times and make it, then Javon Vital can run it 40 something times.

“The advantage of Javon, to me, is he is a much better quarterback throwing the football, and we have some pretty dynamic receivers.”

A trio of athlete receivers in Chris Rideau (6-0, 175), Kaleb Bigwood (6-1, 160), a state champion 400 and 800-meter runner, and Noah Menard (5-9, 151)

are ready to spread out defenses, while sophomore Darius Syon looks to add another dimension to the Warriors’ ground game.

“Our dynamic trio of Rideau, Bigwood and Menard can

Grand Lake: Sophomores to fuel Hornets’ next chapter

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

To keep a successful program going, at some point the younger players have find their place in the lineup, gain experience and make an impact.

Grand Lake has won seven or more games in six consecutive seasons and will need its talented sophomore class to fill gaps left by graduation to sustain the program.

10 of 22 starting spots will be filled by sopho-

more this season.

“This is a new group of Hornets that are going to be really good ones, but they have to start somewhere,” head coach Jeff Wainwright said.

“Bryson (Guillory) and Wyatt (Wilkerson) had to start somewhere as sophomores as well.

“They have done all the right things to be prepared. I hope that we can stay healthy so that we can become the team we want to be in late October, early November. I’m hoping this

team will resemble a lot of the teams that we’ve had. That is the ultimate goal.”

Among those sophomores are Tucker Tregle, Luke St. Romain (5-6, 140), Bryce Pender, Law Faulk, Zach Manuel (5-5, 145), Bransyn Mudd (6-1, 140), Brennan Alleman and Noah Broussard (5-4, 110). Faulk will start at running back and linebacker, while Tregle will start at tight end and linebacker. St. Romain and Pender will also play linebacker, while Manuel

returns in the secondary at safety. Mudd will take over under center in the Hornets multiple offense, while Brousssard will play wide receiver.

“A lot of sophomores are going to play for us,” Wainwright said. “We feel like they are on the right track to be good players.

“They have done all the right things to be prepared, but you have to go through that maturity process of pulling the trigger on the field. I

keep us going. And we have a pretty good little tailback in Syon. He is going to be really, really good. He is real shifty and real quick. He (Rideau) has some of the best hands on the team. He is very reliable. He’s gotten faster, stronger.”

The key for the Warriors is how fast the offensive line grows.

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Oberlin: Tigers battle numbers game, must avoid injuries

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

Just a few weeks ago, the Oberlin’s season was in jeopardy because of low numbers.

After getting the okay from the Allen Parish School Board, and picking up a few more players, the Tigers will start the season with 20 players.

If they can avoid injuries and running short of players, head coach Curt Ware feels the team can improve from last season 3-7 campaign that saw several players go down with injuries.

“I felt like we could have won a few more games,” Ware said. “I know we would have,

but we got to the point where we’re playing with 15, 16 kids, and the problem is this.

“I definitely believe that we could have a winning record, for sure. If we stay healthy, those kids that don’t have a lot of experience gain experience, and you should get better. Obviously, everybody’s attitude at this point is optimism.”

Even practicing has been difficult for the Tigers. Ware enlisted assistant coach Jake Brasseaux as the scout team quarterback. Ware said “People don’t realize is practice is tougher than the game,” Ware said. “I mean, in a game, we play 11 at a time.

In practice, you need 22. We

only have 20, so you got to be creative. I’ve got a young coach over here.”

Ware said every player learning multiple positions to cover for any potential injuries.

Ware said that early in the season, controlling the game with long drives with its wing-t offense will be key to limiting injuries and fatigue.

“We have to, especially early in the season, try to control the football, snap the ball two seconds. We’ve got to shorten the game. So if we’re not getting first downs, we’ve got trouble.”

The Tigers’ strength on offense will be at the skill

positions with the return of senior running backs Jayden Bokemeyer (5-9, 140) and Tre Rider, who accounted for the bulk of their offensive last year. Rider had 581 rushing and receiving yards and six touchdowns, while Bokemeyer had total 1,018 yards and 14 touchdowns. Rider, who earned all-district first team honors as a defensive back last year, and Bokemeyer also start in the defensive secondary Senior Kole Sonnier started the final three games last season after Seth Lyons suffered a season ending injury. He best game was Week 10 when he threw for 180 yards and

two scores as the Tigers built a 20-0 lead Grand Lake but ultimately lost 28-20. Senior Devante Simmons (5-8,1 35) returns at wide receiver, while sophomore Dylan Toups (6-2, 190) will provide the Tigers another key weapon.

Where the Tigers are lacking is at offensive and defensive line with just eight players to man both sides. Junior Cruz Chandler (5-10, 200) returns as a two-way start. Also on the line will be Toups, Carey Dorsey (6-1, 320), Jordan Cotton (6-2, 180), Troy Cole (6-2, 290), Aiden Bertrand 5-9, 165), Gavin Olivier (5-7, 180) and Tristan Reed (5-11, 160).

Merryville: Panthers feel optimism with new head coach

By Rodrick Anderson American Press

The Merryville Panthers have sought after a winning season for more than two decades. With new head coach Bryan Barbay bringing decades of success from Texas, the Panthers are optimistic they can turn things around.

There is one simple key for the Panthers. It is the same for all small school team around the state – stay healthy.

“We’re optimistic,” Barbay said. “If we can stay healthy, be in good shape and play smart, we’ll have a chance.

“To win as many or more than we won last year. I’ve enjoyed coaching these kids.

They come out every day. It’s hot. Our athletic period starts at 3 p.m. and we go from 3 to 5.

We’ll probably end up with 25 when it’s all said and done, but they’ll be in shape.”

Barbay, the son of legendary

former Newton High School head coach Curtis Barbay who died in 2010, joined the Panther staff in 2022 after several decades in Texas, including eight as head coach at Coldspring-Oakhurst. He led Coldspring-Oakhurst to the Class 3A Division II finals in 2010.

Barbay says the Panthers will lean on an experienced offense line. All five starting linemen are back in juniors Curd Walker (5-11, 197), Bobby Daniel (6-1, 204), Billy Smith (5-10, 189) and Hunter Springer (6-1, 221) along with senior Storm Flores (6-0, 295), who is currently out with ankle injury, and tight end Hunter Brister (6-0, 208).

The Panters lost more than 1,500 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns with the graduation of Jerimaya Robinson and Lucas Tucker, plus Josh Robinson transferred Rosepine. But Barbay feels the Panthers still

GRAND LAKE gumbo.

“We have been in the splitContinued from C23

know we are going to make some mistakes and things like that. Hopefully, we can trim that down during the during the jamboree and get ready for Week 1.”

While Mudd takes a crash course at quarterback, he will have and pair of senior backs to hand the ball off to in Charles McFarland (5-9, 175) and Kelan Vasquez (5-10, 175) plus Faulk at fullback/ halfback. McFarland was the Hornets’ leading rusher last year with 1,480 yards and 17 touchdowns, while Vasquez had 247 yards and score.

“We are using a multiple system, little bit of split-back, I-formation, a little bit of shotgun,” Wainwright said. “I really don’t know what kind of offense we have. We have

back for a long time. One of the reasons that we are kind of getting a little bit away from that is because of McFarland’s ability to attack the field.”

Senior Marcus Brothers (6-2, 250) will lead the line on both sides of the ball as the only returning starter.

Joining Brothers on the offensive line will be juniors Andon Gaccigalopi (5-10, 178), Carson Eskind, and Kyle Welch (5-6, 170) and senior Grayson Verzwyvelt. Baccigalopi will also play on the defensive side along with seniors Jayden Robichaux and Everett Briggs.

Junior Jax Tingler (5-9, 155) will lead a young linebacker corps after playing nose guard last season.

“At the outside backer position, I really think that Jax is going to be put in the situation where he is going to make

have plenty of power in the backfield with senior Carston Lukens (5-11, 193) and juniors Cole Mirante (5-9, 191) and Hunter Smith (5-10, 165). Mirante has the most experience after running for 491 yards and two touchdowns last year.

“We got three guys that I think would be pretty good runners,” Barbay said. “I think those guys will end up being some good runners for us.”

The Panthers plan on running a methodical multiple wing offense with sophomore Brooks Lukens (6-1, 205) at quarterback. Senior Blaze Brister (5-10, 160) and junior Austin Anderson (5-7, 135) will line up at receiver.

“We run we kind of base out of what I would call a multiple wing,” Barbay said. “It’s not a wing T. “It’s not a slot T. It’s just a multiple variation of a lot of different things. It’s a lot of

a lot of plays us,” Wainwright said.

Other returners on defense include McFarland and Vasquez at cornerback. Freshmen Baker Knowles and Ryder Shields will also see action in the secondary.

The defense allowed 21.8 points a game last year and will need to stay healthy to improve on consistency this season.

“The thing that I am hoping is that we can build more depth with the kids that we have so that when people need breaks or we go through the injury bug that we can fill in with some guys that have a higher quality experience than we were able to put on the field last year,” Wainwright said.

Senior kicker Luke Wainwright is back after making 33 of 37 PATs and two field goals, including a 38-yarder.

formations. There’s a lot of formations trying to just get people out of position and then run the play that is most advantageous to you to run.

“Sometimes we like to slow it down. We like to take our time getting out of the huddle, and then get up there quick, run a play. We get three or four yards in a cloud of dust and come back and let that 42 second clock run a little bit more.”

With a slim lineup, several players will play on both sides of the ball with cornerback Blaze Brister (CB), safety Caiden Watson (5-9, 159, Jr.), linebackers Mirante, Brooks and Carston Lukens, and Hunter Brister returning on the line.

“We’re going to be probably kind of a bend but don’t break kind of defense,” Barbay said.

“Hopefully not giving up a big play but living to see another day.

“We haven’t really had the

physical types of practices that we been able to have in the past. You can’t really be physical because you can’t beat yourself to death and then expect to go out there.”

Mirante had a big season last year at nose guard with 68 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, three sacks and 10 hurries, while Brister led the secondary with 32 tackles and four interceptions.

“Cole has always been a tackling machine,” Barbay said.

“He used to play on the front line.

“He just goes in there hard and has a nose for the ball.

Blaze is really the most experienced one in the secondary.”

Other starters on the defensive side include linemen Walker, Billy Smith and Hunter Spring, Hunter Smith at linebacker, Austin Anderson at safety and Xavier Morgan (6-0, 145, So.) at cornerback.

HAMILTON Continued from C23

Junior Grant Menard (5-9, 165) is the only returner and will be joined by sophomore Cooper Bordelon, senior Skylar Drain, junior Dylan Netty and Paul Pitre.

“This year we are probably going to have a pretty decent sized offensive line,” Washington said. “They are getting better. When you have kids like Javon that you snap the ball to, then he is going to help the linemen get better.”

Washington feels the defense will be better than last season when they allow 22.6 points game and will be ready for any type of offense.

“I feel like our defense this year is going to be much faster than we were last year,” Washington said. “We lost big Rankin, but our nose guard

position is always going to be important.

“I have always had the philosophy that we put the best players on defense then build around them. I feel like we are going to be fast enough, big enough and strong enough to be able to handle a run-heavy district, and no question, we will be prepared for the spread teams.”

The Warriors’ returns the entire defensive secondary in senior free safety Caleb Steward (5-11, 170), junior strong safety Jayden Jasmine, and junior cornerbacks Justin Weston (5-10, 135) and Kelby McMahon (6-0, 150).

Also back is junior defensive tackle Andrew Ward and junior linebacker Grant Menard (5-9, 151).