Airline Vikings

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Justin Scogin(2nd year)

2022 Record: 7-4

Class & District: Class 5A (District 1

2022 Playoffs: Lost to Haughton in 1st Round of Division I (Non-Select) Playoffs

Airline QB Ben Taylor, WR Jeremiah Boudreaux and head coach Justin Scogin with Louisiana Football Magazine Owner/Publisher Lee Brecheen

Airline High School head coach Justin Scogin did a great job in 2022 with the Viking program as they went 7-4 on the season after having a 1-9 record in 2021, which is a huge improvement. Coach Scogin has brought a lot of energy to the program and has a great staff as well. If this team stays healthy, the sky's the limit come playoff time in 2023.

“We can be as good as we allow ourselves to be,” Coach Scogin said. “We need to be tough in any condition so that we can handle it if anything comes our way because those games are won with toughness and leadership.”

The Vikings’ offense has as much talent and speed as any team you will see in North Louisiana in 2023. QB Ben Taylor has a chance before he’s done to be special, and take this team to new heights. Taylor has the arm and feet you look for in a young QB. This is his year to show all the tools.

The run game will return three-year starter Tre Jackson (5-8, 175, 4.59 speed) and playmaker RB D.J Allen (5-8, 165, 4.45 speed). The wide receiver room has talent too senior leader three-year starter Bob Patterson (6-1, 200, 4.65 speed or better) has the size to play wide receiver or tight end for the team as he is a good blocker and pass catcher. You also have talented receivers in All-District WR/DB Bryson Broom (6-0, 180), WR Jakoby Williams (6-1, 185) and WR Kenny Darby (6-1, 165) who have a chance to be good. There’s also TE Ayden Baker (6-3, 210, 4.7 speed). The offensive line has some new starters but guys up front like OG Jason Burch (6-1, 230), OT Nathan Hill (6-5, 255) and others competing to become a good unit in 2023.

Airline QB Ben Taylor (Photo taken by Shots by Ten)

The defense has a ton of potential too with many outstanding players back and young players combined to be salty. In the defensive front you have players like OLB Sincere Walker (6-2, 200, 4.65 speed), senior OLB Jayden Gladney (5-11, 180, 4.6 speed), LB Brayden Linton (5-10, 180) who was the leading tackler in 2022, senior LB Champ Endris (5-10, 205) who is a tough leader and DE Braylen Smallwood (6-0, 205). You also have small but all-out players DT Tre Griffin (6-0, 225) and DT Kam Wilson (5-10, 220).

In the secondary you have some very talented players with experience in three-year starter senior CB/FS Ladarius Epps (5-10, 165) with 10.9 speed in the 100 meters in track, FS/OLB Preston Doerner (6-1, 185) leader team hopes to get back during the season after a injury in the Spring leader, CB Jeremiah Boudreaux (6-3, 180, 4.5 speed) has all the talent you look for in a CB, safety Bob Patterson and DB Bryson Broom plays here too as well as wide receiver.

On special teams, the Vikings’ punter is WR/TE Bob Patterson and is a pretty good one for the team. However, its starting kicker Ben Jump is out with an injury and Airline hopes they can get him back before the season is over as he's a great kicker.

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