Archbishop Rummel Raiders

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Nick Monica (5th year)

2022 Record: 6-6

Class & District: Class 5A & District 9

2022 Playoffs: Defeated John Ehret 31-24 in 1st Round, Lost to Catholic (Baton Rouge) 24-0 in 2nd Round of Division I (Select) Playoffs

Archbishop Rummel safety Darrius Davis (Photo courtesy of Archbishop Rummel Athletics)

Nick Monica won a state title at Archbishop Rummel High School in his first year as the head coach in 2019 and he knows what he’s doing. The team just has a ton of young players in the program the last 3 years and not big senior classes of Football players. I think the staff and coach Monica do a great job because of that and they're in the new-orleans Catholic League, which is one of the toughest districts not only in Louisiana but in the United States.

“We have huge holes to fill in 2023 as we lost some key players and this Spring our best senior player, Darrius Davis, tore his ACL and is out for the year,” Monica said. “We have a QB battle which hopefully plays out before we play a game. We do return two experienced running backs and most of the offense.”

Rummel’s quarterback competition is between Generald Buggage (5-11, 177) and Evan Bourg (6-0, 170). Buggage started on the JV team in 2022 and did a good job and is a smart kid with ability. Bourg, who started at WR in 2022, is another smart player who has a good arm and can run. If he doesn’t win the job, he will bring valuable experience as a receiver.

Archbishop Rummel RB Jaidyn Martin (Photo taken by Beau Brune)

The strength of the team going into the fall is the run game. It’s led by three-year starter Jaidyn Martin (5-8, 170, 4.5 speed) who ran for over 800 yards in 2022. You also have second-year starter Norman Taylor (5-9, 170) who is a tough kid with 4.5 speed and can carry between the tackles.

The offense does have a really good WR Room with senior Ruben Ramirez back as the second-year leading WR who has 4.6 speed, WR Anthony Thomas 4.5 speed, WR Kendrick Joseph 4.5 speed, WR Chris Wallace and Evan Burg if he’s not the QB full-time. The Offensive Line will consist of early, two-way starter Ja’Mard Jones (6-3, 270), center leader Nathan Loustea (5-10, 245), OT Peyton McDonald (6-4, 245) and another two-way starter in leader Jaden Dillon (6-1, 280) who started started as a freshman in 2022. If the younger players step up in the fall, you might see some of these kids play defensive line only. You also have two good tight ends in senior Jake Burmaster (6-2, 215) and Kai LeJeune (6-3, 200).

Archbishop Rummel CB Lennis Finister (Photo taken by Beau Brune)

The defense for many years has been known as tough and all out and 2023 will be no different for the Raiders. Even though the best senior player, Darrius Davis (Committed to Stanford), is out for the season, there are some talented kids back to lead this team. The defense will rely on the leadership of CB Lennis Finister (5-11, 173, 4.5 speed) who is a three-year starter and is one of the best cornerbacks in the 2025 recruiting class. There’s also DT Jaden Dillon who is capable of an 80-tackle season with 4.9 speed at 280 pounds! Rummel also has an experienced player in DE/OLB Chance Joseph, who is a three-year starter (5-10, 205, 4.65 speed) who is a tough player and a leader for this team back for his senior year. The program will need another big season from these kids in 2023 LB/DE Greg Jones (5-8, 250), senior DE/LB Robert Vaughn (5-10, 200) who had 123 tackles in 2022 and talented second-year starter DT Fred Banks (5-10, 286).

The Raiders will see a few freshmen & sophomores get a chance to start and play so this team can have depth on both sides of the football this season.

The 2023 signing class for Rummel had two really good players sign scholarships in QB Corey Avrard (Southeastern) and CB Ashton Stamps (LSU).

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