Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators

Head Coach: Stephen Hearen (2nd year)

2022 Record: 6-6

Class & District: Class 2A (District 8)

2022 Playoffs: Defeated Patrick Taylor 43-0 in 1st Round, Lost to St. Charles Catholic 49-17 in 2nd Round of Division III (Select) Playoffs

Ascension Episcopal QB Connor Edmond (Photo taken by Ricky Aube)

Ascension Episcopal is led by first-year head coach Stephen Hearen who was the Blue Gators' Defensive Coordinator in 2021 & 2022. Hearen is a graduate of both Lafayette High School (Class of 2002) and UL-Lafayette.

The Blue Gators are currently 2-2 after their 51-14 loss at the hands of Breaux Bridge on Friday night. However, they could easily be 3-1 as they also suffered a tough loss against a very good Vermillion Catholic squad 30-28.

The offense will build around QB Connor Edmond (5-10, 175, Sr.) who has 3 years of experience prior as a Defensive Back in the program. Edmond can run a legit 4.55 forty. The run game has RB Hayden Pearson (6-0, 205) who is having a great 2023 season with a 4.65 speed. The rest of the key skill players back are RB/CB Garrett Yeates (5-10, 175) a new starter, CB/WR Hayes Trotter (6-0, 170) a tough all-out player, WR/CB Hudson Campbell, CB/WR Christian Singelton (5-10, 175), FS/WR/QB Brandon Mitchell (6-2 175), a great athlete, WR Andrew McCormick (5-8, 150) with 4.6 speed, and TE/OLB Evan Brown (6-0, 190, Sr.) lettered in 2022 and a new starter.

Ascension Episcopal RB Hayden Pearson (Photo taken by Ricky Aube)

The trenches will be important for the program come playoff time in Class 2A and they are lead by OT Joseph Rizzuto (6-3, 225), a 2nd year starter, OG Peyton Peebles (6-1, 235,) a 4 year starter and leader, OL/DL Caden Culpepper (6-0, 215) who is a three-year starter and leader, second-year starter center Stacey Singelton (6-3, 225, Sr.) and several young players playing for the first time in 2023.

Special Teams will still be strong with a new kicker in Andrew McCormick who has a DI leg. The punter will be Cole Pesson who is also a new starter with a good leg.

The program has both a kicker and a punter sign with Top 10 programs as kicker Peyton Woodring signed with Georgia and punter Badger Hargett walked on to LSU. Other Ascension Episcopal players who signed with s from the 2022 team are QB Cade Dardar (Centenary), LB Hunter Fontenot (Centenary), and RB/SS Blake Sylvester (McNeese).

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