Bunkie Panthers

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Jimmie Hillman (1st year)

2022 Record: 4-6 (3rd in District)

Class & District: Class 3A (District 2)

Bunkie FB/LB Dexter Compton

Bunkie made a really good hire over the offseason when they announced its new head coach Jimmie Hillman. Hillman comes over from Marksville HS where was the head coach and he did a very good job in 2021 and 2022 at that program. Coach Hillman told me that the program returns 65 players for the Fall and that number might grow, which is a really good number for the program.

“We had a great Spring training and a lot of players are coming back,” said Hillman. “We have the same schedule in 2023 as we did the year before. We need to stay healthy in key spots to compete for a District Championship.”

Bunkie RB Tanner Lemoine

The Panthers’ offense will be led by QB Dillon Compton, who has a good command of the offense and has a lot of experience going into the 2023 season. There will be a few skill players that will start both sides of the football to help Dillon out in senior RB Tanner Lemoine (5-5, 160), who is stronger than his size indicates. He ran for over 1,000 yards in 2022 and showed great balance and heart. You also have WR/DB Cain Milligan and WR/CB Kyle Johnson, who can run a legit 4.42 forty and has a chance to become one of the most talented players to ever come out of Bunkie HS. The Panthers also return four-year starter senior FB/LB Dexter Compton (5-11, 198) and RB Jateren Gaines (5-8, 155), a quick back that will get his reps on offense and defense.

The offensive line is led by second-year starter J.D Smith (5-10, 255), who can squat 440 pounds in the weight room. There’s also 2022 returning starter OL Julian Eves (5-9, 235), who moves well and is an all-out player for the program at OT.

Bunkie WR/CB Kyle Johnson

The defense also has MLB Zion Lee who led the team in tackles in 2022 with 97 tackles. There’s CB Jairiel Johnson, a really good cover CB, and DE Huck Pias (6-0, 215), a three-year starter and big-time leader for the Defense again in 2023.

If this team can stay healthy and some of the younger players emerge to lend depth this program has a chance to have a great year in 2023.

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