Caldwell Parish Spartans

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Cleo Head(1st year)

2022 Record: 5-6; 2nd in District

Class & District: Class 3A (District 2)

2022 Playoffs: Lost to Richwood 12-8 in 1st Round of Division III (Non-Select) Playoffs

Caldwell Parish QB Jon Paul Shaw

“I was an assistant coach the last 7 years at Ouachita Christian HS and coached wherever they needed me,” said Coach Head. Also, I was the head coach at Riverfield HS for a few years. I think the offense will have to carry us at first because we are rebuilding our defense after losing 7 starters from a year ago. The defense only gave up like nine or 10 points a game last year.”

The program has a new coach in Cleo Head, who learned a lot from one of the best programs in the state, Ouachita Christian HS, and has a great staff. At offensive coordinator, they have former Caldwell All-State player Jacob Barton, who played QB for Caldwell HS and went on to play baseball at Mississippi State.

Caldwell Parish OT Eli Head

The program returns a three-year starting senior QB Jon Paul Shaw (6-0, 190). Shaw’s experience I think will pay off big time in 2023 as you can’t make up for experience and game experience. The offense has a chance to be pretty good at running the ball. The backfield is led by powerful yet speedy senior RB Greg Jones (5-11, 205), RB QJ Donald, and RB Zae Brown (5-11, 185). The passing game returns a veteran player in WR Ben David, who at 5-11 175 pounds has really good hands and speed to stretch the defense of many teams. They also return senior TE Will Springer (6-1, 190).

Everything revolves around the offensive line, which is the strength of Caldwell’s program. They have the size and a lot of experience back in two-way three-year starter senior Donnie Brooks (6-1, 280), OT Eli Head, who got a lot bigger this year from 230 pounds to 270 pounds, OT BJ Austin (6-4, 245), senior center Ashton Rose (6-1, 200), guard Bernard Morgan (5-11, 245) and OG Rhett Jarrett (5-11, 220).

The defense will have a lot of the same players who start on offense plus senior OLB/TE Blaise Dunn (6-1, 200), young but talented DB Jamare Simmons (5-11, 160), and senior DB Jeremiah Swim (6-0, 175).

OL Donnie Brooks

The special teams is in good hands with the return of starting punter Ben David, who also starts at WR. David has a strong leg and a good hang time. He’s one of the best punters in the district.

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