Isidore Newman Greenies

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Nelson Stewart (18th year)

2022 Record: 8-3 (State Quarterfinalists)

Class & District: Class 2A (District 10)

2022 Playoffs: 1st Round Bye, Defeated Sophie B. Wright 57-19 in 2nd Round, Lost to University Lab 49-13 in Quarterfinals of Division III (Non-Select) Playoffs

OL/DT Brett Bordelon (Photo taken by Derek Hingle/Newman Athletics Photos)

I think this might be the best team across the board I’ve seen at Newman High School and they will be at the door for a state title once again. I think Head Coach Nelson Stewart is a great coach and doesn’t get enough credit for his player development. Because of his success at Newman, Coach Nelson has made winning the norm at the school for a long time now.

“I like this team, Lee,” Coach Stewart told me. "We don’t have the big names across the board but we have a very good team coming back. The goal is always to win or play for a Championship at Newman mindset. The kids are excited and I'm excited to see what 2023 brings."

The Offense will have a new quarterback for the first time in four years with the very talented Eli Friend. This kid has the arm talent, mechanics and IQ for the position to be not only the next QB but the next DI prospect in a long line of great quarterbacks from the program.

The offensive line is not deep in players and they start both ways but the quality of talent here is up there for a Class 2A school. You have three-year starter OL/DT Brett Bordelon (6-5, 290), who can play anywhere on the line if needed. Bordelon has great feet and is one of the strongest kids in the state of Louisiana with a bench press in the weight room of 400 pounds. There’s three-year starter C/DT Brandon Wilkins (6-2, 300) another big athletic guy with a future, and three-year starter senior OT Heid Manning (6-1, 235) has great feet and a high IQ of the game going into his senior year. The offensive line also returns OT/OG Griffin Maxwell (6-1, 220) and senior OL Marcel Thionville (5-11, 205). The passing game has senior WR Anthony Jones (5-11, 170) who is quick and talented, WR Peter Loop (5-10, 165) who has good hands and tough kid, WR Journey Manson (6-2, 190) and South Alabama commit TE Will Loerzel (6-6, 255, Sr.). Loerzel has gotten bigger and stronger with better hands in the upcoming season. He should be a big-time weapon in the offense and is a very good block due to his size and athletic ability. The run game might be the deepest it’s been in a few years with three-year starter senior RB Robert Kerrigan (5-9, 190), RB Jake Randle (5-9, 180) and talented young RB Hendrix Hill (5-10, 175) who has 4.55 speed already as a freshman and is strong for his age.

WR/DB DJ Thomas (photo taken by Josh Preston)

The defense will return the heart of the defensive line in two-way starters Brandon Wilkins, Heid Manning and Brett Bordelon who are all strong and talented players in Class 2A football. The defensive line also has senior leader DE/LB William Darragh (6-0, 225), DE Henry Cooke (6-2, 225), DT Henry Jackson (6-2, 300) and DE Justin Wells (6-2, 240) to make up one of the best defensive lines in all of Class 2A in Louisiana. The defensive line is backed up by a talented linebacker room that is led by two-way starter Robert Kerrigan, who led the team in tackles in 2022. The Greenies also have senior LB Paulo Guillen (5-11, 205) and talented LB Isaiah Grant (6-2, 220) who was originally a wide receiver. The defensive backfield returns an experienced leader in three-year starter SS/FS Jack Nesser (5-9, 165), DB Alexander Dulitz (5-10, 170), senior Parker Davis (6-2, 170), DB James Rees (6-0, 175) and CB DJ Thomas (5-10, 165) with 4.5 speed and others to make up possible one heck of a defense in 2023.

DB Anthony Thomas (Photo taken by Derek Hingle/Newman Athletics Photos)

The special teams will be led by senior punter Journey Manson (6-2, 190) who has a very good leg. The kicker will be senior Jacob Dusansky and senior Heid Manning will handle the long snapping duties and does a pretty good job.

The 2023 Class for Newman HS had two players sign with Texas: QB Arch Manning, who was the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect, and TE Will Randle.

Coach Stewart graduated from Newman where he was in the graduating class of 1995. While at Newman, Coach Stewart played for high school coaching legend Tony Reginelli. He also played on the offensive line at Tulane under then-head coach Tommy Bowden and was a letter-winner on the famous undefeated 1998 team.

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