L.W. Higgins Hurricanes

By Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Clifford Harris (3rd year)

2022 Record: 1-9

Class and District: Class 4A (District 10)

Higgins WR Stephen Estell

Clifford Harris is in his third season at his alma mater as he played football at Higgins (Class of 2005) as well as Duke University where he graduated in 2009. I remember watching him play at the same time Skylar Green was the QB for Higgins HS (former LSU WR). Higgins football player Jonas Pierce signed with (Sterling in Kansas) in 2022.

“I think the team will be much better in 2023,” said Harris. “The team overall is young but the numbers are up in the program which is huge for us because the numbers have been down the last few years. We will run the spread offense in 2023 with a read option quick game with RPO plays for the QB.”

The offense for Higgins HS will have two quarterbacks battling going into the fall: 2022 starter Christian Bradley, a talented young player who is also a WR, and QB/WR Marquise Joyce, a transfer from John Ehret HS who is talented as well. Whoever wins the job, the other will start as a WR for the team and both will help this team win games.

The running game has one of the biggest sleepers in the state back in senior Wardell Mitchell (6-0, 220) who has both power and speed. The Hurricanes also have a young but talented power back in RB Jermaine Madison who will also rotate in for carries.

Higgins OT/DE Rudy Scott

The receiving corps will be led by Stephen Estell, who was hurt for most of 2022. However, he is now healthy and he will bring speed and hands to the spot. You also have two-way starter WR/OLB T’lijah Green (5-7, 170, 4.6 speed) and other young players will need to step up here.

The offensive line will be led by second-year starter OG Desilion Lestrick 5-10 270, senior OT Joseph Evans (6-3, 280) and three-year starter OT/DE Rudy Scott (6-3, 265) who was a fullback on offense last season before being moved to the offensive line this season. He is a tough player and is one of the senior leaders for the team. There’s also TE Nigel Russell (6-2, 200), who will help with run blocking as well as catching the ball when Higgins wants to throw the rock.

Higgins CB John Deary

The defense will be led by a strong linebacker corps. These include senior DE/OLB Quenton Scott 5-11 205, LB Tyrese Dixon (5-11, 220) who is a big-time hitter and leader, and talented LB Eddie Petty (6-0, 225), who sat out the entire season in 2022 and comes back to give this team a big-time player. Other players who will start are three-year starter SS Wyatt Petty (5-10, 185), senior CB John Deary (6-0, 175, 4.5 speed), DT/NG Demarques Hester (5-11, 305) and DT Kendrick Kelly (5-11, 250), who is a new starter and several young players are competing for the rest of the starting spots in 2023.

Higgins LB Eddie Petty

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