Natchitoches Central Chiefs

By: Lee Brecheen

Head Coach: Jess Curtis (1st Year)

2022 Record: 3-7

Class & District: Class 5A (District 1)

Nachitoches Central SS Landon Brosset

“We won three state titles at Many HS and played in six state title games in Class 2A," said Natchitoches Central head coach Jess Curtis. "I always wanted to give it a shot in the big boy Class 5A level to have a chance to coach and win championships. I think Natchitoches Central has always been a sleeping giant and we have the athletes and players here to do great things like at Many but on the Class 5A level. The kids are excited, we had an unbelievable Spring & Summer program. The kids have bought in and I was able to bring most of my staff with me from Many HS.”

Natchitoches Central WR Camrin Davis

The offense will have two capable QB’s competing going into the fall in Lannon Collom and Owen Smith. Both kids are really good athletes and whoever doesn’t win the job should get on the field somewhere to help the team win in 2023. The offensive line lost a lot of talent from a year ago as 6'8, 315-pound Tyler Johnson signed with Auburn and they lost two 300-pound linemen in Tanner and Anthony Allen to graduation as well. The O-Line this year will be led by the 6’4, 295 pound Many HS transfer Joe Cryer, who has great feet and is one of the best in the state in terms of driving back anyone in his way on the line. There's also talented senior Larry Willis, who is 275 pounds and has great feet. The run game will be led by 5'10, 175-pound RB Zion Thompson who has 4.5 speed, talented RB Kelton Howard, and 6'1, 205-pound TE/FB Naim Helaire. Coach Curtis will throw the ball more than he did at Many HS and has a deep group of WR’s competing already in big-time senior Camrin Davis, Kyron Payne, Dillion Braxton and Titus Williams. Both Davis and Payne have 4.5 speed.

Natchitoches Central DE/OLB Braden Woods

The defense has a chance to have a pretty athletic front seven, even though they graduated talented 6’3, 300-pound DT Tredarius Brown, who signed with Texas Tech. 5’10, 200-pound senior LB Fred Jackson, 6’4 215-pound senior DE/OLB Braden Woods, 6’2, 225-pound 225 DE Antonio Brown, 350-pound DT Demond Bynum and 6’2, 225-pound senior Dylan Adams will have a chance to be one of the best fronts in the district. Although the defensive backfield is young, it returns a big-time leader in 6’0, 190-pound senior SS Landon Brosset and senior CB Zarcarious Thompson.

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