District 2 Class 2A

By Lee Brecheen

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Beekman Charter Tigers

Head Coach: Joseph Purvis (3rd year) 

2023 Record: 6-3 

2023 Playoffs: None 

2024 Playoffs: Select 

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Key Players Graduating: RB Devin Gyewski, OL Tristan Wonzo, OL Gage Coleman, WR Brody Sawyer, LB Matt Hammonds. 

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Team Outlook: “We overachieved and underachieved in 2023. High potential key players back in key spots. We were young in 2023. 6 Seniors who played in 2023,” said coach Purvis. 

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The Offense will be led by QB Eli Owens back for his 2nd year as the starter, good runner and good arm. There's options in the run and passing game skill players WR/RB Aaeron Harris (5-8, 170) SR, RB/Safety Robert Anderson (5-9, 178) SR, RB/DB Elayphan Armstrong 2nd year starter, WR/DE/OLB Quinn Morgan (6-1, 185) SR great Athlete, WR/TE/OLB/DE Jerrick Edmonds (6-1, 195) SR missed the 2023 season is back with 4.6 speed, and HB/TE Ryder Roan (5-8, 170). There's some quality lineman in the program in DT/OL Aden Brown (6-1, 280) SR, OL/DT Houston Fontenot 3rd year starter, DT/OL Brayden Mashburn (6-0, 300) SR, OC JD Brakefield missed most of 2023 season, OC/OG River Anderson, LB Davion Holmes 2nd year starter really strong 450 Pound Squat in the weight room. Special Teams Kicker will be Landon Cruise 2nd year starter. 

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Delhi Charter Gators

Head Coach: Storm Ridgeway (1st year) 

2023 Record: 5-6 

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Vermillion Catholic HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Select 

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Key Players Graduated: RB DeAndra Young, OL/DL Peyton Till, WR Major Fortenberry, and CB/WR Maliky Dunn

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Team Outlook: “We are excited going back up to Class in Class 2A. We have a small roster for Class 2A but we have great kids. A whole new Offensive Line we lost 3 starters in 2023 with 2 returning. We do have a few SRs and JRs back,” said coach Ridgeway. 

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The Gators had 2 shutouts in 2023. Scored over 50 points a game 6 times in 2023. The Gators scored 74 points in a game in 2023. The run game returns 3 year starter RB Keidron Thomas All District in track recovering from an injury in 2023 and will be a force for the program in 2024 at (6-0, 198) SR 4.5 speed. The skill spots also have RB/WR/DB Tayven Carter running for 1,232 yards & 7 Touchdowns in 2023, QB Caden Wiggins returns 4.65 speed (6-1, 175) SR, RB/LB Myron Allen, and RB/DB Conner Hayman. Key lineman back in the program are OL Preston Polhamus 2nd year starter, Center Bradley Wiggins 2nd year starter, OL Cohen Guice, DE Thailand Walker (6-4, 238) SR, and DT Edward Griffin (5-10, 245) SR. Linebacker is a strong position for the team with LB/SS Owen Martin (5-8, 150), LB Myron Allen, and LB Mason Osbourne. 

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Ferriday Trojans

Head Coach: Walter Johnson (1st year) 

2023 Record: 5-7 

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Jonesboro Hodge HS 34-6, and 2nd round lost to Kentwood HS 46-8. 2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduating: OLB/DB Howard Curry, OL/DL Maurice Smith, CB/WR Kevon Thompson, OT/DE Khyan Melancon, and OL/DL Shaunterris Conner. 

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Team Outlook: “The Trojans will go into the 2024 season under the radar but let me tell you they have the pieces to be a serious contender for all the marbles in 2024. The Offense will score alot of points they have big time experienced playmakers on the Offense. QB Coleb Ellis is back as a SR. Ellis stepped up in week 3 became the starter for us. Caleb will be big for us this years our QB. He will be able to use his legs more & that will help him through the air,” said Offensive Coordinater Devante Scott. 

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Ellis threw for 1,810 yards with 21 Touchdowns in 7 games, and ran for 235 yards with 6 Touchdowns. He was 99/208 in completions 1st year as a QB. Most impressive threw only threw 4 interceptions. The Offense also returns RB Taevion Edwards (5-8, 170) SR 505 yards rushing in 2023 with 7 Touchdowns has power and speed. Also back on Offense is playmaker WR Desmen Jefferson (5-9, 175) had 55 catches for 970 yards with 7 Touchdowns hes one of the best keep secrets in Louisiana as a WR. Jefferson lead the team in receiving in 2022 and 2023. There’s also WR/DB Deryion Brown SR with 27 catches for 206 yards with 3 Touchdowns in 2023. The Offense also has young playmakers in RB Zylon Alexander ran for 1,709 yards in 2023 with 25 Touchdowns as a 8th grader in 2023 WOW. When your trying to stop all the players mentioned above the team returns another RB in Terry Griffin SR (5-8, 175) 660 yards rushing with 9 Touchdowns in 2023. Finally theres WR Robert Taylor (6-4, 175) 2nd year starter with 5 Touchdowns in 2023. Most of the key lineman will play both sides of the football for the program. Top lineman are OL/DL Buck Corner (5-10, 265) SR leader, OL/DL Kobe Scott (6-3, 275) SR leader, DE/OL Jordan Smith (5-11, 210) SR, OL/DL Dillan Scott (5-10, 185), OL/DL Tristen Allen (5-11, 235), OLB/DE Lionel Scott (5-10, 190) SR leader, DE/OLB pass rusher Marvin Davis (6-1, 195) 4.6 speed 37 tackles with 9 Sacks in 2023, and LB/DE JB Evan (5-9, 170) 28 tackles in 2023. Key Defensive Backs are DB/WR Andrew Foster 5 interceptions in 2023, DB Dorian Taylor, DB CJ Sheppard (5-9, 165), and 2 way starter DB/WR Deryion Brown. 

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Madison Jaguars

Head Coach: Levi Washington (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 3-7 

2023 Playoffs: None 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select 

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Key Players Graduated: OL/DL Logan Hughes, DB/WR Randell Moss, WR/DB Montrell Hawkins. 

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Team Outlook: “I am excited about this upcoming season. We are in a very competitive district and each week will be a challenge. This off season my kids have put in a lot of work and I'm excited to see how things will be this season. We have a great group of returning kids from last season and they are up for the challenge,” said coach Washington. 

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The team is skill heavy with speed and sleeper athletes. Top skill players are WR/DB Jayden Larry, a 2nd year starter 4.5 speed, WR Amarion White (6-2, 180) SR 4.5 speed, QB/DB Duece Bolden returning starter, DB Mark Parker, WR/DB Jamarion Williams (6-1, 180) SR, QB/DB Josh Goods, and QB/DB Heron Hines. Key lineman back are OL/LB Tyler Gilmore (5-10, 220), SR, LB/OL Ralph Miller (6-1, 230), Center/LB Devon O’Neal (5-9, 230) 2nd year starter, DE/TE Dawson Brown, OL/DE Kelek Singleton (6-2, 240), OL/DT Galvin Reed 300 pounds, and OL/DL Xavier Alexander (5-10, 280). 

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Mangham Dragons

Head Coach: Scott Wilcher (6th year) 

2023 Record: 7-5 

2023 Playoffs: 2nd round Beat Centerville HS 53-14, and Quarterfinals lost to Oak Grove HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: MLB/TE Robert Natt Jr, DE/TE Jalen Boley McGraw (Harding U), QB Austin Lively, Center Brian Cleary, and DT Derrick Franklin

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Team Outlook: “Great off season one of the best we’ve had since I’ve been at the school. A Lot of Juniors coming back, with a small group of seniors 5 or 6 players total in that class. A Lot of So’s and Juniors will battle this Summer for starting roles with a lot of competition on our team which is a good thing,” said coach Wilcher. 

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The QB position you have two players competing in Colby Casey, and QB Kade Purdy, both talented young players. The RB position has a chance to be the strength of this young team lead by RB Jay Miles returning starter (5–9, 180) SR with good speed 4.55, and RB Isaiah McFarland one of the biggest and more Athletic RB’s you will see in high school stands (6-1, 255) pounds with 4.79 speed and looks faster kid can run. The WR group has a chance to be really good lead by WR/Safety Lane Almond (6-1, 185) SR over 1,000 all purpose yards of Offense in 2023, WR Evan Barton 4.5 speed, WR Peter Bigilow (5-10, 180) with good hands, and WR Blake Pierce has 4.6 speed. The Offensive Line will be young but returns talented Ron Griffin (6-3, 270). The Defense will be young but will build around SS Brody Hudson, LB/FB Cade Poland lead team in tackles in 2023 with 90, DE Cam Allen coming off a good 2023 season, OLB Tanner Tarver (5-9, 180) SR, CB Reggie Roberson 2nd year starter, and CB Rod Roberson. Special Teams the Kicking job was open after Spring. 

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Oak Grove Tigers 

Head Coach: Ryan Gregory (11th year) 

2023 Record: 12-2 

2023 Playoffs: State Champions. Playoff wins over Lake Arthur HS, Mangham HS, 31-30, Kentwood HS in overtime 49-28, and State Championship game beat Haynesville HS 62-36. 2023 also District Champs 6-0

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: LB James Harris, LB Landon Ferrell, CB Colin David Anderson, SS Spencer Foster, TE Mark Alvizo, Center Truitt Tietz, Kicker Thomas Clack and OG Remi Waters. 

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Team Outlook: “Feels good. We won State Titles in 2022 and 2023 back to back and went for a third in a row. I am lucky enough to be apart as a Head Coach of 4 State Titles here at Oak Grove HS. We have a chance to win another one if we stay healthy. One of the best QB’s we have back in the State in Jackson Bradley and our RB’s. We do need to replace some key lineman on the Offensive Line and figure that out by the end of the Summer,” said coach Gregory 

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The job coach Gregory has done is incredible having won 4 State Titles in his young career at 40 years of age with many years left to get more. The Offense returns QB Jackson Bradley for his 4th year as the starter with already 2 State Titles on his resume as the QB and going for a third in 2024. Bradley to me is as good as any QB I've seen in pads in the last 3 years, gifted with his arm, feet in the pocket, can run and size (6-4, 215) 4.6 speed. The Offense skill set around Bradley in 2024 is also pretty darn good with players like WR Brodie Stuart returning for his 4th year as a starter (6-3, 195) with 4.5 speed All District and big time big WR. You have RB Jay Freeman back as a starter for the 3rd year with speed and power (5-8, 160) for a small player as a SR. There's JT Layton a 4 year starter (6-4, 220) SR can really run and big time blocker as a SR, FB/LB Seth Ray (5-11, 205) SR 4 year starter tough as nails, WR/RB Owen Layton a new starter lettered in 2023 with some power and quickness in the run game, and you have strong Offensive Line lead by Center Austin Mills (5-8, 255), OT Tanner Duff (6-0, 270) SR and OT Baz McIntyre (6-4, 260) SR. The Defense returns a core group to build around in LB Seth Ray heart and soul of the Defense, DT Isaiah Joles (5-11, 255), DE Tyler Strickland, FS/SS Ty Hurley leader (6-1, 165) SR, CB/FS George Spencer missed 2023 season back (5-8, 165) SR, DE Mason Crenshaw (5-11, 245) SR leader, LB Joby Clark (5-10, 210) SR leader, and big time CB/DB Ta’Marquez Pritchard Jr (6-1, 190) SR DI talent with 4.59 speed. 

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Ouachita Christian Eagles

Head Coach: Steven Fitzhugh (27 years) 

2023 Record: 11-2 

2023 Playoffs: Won District 3-0 in 2023. Playoff wins over Westminster Christian HS, St. Mary’s HS and lost to Southern Lab HS in State Title game 38-34 

2024 Playoffs: Select 

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Key Players Graduating: WR/DB Tate Hamby (Vanderbilt), OT Ryder Bentley (ULL), LB Noah Lovelady (ULM) School record for tackles with over 482 tackles in career), LB Maddox King, DE Ben Duvall (Navy), TE Drew Dougan, WR/DB Jeff Hudnall, Center Drew Mosher, and SS/RB Zach White (ULM Baseball). 

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Team Outlook: “We lost a total of 9 starters graduated and lost 7 of those on Offense. Grow up really fast. Our guys know the expectations are the same. Be the best team we can be and be in the hunt come playoffs. This group will carry on the tradition of hard work and commitment and always have a chance when you do that,” said coach Fitzhugh. 

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The 2023 Graduating Seniors coach told me went as a group in their 4 years 47-6 overall truly amazing group of seniors. The Offense will be young but does return QB Luke Vidrine, who got a chance to play in a State Title game get a lot of experience in big game as a SO in 2023. The skill talent coming back to start to help the QB will be RB Makin Leonard has legit 4.45 speed, a SR with experience for the run game. Also back on offense you have RB/LB John Turner, OT/OG Beau Gregory SR (6-5, 240), OL Micah Mosher, WR Patrick Turpin, OL/DL Jackson Mann (6-0, 250) SR, OL/DL Zac Kelmell (5-11, 195) SR, WR/DB Cam Volion (6-1, 180) SR, WR/CB Eli Reed (6-0, 170) SR new starter, and TE/DE Cooper Russell (6-5, 215) SR new starter and others competing over the Summer to build depth for this young Offense. The Defense has LB John Turner, DT/DE Stacey Shaw 3 year starter returns (5-10, 255) SR, FS Aiden Eldridge (6-0, 175) Leader SR, DB Andon Melton (5-11, 175) SR, DE Cooper Russell new starter, CB Eli Reed new starter, and OLB/SS Wyatt Wilson (5-10, 160) SR. Special Teams is a strong spot for the program again returning Kicker Gavin Polk who has a very strong leg. 

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Rayville Hornets

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Head Coach: Lent Bursey (1st year) 

2023 Record: 5-6 

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Loreauville HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduating: None

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Team Outlook: “Been coaching 5 years at the elementary school through 2023 (Rayville Junior High), and Holley Ridge and honored to be the new Head Coach second time in my career at the school (first time was from 2011-2019 at Rayville HS). We are working really hard in the weight room and the kids are getting better and some positions will not be answered till the end of the Summer and Summer workouts,” said coach Bursey. 

The Hornets will have a fast and strong team in 2024 not a lot of depth but the players they do have can play. There’s QB/WR/RB/PR/KR Tomaz Reynolds who can fly with 4.45 speed. Tomaz will allow QB Murphy to play some WR also. The Offensive Line doesn't have much depth but what they do have is size and talent, lead by OL/DT Davron Ball (6-1, 270) with great feet. There’s also LB/QB Jamarion Lawrence, a tough compact player (5-10, 210) can play some QB and full time LB. WR/QB Thai Coward new starter,and new starter WR Zydarion Colquitt.There's TE/DE Kieon Ellis (6-3, 220) SR has a ton of raw talent and OLB/DE Louis McDaniel (6-2, 191) 2nd year starter with a chance to be one of the best players in Louisiana in 2024 on both sides of the football.

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