District 8 Class 2A

By Lee Brecheen

‍Baker Buffaloes

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Head Coach: James Dartez (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 4-6

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduating: OL/DL Troy Toney, OT Shannon Holliday, QB Jayreal Payne, RB Jordan Edwards, OT/DE Derrick Jackson, and Center Dontae Marshall. 

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Team Outlook: “Got hired on June 6th of 2023. Had 8 players starting out for workouts when i got here last Summer. We had to put a new Offense & Defense in 40 days before the season started in 2023. Kids worked hard and im excited where we are headed as a program in 2024 and beyond,” said coach Dartez. 

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There is a two QB battle Spring/Summer in QB Stevenson Claiborne (6-1, 160) and new QB to the program QB Malik August (6-0, 180) SR from the state of Texas moved in for the Spring. Theres some young talented players back in DE/OLB Demone Richardson 4.59 speed, WR/CB Dontae Williams big time player, SS Xiaver Cedotal new starter in program with 4.5 speed, RB/LB Xaiver Love (6-1, 210) big time RB in the program bell cow for the Offense, WR/DB Roy MCBride (6-1, 178) 4.5 speed, OG Markel Peterson (5-7, 240), OT/DT Jamie Allen (6-4, 265), OL/DL Glenn Barnes (5-11, 260) SR Squats 600 pounds, OL/DL Robie Hunter (6-3, 245) lettered in 2023, WR/CB/QB/KR Jaylan Williams (5-7, 165) SR 4.45 speed playmaker, OLB Mikelyn Landry (5-11, 185) SR 4.6 lines everyone up, CB/WR/Safety Donje Williams gifted player, DE/TE De’Auntry Singelton 4.65 speed, LB Robert Gray new starter, DE/OLB Rondye Pitts (6-0, 185) tough with 4.65 speed, and WR/DB/RB Bryseon Williams (6-1, 178) SR new player in the program with 4.5 speed. Special Teams you have Kicker/Punter Cesar Murillo (5-9, 170) 2nd year starter with a cannon leg. Made a 37 yard field goal in 2023. 

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Capitol Lions

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Head Coach: Keith Woods (2nd year)  

2023 Record: 0-10

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduating: LB Jakorrey Brock

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Team Outlook: “The 2024 Lions will be in rebuilding mode, with a youthful group, and low numbers team wise a total of 20 players we hope to add Freshman this year to build the foundation for the future,” said coach Woods.

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These are the players who have worked over the Summer as leaders to build around NG/OC Drey Green (6-1, 400), OG/DT Jyron Davis (6-4, 305), OG/DT Reginal Jarvis (6-2, 315), DE/OT Frederick Thomas (6-3, 210), DE/OL Jakobe Patterson (6-4, 220), QB/DB Cameron Wilson (5-8, 165), HB/LB Terrance Stokes (5-8, 230), LB/RB Damonda Peters (5-10, 200), DE David Peters (6-0, 195), and WR/DB Imara Lamotte (5-6, 150). Right now coach said the teams motto is (Bring the Pride Back)

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Key Players Graduating: 

Team Outlook: The schedule will be tough again with teams like Episcopal HS, East Feliciana HS, Dunham HS, Slaughter HS, and McKinley HS. Hopefully the Lions can start by winning a game in 2024. 

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Dunham Tigers

Head Coach: Neil Weiner (11th year) 

2023 Record: 8-3 Won District 5-0 

2023 Playoffs: 1st round lost to Parkview Baptist HS 39-32. 

2024 playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduating: DL/OL Malachi Jackson (Louisiana Christian), WR/CB Jac Comeaux (Georgetown), DB/WR Drew Bourgeois, DE/OL Louis Phillips, DT/OL Oscar Boatner, LB Cole Leblanc, and RB Mason Wild

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Team Outlook: “We have a chance to be good again in 2024. We do have to replace some really key lineman both sides of the football Offensive & Defensive Line,” said coach Weiner. 

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The Program will return one of the best young Quarterbacks in the United States in QB Elijah Haven. Haven is legit 6-3 to 6-4 in height and weighs over 210 pounds. This kid has the arm and feet but what I noticed is he is so calm and mature running the Offense like hes 30 years old out there as a Freshman in 2023. Haven has a chance to have a special year in 2024 and that means this program has a chance to go far to. More key skill players back are 2nd year starter WR/LB Trevor Haman (5-11, 195) tough kid with great feet, RB/LB Jerome JJ Harris (5-7, 170) 4.5 speed with some power, CB Jarone Harris,RB/DB Joshua Lazard (5-8, 170) has quickness and power, 2nd year starter WR/DB Richard Montgomery 2 year starter has speed and great Athlete (5-11, 180), 2nd year starter RB/DB Colin Pecue (5-7, 160) has 4.5 speed tough as nails, WR/DB Khris Thomas (6-2, 180) Athlete, WR/DB Grant Morgan (5-9, 165) SR leader tough quick all out, new starter WR Jarvis Washington, 2nd year starter  WR/DB Bronson Bonneval (6-0, 175) SR 4.65 speed quick and tough, WR/DB William Dantin, WR/DB Jarone Harris, and RB/DB Richard Bonneval. Key lineman in the program are LB/DE Logan Sorrel (6-3, 190) also a backup QB and TE for team, OT Christian Comeaux, OT Aareick Kees, OL/DT Joshua Beychook (6-1, 265) SR 2nd year starter, OC Connor Guidroz, DT/OL Hopeland Eldridge (6-0, 280) SR 2nd year starter, LB/FB Rives Johnson (5-11, 190), LB Jonah McClain, 2nd year starter, LB Richard Bonneval, DE/TE Malik Harrison (6-2, 185) 2nd year starter, DE/TE Charlie Myers, and TE/DE Peyton Jackson. Special Teams you have a really good Punter back in Andrew Bardwell (5-9, 155). 

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East Feliciana Tigers

Head Coach: Darius Matthews (6th year) 

2023 Record: 6-6

2023 Playoffs: 1st round lost to Jeanerette HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduating: RB/WR Stanley Gilmore, WR/CB Takri White, Bryal Flowers, Tre’lynn Jarrell, QB/OLB Herman Baptist, and RB/LB/DE O’maree Matthews. 

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Team Outlook: “This team can has a few seniors, we have nice group of So’s, and Freshman so the upside is good here. Just hope kids put the work in over Summer so we reach our potential in 2024 as a team,” said coach Matthews. 

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The Offense all revolves around talented young QB named Markus Cannon Jr started as a Freshman in 2023 did a great job (5-10, 185) with 4.55 speed, great arm and a leader. The rest of the skill talent on the team you have RB/WR/SS Ryan Moore, RB/LB Alanthon Gibbs recovered from a injury talented, RB/LB Matthew King, big time young player RB/LB Makyle Cannon (6-1, 205), RB/LB Markel Rogers (5-8, 160) really quick player, RB/LB Tony Ringo (5-8, 175) tough, RB/MLB/DE Landon Wilson (6-0, 220) gifted, WR Keyshawn Toney (5-9, 165) 2nd year starter, CB/WR Desmond Green also a Safety, TE Javen Jackson 4.6 speed, and FB/LB/DE Kayden Wilson (6-1, 225) sat out 2023 season big time player hard worker. There are some really good lineman back in OT/DT Amauri Barnes (6-5, 320) sleeper, DT/OL Tredon Green (6-5, 320) sleeper, OC/DT Davien Irvin (5-10, 255) 4 year starter leader, OT/DE/DT Robert Washington (6-3, 260) 4 year starter, DE/TE Bryson Williams (6-1, 185) 4.65 speed 2nd year starter, OL Bryson Gilmore (6-3, 265) and a few other young lineman mixed in for depth. Special Teams you have Punter/Kicker Tony Ringo. 

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Episcopal Knights

Head Coach: Travis Bourgeois (25th year)

2023 Record: 10-3

2023 Playoffs: 1st round beat Martin Luther King HS 50-6, 2nd Round beat Bunkie HS 38-14, and Quaterfinals lost to Newman HS 31-15. 

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduating: RB/DB Braeden Geroge (Navy), TE/DE Ethan Ott, K/P Alden Romano, OL/DL Preston Pontif, and WR Walker Dauzat. 

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Team Outlook: “Biggest challenge replacing key Offensive & Defensive Lineman. We lack lineman in the program. Need to stay healthy there in the trenches. We feel great with our skill players and Defense lead by our Linebackers and Defensive Backs. We also have new Special Teams units in 2024,” said coach Bourgeois. 

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The Offense did lose a 1,200 yard rusher but returns a player who ran close to 1,000 yards in 2023 RB Reid Chauvin (5-8, 185) with 4.5 speed and one of the strongest players in Louisiana over 615 pounds Squat and close to 400 pound Bench Press. Chauvin hits the hole with a great burst and he will run over anyone in his way. I’ve seen this kid play he brings it for his size. The Offense also returns QB Zach Hu who is getting better every day with a good arm and most important great command of the Offense. WR/DB David Olinde is back after missing a good bit of the 2023 season with a injury brings great hands and big play ability for the Offense. More skill players back are RB Nathan Sanchez (5-10, 170) SR, CB/QB Brody Bailey (5-11, 170) SR, WR John Hart Singer (5-10, 165) SR returning starter, WR Carson Furniss (5-8, 160) SR, RB/LB Chandler Amacker (5-9, 165), CB Neff Newman (5-9, 165) SR, and some younger players for depth in 2024. Key Lineman back in the program and Linebackers are TE/DE Sean Stewart (6-2, 190) SR recovering from a injury, DT/OT JB Sessums (6-2, 230) SR a 4 year starter and big time leader for the team could be a LB in college but plays OL/DL for the team because hes needed there, LB/TE Chase Cresson (6-0, 200) SR a 4 year starter with big time moxy for hitting leader, OLB/Safety Chase Finley (5-11, 180) SR hitter leader, OL/DL Matthew Boagni (5-11, 190) SR leader, DE Demetrick Johnson (5-11, 185) new starter, LB Taj Callahan (5-11, 175) new starter, DE Silas Hall (6-3, 205) SR, TE/DE Henry Green (6-0, 185) SR lettered in 2023, LB Will Ribes (5-9, 170) SR tough 3 year starter, Center Will Garrett (5-11, 195), and OG Jake Duval (5-11, 180). Special Teams new Kicker will be Laith Badawi (5-8, 150) SR, and Long Snapper is Silas Hall a good player at this position. There’s also new starter Punter/Kicker Jacob Berg (6-0, 170) SR with a good leg. 

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Northeast Vikings

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Head Coach: Devyn Baker (4th year) 

2023 Record: 2-8

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduating: None

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Team Outlook: “This is our year to turn the corner. We played many 8th graders and 9th graders in 2023, now we have the experience overall. We will be spread multiple and also use the Power I in the Offense. Defense we run a 4-2-5,” said coach Baker. 

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The Offense will have a new starter at QB in Jordan Sampson runs a 4.6 forty and getting better every day. Most players will play both sides of the football and heres the rest of the top players back SS/RB Tyler Johnson (5-10, 190) leader best Athlete on team, CB/WR Marcus Collins (5-8, 155) 2nd year starter 4.5 speed, OL/DL Tyreaon Bennett (5-8, 200) 2nd year starter, DE Alex Curvin (6-0, 190) 2nd year starter, OLB Cameron Williams (5-9, 190) 2nd year starter, FS Nicholas Knighten new starter, OG/DL Bernard Williams (5-9, 230) 2nd year starter, OLB/DE Christian Boyd (6-2, 210) SR 2nd year starter, OL/DL Troy Lewis (5-11, 240) 2nd year starter and Punter/Kicker Laddmion Robinson (5-10, 210) 2nd year starter. 

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Slaughter Charter Knights

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Head Coach: Patrick Clarkston (3rd year) 

2023 Record: 6-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st round lost to Delhi Charter HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduating: OLB/SS Tracy Harris, RB/LB Willie Bell, and TE/DE Curt Wyre

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Team Outlook: “We lost 6 seniors from the 2023 season. We lost on the last play in the playoffs. We hope to be back in 2024 playoffs,” said coach Clarkston. 

The program will have starting QB Ty’Kimion Ford back for his Junior year (6-1, 170) great Athlete and leader. The team will returns few leaders most will start both sides of the football in RB/WR/CB Joshua Thomas (5-9, 178) SR legit 4.5 speed playmaker for the program, OL/DL Jayden Lavespere (6-1, 285) a 4 year starter dead lifts 600 pounds and Benches 315 pounds wow hes strong, FS/RB Thomas Carter (6-1, 180), playmaker, OLB/TE Kyron Jackson (6-2, 180) 4.6 speed and a tackling machine, RB/QB/LB Carson Baxter (6-1, 180) can play all over for team, OL/DL Terrance Armstead (5-11, 281) SR strong over 300 Pound Bench Press, OL Hayden Millican (6-0, 190), LB/WR Kaden Oakley (5-11, 185), RB Albert Eubanks 4.6 speed, OL/DL Bryce Washington (6-0, 265) SR strong kid, LB Keller Spinks (5-9, 185) sat out the 2023 season, Center Jamison Fletcher (6-1, 250) 3 year starter, and Kicker Colton Borg (5-10, 145) has a good leg.

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