District 5 Class 3A

By Lee Brecheen

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Abbeville Wildcats

Head Coach: Jonathan Zenon (1st year) 2023 

Record: 9-3

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Lutcher HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: WR Brian Gordon, WR Artis Latson, DE/TE Tezarron Stewart, DT Zaylun Williams, LB Lathaniel Tizeno, OL Xavier Levine, Center Todd Detraz, OL Taylen Turner, DE Da’Borien Williams, and DB/WR Tahj Judge. 

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Team Outlook: “Proud of the seniors winning the District in 2023,” said former Head Coach Roderick Moy. 

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Abbeville last won a District Championship 25 years ago. 13 seniors have graduated from the 2023 team. 2024 will have a small senior class. All five Offensive Linemen have graduated. 2024 new Head Coach Jonathan Zenon and former LSU starting CB is the new Head Coach. The former Breaux Bridge HS grad will look to get the magic going for a program that has done really well the last 4 years. The key is rebuilding the Offensive Line and two players to build around will be OL Kaylon Levine (6-0, 240), and OL Ashton Cormier (5-10, 230). Rest of this unit probably won't be decided till after Summer is over and some of fall practice. The QB will be Da’vien Mays, who has a ton of ability as a passer and runner. Key skill players to count on in 2024 are RB Justin Montgermy All District in 2023 with 735 yards rushing, WR Derek Arclies (6-3, 180) SR leader, 2nd Team All District TE Chayson Gray 4.6 speed 2nd year starter, RB/CB Edmar Simon (5-9, 165) SR 4.4 speed with 703 yards & 19 touchdowns in 2023 on only 85 carries, WR Braylon Moore (5-11, 185) SR won District in the 100 meters time of 10.9, and CB/FS Joseph Davis 2nd year starter returns with 5 interceptions and 75 tackles in 2023. The front seven on Defense will build around OLB Kyrese Collins (6-0, 220) SR 4.6 speed, DT Zalen Hopkins talented player, and DE Tristan Brewer (6-1, 255). 

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Erath Bobcats

Head Coach: Eric Leblanc (7th year) 2023 

Record: 2-8

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: WR/DB Christian Pillette, QB Lynkon Romero, RB Blake Dautreuil, OL/DL Ryan Fobbs, CB Bo Lancon, WR/CB Treyvan Williams, and FS Brayden Landry. 

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Team Outlook: “Had a tough season in 2023. We had 5 seniors go down with injuries during the 2023 season which really changed the outcome of games for us. Looking forward to a good healthy year in 2024,” said coach Leblanc. 

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The new starting QB for the first time in 3 years will be Jack Landry, a young player who started 5 games in 2023 so has a ton of experience on varsity with a good arm. The program also returns the best player on the team in 2 way starter ironman RB/LB Mason Hebert (5-7, 190) SR 3 year starter All District and going into his senior year has 250 plus career tackles and in one game had 24 tackles in 2023 against Kaplan HS. Key players coming back to turn things around in 2024 are WR Coty Broussard (5-10, 172) SR, TE/WR Cameron Soirez (6-1, 185) SR with 4.55 speed, TE/WR Luke Etie (6-1, 190, ) SR 4.6 speed, OC/DE Andrew Leblanc (5-10, 195) SR tough strong player, OT/DE Kaiden Viator (6-2, 230), SS Aiden Bourque, FS Landon Lemaire, OG Cohen Benoit (5-11, 240) lettered in 2023, CB/WR Torrien Alfred (5-9, 165) SR all out player, and DE Griffin Leblanc (6-0, 195) SR big time Javelin Thrower also in Track. 

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Kaplan Pirates

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Head Coach: Tank Lotief (1st year) Kaplan Head Coach from 2010 to 2020 first time. 2023 

Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: 

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Team Outlook: “Rebuild what was mandatory work ethic. Commitment back. Expectations also need to come back,” said coach Lotief. 

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The program is known for years where players are 2 way starters as Iron men and do a great job of winning with the same 15 to 17 players something coach Lotief will bring back to the program. Some of those players back are RB/LB/LSP Braden Bearb (5-11, 200) SR, OL/LB Hayes Broussard (6-0, 210) SR, QB Sabe David (6-0, 185) SR also a great baseball player, TE/DE Carter Petry (6-4, 250) sleeper, RB/FB Daylon Landry (5-8, 160) SR tough as nails, RB/OLB Dane Frick (5-8, 180) SR coach Lotief coached both his brothers at Kaplan HS, TE/DE Nemy Broussard (6-2, 205) 4.7 speed, OT/DL Isaac Saltzman (5-10, 250) SR, LB/FB Wyatt Hebert (6-0, 200) tough player, Center Zachary Marceaux (5-8, 195) SR, OLB/RB Gunner Bourque (5-10, 175) SR strong worker 4.65 speed, DE/TE Wyatt Bourque (5-10, 185) SR won Javelin the District in Track, and RB/QB/DB/Athlete Coy Terro (5-6, 145) SR with 4.6 speed one of the best smaller Wrestlers in the State

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St. Martinville Tigers

Head Coach: Vincent DeRouen (11th year) 2023 

Record: 4-8

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Leesville HS 46-40, and 2nd Round lost to Jennings HS 25-23

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players Graduated: 3 Time All State RB Steven Blanco, LB D’Mari Robertson, DT Danrick Lee, OG/OT Dillan Phillips, LB Jakel Dauphine, OT Rayland Cox, LB Touree Mallery, WR Cullen Charles (Arizona State), QB Kaden Zenon, OT Donavence Hebert, Center Kendrick Francis, TE Dylan Porter and DB Delian Mallery. 

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Team Outlook: “The Offense has to replace some special players in our QB Kaden Zenon, WR Cullen Charles both All State, RB Steven Blanco All State 4 year starter and others. Also we graduated most of the Offensive Line. We do have some talented players back young guys back with some experience but some holes to fill in 2024,” said coach DeRouen. 

The key to the season is rebuilding a Offensive Line behind a new starting talented QB in Khyrie Francisco (6-1, 190) who started for the program the last two years at WR/DB with 4.5 speed. The OL will build around SR Willie Leblanc (5-9, 265) leader, TE Lyndon Williams (6-1, 240), OL Kendrick Toussaint (6-3, 385), and Bobby Harris (6-0, 285) lettered in 2023. The run game will look for a new starter first time in 4 years lead by RB Julien Stewart lettered in 2023, and RB Tyland Benjamin lettered in 2023. The WR position is still talented lead by WR Makharee Narcisse (6-2, 175) SR sleeper with 4.5 speed, WR KJ Fontenette lettered in 2023 Athletic, and WR Trevon Wiltz moved from DB in 2023 2nd year starter with 4.5 speed. The Defense will have a few players back with experience in CB Marcus Eichelberger (6-0, 170) SR 4.5 speed 3rd year starter leader, CB Kylun Skipper 2nd year starter, DE Konnor Wiltz (6-2, 250) SR 3 year starter leader, DT Landon Rhone (6-2, 305) SR great player leader 2nd year starter, SS Payton Nelson 2nd year starter, LB Ashlon Smith (5-10, 210) SR lettered in 2023, DE Joseph Lumpkin (6-1, 230), DT Jatyran Boudreaux (5-10, 255), MLB Christian Perry, and OLB/MLB Kohen Clues with 4.6 speed. Special Teams was wide open for starting spots at Kicker and Punter after Spring.

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