2024 Preview: Class 4A District 8

District 8 Class 4A

By Lee Brecheen

A.J. Ellender Patriots

Kavin Robinson
Chris Lopez (photo credits Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: John Haslitt (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 0-10

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key players Graduating: OT Terrell James, OG/DT Khylynn Stevens, RB Xaviah Bryant, OT Rene Simmons, DT Jason Powell, LB/DE Southern LeBouef.

Team Outlook: “Players Spring/Summer 33 players back and add 25 Freshman. Ned keep working hard. We have a lot of youth but a lot of our kids have experience small junior class in 2023 and 2024,” said coach Haslitt. 

The Offense will be lead by QB Chris Lopez (5-9, 150) SR a leader and also very good in Soccer for the school. Theres also talented QB Travante Alridge who will battle with Lopez for the starting spot in the fall. The Offense players back that need to make big plays in 2024 are RB Kovante Howard, WR Tamanj Largarde should be back, WR Travon James, and several young players still competing for starting spots Summer. The Offensive Line is a lot more settled after Spring with Center Cole Voisiah (5-10, 255), OG Branson Landry (5-10, 220) SR, OT Dontrell Jones (6-2, 260) SR lettered in 2023, OL Kaden Guidry (6-1, 250) and TE/WR Hunter Foret played in 3 games in 2023. The Offense also young will return some players who looked good in Spring MLB Cruzito Pareges (5-9, 230) SR leader, FS Kavin Robinson (5-7, 160) SR leader also a WR/CB for the team, Safety Agjalon Mouletrie (5-10, 175) SR, DT Omari Butler 2nd year starter, DE Deonta Coler, CB Chandler Hartman, CB Kameron Jackson, and LB Xavier Rodrigue (5-7, 170). Special Teams will be Punter/Kicker Chris Lopez, and Punt & Kick Return Kavin Robinson a legit 4.5 forty fast and big play ability on special teams. Lopez was named All State as a Punter in 2022. 

Assumption Mustangs

Koby Bimah
(Photos taken by Memories by Paula)

Head Coach: Will Broussard (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 9-3 Won District 6-0

2023 Playoffs: 1st round beat Breaux Bridge HS 43-21, and 2nd round lost too Northwest HS 46-44. 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduating: WR Reece Turner (Nich State), LB Brody Robichaux, DE/LB Alfred Kennedy (Nich State), RB Chase Jacobs (Gulf Coast Mississippi JC), and DE/LB Daimar Gustave

Team Outlook: “We will run a 4-2, and a 3-3 Defense in 2024. Offensive Line is the strength of our team with experience and leaders. We will have 60 plus players in the program come fall pratice,” said coach Broussard. 

The Offense should have some big game in 2024 with players like new starter with experience starting in the program QB Landon Sanchez (6-1, 180) SR arm, and WR/CB Koby Bimah (5-6, 140) 4.45 speed back for many big plays for this Offense in 2024. The Offense also has RB Kaleb Davis the main RB for this program will ge the ball a lot (5-8, 180) power and quick, WR/TE Cameron Ott (6-2, 170) SR also a CB for the team and All State Punter in 2023. The Offense also has WR Keyzonte Preston 2nd team All District in 2023 as a WR/CB and RB/LB Brennon Mumphrey will rotate in. The Offensive Line will be pretty good with players OL/DL Jace Williams (6-2, 280) SR, OL Jake Thibodaux, OL Logan Bender (6-0, 275), OL Peyton Borne (5-9, 225) 2nd year starter, and OL/DL Tiago Flores (6-3, 280) 2nd year starter. The Defense still has some holes to fill in the Summer but will build around DT Kairo Florez (6-1, 240) DL Ethan Breaux, DE Andrew Thibodaux (6-3, 195) SR 2nd year starter, DE Darrel Harris (5-11, 185) SR 2nd year starter, MLB Haydn Laravadal (5-10, 165) SR 2nd year starter, Safety Reid Dias 2nd year starter, Safety Brexton Benyt, DB/QB Zion Willoughby lettered in 2023 and LB Brennon Mumprey. Special Teams mentioned above the program returns one of the best Punters in the state in Cameron Ott All State as a Punter in 2023. 

E. D. White Cardinals

Tommy Bower
Ty Powell (photo credits Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: Kyle Lasseigne (6th year) 

2023 Record: 11-1. Won District 4-0

2023 Playoffs: 2nd round beat De La Salle HS 31-27, and Quarterfinals lost to Teurlings Catholic HS 42-28. 

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key Players Graduating: FB/RB Jeffrey Diedrich two time All District (Nich State), QB Jake Sternfels, WR Paxton Lafont 51 catches 946 yards & 12 Touchdowns (Nich State), RB Andrew Duet, OT Jacob Oncale, LB Taylor Thibdoeaux, FS/SS Matthew Escher, and DE Noah Benoit

Team Outlook: “On Offense we will run the Veer. Defense a 4-2-5. Obviously losing a 3 year starting QB, WR, and FB in out Offense will be a tough blow to our team moving forward. However, several players gave us significant reps at those spots over the last two seasons so transition is already in place. I think our Offensive Line will be a strong point in 2024 for this program. Defense we lost some quality players at MLB & Safety will be the main focus in terms of replacing starters in 2024,” said coach Lasseigne. 

The Offense will be lead by QB Grant Barbera a really good Athlete can run or throw it. Theres also QB Ben Guidry can play the position talented player. The run game will be FB Carter Douglas (5-8, 180), RB Landon Babin (5-7, 165), RB All District in 2023 Ben Rodrigue (5-9, 165), and the program will give reps to younger players all year too. The passing game look for WR Chase Naquin (5-10, 160), and WR Aiden Signet (6-2, 175) SR to make some big plays in 2024. The Offensive Line has a chance to be one of the best in Louisiana by seasons end lead by SR OT Tommy Bower (6-4, 270) SR sleeper can move for a big guy, OG Hudson Oncale (5-10, 225) SR, TE/FB Phillip Hillman (6-0, 205) a 3 year starter leader, Center 3 year starter Zach Guin (6-0, 255) SR leader OG Ben Blanchard (6-1, 245) SR, and OT Hudson Simoneaux (6-4, 230). The Defense will still have a strong Athletic front lead by DE Luke Trotti (6-0, 195) SR, DT Adam Talbot (6-0, 250) SR, DT Cooper Passman (6-2, 250) SR, DE Charlie Diedrich (6-0, 210), LB Jonathan Lee (6-0, 210), LB Jax Triche (5-9, 185), and LB MJ Sternfels (6-1, 190) a 3 year starter leader. The Secondary returns 3 players with experience in CB Luke Zeringue (5-10, 170) SR, Safety Evan Webre (5-10, 160), and Safety Nate Thompson. Special Teams the program returns one of the best Kickers in Louisiana in Ty Powell a 4 year starter for the program with a cannon leg 2nd team All State in 2023 went 6-8 in Field Goals with a long of 47 yards and 47 touchbacks on Kickoffs. The return game you have big time playmakers Nate Thompson & Luke Zeringue. Powell will also Punt for the team. 

Lutcher Bulldogs

Dwayne Winfield
Reshad Sterling

(Photo credits Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: Dwain Jenkins (9th year) 

2023 Record: 8-3

2023 Playoffs: 1st round lost to Opelousas HS 26-10

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduating: DB Brock Louque (Nunez Baseball JC), DB Jamari Taylor (Papago Pumas College), WR Luke Babin, WR Ty Poche, DE/LB Dale Smith (Nich State), LB/FB Kai Brown (Nunez JC Baseball College), DE Brody Louque, Kicker Trayce Millet (ULM), DB Chad Carter, MLB Colin Roques, OL Terryne Harris, and QB Quinn Smith (Southeastern Baseball). 

Team Outlook: “The Offense returns 10 starters and our Defense will return 5 starters. We have alot of experience back in 2024. We do have a tough schedule with non District games with Week 1 Slidell HS, Week 2 St. Charles Catholic HS and Week 3 Liberty HS,” said coach Jenkins. 

Anytime Lutcher HS returns 10 starters on Offense with a QB with experience they are always Championship ready with speed and experience. The program has 9 State Titles in school history in football pretty impressive. The Defense returns only 5 starters but these are 5 really good players to build around in DE Reshad Sterling (6-4, 245) with 4.79 speed, DT Caden Parquette (6-0, 255) 4.89 speed, LB Tariot Snowden (5-8, 180) 4.6 speed, CB/WR 2 way starter Ashton Stark (5-9, 155) 4.5 speed, and CB Derrick Jackson (6-0, 170) 4.45 speed. The rest of the Defense returns some talented young players most lettered in 2023 DE Marcus Gibson (6-1, 220), LB Elijah Fobb (6-0, 205) also lettered at RB in 2023 and get some carries on Offense with 4.55 speed, LB Coy Ruiz (5-10, 200) lettered in 2023, DB Chase Pittman, and DB Jayce Ferrygood lettered in 2023. The Offense will be lead by 2nd year starter QB Zach Jenkins (5-10, 180) has a good arm and knows the Offense really well and great feet in the pocket. The run game returns one of the best RB’s in the state in Trenton Chaney a 3 year starter with incredible speed and balance with power (5-9, 170), a SR in 2023 ran for 897 yards with 16 Touchdowns, and caught 20 passes for 246 yards. The passing game will return 3 starters with big play ability in Ashton Stark 19 catches in 2023 with 2 Touchdowns, WR Dameium Marcell (5-11, 165) 19 catches for 341 yards and 2 Touchdowns in 2023, and WR Dwayne Winfield scored 2 Touchdowns in 2023 with 4.5 speed in the forty. The Offensive Line returns 4 starters and all five lettered in 2023. The OL will be one of the best in the State in Louisiana I saw this group play in person in 2023 and was impressed with all having quick fet and all 5 strong and really tough. The 5 are Center Logan Borne (5-11, 255), OL Matt Lambert (6-3, 245), OL Jayden Michael (6-3, 275), OL Colin Hastings (6-0, 255), and OL Chris Jones (6-1, 290). Theres also 2nd year starter at FB/HB in power tough blocker Josh Harris (5-9, 215) a SR leader. Special Teams still wide open going into August after talking to coach Jenkins both Punter & Kicker. 

Morgan City Tigers

Thomas Mancuso (photo credit Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: Mark Danos (1st year) 

2023 Record: 3-6

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduating: DT/OG Deakhri Cooks, OG/DT Ian Carmichael, WR Kyron Dugas, LB Matt Nugier, LB/FB Bill Cao, and DB Leo Torres

Team Outlook: “Program very bright. Look past 5 years program won under 3 games each year. So build off that. I like the players we have for a strong foundation. We will switch from a Wing-T Offense to a Spread Offense in 2024,” said coach Danos. 

The leader of the program is back in QB Thomas Mancuso a (6-1, 205) Athlete 2nd year starter with a cannon arm and also a All District Baseball player for the school. Theres some more hidden talent at the skill spots WR Jamyrie Bias 4.6 speed, RB/LB/DE Micah Wilkerson (6-2, 200) 2nd year starter leader, WR Lamarion Griffin, RB/WR Devin Campbell (5-5, 155) all purpose player for the program, RB/DB Muntrell Webb, and FB/TE Keagan Hoyt (5-9, 225). Offensive Line you have some new players but lead by SR Jacob Fernandez (5-11, 290), OL Xyavion Jackson (6-2, 275), and TE/FB Hayden Hebert (5-11, 175) also a star in Tennis for the school. Key players back on Defense are FS Anthony Bourgeois (5-11, 170) SR, DE Maddox Torres (5-11, 245) moved from the OL, DE De’Khyre Ruffin hard worker, CB Sebastian Riviera fast player and CB Gerren Hayes (5-8, 160). Special Teams will have Kicker/Punter Jairo Gomez (5-6, 170) SR leader and returning starter with a good leg. 

South Lafourche Tarpons

DL
Sawyer Wells (photo credits Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: Brian Young (5th year) 

2023 Record: 5-5. Week 10 lights went out in the Stadium during the regular season and game was called off. 

2023 Playoffs: 1st round lost to Dutchtown HS 55-0

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduating: QB Carson Orgeron, MLB Abram Bourg, OT Aiden Bruce, DE Tyler Autin, FS Maddox Carmardelle, FB/TE Kamden Bourg, LB Max Dedros, and Kicker Cesar Gonzales

Team Outlook: “Offense we return a lot of players with experience but will need to replace our starting QB. Defense lost a lot of experence 7 starters. We did get soem young players experience on Defense because of injuries in 2023,” said coach Young. 

The Offense will be run by a new QB in 2024 Josh Mack. Mack was a starting WR for the program in 2023 and got injured missed much of the year in 2023 and now healed up and looked good in Spring. Mack has good speed and has a chance to become a pretty good Athlete/QB for the program at (6-1, 180). The Offense has some playmakers back in RB Landon Dardar (5-9, 205) power and quickness 2nd year starter, WR/CB Landon Jarvis, WR Terrence Pitre (5-9, 150) will be the go to guy 4.5 speed All District in Basketball in 2023, WR Cullen Stamant (6-3, 185) new starter, RB Kentrell Sheppard 4.59 speed, and younger players for depth. The Offensive Line has some size and experience back in OT Bo Georges 245 pounds, Center Carter Callais 260 pounds, and OT Sawyer Wells (6-4, 275) pounds. The Defense will be lead in the middle of the DL by DT Kade Nelson (6-1, 280) big time player, LB Talion Duet (5-10, 210) new leader, DT Hunter Constable, OLB/DE Jean Eric Vizier, DB Andravien Hughes 2nd year starter, DB Joao Araujo, and DE Darrell Jones (5-8, 185) SR will rate in on the Defensive Line. Special Teams Kicker is Angel Cordova new starter from the soccer team with a good leg. 

South Terrebonne Gators

Lincoln Dupre
Trey Pinell (photo credits Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: Aaron Babin (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 3-7

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduating: OL/DL Brooks Wunstell, OL/DL Logan Mallard (Nich State Baseball), SS/CB Georsyn Neville (Tyler Texas JC), OT Austin Adams, WR Logan Marcel, OL/DL Tyson Kelley, LB Brody Hutchinson, CB/SS Dwayne Pugh, and DT Jackson LaFleur

Team Outlook: “Excited about team coming back. Record last year doesn’t represent hard work we put in for the season as a team. Kids are excited and working hard this Spring & Summer,” said coach Babin. 

The Offense will be lead by QB Trey Pinell (6-0, 179) SR leader lettered in 2023 with a good arm and good feet in the pocket. Pinell is also All District in Track throwing the Javelin almost 160 feet in 2023. The program also has QB Breez Blanchard lettered in 2023 can play other positions too. Has a really good arm. The run game will rely on RB Brodie Dupre 4.65 speed lead team with over 900 yards rushing in 2023 and had over 150 reception yards as a WR. Theres also RB Jaray Ricks ran for over 500 yards in 2023 with 4.65 speed and looks faster. The WR position you have 3 year starter Brayden Breaux (5-8, 155) SR playmaker, WR Michael Gutierrez a 2nd year starter makes plays and TE was open after Spring pratice. The Offensive Line you have OT/OG Kevin Wiemann (5-11, 265) 2nd year starter leader, OC/OG Bray Wunstell lettered in 2023, and OT/OG Kenner Boudreaux (6-0, 235) 2nd year starter leader. The Defense returns a big time leader in DE Lincoln Dupre (5-10, 205) a 3 year starter  ancor of the Defense. The Defense also returns DT Tavien Stewart (5-9, 240) 2nd year starter, DE Luke Thibodaux  4.7 speed quick, LB Jaheim Diggs tough strong kid, CB Trenaugh Smith 2nd year starter leader 4.59 speed, CB Eronne Martin 2nd year starter tough against run, and SS/FS Warren Walker a 2nd year starter  with 4.69 speed as a Safety. Special Teams unit will be one of the best in the District with Kicker Michael Gutierrez, Punter Lincoln Dupree, and Long Snapper Ace Price (5-10, 165) SR a really good player for the program. 

Vandebilt Catholic Terriers

(Photo credit Lee Brecheen)

Head Coach: Brian Wallace (1st year) 

2023 Record: 7-5-1

2023 Playoffs: 1st round beat Douglas HS 28-6, and 2nd round lost to Kennedy HS 46-6

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key Players: OL Carson Doiron, OG Alex Hernandez, DE Cooper Cancienne, SS Samuel Kinnard, OL Landon Thibodeaux, OL Ben Ragus, LB Jacob Fairchild, and OL Brady Hazelton

Team Outlook: “So far impressed with work ethic toughness of the 90 or so players we have. Summer weight group weight room kids are really doing well. Good young group Offensive Lineman coming back. We have a really good new Offensive Coordinater in Easton Melancon former Hahnville HS QB and Louisiana College QB,” said coach Wallace. 

The face of the program the last 3 years going into 4 years is a kid by the name of Jaylon Coleman a RB who is really special in pads. I saw this kid play in his first game of varsity his Freshman year and he was special then. Since then he has rushed for Freshman year 1,648 yards with 21 touchdowns, SO year 1,576 yards with 22 touchdowns, and Junior year over 2,000 total yards and 43 touchdowns. The kid is special and already has 21 Div offers when I talked to him in May of 2024. Coleman runs in track a 21.48 in the 200 meters and in the 100 meters a 10.40 and has run a 10.29. He was State Champion in the 100 meters in 2023. Any game this team is in they have a chance to win because of this future college All American in Track & Football. The program also returns some pretty good players in OL Will Newman (6-1, 235) SR 3 year starter leader, QB Jake Chestnut (6-0, 175) SR 2nd year starter, WR James Guidry (6-1, 180) 4.59 speed also All District in Baseball, LB Paul Boudreaux (6-1, 185) SR 2nd year starter team leader tough as nails, OL Cylis Hill stands (6-6) in height, OL Phillip Cenac (6-3, 245), OL Harper Pitre (6-0, 265) lettered in 2023, MLB/OLB Xabian Moses (5-11, 185) 2nd year starter, CB Logan Himel 2nd year starter tough kid, J. T Johnson (6-0, 170) SR 2nd year starter, TE/FB Cohen Marie (5-11, 220) SR strong kid, OL Delandon Charles (6-3, 245), DT Devin Dehart (6-0, 290) and RB Rob Sandolph (5-8, 175) SR lettered in 2023 and will get reps at RB good Athlete. Special Teams a sleeper who will start Kicker is SR Sean Hebert (5-8, 145) leg has gotten stronger over the Spring and Summer and really has opened some eyes for the program going into the 2024 season. Hebert is also a really good Soccer player made All District in 2023 for the school. The Punter will be SR Justin Ramirez (6-0, 170) 2nd year starter with a strong leg. Ramirez is also a All District performer in Soccer for the school as the schools Goalie in Soccer.

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