District 1-Class 5A

Written By Lee Brecheen

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Airline Vikings

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Head Coach: Justin Scogin (3rd year)

2023 Record: 10-2

2023 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to Mandeville HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players Graduated: WR/TE Bob Patterson (Signed Samford), RB Tre Jackson (Louisiana Christian), LB Sincere Walker (Arkansas Tech), CB Jeremiah Boudreaux (Signed Central Arkansas), and Athlete Bryson Broom (Signed Louisiana Christian).

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Team Outlook: “Overall pleased where we are in Coach Scogin said. Even though we lost a lot from our Defense, we have a chance to be more athletic there. We also return 4 of our starting 5 Offensive Line which is huge for our program.”

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The program's last trip to the Quarterfinals was in 2017 before the 2023 season. The Quarterfinal game against Mandeville was one of the best playoff games in 2023 with a score of 56-50. It’s very rare to see 106 points scored in a Class 5A playoff game.

The Offense returns one of the best QBs in Louisiana Ben Taylor who will be a 3-year starter, and a big-time leader with a cannon arm at (6-2,200), and in 2023 threw for 4,180 yards with 49 Touchdowns. This kid in my opinion is as good as any QB I saw play in Louisiana over the last 10 years. The skill talent will still be strong with players like WR Kenny Darby, big time playmaker, RB/FB D.J Allen 4.45 speed, playmaker WR Jarvis Davis Jr 4.5 speed, TE Ayden Baker (6-2,205), WR/RB Micah Johnson(5-8,175), RB Derrian Milligan 5-5 150 SR, and others to keep this program as one of the best in State to score points again in 2024. The Offensive Line like coach mentioned will have the experience and talent led by SR Jason Burch(6-3,235), OL Kaleb Williams (6-1,268), SR OL Cam Stumon(6-1,230), OL Josh White(6-0,240), and OL Josh Allen(5-10,225).

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The Defense gained a player in 2024 with the switch of Jakoby Williams(6-1,190) 4.6/40 from WR to an already talented group as an OLB/Safety. You also have LB Jaydan Gladney (5-11,185) great in coverage, LB Phoenix Padeway, LB/Safety Lane Plunkett(6-1,190), CB Jordan Lawrence(6-0,185), and Safety Jeremiah Epps a 2nd-year starter talent with 4.5 speed. The Defensive Line is small for Class 5A size but there Athletic and quick lead by DT Tre Griffin(6-0,225), DT Luke Boyter(5-11,225), and DE Braylen Smallwood(6-0,215). Special Teams returns one of the best in the State in Kicker/Punter Ben Jump, who missed most of the 2023 season with an injury, but started in 2022 as a SO, and has a big time leg at (6-3,240).

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Benton Tigers

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Head Coach: Reynolds Moore(12th Year)

2023 Record:5-6

2023 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Walker HS

2024 Playoffs: Non Select

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Key players Graduated: RB Greg Manning (Louisiana Christian), QB Jeff King(Central Arkansas Track), SS/OLB Benny Walters(Louisiana Christian), TE Cody Wilhite, and WR Trey Smith.

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Team Outlook: “ We return a lot of players with experience. Expectations are high as any group in a while for the school. We lost a great RB in Greg Manning 4 years leader playmaker, but return a great group of kids. Most of our Defense will be back in 2024 also,” said coach Moore.

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The Offense will return a QB with experience in Malachi Zeigler, who has a ton of upside and started some games when the SR QB was injured in 2023. The Offensive Line has a chance to be one of the strengths of the team led by 3-year starter OT Witten VanHoy (6-7,310 SR) with a great future, Center Grant Bunch (6-3,290 SR), 2nd year starter, OL Dakota Coplin, and 2nd year starter and 2nd year starter OT Jackson Touchstone(6-2,295 SR). The run game will be led by a group of players RB Greg Chambers has 4.5 speed, RB Conner Jeter, FB/TE Cameron Boxley (6-1,220 SR), and RB Maurice Goins. The passing game will look to 2 really good SRs in WR Jackson Jones(5-11,175 SR), and WR Wade Chandler(6-2,185 SR). The Defense has some really talented players back in DE/OLB DeMarcus King(6-3,210), All District in 2023 DT/NG Myuan Carey(5-10,260), DE Tyler Davidson(6-4,255), LB/DE CJ Grigsby(6-2,210), OLB/SS Cole Austin(5-11,175), FS Miller Malley(6-0,185), CB/SS Case Austin(6-1,180) a big-time hitter, and CB Tyler Thomas(5-11,185), had 3 Interceptions in 2023. Special Teams will be Kicker Will Petro, and Long Snapping will be Jacob Nottingham(6-0,185 SR) also a TE for the team.

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C.E Byrd Yellow Jackets

Head Coach Stacey Ballew (4th Year)

2023 Record:4-7

2023 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Jesuit HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key players Graduated: Kicker Abram Murray(Signed Miami), LSP Grant Johnson, LB Ashton Fullwood, DT Mattias Franklin, Athlete Mattew Booras(Signed DI Soccer).

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Team Outlook: “This is a good SR class. They are a good and close group of kids. The kids challenge each other and are very coachable. A lot of our SRs saw playing time lettered in 2023, and determined to get better with a starter coming back at QB with experience always helps in Class 5A. Kids are working hard," said Coach Ballow.

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The Yellowjackets will have 4 home games in 2024. The Non-District schedule is pretty tough with teams like St. Amant HS Baton Rouge in week 1, week 2 Haughton HS, and week 4 John Ehret HS of New Orleans. The Offense will revolve around SR QB Harrison Ayres(5-10,186), who will be going into his 2nd year to start for the program. The run game will always have several players getting reps in this Offense and the group will consist of SR Quinton Hilliard(5-11,165), SR Gevin Phill(5-6,180) 4.6 speed, RB Christian Maxie, and FB Desmond Simmons(5-10,180). The WR spot you have players like WR Alex Schoonover(6-1,195) SR back, converted CB now WR Kristian Robertson(6-0,160), and TE Braylen Buckingham(6-0,190 SR). The Offensive Line going into the Summer you have a small group for size for Class 5A but a group of tough quick players in OL Joshua Hutson(6-3,210), OL Mason Kinley(5-11,198, OL Mason Coenen(6-0,205), OL Tanner Murrell(5-11,200), and OL/TE/FB Elijah Chembles(5-10,190 SR). The Defense will be led by a sleeper Defensive Line with talent with players like DT/DE Ian Gray (6-1,230),SR DE/DT Rhyan Perry (6-0,210) SR leader DT Darrell Cottonham (5-11,250), and a really experienced Linebacker group in 2nd year starter Sam Greer (5-11,180), 2nd year starter SR Ethan Sipes (6-0,180), and OLB Cameron Evans (5-11,178). The Defensive Backfield will have some new faces but return leaders in CB/FS Kaiden Abraham Miller (6-0,155) 6 interceptions in 2023, CB James Logan (5-6,125) small but tough with 4.5 speed, and Safety Jaqari Williams (6-0,195) a 2nd-year starter. Special teams will be strong again led by Kicker Asher Murray another Kicker in the program with a DI leg, and Kicker/Punter Jackson Cooper (6-0,165 SR, who also can Kickoff for the team also has a DI leg, will play some WR for the team too really good Athlete.

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Captain Shreve Gators

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Head Coach: Jeremy Wilburn(1st Year)

2023 Record: 9-2

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Archbishop Rummel HS.

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players Graduated: K/P John Chance, WR Jordan Wiggins (Louisiana Christian), DL Landon Mosley, LB Landon Lee, OL Jeremy Duncan(Centenary),WR Keaton Flowers, DE Greg Webb, and DT Timahj Jones (ULL).

Team Outlook: “The program Lee was undefeated in District and District Champs in 2023. I feel like I am inheriting a really strong stable program, the foundation was laid down some 10 to 15 years ago. Kids want to be a part of what we do here.” I am excited to lead this football program.” The Gators will not hurt for numbers in players, talent, or SRs in 2024. I think the program will be a sleeper team going into 2024 when it comes to the playoffs. The Offense will have a DI QB in Brodie Savage (6-3,189), who has waited his turn to start a whole season in 2024. Savage got hurt in week 4 in 2023 missed the rest of the season and now is fully healthy. The skilled talent around Savage will be as good as any team in North Louisiana. The Offense playmakers are TE Walker Bolton (6-4,250), WR/FS Tre Fuller(6-2,185) one of the best Athletes in Louisiana, RB/CB Jamarcea Plater has the true 4.4 speed, WR JT Hester(5-11,185) great hands, WR Cardian Devers 4.5 speed, WR Kaleb Law a future star, WR Chris Hill Jr., RB Z.K. Young, and the team has a 2nd QB who would start for most teams in young talented David Amos. The Offensive line will be led by SR’s L.J Prudhomme (6-5,305) a DI player, leader OC/OG Caleb Randolph(6-0,260), and talented Andre Campbell(6-2,285). The Defense will have several new faces but a good number of players will rotate in for the season again CB 2-way starter Jamarcea Plater, DT L.J. Prudhomme a leader and starter on the OL too, DT Cade Givens, a 3-year starter leader(6-1,270), 3 year starter leader MLB Lionel Scott (5-9,215), OLB Peyton Houston 4.6 speed, LB Briggs Savage, DT/DE Lamelvin Adger, DT/DE Jordan Bryant, DT Amarion Marshall, DT Brandon Jones, DT Bryton Shaw, CB Cameron Hines, CB leader Brandon Mayes (5-9,165) 4.45 speed, CB Isiah Moore, one of the best Free Safeties in Louisiana in Tre Fuller 4.5 speed, and SS Davy Donatelli (5-11,180 SR) new starter. Special Teams has a new starter at Kicker in Zane Wyss (5-10,175 SR) has a DI leg, and a very good Long Snapper in Michael Wyss the brother of Kicker Zane Wyss.

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Evangel Christian Academy Eagles

Head Coach Denny Duron(3rd Year)

2023 Record: 7-5

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Archbishop Shaw HS.

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players Graduated: WR Tyreek Robinson (Pittsburgh),DE Gabriel Reliford (LSU),WR Parker Fulgham (Clemson),QB Peyton Fulgham (DI Baseball), OT Triston Santoro (Baylor), OC/OG Jacob Carpenter (Nich State), LB Jamal Jordan (Northwestern State) Athlete Kris Jenkins (Centenary), Athlete Kennedy Calhoun (East Texas Baptist), DB Jacob Wilson (Centenary), FB /OL Mathew Jarett (Centenary) and Athlete T’ziah Glyenn (Louisiana Christian)

Team Outlook: “The Eagles are moving back to Class 5A after being in Class 4A for a few years. We had a great Spring with a full intersquad game against North Desoto HS. We have a lot of new faces in 2024. Lost a special SR class of players that started 4 years together. Most of our starters are new. We will need to develop some depth over the Summer and continue to build our two deep on the Offensive & Defensive Lines. This could end up as the fastest team in the history of the program that has that potential in the end,” coach Duron said.

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The Eagles might surprise a lot of people in the playoffs in the end because they have so many new players, and a few of these kids will sit out the first few games after transferring from high schools. The Schedule is tough, start off with West Monroe in the Jamboree, week 1 Non District Neville HS, and week 9 non District Lafayette Christian HS. The Offense will have a new starter at QB for the first time in 4 years. QB Peyton Houston will be the new starter and has a really good arm and feet in the pocket to become a special player in time. The Offensive Line I think will be the strength of the team lead by big and agile players like OT Jackson  Spear(6-6,300) new starter, OG/OT Donnie Shavers glue of the OL(5-11,260 SR) 3 year starter, OL Caleb Duncan(5-10,290 SR), Center Greg Oliver(6-0,275, and talented 3 year starter Christian Speight(6-4,305). The run game returns RB Joshua Isaac(who ran for 800 yards in 2023), (5-6,150), and returns the powerful talented RB/LB Damari Drake(6-0,215), the next big time DI player from the program.The Speed of the skill spots at WR is off the charts as a group lead by WR Nate Green 4.45 speed or better, WR Johnny Casey 4.45 or faster, WR DeMarkus Evans 4.3 speed,and 2nd year starter WR Charlie Abraham 4.5 speed.There’s also talented young player Cardarillo Coleman who will start both WR & CB for the team.The Offense also returns TE/FB Nick Lopez (6-2,225). The Defense like the Offense will have many new faces and a few players starting both sides of the football at times. The Defensive Line will have the look and size of some of the old D Lines that have come out of the school with players like new starter DE T. J Grider(6-3,230 SR) 4.6 speed, DT Ashton Dawson (6-3,280), DT Donnie Shavers, Christian Speight, DT Caleb Duncan, new starter LB Shawn Boston(6-1,200 SR), LB Javion Wilson, 2 way starter LB Damari Drake 4.55 speed, CB Johnny Casey also a WR, Safety Bradon Stephens a new starter, Safety Jayden Rapiel lead team in interceptions in 2023, and new starter CB Solomon Jammer(5-10,155 SR). Special Teams returns a DI sleeper at Kicker/Punter in 4 year starter Kaegan Kent(5-10,165 Sr), with a big time leg. The team also has a pretty good Long Snapper in Weston Johnson.

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Haughton Buccaneers

Head Coach Matthew Sewell (1st Year)

2023 Record:4-6

2023 Playoffs:

2024 Playoffs:Non-Select

Key players Graduated:

Team Outlook: “ We lost our QB from 2023 who had 18 Touchdown Passes and 30 total TDS on offense will concentrate on baseball now Christian Turner. We will have a young team in 2024. Playing a lot of So’s and younger players but will build around a pretty good young QB. We do have some older players SR’s on the Offensive & Defensive Lines moving forward,” said coach Sewell. New Head Coach Matthew Sewell takes over as Head Coach but was the 2023 Offensive Coordinator for the program. Coach Sewell graduated from Haughton HS so it’s a pretty smooth transition for the new Head Coach as also a alumnas.The Offense will build around QB Taylor Weathersby, who actually started a game in 2023. The WR group will start off with Zu Davis(5-11,160) averaged over 19 yards a catch in 2023, WR Ethan Johnson new starter, and WR/TE Boston Bockhaus(6-0,180) a Brandon Craig, and SR Davontay Moss(5-9,180) both talented new starters in the Offense that averaged over 400 yards a game combined in 2023.The Offensive Line returns 4 starters in OL Ryland Crawford, Brogan Dodd(5-10,230) SR, OG Cole Chontos (5-10,210) SR, and Pooh Davis(5-10,240) SR a 3 year starter.The Defense will be very young but there’s some players back to lead in DT Gus Beaty (5-11,195) SR, LB Harley Ingram(5-10,175) SR, SS Andrew Markray (5-11,175) SR All District player, CB Austin Walton(5-10,160), LB new starter Kendall Hargrove, new starter FS Kyron Turner, and LB/DB Jaxon Brazzel(5-9,170) SR. The new Kicker will be Jacob Wood(6-1,170) SR.

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Huntington Raiders

Head Coach Stephen Dennis(8th Year)

2023 Record:7-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost Woodlawn HS of Baton Rouge.

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players graduated: OL Quan Bradford(Harding U), LB/FB Michael Casey(Harding U), WR/CB Preston Summage(Centenary), and DT Bryan Rodrigues.

Team Outlook: "The program moves up from Class 4A to Class 5A in 2024. We will have another tough schedule in 2024 with non district games Calvary Baptist HS and West Monroe HS. The 2024 SR class will be the biggest SR group in the schools I've ever coached with 38 players. We are also excited because we will have 40 to 60 Freshman join us in Summer/Fall which will put us about 150 players in the program," said coach Dennis.

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The QB competition is between LJ White, a Senior, and Landon Gibbs, a Junior. Both QBs started games last year, Landon does have position flex to play WR and Kick Returner/Punt Returner as well. Darius Truvillion is an explosive sophomore QB in the pipeline that has the position flex to play WR while developing at the QB spot. There are a lot of positions still battling it out going into the Summer on Offense but WR’s Adrian Johnson 4.5 speed, WR/DB Tyler Welch will be playing both ways this year after playing exclusively on defense last few years, WR Jamarion Washington(5-9,180) SR, over 1,000 all purpose yards in 2023, and new starter WR Keiron Anderson (6-0, 180) SR, and RB’s Nyles Hullaby (6-0, 240) SR, and RB Kam’ron Davis(6-0, 215)SR, make up a pretty good Athletic group again. The Offensive Line will be the strength of the Offense with size and experience leadership back in OG Kevion Henry(5-9, 245) SR, 3 year starter 2 time All District, OL/DT Phillip Hayes (5-10, 285) SR, OT Bryson Spencer(6-4,285), and OC/OT Naki Reed (5-11,300 SR) tough kid. The Defense will be led by Nehemiah Barrett LB with over 22 Sacks in his HS career going into his SR season in 2024. The Defense will have a host of players led by DT Jatarian  Montgomery (5-10,235 SR) All District in 2023, DT Joshua Fisher(6-1, 285), OLB Charles Tool, SS Nicholas Brown(5-7,160 SR) leader 4.6 speed, SS William Daughtery(6-0,200 SR) 3 year starter, FS Ja’Kevion Spencer, and CB JaColvey Cooper(5-9,156 SR) a 2nd year starter.

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Natchitoches Central Chiefs

Head Coach Brad Laird (1st Year)

2023 Record: 2-8

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key players Graduated: WR Camrin Davis(Northwestern State), DE/OLB Braden Woods(Northwestern State, and OL Joe Cryer (Southern Mississippi).

Team Outlook: The Chiefs have a new Head Coach in former long- time Northwestern State College Football Head Coach Brad Laird. Laird also played football for Ruston HS as a QB and led his team to a State Title back in the day. “I think we will have close to 80 players on the varsity in the fall. The program had 3 losses in 2023 all by 1 point. “The District will be tougher with Evangel & Huntington now in the District. “The future is bright. Our best players mostly are in the So class in 2024 with only 11 seniors coming back. We return a really good QB who was 5th in the State in passing in 2023. The program has guy’s who work hard and are eager to do well from what I have seen. “Coach Curtis built a work ethic here in a short time and you can see that in the program “I am excited to lead this program,” said coach Laird.

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The Offense has some talented experienced players back in QB Owen Smith threw for (2,382 yards & 22 Touchdowns) in 2023, WR Dylan Braxton(6-2,190 SR), RB Kelton Howard 4.45 speed, RB Amari Speed very fast player, and 2 way starter WR/FS Titus Williams(6-3,200 SR). The Offensive Line is very young but does return talented Cemarion McNeil(6-3,255). The Defense has a chance to be really good in the end. Leaders coming back to lead the Defense are FS Titus Williams, FS/SS Jeremy Lowe, LB Case Singeltary, CB Dru Brown SR, FS/SS Mason Britton, CB T. J Jernigan(6-1,170 SR), DT/NG JJ Palmer(6-1, 375 SR), and LB Tylan Walker(6-1,190 SR). Special Teams going into the Summer is wide open for starting spots and most of the Defensive Line.

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Parkway Panthers

Head Coach Coy Brotherton (5th Year)

2023 Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Belle Chasse HS.

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduated: FS Carter Wells(Southern Arkansas), DT BJ Patterson(Louisiana Christian), LB Amaray Brown, Kicker Aeron Burrell(LSU), DB Greg Chitman,WR Michael Collier(East Texas Baptist) OL Dolan Williams(East Texas Baptist) and DT Abd Zeidan.

Team Outlook: “We have 80 players for the Summer, plus 40 Freshman so the program will still have good numbers in 2024. We have a solid group of good players with a small SR class in 2024. “We do have some talented players coming up,but will need to build depth in the upcoming year Coach Brotherton said.”

The program had huge wins in 2023 over programs like Haughton HS, and Byrd HS. The Team will be lead on Offense by 2nd year starting QB Kaleb Williams, who has all the ability in the world to leave his mark like past QBs in the program.The Offense has some weapons in WR Josh Tell(5-3,135), RB Cameron Mayo 4.45 speed, RB/WR Antonio Gladney 4.5 speed,RB/LB C. J Dudley(6-1,215 SR),WR Chase Crowder(5-8,160 SR), WR Miachi Harris McGee(5-8,170 Sr), TE/FB Drayden Davis(6-0,230), and TE/FB Kameron Blackshire(5-11,230 SR). The Offensive Line has some size back and some experience in OL Ethan Plunkett(5-10,230 SR), Center Pat Gray(6-2,300), and new starters OT Jax Gallier(6-4,310 Sr), OL Chase Brown(5-11,270 Sr), and OL Chris Green(6-2,310). The Defense will be led by sleeper DT, 3 year starter Devon Oliver(6-3,290), LB 2 way starter C.J. Dudley, LB Mark Copenhaver(5-8,190), LB Christian Harris(5-8,175 SR), DE/DT Korde Sharp(6-0,270), Safety Trenton Howard(5-10,165 Sr) and 2 way star CB/RB Cameron Mayo(5-10,170 Sr) a big time player for this program. Going into the Summer Special teams at Kicker & Punter are wide open after 4 years of having Aeron Burrell starting for the program, has moved on to LSU.

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