Class 5A District 3

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Written by Lee Brecheen

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Acadiana Wreckin Rams

Head Coach: Matt McCullough(7th year)

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2023 Record: 11-3

2023 Playoffs: State Runner up lost to Catholic HS of Baton Rouge 55-31

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players graduated: DE/DT Dominick McKinley(LSU), LB Amir Hill, LB Shamarius Harris,OG Mike Willis, OL Jackson Hammond, RB Ezekiel Hypolite, RB Cameron Menette.

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Team Outlook: “ We have a chance to be good with 16 starters back. We have a three year QB returning. We need to have a great Summer get better and develop some depth," said coach McCullough. 

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The Wreckin Rams have 6 State Titles in its resume and coach McCullough has already led this program to 2 State Titles in his young career. I think the program will challenge for his 3rd in 2024.The Offense returns leader and like coach said 3 year starting QB Caden DiBetta(6-2,200) SR with a good arm and really tough kid and can run when chased out the pocket. The skill talent coming back has a chance to be as good as any this program has had as a group in 2024 lead by Athlete/RB/WR Russell Babineaux(5-9,175) SR with 4.4 speed big time playmaker and 4 year starter, WR Collin DiBetta 4.5 speed also some Wildcat QB,RB Tayden Collins(5-10,178,), RB Jonah Gauthier(5-8,190) lettered in 2023, RB Parker Bruno (5-11,185) SR, WR Leland Andrus, and other young players fighting for reps. The Offensive Line has experience and leadership back in OG Brody Estes(5-10,235), OG Braxton Scriber(5-11,260) SR, Center Robert Welch(5-11,235), OT/TE Gavin Foreman(6-3,245), OC/OG Tayshawn Benjamin(5-11,220), OT Owen Carpenter(5-11,235), and Athletic TE blocker WR Jaydon Bessard(6-4,225) SR.The Defense though losing some really great players has a chance to be better in 2024. The Defense will be lead by their front 7 again with players like DT Vallen Charles(6-0,275), DE/DT Jayden Lawrence(6-0,260), SR, DE Darryus McKinley(6-4,260) big time upside, LB Dajon Francis(5-10,185,), LB Keldrick Francis(6-0,205) new starter, DE Amarion Cooper(6-1,215), MLB Gavin Coleman(5-10,185) lettered in 2023, DT Jayden Carmouche(6-0,235) SR, CB Dayln Lewis(5-11,175) All State in 2023, Safety Braylon Noel(5-11,175) 4.5 speed, Safety Keeman Thibodeaux(5-11,175) big time hitter SR 4.5 speed, CB Keyon Leday, and others will give this team a chance to go back for a title opportunity. Special Teams you have K/P Edgar Hernandez (6-1,165) sleeper college prospect and Punter Ty Larmintina really talented young player. Long Snapper you have Gavin Foreman who does a great job.

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Barbe Buccaneers

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Head Coach: Dennis(Skeet) Owens(3rd year)

2023 Record: 6-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Zachary HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key players graduated: LB/DE Classie Ballou Jr. (LSU), DB Darryl Washington (Southern U Track), OLB/DE Michael Fulton (Southern U Track).

Team Outlook: “ We lost our QB early in the season in 2023 with an injury in the Jamboree, and ended up playing a young QB who did a great job. We got to taste the playoffs for the first time in 3 years. We will need to play well in 2024 right out of the gate in a tough District and tough schedule,” coach Owens said.

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The 2024 schedule will be tough but the program’s numbers are back up to close to 90 players for fall. A lot of experience comes back on offense starting with QB Jelandon Gray started as a Freshman in 2023 did a great job.The skill talent will be lead by RB veteran starter Eric Jones(5-10,175), ran for over 1,000 yards in 2023, talented RB/WR DeMarcus Bryant(5-8,160) recovered from a injury in 2023, RB Landon Kirtland, WR/DB 2 way starter Dane Dixon(5-11,165) a 4 year starter, WR Luke Lege(5-10,175) 25 plus catches in 2023, WR/RB talented Jordan Griffin 4.45 speed, and 2nd year starter with 25 plus catches in Myles Ledoux. The Offensive Line returns 4 Seniors leaders in OT Kamarii Smith(6-0,285), Cooper Hughes(6-2,270), OG Jake leger(6-0,255), and Center Blake Rogers(6-0,260).The Defense will return some talented players in DT Courtlan Houston(6-2,285) leader, LB Hayden Bissenberger(5-11,195) leader SR, LB/DE Bryce Richard(6-1,215) talented sleeper, DE Lucas Puckett (6-0,220), LB Eli Simenoux (5-10,180), FS/SS Jack Cunningham (5-6,155) best player on Defense, CB/Safety McKaden Ryan (5-9,155), CB Tristain Bilbo, and CB Landen Glynn. Special Teams will be strong again led by K/P Jace Vasquez (6-1,180).

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Carencro Bears

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Head Coach: Gavin Peters(1st Year)

2023 Record: 9-3

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Acadiana HS 14-7

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players graduated: TE/RB Kameron Cyprien (Coffeyville JC KS), RB Cashmire Batiste, WR/CB Austin Dyson, OC Darion Gabriel, DT Caleb Williams, WR/RB Joni Martin

Team Outlook: “We will build our program around our QB Chantz Babineaux. We had a great Spring & Summer. We will have 27 Juniors play in 2024. We started 4 Freshman and 1 So on the Offensive Line in the Spring,” coach Peters said.

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The Bears will start the season off against State Champion ST.Thomas More HS in a non District game in 2024.The Offense will return 3 year starting QB Chantz Babineaux, who is one of the top players in Louisiana. This kid is special and competes at a high level. The skill talent around Babineaux will have speed in WR/RB Kendrick Bernard 4.53 forty 3 year starter, WR Kydon Davis has DI talent, two way starter Lance Hayes (6-1,175) recovered from a injury in 2023, TE/OL Kelvin Helaire,TE Kaiden Castille(6-2,215), RB/LB 2 way starter Tevontray Jackson 4.5 speed, RB/LB Brian Amune 4.55 speed runs with power, and WR/CB Anarre Dennis.The Offensive Line is young but talented lead by OL/DL Jacorde Roy, Damarion Green, Center Oamarion Clark new starter, OL Danny Fuselier, OL Gaven Joseph, and TE Kelvin Helaire will play some OL for team.The Defense will be young but out of the gate lead by DE Jakalyn Roy a All District player (6-0,190) with a incredible motor, DE/DT Khaymen George also a OL, MLB Timothy Wiggly, LB Brandon Rawls, FS Rontrell Woods a 3 year starter ball hawk, CB Brian Angelle, DE Jaelan Roberts (6-2,205) and 2 way starters DT Jacorde Roy, LB Brian Amune, LB Tevontray Jackson and CB Anarre Dennis. Special Teams returns All District Kicker and 4 year starter Jude Doucet (6-3,180), who can also play some WR for the team if needed.

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Lafayette Lions

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Head Coach: Garrett Kreamer(2nd year)

2023 Record: 3-7

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players graduated: DT Zion Bowie, CB Darrell Simmons, LB Dillon Pradier.

Team Outlook: The Lafayette program coach is working hard as are the kids to get the program back solid in a really tough Football District in the State.The program has three capable QB’s in returning starter SR WR/QB Kevon'te Landry (6-3,195,) a 3 year starter with tons of ability if not QB to play WR and maybe some Defense for the program.There’s also QB John Carney who has experience and talented young QB/Athlete Richmond Saunier.The Offense also returns skill players Athlete/RB Jaron Sallier(5-4,155),RB Xzaban Williams, Athlete Elijah Goodie, WR Bryson Lee, WR Braeden McCarty, WR Jamieom Brown, and WR Kamari Boyd. The Offensive Line will be one of the best spots on the team lead by OG George Gettridge (5-11,245), Center Mar’quaylin Joseph (5-9,245,), OT De’marius Gordon (6-4,315), and OT Mark Schroeder(6-2,235). The Defense will start off with leaders MLB Samuel Puzzi (5-10,205), LB Joshua Prudhomme (6-0,210), sleeper CB Jason Coleman (6-1,180), CB leader Zane Chevalier (5-8,145), FS Reginald Alexander, and OLB Kameron Johnson-Cobb (5-9,160). Special Teams returns Kicker Dylan Doiron (5-8,160) a SR with a good leg.

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New Iberia Yellow Jackets

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Head Coach: Joshua Lierman(3rd year)

2023 Record: 2-8

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players graduated: DB Lemarionze Allen, QB/Athlete Allen Hamilton, DE Barrett Vice, DB Dwayne Scott and WR/RB Tristan Layne.

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Team Outlook: “A lot of Seniors back on Offense we have a chance to be pretty good with the whole Offensive Line back too. We return I think one of the best RB’s I have coached in my 20 years in SR Shanga Charles. Our Football numbers of players is up to close to 80 players for the Summer in 2024. Shanga ran basically, had some games with 35 attempts a game All District leader for this team,” says coach Lierman. 

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The Offense has a QB battle between two kids Kaiden McGlasson, and Peyton Landry both talented players in the program. Both will see the field when one’s not at QB you will see both players starting somewhere. The run game will be featured RB Shanga Charles, who ran for over 1,000 yards in 2022 and in 2023. All District both years and the heart and soul of this team. The Offense also has WR/DB Dameon Polite (5-9,160) SR, WR/DB Synjaya Hamilton and a few younger kids battling for spots on Offense at both RB and WR. The Offensive Line like coach said is the strongest position on the team with anyone back like Kordell Charles, OL Landon Harmon (6-2,315) SR, OL Myles Theriot (6-0,230), OL Xavier Mogerman (6-2,315), and OL Kohen Bourque (6-0,240). The Defense will be very young to start off but return key players in DE Theacie Broussard (6-3,215), LB Dakota Alexander (6-0,210), and DB Greg Brooks (6-1,195) sleeper with 4.5 speed. Special Teams you have Kicker Marshall Moore (5-9,150) SR, and Long Snapper Myles Theriot.

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Sam Houston

Head Coach: Chad Davis(3rd year)

2023 Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Mandeville HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players graduated: DE Caleb Lemonier (Feather River College Ca), OL Connor Long(McNeese State)OL Connor Ducote (Marines), LB Wyatt Fontenot(McNeese State), LB Elijah Fontenot.

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Team Outlook: “Excited for this group of kids coming up Senior’s. These kids SR’s have played a lot of football. A lot of leadership with great work ethic with these Senior’s it's incredible to see. These kids hold each other accountable," said coach Davis. 

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The Offense in 2024 will be one of the best in Lake Charles and in the State in the upcoming year. QB Gavin Stout returns as a 3 year starter should break every QB record for the school in his SR season in 2023 passed for 1,852 yards with 24 touchdowns and ran for 153 yards with 1 touchdown and only 3 interceptions. WR Ty Stout(6-0,175), Gavin's brother has great hands and can run. RB Drew Bailey returns, had 1,300 yards rushing with 14 Touchdowns in 2023 and runs with power. You also have WR/RB returning starter Drew Dronet (5-9,172), WR Ayden Rose (6-2,175), RB Emmanuel Hanney 4.59 speed, and TE Cole Flangan (6-2,225). The Offensive Line will be lead by 4 year starter OG Jack Davis(6-1,270 SR), OL Sway Miller(5-10,270), Center Ethan Monceaux (6-0,255), OC/OG Ulysses Mairena (5-10,265), Athlete Gavin Breaux (6-1,220), and OT Tyler Strickland (6-2,250). The Defense will miss some leaders that have graduated but return a really good group with experience in LB Keaton Sonnier (5-11,225) tough leader, OLB Kaiden Guillory, LB Cameron Mayo, LB Brody Simon(5-10,205) SR, DE Romalis Jackson(6-3,230) sleeper, DE Donovan Long (6-2,245), DT Hunter Dautriel (6-2,255), gifted DE/DT Albert Simien (6-5,285), SS big time hitter SS Cooper Smith (6-1,190) with 8 interceptions in 2023, FS/SS talented J’Sonte Duhon(6-1,190) with 4.5 speed, DT Jeremy Jones(5-9,235), CB Carter Malveaux (5-11,170), and CB Phillip O’Neal (5-10,160). Special Teams will be strong with the return of Kicker/Punter Wilson Bell.

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Southside

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Head Coach: Jess Curtis

2023 Record: 8-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Thibodaux HS. 2nd Round lost to Airline HS 36-35

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players graduated: QB Andrew Angelle, P/K Brayden Guilbeau, RB Vernell Joseph, DE/: B Corey Ledet, OL Joseph Edmonds, WR Wyatt Gibbens.

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Team Outlook: “ We are continuing our growth, kids here are tough kids. We will run the flex-bone Offense. I think we can be at Acadiana HS level really soon in terms of competing for Championships and doing it every year. The program is close to getting there. Coach Fontenot did a great job with the program before me as the Head Coach here. We have the support in the community, faculty, and the players all want to win and win Championships. Lee, we will start out with a fall Scrimmage against Catholic HS of Baton Rouge, Jamboree against St.Thomas More, week 1 play Notre Dame of Crowley HS, week 2 non district will play Neville HS to get us ready for the District,” coach Curtis said. 

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The Offense which I saw in 2023 in person has one of the best RB’s in the state back in SR Ramon Singleton (6-1, 210) ran for 1, 200 yards with 22 Touchdowns in 2023, with power and speed. You have a new QB in Cruz Holden (5-10, 168), or Parker Diez (5-10, 160) both Athlete’s competing and one will end starting somewhere else at a skill spot for the team. The run game also has talented Kaden Alexander Williams 4.49 speed, WR Ryan Sealy, WR Devin Rudd, WR Dakota Romero (5-9, 175), WR Xavien Simmons, RB/LB Shamar Broussard (6-1, 205), RB/FB Dontavian Jean-Battiste, and two talented TE’s in Kade Fontenot (6-1, 215, )and TE Ashton Labit (6-1, 210). The Offensive Line returns leaders OT Luke Dutil (6-2, 260), OG Keith Lopez (6-1, 275), and newcomers OL/TE Presley James Battey (6-0, 220), and OT Esai Gonzales. The Defense will be lead by LB returning starter David Cooper (6-0, 205), FS All District 2 times Carson Goulas (5-8, 150) best player in Louisiana under 160 pounds, big time CB Derrick Collins returning starter (5-11, 170), DE Jayden Hypolite (6-5, 215)talented, SS Earl Perro (5-9, 190)hitter, SS Emanuel Collins great Athlete, LB Jaik Chadwick tough 4.6 speed, DT Gavyn Kern (6-3, 270)(3 Sacks in 2023), CB Kameron Allen, CB Davin Capdeville, DE Ethan Jackson Roque (6-0, 210), and DT Alex Boutarath (5-11, 265). Special Teams you have the talented Kicker Grant Burras.

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Sulphur Tors

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Head Coach: Cody Gueringer (2nd year)

2023 Record: 4-6

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players graduated: QB Addison Constance, WR Austin Babaz, DB Jace Keiser, and Greyson Stelly.

Team Outlook: The Tors will bring back a team with many starters back on both sides of the football in 2024. The new QB to lead the team will be SR Brodie Depriest (5-9, 170) who has experience at the position. The run game will return most of the production from 2023 in Tyler Joubert ran for 655 yards with 4 Touchdowns in 2023, RB Luke Clark ran for 396 yards with 4 Touchdowns and FB Dax Duhon returns at (5-10, 190). The WR spots you have SR Jackson Beddoe, WR Ian Malone (6-0, 160) SR 26 catches for 326 yards with 2 Touchdowns in 2023, WR Hayden Sumpter (6-1, 170), and one of the best TE’s in the State in 4 year starter JD Lafleur (6-6, 250)SR 46 catches for 695 yards and 8 Touchdowns in 2023. The Offensive Line will consist of Center Beckham Levens (6-0, 210), OG Jarred Abshire (6-0, 210), OG Troy Gann (5-11, 230), OT Cole Benoit (6-5, 265), and OT Logan Hines (6-3, 255). The Defense will start 8 Seniors with some younger players mixed in. The starters coming out of the Summer are DE Jay Michael Stelly (5-10, 210) 55 tackles in 2023, DE Tahjai Smith (5-10, 210) 4 Sacks in 2023, DT Drake Mays (5-10, 245), LB Wesley Bushnell, LB Cardale Morgan (6-0, 190), LB Davin Lee-Stevens (5-8, 180), DB Tripp Shaw (5-10, 175), SS Isais Lebaron (6-0, 175) SR 33 tackles & 1 Interception in 2023, DB Tracy Washington, DB Mason DePriest (5-9, 170), and DB Jasper Grimball (5-11, 175). Special you have K/P Paxton VanMetre (5-10, 180) SR with a good leg. Special Teams in the return game you have SR Slade Shove-Knox (6-1, 185), Ian Malone, and Jackson Beddoe.

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