District 4 Class 5A

Written by Lee Brecheen

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Catholic Bears

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Head Coach: Hudson Fuller (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 12-3

2023 Playoffs: State Champions (Schools 5th State Title in Football.

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key players graduated: RB Barry Remo (Southern U), QB Daniel Beale (ULL), WR Bradley Wright (ULL), DE Lance Zimmerman, DB Jaylon Wood(Southern U), DB Colin Coates, DT Blair Rousseau, LSP/WR Brooks Wright (Houston Baseball), DB Derald Spears

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Team Outlook: “Really felt good to win the State Title in 2023 after starting 1-3 on the season. We have a fair amount of players coming back with experience and some open spots going into the Summer to win. “I love the attitude of the team and our players are focused for the 2024 upcoming season," said coach Fuller.

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I had a chance to see the team up close in Spring and went to a practice in full pads. I was very impressed with the talent both sides of the ball and skill talent is as good as any in the state with speed and depth at both RB & WR. The key to this year’s team for the first time in 4 years is picking a QB to go with by week 1 there’s a battle among 4 talented players Baylor Graves, Turner Goldsmith, James Perndarvis, and Pierce Thompkins. The rest of the Offense again will be one of the best in the state again lead by WR Amari Clayton (6-2, 195) SR 4.45 speed, WR Chase Cathey (6-2, 200)SR, WR Cohen Leblanc (5-10, 170, ), RB Jeremy Fisher Jr. (5-9, 170) 4.55 speed, RB Jayden Miles future star, RB Rylan Parker (5-9, 170) 4.55 speed, and others competing for minutes. The Offensive Line returns some big time players in OT Blaise Thomassie (6-5, 265), OC/OG Erv Smith (6-2, 285) SR sleeper college player, OL Karson Johnson-Harris (6-2, 260) SR, OC/OG John Joffrien (6-1, 245), TE/FB Porter Foret (5-11, 215)SR, TE Michael Griggs (6-2, 225) SR sleeper, TE Jude Chamberlin, and battle for 5th spot on the OL  was open going into the Summer. The Defense will return some of the best Defensive backs in the State to lead this program. Brothers Jacob & Blaine Bradford both starters since there Freshman season rare at Catholic HS are special players Jacob is a (6-1, 180) SR, and Blaine is a (6-2, 200) Junior in 2024. You also have DB Cayden (CJ) Jones (6-1, 185) DI sleeper SR, Safety Sam Norman (5-10, 175) SR, Safety Harrison Kidder, and Ian Locklar all capable of being All District players. The Defensive Line will be young but there’s talent to build from with returning 3 year starter SR OLB/DE R. J Fleming (6-3, 220) 4.6 speed DI stuff, DT Logan Nquyen (6-0, 215), DT Corey Hatch (6-0, 230) SR, DT Oliver Sabine (5-10, 250), and DE Jayden Vessel. The rest of the Defense you have LB John Russel Demoss, DE 2 way player Michael Griggs Jr, LB Max Maurer (5-11, 198), and coach told me 8 more players competing to start at LB. Special Teams always strong at Catholic of BR you have another DI SR Kicker/Punter in Sean Perret (5-10165, ), K/P Channer Forbes, who can handle Extra Points, and also competing at Punter is Weston Jones (6-1, 190).

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Central Wildcats

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Head Coach: David Simoneaux (2nd year)2023 Record: 9-4

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Dutchtown HS.

Key players graduated: RB Damion Blocker, RB/LB Kyle Veal, Center Andrew Richard (Louisiana Tech), DE Braylon George (Grambling) TE Aidan Wilkinson (Southeastern)

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Team Outlook: “We lost key pieces. We feel confident  we have players to step up to fill those roles. We had a great Spring” said coach Simoneaux. 

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The program had an incredible year beating Neville HS in the 1st Round at Neville HS which was big for this program and came close during the season to beating Zachary 35-28 at Zachary in 2023 They also had a great game against Catholic HS of BR losing 43-32. The Offense returns i think one of the best QB’s in the State in SR Jackson Firmin (6-3, 200). Jackson threw for over 2, 000 yards in 2023 and ran for 0ver 500 yards. The run game returns big time player Manny Williams (5-7, 180) ran for close to 500 yards in 2023. You also have RB Marvin Joseph, and a strong WR group in Keithan Womack, Kylan Thomas (6-0, 175), WR Maurice Stewart (5-8, 155) and others getting reps. The Offensive Line will still be strong with players like Center new starter Landon Crochet, OC/OT Grant Harris, OC/OG Brayden Ringe (6-0, 275), and OL John Cummings (6-1, 245). You also have 2 pretty good TE/FB’s in Ty Williams, and Jaydon Garnett both over 210 pounds.

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The Defense front seven will have the size to compete again in the tough Class 5A world lead by DE D. K Mays (6-4, 265) big time player for this program, DE Connor Scott (6-1, 215), DT Devin Reed, DT James Montoya (5-11, 270), and OLB/DE Alex Stewart. The Linebackers group you have OLB J. D Mays back had 120 tackles in 2023 tackling machine leader, LB Jake Jarreau, tough kid, and others battling for time. The Defensive Backfield you have some very good tough players with speed in CB Steven Ranel (6-2, 190), CB Blaysen Stokan (5-10, 175), and Safety/CB Keon Coverson (5-10, 170). Special Teams returns Kicker Nathan Zimmer (6-2, 180)SR in his 3rd year as the starter has a college leg.

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Liberty Magnet Patriots

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Head Coach: Andy Boone (1st Year) 

2023 Record: 2-8

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: OL Keydren Holliday(Southern U), WR Heisman Griffin, DB Michiah Stewart, and OL Jayden Downey.

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Team Outlook: “I’ve always coached at small schools. Knowing that I am at a bigger school is exciting with more players than I’m used to. I think it's a positive to play the Zachary’s of the world, that's why I took this job to play the best on the field as a coach.”

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The Offense will be led by QB James Owen Ellis going into year two as the QB. The Offense will be more of a Double Tight Double Wing like coach used at Avoyelles HS for many years (14 total), so a few players will get the ball on the ground and you might see as many as 8 RB’s in the Offense. The program will have close to 80 players come fall including some very talented Freshman. Some of the key backs I saw in practice early on and this list might grow after you read this are RB Jeremiah Lutcher (5-9, 170) returning starter 700 yards & 3 Touchdowns in 2023, RB Zaian Foster 2nd year in program 4.45 speed, FB/FB Cole Pierce (5-8, 195), RB Ty Campbell (5-10, 185) SR 4.5 speed, FB Collin Stephenson (6-0, 240) and RB Dedrick Welch SR coming back off an injury will be a part of this run game too. The Offense when they do throw the football you have options in WR/DB Asante Williams (5-11, 185) 3 year starter and big time DB, WR/SS Colin Bennett (5-10, 170) SR, and WR/DB/KR Tyler Camble (5-10, 175) a 2nd year starter with 4.5 speed or better. The Offense Line will be young but does return DI starter OT Roman Jenkins (6-5, 240), OL Ahmad Zidan, OC/OG Harland Cyprian, TE Andre Arapovic (6-3, 215)SR, TE Kingston Duhon (6-3, 220)and a few younger OL will battle for playing time.

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The Defense will have a mixture of older and younger players playing for the first time and in time they have a chance to be pretty good. The Defense will be led by DE/LB Jamie Covington Jr (6-2, 238) who can run a 4.55 forty and looks to have a breakout year for the team. The rest of the Defense you have DT Charles Ross II (5-7, 265) nicknamed Bulldog, CB Ashton Lafleur, LB/DE Keith Joseph 4.6 speed, DT/OL Ahmad Zidah (6-1, 330), CB Amir Franklin Sanders a 3 year starter (6-1, 170) 4.5 speed, DT Cornell Oby (6-0, 245), Safety 3 year starter Ashton Sanders (6-0, 175) 4.5 speed, DE/TE Kingston Duhon, Safety Colin Bennett, DT/OL Harland Cyprian (5-11, 300), LB/TE Khavalli Williams should be back (6-3, 225) SR 2nd year starter, 2 way starter OT/DE Roman Jenkins (6-5, 240) sleeper recruit, Safety Tavarius Brown, and a few younger players mixed in still competing as we type this preview.

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Scotlandville Hornets 

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Head Coach: Ryan Cook (3rd year) 

2023 Record: 1-9

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key players graduated: DB Broderick Davis (TN Track), RB Kyrie Langley (Mississippi Valley State Track & Football), LB Jayden Cook (Northwestern State), OL Lonnie Brand, DE Tyler Knighten, LB Jeremiah George, DE Fred Hitchens.

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Team Outlook: “We are a young team but very talented. A Lot of players come back with experience though still young overall,”  said coach Cook. 

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The Program will be young for the second year in a row and numbers are going back up but still will play a lot of new players for the first time. The program will need a big year from 2nd year starter QB Jenard Green, a very talented player with a good arm. The rest of the players the program will need a big year from are WR/FS/CB Fezell Shephard (6-3, 200) SR one of the top Athletes in Louisiana in both Track & Football. Shepherd runs a legit 4.45 forty and should have a great year on both sides of the football for the Hornets. You also have WR Terrence Smith Jr All District in 2023(5-11, 180) 4.5 speed, WR Dwayne Ben great hands fast, RB/OLB Darien London (5-9, 205)strong power with speed played a lot in 2023, RB/WRDontrell Waldon 4.45 speed, Center Damon Granger (6-0, 300) SR, OT Kentrell Kador (6-4, 295)SR, OG/OT Caleb Levy, OT Dontrell Turner, OG Jacob Clark, and OG Isiah Stewart (6-3, 340) all players over 300 pounds each. Defense you have DE Caden Knighten back at (6-2, 225) SR 4.7 speed Athletic, OLB Creighton Stewart (6-1, 195) SR 4.6 speed, CB Jeffrey Tate (5-9, 178) 3 year starter 4.59 speed, Safety Christopher London tough hitter back, and WR/DB Brenden Perkins tough hard worker player both sides of the football. Special Teams was wide open after Spring going into the Summer. There’s also a few spots open going into the Summer for some new players to win spots.

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Woodlawn Panthers

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Head Coach: Scott M Pellegrin (1st year)2023 Record: 4-8

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round win over Scotlandville HS 24-20, and 2nd Round loss too Edna Karr HS 50-0

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players Graduated: OL CJ May, LB Alex Collins, LB Chris Cooper, WR Justyca Turner, WR/CB Tyler Knox, QB Myron Nelson

Team Outlook: “We have kids that want to play football. The program did not have a Spring for football. Summer program players are serious about accountability and getting better,” coach Pellegrin said.

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I had a chance to visit the program this Summer meet the team and coaches, impressed with everyone and feel there’s an energy to get back to a high level. Coach Pellegrin comes over from East Ascension HS where he coached LB’s and was Defensive Coordinator from 2020 to 2023. He's a bright young coach and I think a great hire.

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The Offense will have QB Courtland Brownfield back for his SR year (6-1, 1800) great player and this is his year to shine and lead this young team. RB Jacob Jolla is a fast SR (5-10, 180) with legit 4.4 speed coming back to start 3rd year. The WR position will be one of the more talented spots on the team led by WR Ryan Brown (5-6, 150) SR 4.45 speed, WR Cayden Randell talented, WR Ma’Kahi Wilson (6-0, 198) SR sleeper, TE Elijah Clark (6-3, 190) SR, and WR Kydell Miner (6-0, 165) SR. The Offensive Line will be lead by Center returning starter Dwayne Beverly Jr (5-10, 290)SR, OL Kayden Lege (6-1, 325) SR, OL Cornelius Sermon (6-2, 325) SR sleeper, OT James Frake, and rest of the spots are open as I am typing to win in the Summer. The Defense returns come leaders in Safety/CB Caleb Cooper a 3 year starter (5-9, 175) big time hitter, DE/DT Cameron Joyner, CB Keylan Sonnier (5-9, 155)SR, LB Michael Barner (5-7, 180) SR, Cainen Jermain O’Neal (6-0, 190) SR, DE/OLB Tyrone Morgan, DT Craig Dunn (5-10, 232) SR, DE/OLB Chase Walker (6-4, 215)SR, CB//Safety Brennan Lamotte (6-1, 180) SR new starter, DE/OLB Cedric Jones, CB Jordan Burner (5-10, 165) SR, and DT Tyrus Harris (6-0, 245) and several more players will fight for starting jobs in the Summer not yet announced. Special Teams will be lead by Kicker Klayton Tate (5-7, 150) SR 2nd year starter. You also have Long Snapper Michael Barner back as a SR.

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Zachary Broncos

Head Coach: David Brewerton (11th year) 

2023 Record: 12-2

2023 Playoffs: Runner Up in Class 5A. Lost to Ruston HS 31-17.

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: LB Ethan Veal (ULL), WR/FS Luke Wisham (ULL), TE/WR Trey’dez Green (LSU), OT Kavion Broussard (Ole Miss), CB Dave Peterson, LB Kameron Peterson, RB Kameron Thomas (Arkansas State), QB Hudson Spangler, DB Dillan Durand, WR Tyson George (Grambling State), LB Stetson Bell.

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Team Outlook: The Zachary program in the last 10 years is one of the best in the South playing in 5 State Title games, winning 4 out of the 5, and averaging over 11 wins a year for the last 10 years. The staff and community in Zachary work hard and have special people in place to support their program. I had a chance to see the team in Spring and they look like a program that is not going anywhere and have a chance to play for a 5th State Title in 2024 and their 6th appearance in 11 years. The program beat some great teams in 2023 ST. Augustine, West Monroe, Central, Barbe, Salmen, Destrehan, and Duthctown and only lost 2 games won in overtime to Catholic HS BR 35-28 and State Title game against Ruston HS.

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The Offense will have a new QB and in the lead for the job going into the fall will be Caleb Gonzales, who has lettered and seen time in games and knows the system. The run will have options in Da’Veion Ruffin (5-10, 185)SR, RB Nate James (5-8, 190), and look for some younger players to compete for that 3rd spot in Summer. The passing game lost a lot of experience at WR but return some talented players in WR Christian Brooks, SR Jaiden Cockerham (5-10, 165), WR/RB Tre’lan Septs (5-10, 160) in line to be the third back 4.5 speed, WR Trey Chaney (5-9, 185)SR, WR Trikoby Rheames and WR Asher Carter. The Offensive Line lost some experience but like WR return some really good players in OG Keidrick Bailey, center Braeden White, OT Clifton Webb (6-4, 275) sleeper DI player, and OL Ian Boyd (6-2, 270).

The Defense will have the potential in time to be pretty good after losing several starters from the 2023 team. Up front the Defense will be led by DT Sean Hamilton (6-2, 270)SR really talented player, DT Michael Thomas, DE Cartier Brown, DT Javon Dent (5-11, 270)SR, DE Detroy Posey (6-3, 210), and DT Calvin Duncan. The rest of the Defense you have LB Michael Septs (6-0, 205)SR, LB Dylan Shelmire leader, OLB Isaiah Stokes new starter 4.5 speed, MLB Tyson Kimble, LB Donovan Beathly, Safety Camorie KcKnight (5-9, 170), Safety Clyde Jones, CB Kenjaylen Nixon (5-8, 165) SR, CB Xakarri Hogan, and Safety Galen Conrad a big time player. Special Teams one of the best Kickers returns in his 2nd year to start Rafael Costa (6-3, 198).

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