Class 5A District 6

Written by Lee Brecheen

‍

Covington Lions

‍

Head Coach: Greg Salter (12th Year) 

2023 Record: 4-6

2023 Playoffs:

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key players Graduated: WR/DB Justin Chapman (Arkansas Monticello), RB David Harris (Southeastern), OT/TE Lawson Champagne (Northwestern State), DT Jamonti Bursh, QB Jerome Elzy and QB Brandon Coakley.

Team Outlook: “We will go to a 4 man front in 2024 on Defense new look. Last year was a tough year losing major leaders and starters to injuries by week 3. We hope to stay healthy in 2024. We were also able to play some younger players because of injuries which should help us in 2024 moving forward. We had a great Spring as a team and played in Spring game Warren Easton HS,” said coach Salter.

‍

The new starting QB will be Caden Heck who at (5-11, 165) SR has played a lot of football for the program and was mostly a DB in 2023. The skill spots have a chance to be strong with players like WR Jiwaun Brock, WR Amari Smith, Seth Stokes (5-10, 160) SR, RB Kylen Williams 4.45 speed, RB Jeremie Elzy (5-11, 170) SR, and RB Jake Ponpa new player will get reps. The Offensive Line will be returning a great player in OT Cameron McCann (6-2, 275), OT Abram Lewis (6-5, 320) another 3 year starter huge ability, Center Ty Sevin (5-10, 205)SR, OG Juan Areans (5-11, 240) SR and Landon Delatte (5-9, 245) great feet and leader. You also have a pretty good FB back in Matthew Pond (5-9, 190) SR.

‍

The Defense will return the leading tackler and leader from 2023 LB Chase Blackwell (5-9, 185) SR had 85 tackles to lead the team. Also back will be DT Max Guy, DE Christian Richoux (6-0, 195) SR, DE/OLB Termarkus Scott, DE Peyton Dwight, LB Steele Rogers 2nd year starter, FS Greyson Frederick 2nd year starter, SS/Nickel Bobby Barkley (5-9, 180) SR 2nd year starter, DT Addron Jackson, CB Alan Abdullah 2nd year starter, and Safety Ryan Jones (5-10, 165) SR with 4.6 speed Athlete. Special Teams starting at Kicker will be Jackson Aleman, and Punter will be SR Brady Graham (5-10, 160).

‍

Hammond

Head Coach: Dorsett Buckels (5th year)

2023 Record: 5-5

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select:

‍

Key players Graduated: WR Leon Winsberry, OL Nyreen Addison, DB Jermaine Davis (Southeastern), OL Shane Gardner (Southern U), RB Eli Johnson (Grambling), DE Corey Smith (Butler JC Kansas), DT Israel Amacker (Pearl River JC Mississippi) 

‍

Team Outlook: The program will build it’s team around QB Terin Jones. Jones has experience from the 2023 season and showed the ability to become a big time player. The Offense will be very strong at the RB position with a group to share carries in RB Andre Dillon (5-8, 150) SR, Quadrez Lewis, RB Trion Wise, and RB Zalen Bennett. The WR spot has one of the top players in the district back in Kenyetta Fleet (6-3, 187) SR 4.5 speed, and WR Kenyon Alexander (5-10, 175) SR 2nd year starter sleeper. The Offensive Line lost some experience but returned OG Jamir Francis (6-0, 300) SR, OG/LT Jermaine Brumfield, and OG Jayden Pickett. The program will have to rebuild there Defense but return some quality leaders in DT Darius Serbick (6-2, 270) SR big time player for the program, Fleet will also start at FS for the team, DE Melvin Wilson (5-11, 210)SR, FS Arnell Garner, and CB Nathaniel Webber. Special Teams should be known by end of Summer at Kicker & Punter.

‍

Mandeville Skippers

(Photo credits Lee Brecheen)

‍

‍

Head Coach: Craig Jones (2nd Year) 

2023 Record: 9-5

2023 Playoffs: Non-Select 1st Round beat Sam Houston HS 50-36, 2nd Round beat St. Amant HS 42-21, and 3rd Round beat Airline HS 56-50. 2024 Playoffs: Non-Select, and Semisfinals lost to Ruston HS 28-7. 

‍

Key players Graduated: WR Donovan McGowan (Pearl River Mississippi JC), DE Pierce Melancon (Milsaps), CB Elias Allen (Milsaps), FS Fisher Lalonde, SS Jacob Hoffstadt, CB Tasmin Showers, OL Cole Beecher, QB Caden Jacob, WR Nate Guidry, OG Spencer Davis, OG Caden Rogers, TE William Gammage, & WR Bobby Love. 

‍

Team Outlook: The Offense and Defense return enough starting leadership to have a shot to compete for everything again in 2024 like they did in 2023 a game away from the State Title game. The Offense returns QB Ben Hendricks (6-1, 185) who did not start till week 9 but lead the team to a 5-1 record and almost a dome appearance in 2023. One of the most skilled fast best players in the District playmakers is back in 3rd year starter All State in 2023 WR/FS Nate Shephard (6-0, 185) has legit 4.4 speed scored 36 Touchdowns with over 2,000 all purpose yards in 2023, and is different on the field with another gear than most. The Offense also has TE Parker Lanaux (6-2, 190) back blocker hands quick 4.65 speed, RB/SS Isaiah Baham (5-9, 175) SR had several 100 yard games in 2023 and averaged 11 yards per carry with 7 Touchdowns in 2023. The Offensive Line also returns sleeper 3 year starter OT Reagan Touchstone (6-2, 245), WR Ian Harryman, OT Brooks Lang (6-2, 260), Center Blaise Blackwell, with several spots on the Offensive Line and WR open going into August but talent in both spots to be strong in the end. The Defense returns 3 year starter DE Juan Canales (5-10, 245) really quick and strong talented DT Marques Zenon (6-0, 225) 12 sacks with 21 tackles for loss in 2023, LB Wyatt Hammant (5-9, 185) leader lead team in tackles in 2023 with 70 tackles and 8 tackles for losses. Theres also 2nd year starter LB Chase McCarthy (5-11, 200), CB/WR Michael White (5-11, 170) 2nd year starter 4.45 speed, FS Dylan Henry, Safety Montrell White, CB Tamaz Walker, CB Dylan Gali, DL Braxton Paddio (6-0, 240), DL Ashton Calderini, DL Chance Grant (5-8, 255), and DE Nick Ingram. Special Teams returns one of the best Kickers/Punters in the state in Creighton Wilbanks (5-11, 185) SR had 50 touchbacks in 2023, and averaged 40 yards per punt as a Punter. Long Snapper is Jax O’Quin a new starter. The return game will  have two of the best in the state return in speedsters Michael White and Nate Sheppard. All District White had 301 return yards in 2023 averaged 38.5 yards per return with 1 Touchdown on Special Teams. 

‍

Ponchatoula Green Wave

(Photo credits Lee Brecheen)

‍

Head Coach: Tim Walters (1st Year)2023 Record: 5-6

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Chalmette HS 35-28.

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key players Graduated: LB Albert Smith (Arizona State), LB/DE Jamaal Sapp (Jones Mississippi JC), QB Bishop Davis (Hutchinson Kansas JC), FS Jacob Pea, DE Troy Kee Butler, WR Brandon Matthews, OT Malcolm Chester, DB Wyatt Bennett, Kicker Ethan Lauricella, and DT Chrishad Lafrance

Team Outlook: “ We will have a RB by committee Offense in 2024. We will have a new QB. We lost 4 starters on the Offensive Line. ” We also only have 4 starters back on Defense. We do have 30 seniors coming back but not much experience coming back on varsity for the 2024 season, " said coach Walters. 

‍

The talent that does come back will be some very talented players to build a young team around. Key starters back are WR Cedric Braziel 4.45 speed DI 3 year starter (6-5, 200)SR, WR Cory Jackson (6-2, 190) SR big time player 2nd year starter, OLB Jayden Matthews (5-10, 190, ) SR, LB Jacob Robinson (6-1, 230)SR leader, OL Larry Fox (6-1, 285), RB Jace Jackson, RB Andrew Cangelosi, RB/WR Tyler Gallorado (5-6, 150) SR, DT Jacoby Berry (6-2, 330)SR talented lineman in the program, TE/WR Shawn Puissegur (6-1, 215) SR sleeper, DT Kerry Gardner (6-0, 260) SR, and FS Anthony Vinnett (6-0, 170) SR 3 year starter with 4.5 speed talented player for the program. New starters from Spring are Kicker Gavin Giannobile (5-10, 160) SR, CB Antonio Traxler (5-9, 160) SR, Safety Jiylon Jackson (5-9, 165) SR, MLB Layton Bazil lettered in 2023, CB Chad Mangosing, OG Elias Seirra (5-10, 230) SR, and OT Trey Ohler (6-0, 250) SR.

‍

St. Paul’s Wolves

(Photos taken by Joey Michel) 

‍

Head Coach: Ken Sears (26th year) 

2023 Record: 10-2 & 7-0 District

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Tioga HS and 2nd Round lost to Archbishop Rummel HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

‍

Key players Graduated: WR Jeb Reina, TE Matt Gower, OT/OG Cayden Arnold, WR Ben Buisson, LB Gavin Bourgeois, DB Tristan Davenport.

Team Outlook: “As always we have high expectations for this year’s team with a lot of players returning with some experience. We have a number of guys competing for starting jobs, particularly on the Offensive & Defensive Line with some solid depth on both. We expect to compete with everyone on our schedule and we’re really looking forward to seeing how far our senior class will lead us,” said coach Sears.  

The Offense will start with QB Brennan Keim (6-2, 205) SR a talented player with all the ability to become a great player for this program. Skill starters are, RB Troy Willis, RB/WR Cody Corales, TE Chase Ravain (6-3, 230)SR, TE Emerson Cochran (5-10, 200)SR, TE/FB Sam Bonaldi (6-0, 210)SR, WR Stone Celestin (5-11, 180)SR, WR Jake Walker (5-10, 165)SR, Brennan Villa, and WR Brady Pierson. The Offensive Line returns one starter but some talented young players in OL Drake Fielding (6-1, 245)SR, OL Nathanial Cannizaro (5-11, 250), OL Jacob Rebaudo (5-11, 250)SR, OL Matthew Blanchard (6-0, 235), OL Joel Scobel (6-2, 250), OL Andrew Shofstahl (6-3, 300), and OL Jordan Peco (5-10, 285). The Defense returns 6 starters in DT Alex Mott (6-0, 245), DT Gavin Ordoyne (6-1, 250) SR, DT Gage Brown, DT Perin Duhe (5-8, 250), and LB Cale Daigle (6-0, 215) SR. New starters on defense are DT Nathan Fegan (6-2, 275) SR, DE Brett West, DE Ashton Bedford (6-3, 230), LB Dylan Post, LB Brady Boyer, DB Carter Cambre, DB Jude Roberts, DB Aiden Brooks, DB Jacob Mitchell, and DB Deke Carpenter. Special Teams will be a strong point of the team in 2024 with both the Punter Andrew Iennusa, and Kicker Drew Talley (5-8, 145) SR both back as starters.

‍

‍

‍

‍