District 8 Class 5A

By Lee Brecheen

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Central Lafourche Trojans

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Photographers Megan Freeman and Lanie Eschette

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Head Coach: Shelly Vedros (3rd year) 

2023 Record: 1-9

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: DE Shane Williams, RB/WR Porter Zeringue, LB/RB Ryan Naquin, WR Mason Sherrill, LB Kendall Liner, QB Makia Slayton, 

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Team Outlook: “We are going to be a lot better. We have leadership with our seniors group. SR’s have experience and we have improved numbers. Three years ago we had 60 players and now we have close to 100 players in the program. I am excited about our team said,” coach Vedros. 

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QB Jeremy Cleveland will return as the starter a really good Athlete getting better every day. The skill talent has some guys in RB Alex Cressonie, WR Jorden Mason 4.6 speed, RB Robert Day, RB Drew Washington recovering from Spring injury, RB Marvin Maldonado starter for the team at RB, and WR Tyreke Cooper. The Offensive Line has size and experience lead by sleeper college prospect in OC/OG Kaden Adams (6-2, 310), OL Grady Lawson (6-0, 305) returning starter, OL Lionel Jackson (6-4, 310) SR, OL Myles Crochet, and OL/TE Travione Smith (6-2, 265). The Defense has a chance to be really good lead by a impressive underrated Defensive Line of LB/DE Zachaeus McNabb (6-0, 260) 4.8/40, DE/DT Johntras Payne (6-0, 240) Athletic, DE/FB Victor Ellison (5-11, 215), DT Darreion Charles (5-10, 225) SR, and DE/DT Isaac Maldonado (5-10, 235) recovering from a Spring injury. The rest of the Defense has some speed and experience in FS Timaja Gale (6-1, 185) a 3 year starter, OLB Talan Bonvillain (5-9, 195), CB Clarence Clement (6-1, 165), OLB/SS Cameron Hunter (6-0, 190) SR, and some younger players mixed in for depth. Special Teams you have WR Jorden Mason also starting at Kicker. 

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Destrehan Wildcats

Head Coach: Marcus Scott (5th year) 

2023 Record: 11-1

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Zachary HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key players Graduated: DE/OLB Kolaj Cobbins (LSU), RB Shane Lee (Southeastern), FS/OLB Anthony Robinson (Ole Miss), OL Jace Mitchell (Tulane), DB Tai Terrell (East Mississippi JC), DT Jairin McCall (Pearl River Mississippi JC), DT Dylan Thomas, Center Michael Reed Jr, CB Korwin Scott, WR Makylan Smothers, DE Gideon Bowman (Centenary), FS J. T White and LB Arrington Adams

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Team Outlook: “We are still trying to figure out all the starters going into the Summer. Happy where we are good Spring. We just need keep getting better and I think we will be fine for the fall,” said coach Scott.

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This is a program that loses great players every year and it seems next man up. The Offense will be as talented as any again in the state. The key is finding a great run game for the first time in 4 years. The backs coming back are RB Shaen Ward (5-8, 180) has a ton of experience, RB Damien Richard, and Malachi Dabney all will split carries in 2024. The skill talent at WR might be the best in State for one team lead by SR Phillip Wright (6-0, 175) 4.4 speed 4 year starter, WR Jabari Mack prospect, WR Gregory Wilfred sleeper with 4.4 speed, WR Johnnie Thiel IV (6-0, 180) SR 4.5 speed, and WR sleeper Duquan Dabney (5-11, 165) SR great hands with good speed. The Wildcats also return  QB  Jackson Fields (6-1, 195) who has a cannon arm and before the year is over should be in the conversation as one of the best QB’s in Louisiana for Class 2026. The Offensive Line lost some experience and talent but return some players and will still be talented with size lead by Center Michael Reed Jr (6-1, 280) SR, OL Earl Collins (6-2, 285), OL Andrew Dragna (6-1, 270) SR, OL Davin Royer (6-2, 235) SR, OL Jeshua Lazo (5-10, 340), OL Gage Schrieber, TE Noah Bagwell (6-3, 218) SR, and TE/FB Brian Guichard (6-1, 210) SR. The Defense also lost a lot of experience and talent but again return talented players and experience to be really good again. Top players coming back for the Defense are DT Kerry Chopin (6-2, 290) SR, DE Bryce Bufkin, OLB/DE Brody Picou (6-0, 215) SR, LB Myd GIlbert (5-11, 220) SR, LB Semaj Walker (6-0, 210) SR, DT Noah Murr (5-9, 270) SR, CB Jayden Bailey (6-0, 185) SR switched from RB had a great Spring, CB/FS Jhase Thomas (6-2, 185) big time player with 4.5 speed, CB Lindell Harris (5-8, 165) SR, and CB William White (5-9, 155) SR. The Defense will have a few new faces on the Defensive Line and Defensive Back that will compete for jobs to play this fall. 

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East St. John Wildcats

Photos taken by Lee Brecheen

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Head Coach: Brandon Brown (7th year) 

2023 Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Central HS. 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: CB Dwayne Brown (Texas College), WR Koyal Gray (Southeastern), WR Dkhai Joseph (Southeastern), CB Charles Rayfield, Athlete/QB Lorenzo Zeno (Blinn Texas JC), QB Kairian Smith (Leaning Prep Schools), DE Ky’Van Fobb, OL Develle Crouch, RB Elijah Frank, Punter Ellian Green, LB Darryl Robertson (Texas College), DE Jamarion Zeno, LB Bryan Young

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Team Outlook: “Big SR group coming back. Great Freshman crew coming in too. We have new QB’s competing for the starting job. Lost a lot at WR and Defensive Back, but return some kids been waiting there turn that had great Spring,” said coach Brown. 

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The Wildcats have to replace 2 QB’s with experience, I think 2 DI WR’s, and several lineman, RB’s, Linebackers, Defensive Backs with experience. The program has talent back to replace everyone again truly amazing program. The Offense has 2 options at QB. The first option is Elijah Murphy (6-2, 225) SR with tons of talent will probably be the starter, and then you have QB Da’mon Scott a future star and the next QB in 2025. The skill spots will be talented again just the names change in RB Jorell Martin 4.5 speed, RB Dallas Brown 4.5 speed, WR Kendal Walker (5-11, 160) SR with 4.5 speed, WR Jermaine Mangle (5-11, 165) SR 4.5 speed, WR Raydell Patterson, 4.5 speed, WR Deonte Fleming future star, WR Zaire Lipps talented new, and TE Aaron Sanders returns as a blocker after missing the 2023 season as a SR (6-6, 235) really talented kid. The Offensive Line lost some talent but returns a few talented players in OL Lyndell Wilkins (6-3, 275) SR sleeper, OL Davion Fobb (5-11, 255) SR tough kid, OL Gary O’Neal (6-0, 300) Athletic, and OL Ro’Jae Preston-Stewart (6-2, 290) sleeper for college. The Defense will have size and speed again lead by OLB 3 year starter Myklen Manuel (6-2, 215) I think best OLB I saw in 2023 in Louisiana. You also have DT Christopher Cage weighs 285 pounds, DE/DT Jaquese Mashia (6-1, 268) SR sleeper, DE Stanford Jenkins weighs 225 pounds, DE Jayden Johnson 230 pounds, OLB Jerry Phillips (6-1, 203) SR 4.59 speed, LB Warren LeBeouf 225 pounds, LB Frank Harvey 185 pounds, Safety/CB Ty Tobias (6-1, 170) SR sleeper, CB Dasani Joseph 4.5 speed, Safety Joe Henderson ball hawk, Safety Donald Jones talented, Safety Kareem Smith (5-10, 170) SR sleeper, CB/WR Kylan Anderson (5-8, 155) 4.5 speed, and a few others trying to get playing time for depth. Special Teams you have talented Kicker Jason Coello SR new starter good leg and Punting will be starting CB Dasani Joseph. 

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H. L Bourgeois Braves

Photo credit Lee Brecheen

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Head Coach: Sterling Washington (3rd year) 

2023 Record: 2-8

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: DB Ja’Colby Harris, WR Brody Hebert. 

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Team Outlook: “Feel real good about the team. Guys have experience, last two years kids working hard and working hard in the weight room. The key for us is to stay healthy,” said coach Washington. 

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The key is good QB play in 2024 with 3 players competing to start in Conner Wallace (5-11, 185) SR, also a WR, QB Logan Renfro also a DE/LSP, and QB Malik Myles (5-9, 215) one of the best players on the team who can play also RB and OLB for team. All three will start if they don't win the QB job. All talented leaders. The skill talent as a group coming back will be FB/MLB 2 way starter Jalen Jones (5-10, 210) SR with power, WR Braeden Breaux (5-6, 145) SR 4.4 speed, TE Cole Guidry (6-3, 195) hard worker, RB/WR Derek Celestine, RB Janarius Jones, and others will help this team in 2024 move the ball. The Offensive Line will be one of the best they have had in a while and  will return one of the best in the District in Tyron Winslow (6-6, 275) SR, also play some DT for the team, OT Kentra Lacy (6-3, 300) another talented SR with good feet for college, OL Kayden Johnson (5-7, 225) SR tough kid, Center Jaden Harding (6-2, 260) SR, OT/OG Donald Williams (6-1, 300) and 2 way starter OL/DL Donnel Amos (6-1, 270) SR sleeper. The Defense has some talent in OLB Trey Alford 200 pounds, LB/SS Rogers Thibdaux (5-10, 185) leader SR, SS/OLB Damien Lawson, MLB/Center Jamerion Navarre (5-11, 220) SR, DE/OLB/TE Markwwan George (6-6, 215), DT Dawson Parfait (6-5, 270) sleeper, DE/DT Larance Mitchell (6-0, 260), 2 way starter DT Tyron Winslow  4 year starter, and FS/SS J’oheohne Jones 4.6 speed very talented. 

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Hahnville Tigers

Head Coach: Greg Boyne (1st year) 

2023 Record: 3-6

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: QB Ryan Gregson, RB Chase Brooks, WR Dyron Lorio, WR Titus White, OL Kenneth Lorio, LB/LSP Chase Morales. 

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Team Outlook: “Hard working group of kids we have at Hahnville. Great staff hard working staff. Kids are hungry. Program has a bad taste in our mouths as a program not making the playoffs in 2023 and going 3-6 on the year. We do have a lot of talent at skill spots. Spring/Summer we will figure it all out for our starters and developing depth moving forward,” said coach Boyne. 

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The first time in 2 years the program has a QB battle for the starting position. QB Landen Teague, and Bennett Naquin both talented players will compete throughout the Summer. Both kids can help this program. The skill talent will have a few players with speed back to help in RB/FB Jah’man Preston (5-9, 217) SR 4.6 with power, WR 4 year starter leader Kobe Louis (6-1, 190) has all the tools, RB Calvin Smith 3 year starter (5-11, 207) 4.59 speed, WR Aaron Williams 4.5 speed, RB/WR Patrick Jackson really talented dad was All State RB back in the day, WR/RB Fabian Celestine 4.4 speed, and some younger WR’s competing throughout Summer. The Offensive Line will have size and talent in OL Tylen Kalili 260 pounds, Kirt Bourgeis 245 pounds, OT Cameron Sumrall 255 pounds, OT Jaron Myles 260 pounds, OL Chris Wilkinson 270 pounds and Center Brody Donnaud 235 pounds. The Defense will build around there front 7 with players DE Azur Karahasonovic (6-2, 210) 4.65 speed great leader, MLB Matthew Bedi (5-9, 185) SR, MLB Roa Romero (5-9, 220), DT Frederic Downing Jr 255 pounds, and DE Dahniel Banks (5-10, 215). The Secondary will be young but build around CB Raynell Gale tough kid and FS Xavier Champagne (5-10, 175) 4.6 speed and leader. Special Teams you have for both Punter & Kicker Myles Borey big time leg. 

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Terrebonne Tigers

Photos taken by Wendy Bergeron

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Head Coach: Tyler Lewis (3rd year) 

2023 Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Westgate HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: WR Kylan Billiot (LSU), DT Talan Bingham (Nicholls State), OG Sean Pledger, center Jaret Bolden, LB Jalil Matthews (Arkansas Monticello), DE Ty’drick Stewart, OL/DL Terrance Allen Jr, RB Jayce Johnson (Louisiana Christian), CB Chartavius Clark (Delta Mississippi JC), FS Kavon Garner, Kicker Ryan Abadie, SS Greg Harding, and DE Samuel Sneeze. 

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Team Outlook: “Terrebonne made the playoffs for the first time in 4 years in 2023. We lost most of our Defensive Line and Secondary, but we have talented young guys that need to step up,” coach Lewis said. 

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The Offense returns QB Owen Oliver leader with 4.6 speed. The skill spots are still very fast and talented lead by DI WR Quincey McKay Jr (6-2, 200) SR a 3 year starter very talented, RB/WR Alvin Celestin has run a 10.7 in the 100 meters in track, WR Carl Anderson SR (5-11, 190) 4.5 speed, RB/WR Quincy Adams 4.59 speed and backup QB with power, WR Kalum Verdin fast, WR Terrance Diggs can fly 4.45 speed, and WR Mason St.Germaine 4.5 speed tough kid. The Offensive Line will build around OT O’Ryan Mosely 295 pounds, Center Jaret Bolden (5-11, 275) SR 2nd year starter, and OG Chris Stewart (6-2, 270). The Defense front will be the strength of a young Defense in 2024. The front will be DT Julian Coleman (5-11, 320), DE Jaquez Lawson (6-0, 270) Really talented, DT/DE Gage Cunningham (5-11, 255) sleeper, DE Mason Coleman, DE/OLB Christian Matherne, DE/LB Zyon Simmons (5-10, 260) SR moves like a LB, Caden McKay LB, LB Jerome Daigs (5-10, 180) SR, and LB Branson Bonvillian returning from a injury healthy now. The Defensive Backfield will be young but lead early on by FS Rhanige Smith (6-1, 165) had 6 interceptions in 2023, FS Steven Mosley 4.45 speed, Cris Delestire new starter, Safety Kevin Bass new starter, CB Malik Matthews, CB Cameron McKay 4.5 speed, and CB Braylon Brown (5-10, 160) SR big time Athlete with 4.5 speed. 

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Thibodaux Tigers

Photo credits Lee Brecheen

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Head Coach: Drey Trosclair (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 4-6

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

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Key Players Graduated: Athlete Kemon Folse (North Alabama), LB Rashaad Jackson (Arkansas Monticello), WE Ruffino Mcdowell, TE/WR Seonta Jones, DE Travon Hadley, Punter Dylan Albert, OT Skyler Morris, OL Gary Williams, SS/FS Derrick Stepter Jr, and DE/DT Jase Robertson. 

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Team Outlook: “The program played a ton of young players in 2023 both Offense and Defense and most of the starters return and some of these kids have 2 and 3 years left to play. I saw the team play in person and was impressed with the young players and there ability, effort, against older competition in District and out of District.” 

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The Offense returns leader QB Brayden Becnel passed for 1,700 yards with 23 Touchdowns in 2023 and just 7 interceptions. Becnel has a really good arm and really good Athlete. The sky is the limit for QB Becnel to have a special year in year 2 as the starting QB for the Tigers. The Offense returns alot of experience at the skill positions. The WR group is deep lead by WR Dominic Blanchard 4.5 speed, WR Bryson Woods (5-11, 155) SR 4.59 speed, WR Kyren Folse big time Athlete, WR Jacob Terrell, WR Jonathan Bell 4.5 speed, and playmaker Cohen Aucoin will rotate in 4.5 speed. The RB position is also talented and deep with experience lead by Cohen Jarreau (5-9, 185) SR a WR starter in 2023 with power and quickness. You also have RB Amari Griffin has power over 205 pounds quick, and RB Vondarius Brown (5-7, 165) lettered in 2023 quick player. The Offense Line also has a lot back lead by OG/OC Carter Clement (6-0, 255) strong tough leader, OC/OG Jaxon Granier (6-3, 297) strong mauler leader, OT Carson Danos (5-10, 240) SR leader 2nd year starter, FB/TE Camden Maggio (5-11, 205) SR blocker 2nd year starter, OG Geo’Vanni Carter (6-3, 315) 2nd year starter and new starter OL Caleb Williams (5-10, 240). The Defense will be lead by a fast and tough Secondary SS Tyler England leader (5-10, 185) SR 112 tackles lead the team in 2023 with 4.6 speed, Safety Lawrence Bangura 2nd year starter (5-10, 175) tough hitter, CB Spencer Conrad (5-10, 150) 2nd year starter , and CB Amod Randolph 2nd year starter (5-10, 155). The front seven is also experienced and quick lead by OLB Omirein Southall (5-10, 165) 2nd year starter 4.55 speed, DT Ky’mari Carter (6-3, 265), 2nd year starter, DT Jerimiah Jones (5-9, 220) new starter, LB Andre Jones (5-10, 185) lettered in 2023, DE Charles Howard (6-0, 230) big time 2nd year starter and LB Dyson Vasiliauskas (5-10, 168) 2nd year starter leader. Special Teams returns 3 year starter and one of the best Kickers in the District in Zack Hutchinson (5-11, 155) SR will also be the Punter in 2024. 

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