District 9 Class 5A

Written by Lee Brecheen

Archbishop Rummel

(Photo credit Lee Brecheen)

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Head Coach: Nick Monica (6th year) 

2023 Record: 7-7

2023 Playoffs: Semis-finals lost to Catholic of BR. 

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: WR Ruben Ramirez Jr, DB Darrius Davis (Stanford), LB Robert Vaughn Jr, DE Chance Joseph (Belhaven), RB Jaidyn Martin, Kicker/WR Chris Wallace, TE Jake-Ryan-Burmaster, OT Payton McDonald (Mississippi Valley State), OL Nathan Lousteau. 

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Team Outlook: “Lost a lot players early on in 2023 to season ending injuries. I think we are in the toughest District in Louisiana. We will have a tough schedule in 2024 with Non-District games against Lafayette Christian HS, University High, Archbishop Shaw, and our tough District,” said coach Monica.

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The Offense has 2 options at QB because starter Evan Burg (6-0, 172) SR who got hurt during season in week 4 is healthy and back leader, and QB who took his place and did a incredible job in 2023 Generald Buggage (6-1, 185) SR lead the team all the way to the Semifinals in 2023. Both these kids will play to help this team win in 2024. The rest of the skill players includes a deep rotation at RB in Norman Taylor (5-9, 170) SR, RB Coryan Hawkins 2nd year, RB Jaden Terrance, and a talented WR group Kendrick Joseph (5-8, 155) SR 4.45 speed number one WR, WR Earnest Richardson, WR Jay’lan Ash 4.5 newcomer, and WR Evan Burg, who is also a QB for the team. The Offensive Line will have a chance to be pretty good OT Ja’Mard Jones Jr (6-3, 285) SR big time sleeper, Center/OL Jaden Dillon (6-1, 280), OL Arnando Reyes (5-10, 245), OL Eddie Conerly IV (6-2, 290), OL Jewlz Barthelemy (6-1, 280), OL Raymond Hughes newcomer, and OL Wes Dubuc (5-10, 210) SR strong tough kid. The Defense will be lead by 4 year starter CB Lennis Finister Jr (5-11, 175) SR big time leader and hitter. Rest of the Defense you have DT Phillip Leze (5-8, 235), DT Frederick Banks (6-0, 290) SR 4 year starter, DE Greg Jones III (5-10, 260) SR 4. 8 speed 3 year starter, DE Jacoby Dunn 4.6 speed, OLB Carlin Kinchen Jr 2nd year starter, OLB Jack Vastering (5-8, 190) SR, OLB Kinngsley Bareoney newcomer, CB Mitchell Harris 2nd year starter, SS Keiron Jackson recovered from a injury 2023 3 year starter, DB/OLB Gavin Cooper Jr, RB Norman Taylor will play some Safety, SS/FS Lester Johnson (5-8, 155) 2nd year starter, SS/FS Chris Parker Jr, and other young players competing on the Defensive Line and Defensive Backfield. Special Teams you have a new Kicker Peyton Depolitte (6-1, 160) SR has a really good leg. 

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Brother Martin Crusaders

Head Coach: Mark Bonis (15th year) 

2023 Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to 

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: RB Jordan West (Benedict College), OL Jaxon Ducre (Tulane), OL Balprett Parmar, LB Jeremy Turner (Maritime Academy Massachuetts), DT Gabriel Duran, LB William McKevitt, TE Landon Craig (LSU), LB Marco Flores, DT Cole Fisette, and DB Konnor Milligan. 

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Team Outlook: “Will be throwing the ball more in 2024. We are young on the Offensive Line. We have a lot skill experience back. I do think our young OL group has a chance to be really good in time. We also excited about having 2 great QB’s in the program,” said coach Bonis. 

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The Offense like coach said has 2 really god QB’s returning. Seth Dazet (6-3, 183) SR started the 2023 season did a great job and QB Hudson Fields was injured in last year’s jamboree and is back healthy. Both players have college future at the position. The Offensive Line though young returns numbers with size in OL SR Caleb Smith (6-4, 315), sleeper, OG Bryce Loewenstein (6-0, 242) SR, OG William Wiss new starter, OL Brody DePhillips (6-0, 245), OL Zaaire Condoll (6-2, 240), OL Nicholas Bruno (6-0, 242), OL Caleb Becnel (6-2, 255), OL Many Heymann (6-2, 275, ), OL Jackson Mullen (5-9, 255), and OL Gregory Shields (5-10, 225). The skill spots are deep in rotation also lead by WR Brodie Dumontier (6-0, 168), WR Rex Leblanc, WR Rowan Lipscomb, WR Royal Easton, WR Preston Bulloch, WR Wyatt Bouchon (6-1, 170) SR, WR/QB Jack Melancon, RB Sidney Harris (5-9, 195) SR coming off injury in 2023 leader 3 year starter, RB Treshoun Ware (5-10, 187) SR sleeper, RB Alex Diaz (5-10, 204), RB Jermiah Burton, WR/RB/FS Camden Buras (5-10, 190) SR, RB Julian Cutter, TE/FB Nico Paul (6-1, 218) SR 4 year starter, TE/FB Jonathan Siggio (6-0, 200), TE Spencer Stringer, TE/FB Caden Catanzaro (6-0, 197) SR, and TE/FB Gavin Williams (5-11, 210). The Defense also has depth and experence deep in rotation starting up front DT Chase Chesser (6-5, 278) SR sleeper, DT Caleb Williams (6-0, 227) SR, OLB/DE Jack Bazile (5-11, 217) SR, DT Brandon Henry, DT Robert Amos, DE Hayden Patterson, DE Claiborne Martin, DT/DE Nathan Malek (5-10, 235) SR leader 3 year starter, LB Caleb Natividad (5-10, 210) SR, OLB Jadon Webber SR 4 year starter (6-1, 222) SR sleeper, LB/Safety Corey McDonald (6-0, 186) SR, OLB Jacques Airhart, LB Andrew Frey, LB Bronson Leaumont, LB Trent King, LB Joshua Watson (6-1, 190) SR sleeper and LB Brady McCluskey. The Defensive Backfield will rotate a few players too in CB Niles Barton (6-1, 165) SR sleeper, CB Patrick Jones, Safety Dermot Brown (5-8, 163) SR, FS Camden Buras, CB/FS Kaeden Goodman 2nd year starter, CB Conner Hance (6-1, 172) SR, and CB Treshoun Ware SR. Special Teams will be a strong spot again with 2nd year starter Kicker/Punter Grayson Smith (6-0, 196) SR. 

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Edna Karr Cougars

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Head Coach: Brice Brown (10th year) 

2023 Record: 10-2

2023 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: DB Tre Brown (Southeastern), OT Kriston Bell (Alabama State) LB Tah’J Brown Defensive MVP in 2023 District (Georgia Tech), WR Tahji Dennis (ULL both Track & Football), CB Levi Darensburg (Southeastern), DB Chavez Morris, LB Fred Hart, OG Bernard Jones, RB Zemen Favorite, DT Edward Volpi,WR Keith Jones(Grambling State) and WR Tyrone Wilson. 

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Team Outlook: “The Offense as a whole will have  a new look with a few new Running Backs, because some of the backs we moved to WR for the 2024 season. Still a lot of experience back starting at QB and WR with another strong tough Offensive Line,” said coach Brown.

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Not many high schools lose an average of 6 to 8 college players signing every year and not lose a beat, but Edna Karr is the case of no drop off in talent or numbers for this great program. Again many starters have graduated but just as many return with college ability speed, and size to make another run for a title in 2024. The Offense returns QB John Johnson for his 2nd year and he’s looking to have another great year with a good arm and great feet when rushed. The skill talent has speed and numbers still starting with WR Oliver Mitchell (6-3, 175) SR sleeper playmaker, WR Bryant Sanchez (5-9, 170) SR, WR former RB Daejawn Smith (5-10, 170) SR 4.45 speed, WR Floyd Jones, WR Anthony Thomas, WR/RB Tyron Francis 3rd year to start and only a junior they call man child (6-1, 200) with 4.45 speed or better, RB Jermond Macklin  power with speed, RB Jerrell McGee 4.45 speed, and RB Tre Garrison power and speed. The Offensive Line is what will give this team always stacked in skill talent a chance at another title. The OL has size and experience and these kids are strong as a group OT Leon Noil 275 pounds, OG Zaiah Miles (6-2, 298), OG Phillip Casvy (6-1, 275), OT Zyion Wesley 275 pounds, and leader 4 year starter Center Marlon Jones (6-0, 260) SR warrior for this team. The Defense is young overall but in the Defensive front they have size and experience till the back end new starters get experience. The front starts with Richard Anderson 315 pounds, DT/DE Corey Adams (6-5, 270) SR, DT Nigel Marshall 255 pounds, DT Avant Lewis (6-0, 265) SR, DE Carnell Williams 215 pounds, and DE/OLB Lyric Hawkins (6-1, 215) SR leader 3 year starter. The Linebacking group and Defensive Backfield are LB Asenio Bolds Jr (5-10, 190) SR 2 year starter, LB Kevin Martin, LB Tyiray Darensburg, and OLB/FS Aidan Hall a DI big time hitter. Defensive Backs are Safety Cody Morris (5-10, 168) SR sleeper hitter, CB Maurice Williams 4.4 speed, SS Tyrik Brigalia (6-0, 190) SR 3 year starter sleeper big time hitter, CB Torrance Sanders new starter talented, and a few new young players getting reps. Special Teams returns Kicker/Punter Jaden Hunter (6-1, 170) SR 3 year starter. 

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Holy Cross Tigers

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Head Coach: Scott Wattigny (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 9-3

2023 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to Acadiana HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: QB Cole Cannetella (Milsaps), WR Kolby Young (Houston), WR Krosse Johnson (Arkansas Football/Track), LB Trent Santos, LB Jake Roberts, DB Matthew Casamo, and OL Albert Pumila. 

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Team Outlook: “For us a  clear message, we are a one hit wonder. We need the album with more hits. We become relevant but need to become more dominant as a program,” said coach Wattigny. 

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The Offense will have a new QB for the first time in 3 years. QB Jake Levegue (6-1, 175) SR missed the 2023 season is back to compete and RB Claude Johnson (5-8, 177) SR will compete for the starting spot. Johnson has 3 years experience as a RB ran for 323 yards on 46 carries in 2023. The skill spots have some starters to replace to return a great group with more depth. Skill players are RB Ke’Rynn Smith a 3 year starter since his Freshman season ran for 791 yards in 2023, special player for the program (5-10, 190) with power and great burst, RB Kayden Andoh (5-10, 190) SR would start for most teams has power and speed, TE/WR Derrick Johnson 22 catches in 2023 the most gifted TE I saw play in Louisiana. Johnson can play either WR or TE for team really good blocker too at (6-4, 225) SR. You also have WR Finn Martin 21 catches in 2023  2nd year starter (5-10, 170) SR 4.50 speed, WR Javian Neco new starter Athlete, and WR Dario Carey Jr new starter tough kid. The Offensive Line has size and depth lead by OT Kaden Bourgeois (6-3, 275) SR 3 year starter, OL Noah Remetich (6-2, 270) 3 year starter sleeper, OL Andrew Huete (6-1, 265) SR, OL Albert Sherman (6-3, 285) SR lettered in 2023, and OL Josh Adams Jr (5-9, 220) lettered in 2023. The Defense will be lead by LB 4 year starter Nick DiGerolamo (5-8, 180) SR 105 tackles in 2023 big time leader and tackling machine. You also have OLB/Safety Jourdan Johnson (5-10, 180) returning starter, CB Cedrick Harmon (5-11, 169) 4 year starter, DT Cole Todd (6-1, 265), DE Maxwell Landry, LB Tommy Ashby (5-10, 180) SR, DE Sebastian Perez, CB Savoy Guidry talented, DT John Best (5-11, 215) SR leader, Safety Terence Ramson (5-9, 177) SR, CB Josh Brown (5-9, 168) SR 4.4 speed, Safety Luke Appe, LB Jonah Weir, DT Colton Gerrets, DT Max Landry, and DL Nick Woodfork. Special Teams you have a big time Kicker in Noel Mora was 55 of 55 Extra Points in 2023 with 31 touchbacks. Long Snapper starting will be John Best. 

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Jesuit Blue Jays

Photographer: Chansey Augustine

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Head Coach: Ryan Manale (4th year) 

2023 Record: 5-7

2023 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Holy Cross HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: DB Joseph Barber, QB Beau Perez (Southeastern), DB Will Homes, RB Patrick Berrigan (Delgado Baseball), RB Landon Garcia, LB Tuck Schibler, DB Jody Barber and OL Garrett Kelley. 

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Team Outlook: “I really like our senior group a lot. We will be lead strong at Offensive Line, FB/TE’s mostly. We have a bunch of leaders in 2024. We have youngsters developing, still spots open to win still young in spots but need to learn from our leaders. We are adding in District Warren Easton HS, and will play non District E. D. White HS makes it even a smaller margin of error. Our District is one of the best in state,” said coach Manale. 

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The Offense will have a new QB in 2024. The battle is between QB Tayler Norton lettered in 2023, and QB Johnny Nyein both talented players. The skill talent coming back has more experience and depth in 2024 lead by RB Brock Prouet, RB/WR Wendell Riggins, WR Gavin Palmisano, WR Roman Larre, WR Calvin Magee, WR Ja’ir Burks, TE/FB Frank Fincle (6-2, 250) SR blocker too, FB Caden Sanderson (6-0, 225) SR blocker Athlete, WR Zachary Friloux, WR Logan Sterbow, RB Adrian McSpadden, RB Dominic Webber, FB Nathan Hamrick, and FB Jackson Anders (5-9, 200) SR healthy again missed 2023. The Offensive has experience and depth in 2024 lead by OL Luke Cunningham (5-11, 275) SR, OL Spencer Waguespack, OL Ethan Shankle (6-2, 310) SR, OL Sam MaCaluso (5-11, 245) SR, OL Christopher Bourg (6-0, 250) SR, OL Griffin Vorhaben, and OL Ashton Moulliet. The Defense also has experence back and size with the ability to be faster too in 2024. Leaders back are DE Zyron Forstall, DE/DT Will Berry, DT Ian Miranda (5-9, 265) SR, DT Griffin Ellis (6-2, 260) SR, LB James Roniger (5-9, 180) SR, LB Gio Matranga (6-1, 215) SR leader, DT Oliver Burgau, OLB Wyatt Mire (5-8, 175) SR big time hitter leader, CB Darrick LeBeouf (6-1, 180) SR DI upside, CB/Safety Beau Matulewski 2nd year starter, FS/SS Jack McGuire, DE/DT Kevin LaGraizen (6-0, 235) SR, CB Bryce Tibbs, Safety Sean Maher (5-10, 175) SR, CB Cole Puncky, CB Preston Cantrelle, CB Vince Matranga, and CB Connor Pilie. Special Teams Kicker will be Ethan Cabos, Punter Andrew Bordelon, and Long Snapper Nathan Hamrickk (5-11, 230). 

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John Curtis Christian 

Head Coach: J. T Curtis (55 year) 

2023 Record: 8-3

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Catholic BR 38-35. 

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players Graduated: QB Dagan Bruno (Tulane), RB Jason Gabriel Jr (Southern U), DB Jermal King Callio II (Southern U), WR/DB Michael Turner (LSU), RB Kaheam Smith (Culver Stockton College), WR Tyler Mitchell (LSUE Baseball), OLB Zachary Drake, LB Kaleb Saavedra, RB Marlon Prout (Grambling State), LSP Jason Dudenhoeffer, OL Orion Duplessis (Grambling State), and OL Richard Newby and OL Bryce Godfrey (Southeastern) 

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Team Outlook: “The Patriots will have to replace over 80 percent of Offensive run production 2,400 yards rushing total on Offense graduated. New QB, mostly new Offensive Line and several spots go to new starters in 2024. Defense several new faces in the Secondary.”

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The new starter at QB for the program will be Reggie Johnson. Reggie lettered in 2023 with over 200 yards Offense & 2 Touchdowns so he does have experience. The run game will count on  players who lettered now taking a bigger role in RB AJ Smith (5-10, 210) SR 14 carries in 2023 with 195 yards & 2 Touchdowns, RB Jack Corcoran (5-8, 155) SR scored 2 Touchdowns in 2023. You will see more backs also in the mix for this spot. More skill players back are WR Xavier Brown (5-11, 160) SR lettered in 2023, WR Juan Washington (6-2, 190) SR lettered, and WR Brayden Fulco (5-11, 160) SR. The Offensive Line will be young but talented OT Willie Bolden, OT Gabe Lagarde, OT Cody Woodruff, Center Colin Gonsulin, OG Sean Goodrum, TE Jojo Fagin (6-2, 240) SR talented blocker, and OG Johnny Signorelli (5-10, 225) SR. The Defense also young overall will rely on the Defensive front to carry th Defense in the beginning lead by DT Logan (Bubblegum) Barnes (5-10, 230) SR  leader a 3 year starter had 65 tackles with 4 Sacks in 2023, DT Tyre Gordon (6-1, 250) SR 32 tackles & 3 Sacks, LB Hayden Delatte (5-8, 185) SR leader 111 tackles in 2023, LB Jeffrey Curtis (5-9, 190) SR over 100 tackles in 2023, DE Ben Barron, DE Lane Lecron, DE Aidan Morrill, DE Rowland Burrell. The Defensive Backfield lost a lot of experience and talent but will be lead by returning starter Jason Curtis (5-10, 165) SR leader 3 year starter 63 tackles, 2 interceptions, 1 Sack 4 TFL in 2023, CB Kien Franklin (5-8, 150) SR, CB Trey Brown (5-10, 165) SR, Safety Marc Canzoneri (6-0, 170) SR, and Safety Frankie Massicot (6-0, 175) SR. Special Teams will have SR Kicker sleeper Lucas Kippers (6-0, 185) as the starter. 

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St. Augustine Purple Knights

(Photo credit Lee Brecheen)

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Head Coach: Robert Valdez (1st Year) 

2023 Record: 4-8

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round beat McKinley HS, and 2nd Round lost to John Curtis HS 49-42. 

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key Players graduated: DB Christian Pritchett (Georgia Tech), QB Dawson Simmons (North Alabama), RB Moses Gray Jr (Marshall), TE Hubert Caliste (Southern U), DE Cornell Harris (Alabama State), OG Ja’minne Batiste, LB Gary Sumler, DB Charles Gurley (South Alabama), CB Michael Malone, WR Joshua Jackson (UAB Birmingham), DB Andre Lewis, and RB Terrill Franklin (Texas College). 

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Team Outlook: “We will be young in 2024. Great Spring young men are working hard. Day to Day culture we are bringing here. Kids are listening and guys are learning. We do have a brutal schedule in 2024. We will need some Freshman & So’s to step up for major playing time with the older players we have starting out,” said coach Valdez. 

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The Offense will have 3 different QB’s on the roster capable of starting any game. The QB in the lead after Spring was Vashaun Coulon (5-11, 165) a gifted runner and passer mature beyond his years. There’s also QB Jaell Noble, and QB Zack Thornton all talented players. The skill talent on Offense even tough lost a few players signed has a chance to be special in the end of 2024. Other skill players to make impact are RB Liondell Caston (5-6, 175) SR lettered, RB Keith Hill lettered, RB Patrick Robinson, WR Miguel Whitley future star, WR Vashuan Sims, WR Myles Pannell, WR Rayguan Williams and others make up a talented group. The Offensive Line returns experience and size in talented OT Juelz Baptiste (6-5, 285) SR, OC/OG Gavin McCoy (6-1, 260) SR leader, OT Terrence R Cormier Jr (6-2, 245) SR, OG Mehki Emilien (6-3, 295) SR, OC/OG John Brunious (5-9, 245) SR, OG Christian Strickland (5-10, 270), and TE Davis Haydel (6-2, 225) Talented blocker. The Defense will return a strong group of talented players to build a great unit in the end in Safety Seth St.Martin (6-2, 185) leader, DE/OLB Warren Roberts Jr (6-2, 225) SR, DE Jahkeem Stewart (6-6, 275) has incredible skill set, Safety Clinton Hill Jr big time hitter 2nd year starter, DE Ty Dominigue (6-3, 245), LB Caleb Blanco (6-0, 210) SR leader, CB Frederick Lewis (5-10, 175) SR sleeper, CB Ryan Montague, and several young players to build depth this Summer. Special Teams you have Kicker Cameron McCall (5-9, 205) returning starter with a good leg. 

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Warren Easton Fighting Eagles

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Head Coach: Jerry Phillips (9 years) 

2023 Record: 3-6

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select

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Key players Graduated: CB Wallace Foster (LSU), RB Fred Robertson (Louisiana Tech), QB Greg Donaldson (Texas College), LB Antonio Taylor, RB Mathias Lee, WR Stephen Stewart, DE Nasir Hudson, LB Taj Johnson (Texas College), Logan Evans (Texas College) CB Ryan Hall (Iowa Western JC), DE Clarence Foster, Ivin Clark (Iowa Western JC), CB Jermaine Mata (Houston Track), CB Cairo Moore (Lafayette College), WR Kyron Holliday. 

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Team Outlook: “We did not get to play a full season in 2023. We lost 28 seniors. This year we have about 10-15 seniors and 20-25 juniors in the program. I am excited and we are working to build for another run,” said coach Phillips. 

The program will have a new QB for the first time in 3 years. You will probably see 2 QB’s Carl Reed, and Joshua Jones battle all the way through the Summer. Both talented players. The key to the Offense is the Offensive Line which again has a chance to be pretty good lead by OT Jalen Chapman (6-4, 290), Center Kenneson Jefferson (6-3, 305) SR, OT David Baker (6-4, 330), SR, OG Kenney Cain (6-3, 285), and OG Avery Toomer (6-3, 290). The skill talent has some new faces but talented players in RB Thomas Vaughn 4.45 speed, RB/WR/QB Terrell Surtain 4.39 speed, WR Davon Edwards 4.45 speed, WR/TE Dillon Cain, WR Josh Parker and other young players battling for reps. The Defense lost a lot of talent from the Defensive Line and Secondary but returns a few talented players getting their turn in 2024 in FS/SS Ellery Boyd, FS Lanard Watson (5-9, 160), CB Jakyle Chaney (5-9, 165) SR, CB Miles Torrez 4.45 speed, SS Makhi Cheneau (5-9, 170) SR, SS Devery Lawrence (5-10, 185) SR, FS Kaleb Gibson, and SS Joseph Stallings. The rest of the Defense you will see DT Haze Rose (5-11, 300) SR, DE Robert Lang (6-1, 215), DE Marcus Jasmin, DT/NG Robert Evans (5-8, 310), LB Jamal Lacaze (5-10, 190) SR, MLB Narco Dunn, OLB Jaedon Phillips, LB James CurleyJr 4.6 speed, Jackson Chachere (5-9, 175) sat out 2023 season, and is a starting safety. As well as several new players competing for playing time. Special Teams Jaedon Phillips will be the Punter, and Kicker will be SR Marco Nunez (5-10, 180), who has a big time leg.

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