Talented John Ehret Patriots Squad Starting to Live Up to Potential

by Jace LeJeune

LB Donte Starks (Photo courtesy of Sam Spiegleman)

LB Javonte Jones (Property of LAFM)

Ever since the 1980's, the John Ehret High School Patriots have always shown plenty of talent and this year is no exception especially on the defensive side of the football. The Patriots have always been known around the state of Louisiana as Linebacker High School because of the many great players at that position. A lot of people remember the 2015 squad that went on to play in the state championship game. The 2015 linebacking core was as good as it gets in high school football. It featured current collegiate players such as Michael Divinity (LSU) and De'Jon Harris (Arkansas). Also, there was Kerry Starks, who played defensive end at John Ehret and now plays for the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks. However, according to Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting guru Lee Brecheen, the 2018 John Ehret defense may be even better than the incredible 2015 defensive unit.

"It is quite a crew of defensive players," Brecheen said. "All of the seniors are legit DI or I-AA. To me, its a better group and also the best senior group in the state as far as defensive starters go at the collegiate level."

WR/LB Jacoby Windmon (Photo courtesy of The Times Picayune)

Obviously, the defense is highlighted by a big time linebacking core, which is headlined by LSU commit Donte Starks. However, Javonte Jones and Jacoby Windmon have shown that they are not to be overlooked.

"At 6-1, 225 pounds, Donte Starks reminds me of a raw version of Devin White (North Webster/LSU) without the running back resume," Brecheen said. "He can fly, covers serious ground, and is truly a 4.45/40 player."

"At 6-2, 220, Javonte Jones is a gifted player with SEC skills, 4.55/40 speed, and so much untapped ability at the DI level," Brecheen said.

"At 6-2, 218 pounds with 4.5/40 speed, Jacoby Windmon plays both wide receiver and outside linebacker for his team," Brecheen said. "With big time skills, Windmon is a national recruit that can play for anyone and is the biggest defensive sleeper in Louisiana that I saw."

DE Earl Barquet (Photo courtesy of Vincent McArdle)

Two more Louisiana defensive sleepers according to Brecheen is the defensive end duo of Earl Barquet and Eldridge Walker.

"DE Earl Barquet is a 6-4, 245 pound man among boys on the field with so much untapped ability," Brecheen said. "He runs a 4.79/40 and is tough. I saw this in person in 2017 and 2018."

"At 6-2, 260 pounds, DE Eldridge Walker is tough with a big motor," Brecheen said. "He has a chance to be great in . Right now, he is committed to Southeastern. I think he is a DI sleeper."

The secondary is not too shabby either with safeties Jonah Mitchell and Lucien Babino as well as cornerbacks Kunta Hester and Jerrae Williams.

DE Eldridge Walker (Photo courtesy of Vincent McArdle)

"At 6-0, 175 pounds, SS Jonah Mitchell is the most underrated kid on the team when it comes to being looked at by s," Brecheen said. "Mitchell gets overlooked because of other big time players on the defense. He has 4.5/40 speed with great skills."

"At 5-10, 185 pounds with 4.55/40 speed, SS Lucien Babino is a big time hitter and closes fast. He might be the toughest kid on the team. Right now, he is committed to Southeastern."

"At 5-10, 170 pounds, CB Jerrae Williams is a tough and fast kid," Brecheen said. "He is a sleeper at the IAA or DI level."

"At 6-0, 180 pounds, CB Kunta Hester is one of the best defensive backs in Louisiana," Brecheen said. "Hester is gifted, long, and makes plays on the ball. He also runs a legit 4.5/40 and will be a big time player in . Right now, he is committed to Northwestern State."

Offensively, the Patriots have proved to move the ball up and down the field especially with their quarterback Travis Mumphrey Jr.

SS Jonah Mitchell (Property of LAFM)

"I saw QB/Athlete Travis Mumphrey Jr. in person this year and I was most impressed with his toughness as an athlete playing the position," Brecheen said. "Mumphrey can play quarterback, wide receiver or free safety in . He is a legit 6-1, 195 pounds with 4.55/40 speed. Right now, he is committed to UNLV."

As a talented athlete with the ball in his hands himself, it does not make it any easier for opposing defenses as there are great athletes around Mumphrey to get the ball too.

"Add running back to Athlete Deron Coleman's resume," Brecheen said. "At 5-9, 168 pounds, he was already a I-AA or DI player as a cornerback, but now, he is showing off his legit 4.45/40 speed and playmaking ability in the open field as a wide receiver/running back for the team."

"At 6-1, 185 pounds, WR Jordan Pickney is an under the radar recruit with 4.45/40 speed and hands," Brecheen said. "He is a sleeper DI player."

CB Jerrae Williams (Property of LAFM)

OG Dashaun Raiford (Property of LAFM)

All the great offensive weapons are nice, but in the end, the success of the unit comes down to the offensive line.

"At 6-2, 325 pounds, OG/OC Ahmad Brantley is legit 6-2 in height and moves and pulls like a big time DI offensive guard or center," Brecheen said. "Brantley plays offensive guard for the team. He is a DI player all the way with great feet."

"At 6-3, 300 pounds, OG Dashaun Raiford is a raw kid with a lot of upside," Brecheen said. "With more time, he could be a steal at the DI or IAA level."

With all of these ingredients, you need a coach that will stir it all together. That honor belongs to first year John Ehret Head Coach Marcus Scott. According to senior strong safety Lucien Babino, who was named the team's defensive player of the year in 2017, believes in the philosophy the first year head coach is trying to bring.

"Coach Scott brings a different attitude and approach to the game," Babino said. "We will win a lot more games because of it."

Last season, the potential was there as the Patriots recorded a respectable 9-4 record. Still, with all the DI and I-AA talent on the team, the team including defensive end Eldridge Walker believes that they are capable of much more than that.

"Last year was good, but it could have been better," Walker said. "Heading into the offseason, the message was simple. It was to work hard everyday and play the best to our ability."

So far, a 4-1 record in the team's first five games is a great start. If the team does play to the best of the ability come November, everyone in Class 5A should watch out for the Patriots.

"The key has been for us this year is practice," Eldridge said. "We have to take practice seriously. The whole team is great and is capable of doing some great things. If we can improve on our focus during the week, we can do a lot."

Hey football fans. Like our recruiting interviews, stories, and other content on our website? Click on our website daily to view articles on recruits, coaches, and so much more at our website: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/. Also, we have exciting news that for the second straight year, we will have our North and South LA issues and both are now out! Both issues will continue to cover all the Louisiana s as well as all the high schools in state, but there will be 16 pages that will focus on North Louisiana as well as South Louisiana. For more information, please check the following link to where you can find the magazine in a store near you. Also, below are the two covers as well as where you can order both magazines on our website.

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North Cover: South Cover:

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