The Assumption Mustangs Have A Tough Schedule Ahead of Them But They Are Looking Forward to the Challenge

by Cameron Cerniglia

Assumption senior RB Javis Stewart has the bloodlines to run the football as his cousin is former New York Giant Brandon Jacobs. (Property of LAFM)

The Assumption High School Mustangs finished the 2017 season with a loss in the first round of the playoffs to North Desoto High School. They come into the 2018 season having to face eight teams that made the playoffs last year on their schedule. They also have to replace the majority of their rushing yards from last season. The player that looks to take the bulk of the carries is Javis Stewart.

Stewart believes that this team can be special if they clean up the little things.

“It is just the minor things that are holding us back,” Stewart said. “We can have a great offense. We just need to put more work in and hopefully become successful later in the year.”

Stewart has the ability to become a great back this season and it runs in the family. Stewart’s cousin Brandon Jacobs was a two time Super Bowl winning running back with the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers.

Louisiana Football Magazine’s own recruiting specialist Lee Brecheen thinks he can win some teams over this season.

“He is a bit of a late bloomer with the talent to be a really good player by the end of 2018,” Brecheen said. “He has the frame and ability to be able to sign in the end.”

Handing the ball off to Stewart will be senior QB Tajh Parker. Parker can be a key player in the Mustangs offense in 2018.

“Parker is a really good athlete with the ability to play several positions in ,” Brecheen said. “A good senior year would help his chances of going to a 1AA or D-II school.”

He will be extremely important to the team this year with his talent and leadership.

Assumption senior CB Shawn Hall is a sleeper that has a chance to do a lot of great things this season. (Property of LAFM)

The Mustangs defense has one of the biggest sleepers on the team in Shawn Hall. Hall believes that the key to having a good season is being patient.

“We have to be patient with our teammates,” Hall said. “We have to pick them up instead of putting them down because if we want to be successful, we are all depending on each other to work together in the system.”

“Hall is a talented and a true cornerback for with speed and cover ability in man and zone,” Brecheen said. “I am extremely impressed with his toughness as a football player.”

Assumption is also lucky to have two very talented defensive ends/outside linebackers on the defense this year in Resmond Smith and Philquante Johnson.

Assumption senior LB/DE Resmond Smith will be one of the leaders on the defensive side of the football. (Property of LAFM)

“We have a bunch of players on the defense who are very experienced and have been playing varsity since sophomores so it is our turn to take over,” Smith said.

With the defensive scheme Assumption runs, Smith is often lined up as a safety.

Johnson believes the Mustangs defense can be special also.

“I expect to have the best defense in the state,” Johnson said. “I expect to go out with a bang this year.”

Brecheen says these two players are alike on the field.

“These two kids are very similar in build and ability,” Brecheen said. “They can both run and are big hitters for the defense.”

The Mustangs also have Travion Bozeman anchoring down the defensive backs. Bozeman is primed to have a breakout senior season.

Assumption senior DT Joshua Ratcliff may be a little undersized, but his motor and high effort makes him a tough player to deal with. (Property of LAFM)

“He is a really talented athlete that could have a big time senior season,” Brecheen said about Bozeman. “He can run a 4.5/40 for sure.”

The defensive line is led by senior DT Joshua Ratcliff. Ratcliff is a tough in the trenches and can impress some s this season.

“Ratcliff is a tough kid with a great motor,” Brecheen said. “He is a tweener for in size but will get bigger in and be a really good player.”

With the talent and experience the Assumption Mustangs have coming back in 2018, they should come out strong after going through a tough schedule.

Cameron is from baton-rouge, LA. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 2014. Cameron is now attending LSU where he is seeking a degree in Sport Administration with a concentration in commerce. Cameron joined the Louisiana Football Magazine staff in the summer of 2018 for his school internship. During the his days off, Cameron enjoys spending time with family and friends. Outside of being a football fan, Cameron also enjoys watching baseball and playing music.

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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