The St. Augustine Purple Knights March into the Week Hoping to Keep Their Undefeated Streak Going

by Jace LeJeune

St. Augustine senior OL Ethan Moore is one of the five offensive linemen for the Purple Knights that has a chance to play football at the next level. (Property of LAFM)

The St. Augustine High School Purple Knights have produced just as much or even more talent than any other high school program in the state. The talent is still there at St. Augustine High School in 2018. According to Louisiana Football Magazine's recruiting expert Lee Brecheen, the whole offensive line, which consists of seniors Ted Melson, Michael Smith, Ethan Moore, Curtis Bibbins, and Darryl Lewis, has a chance to sign with a in the end.

"Ted Melson is a sleeper for DI schools because he is strong, quick, and has great feet," Brecheen said.

"Michael Smith is a big kid that moves really well for his size," Brecheen said. "He is a true offensive guard when it comes to his size and ability."

"Ethan Moore is another big player that moves well and can pull for run plays," Brecheen said. "He has DI feet and ability."

"Curtis Bibbins is the sleeper of the group with good feet and toughness for the I-AA or D-II level," Brecheen said.

There is also Dylan Pam, who is another offensive lineman for the team, but according to Brecheen, is a fullback at the next level.

"Dylan Pam is a former offensive lineman for the team that still plays some offensive line, Brecheen said. "However, he is a sleeper at fullback for the D-II, I-AA, or even DI level. Most DI schools don't offer fullbacks from high school. The kid is a strong blocker."

The most intriguing player of the big offensive line is Darryl Lewis. Lewis made our 2nd Team All-Louisiana team before the start of the season as a tight end. Before that, Lewis spent most of his reps as a defensive end and now, there is a good chance that he plays a lot of either offensive tackle or tight end for his team as a senior.

"Darryl Lewis is a DI sleeper as well as a I-AA steal with really good hands," Brecheen said. "Lewis runs well as he can run a 4.89/40. If he stays at offensive line in , he could easily get to 285 pounds one day with great hands and feet as a tight end or even move back to tight end."

With Lewis having played three different positions over his high school football career, it is pretty hard to get a feel for playing one particular position, but with Lewis' versatility and athleticism at 6-3, 240 pounds, there can be a lot of different options that he could play at. A lot of different s have looked at him because of the different positions he can line up.

St. Augustine senior ATH Michael Mims has accepted his athlete role playing wherever the coaches need him to play. (Property of LAFM)

"So far, I have no offers yet, but Troy, Northwestern State, and North Texas have shown interest in me," Lewis said.

Lewis gets his athleticism and versatility from his uncle Ronald Bryant who played at Arizona State. Even though the offensive line is one of the biggest strengths of the team, Lewis also believes that the skill positions is where the Purple Knights are the most talented at.

"We have a lot of playmakers on our team," Lewis said. "These guys are dynamic with the ball in their hands."

A lot of these playmakers that Lewis is referring to are wide receivers. Lee Brecheen totally agrees with Lewis' statement with seniors such as Shamaul McKnight, Broderick Martin, DeAndre Cooper, and even former quarterback Michael Mims.

"Shamaul McKnight is not big at 5-9, 165 pounds, but has really good speed and makes plays," Brecheen said. "He is a D-II sleeper."

"Broderick Martin plays bigger than his size may indicate at 5-9, 175 pounds, but he makes big plays every week and has the speed at the DI or I-AA level. He could be a return specialist or a wide receiver in ."

"DeAndre Cooper is the sleeper of the wide receivers with 4.5/40 speed at 5-6, 160 pounds," Brecheen said. "The kid can make plays and if given a chance, he would be a steal at the I-AA or D-II level."

"Michael Mims is a former starting quarterback that has the size and skills to play wide receiver or free safety in ," Brecheen said. "I think he has DI or IAA skills. Wide receiver would be a more natural fit to start off."

Still, without a good quarterback at the helm, having playmaking wide receivers does not matter if there is not a player that can give them the football. Well, fortunately for the Purple Knights, they have themselves a really good quarterback in transfer Trevon Woodson.

"Trevon Woodson is a new player from Georgia that's really leading this team with his strong arm and 4.5/40 speed," Brecheen said. "He is DI as a Athlete and is I-AA as a quarterback."

Defensively, a player that may not be DI or I-AA, but is a big time leader for the football team is senior LB Chris Confident.

"Chris Confident is a sleeper at the D-II or D-III level," Brecheen said. "He is a tough and active linebacker for the team over the last three years."

Not only is the team talented, but they are being led by Head Coach Nathaniel Jones who wants to bring the winning tradition back to the school community.

"Coach Nathaniel Jones gets more involved in practice and likes perfection," Mims said. "The thing about him that makes us as players want to play for him is his determination to win and determination to get us free scholarships."

So far, Mims is one of those players that will get his opportunity to play football as he already has offers from Belhaven University and Birmingham Southern University. He also got attention from Grambling and Florida Tech. Right now, the talent has gelled as the team is right now riding an undefeated streak at 3-0 with victories over McDonogh 35 High School, De La Salle High School, and John F. Kennedy High School. However, the Purple Knights may have their biggest challenge tomorrow against the Jesuit High School Blue Jays. Still, the Purple Knights have not lost their confidence as they believe they can not only win tomorrow but go the whole season undefeated.

"The key to our 3-0 start is just staying together and competing against each other because iron sharpens iron," Mims said. "Then in order to stay undefeated is to just keep competing every single day no matter what we do."

With all the talent, the Purple Knights have, the team expects anybody that steps on the field wearing the Purple and Gold is capable of making plays.

"Anyone who gets on the field for us out of the starting 11 is expected to make big plays for the rest of this season," Confident said.

Being the leader of the defense, Chris Confident's last name is the perfect word to describe the undefeated St. Augustine Purple Knights so far.

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.

Stores Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/c48-recruiting/2018-louisiana-football-magazine-north-and-south-editions-now-available-in-stores-near-you/

North Cover: South Cover:

North Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2018-annual-preview-north-edition/

South Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/product/la-football-magazine-2018-annual-preview-south-edition/