Willow Lions
By Lee Brecheen
Head Coach: JJ Smith (6th year)
2022 Record: 4-5
Class & District: Class 4A (District 9)
The Willow School, formerly known as Lusher Charter High School, has been one of the best stories to come out of the New Orleans area. Willow went from canceling its season because of a small roster to now having a 3-2 record. The Lions battled 2022 state semifinalist St. Martin’s Episcopal to the brink in a 24-21 loss.
Willow School OL Enzo Marion (Photo taken by Mary Evans)
“We have more depth and a bigger senior class in 2023,” Willow head coach J.J. Smith. “Last season we only had five seniors. This season, we have 16.”
The offense has a capable quarterback in QB Jacob Guichet who has a really good arm. Going into Friday night’s game against St. Martin’s Episcopal, Guichet has thrown for 702 yards and seven touchdowns.
At the skill positions, the top players are MLB/OLB Rogan Schenck (6-2, 220, Sr.) who is a strong kid with quickness, LB/FS Zachary Breaux (6-1, 190, Sr.) who is arguably the best defensive player on the team and WR Alex Lupin (5-9, 150) who is a big-time playmaker for the program. The Lions also have SS/OLB/WR Chris Boudy (5-7, 165, Sr.), CB/WR Cyrus Buckels (5-10, 165), LB Justin Smith, second-year starter SS/OLB Jack Trotter (5-11, 170, Sr.) who is a team captain, RB Darrell Franklin, WR Xavier Ramsey and CB Tyrell Johnson 5-11 155.
In the trenches, the Lions have DT/OG Audwin Jackson (6-3, 297, Sr.) who is a four-year starter and a leader, All-District TE/DE Graham Williams (6-3, 195, Sr.), OT/OG Enzo Marino (6-6, 305, Sr.), center Henry Roquemore 6-1 215 SR,5-8 155 legit fast 4.5, OG/OT Nathan Johnson (6-2, 255, Sr.).
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