2024 Preview: Class 1A District 8

District 8 Class 1A 

By Lee Brecheen

Ascension Catholic Bulldogs

Head Coach: Lowell Narcisse (1st year) 

2023 Record: 10-3

2023 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to Vermillion Catholic HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key Players Graduated: OL/DL Travis Cedotal (McNeese State), TE/LB Thomas Nizzo, QB/DB Jake Landry, OL/DL Kinston Cavette, OL/DL Luke Templet, OL/DL Freddie Geason, TE/DE Jackson Landry (ULM Baseball), and OL Brennan Tripode

Team Outlook: The program hired a new coach after Spring in former LSU QB Lowell Narcisse and former ST. James HS All State QB. Narcisse was on the staff at East Ascension HS for this coming year when he got hired. The program lost 6 of their top lineman from the 2023 season. Biggest challenge will be finding more depth for the program in 2024 all positions. The program also lost a lot of experience at the skill spots with experience. Team speed on Offense has a chance to still be strong. The Defense will have to carry the young Offense early on. The new starter on Offense at QB will be Camille LeBoeuf (5-11, 182) SR lettered in 2023 so has some experience at the position and knows the Offense been in the system. The run game will lean on All State RB Chad Elzy back for his 4th year as a starting RB (5-9, 190) ran for 2,911 yards with 50 touchdowns in 2023. There's also RB/DE Josh Barber (6-0, 245) a mini truck with quickness to help Elzy out in the run game. There's also in the run game 2 way starter RB Gavin Gregoire (5-9, 170) SR will rotate in. The WR spot you also have WR Peyton Dunn SR (5-11, 170) with good hands, WR/Safety Trevin Simon brings speed 4.45 and playmaker ability 2nd year starter All District in 2023, WR/DB Jacob Julien, WR Aiden Leblanc and many young players will compete for time here. The Offensive Line will be young and will build around Austin Paine (6-0, 230) SR a 3 year starter leader, OL/DL Aiden Paine (6-1, 300), OL Vaughn Blanchard (6-2, 250), TE Chris Anthens (6-1, 215) 2 way starter TE/DE/OLB Jamiris Breaux (6-3, 220) 3 year starter, and OL John David Landry (5-7, 185) SR tough leader. The Defense will also have back LB Mace Melancon (5-9, 195) leader and 3 year starter tackling machine for team, DT Cole Cassard, Landen Thomas, DT Karston Broden leader starter, CB Harrison Ledet, 2nd year starter with 4.5 speed, Safety Luke Hussers (6-0, 170) SR leader 3 year starter, and Jacob Julien 2nd year starter strong kid. Special Teams Kicker will be Peyton Dunn and Long Snapper will be Austin Payne. Return game you have Trevin Simon and Chad Elzy, a great tandem for any team both kids run under 4.5 in the forty. 

Ascension Christian Lions

Head Coach: Rohan Davey (2nd Year) 

2023 Record: 3-7

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key Players Graduated: Transfered to Prairieville HS RB/LB Brayden Duke, OL/DL Brennan Hofpauir, OL/DL Transfered to Prairieville HS Brennan Shaules and QB Christian Noel

Team Outlook: “We have installed the kids to be committed, show up every day. Be also diligent and focused on being your best. We had 31 players for the Summer so we can grow the program. We lost 2 close games in 2023 which I think can change with just more depth in the future. I am excited to play some football in the fall,” said coach Davey. 

Coach Davey will still rely on most players starting both sides of the ball and key players back are QB JJ Lebouff, RB/LB Rhett Rousell leader, LB/DE Cade Buratt (6-1, 200), DE/LB Carter Murphy (5-9, 200) SR leader, RB Jayce Harelson, FS Luke Denton, WR/DB Kason Tanner, CB Ayden Johnston most improved from Spring, OL/DL Dorian Davis, OT Caden Tassin (6-5, 280), OL/DE Elijah Poche (6-2, 230) SR, and OL/DL Matthew Naquin (6-2, 230) SR. 

East Iberville Tigers

Head Coach: Peter Villa (1st year) 

2023 Record: 3-8

2023 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to White Castle HS

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduated: RB Dylan Raven, LB Devin Jones, and QB Darien Thomas

Team Outlook: “A Lot of experience with younger guys back. I thought former HC Joseph did a good job with the kids. We did have a traditional Spring ball which helped us,” said coach Villia. 

The Offense had a new QB in the Spring, Cort Willis, a really good young Athlete and plays Baseball for the school too. Al ot of the run game production graduated but a few will split carries in 2024 RB/CB Noah Cushenberry (5-7, 150) SR tough kid, RB/DB Ashontis Brooks (5-10, 185) SR 3 year starter is back with 4.5 speed, FB/MLB Darian Aushbon also returns and he's the heart of the Defense coach said. The top WR back is WR/DB Theopholius Dunn Jr (6-1, 180) SR big time player for this program. Key lineman and Linebackers back are OL/DL Johnathan Daniels (6-2, 250), OG/LB John Haydel (5-9, 255) leader, OL/DL Gabe Johnson (6-1, 235), OL/DL Noah Hanks (6-2, 245), LB Daquan Benjakin (5-11, 215), and coaches are hoping CB/OLB Adrick Wilson will get cleared for the Fall, if he does get cleared would mean a lot to the team. Special Teams Kicker and Punter were still open after Spring. 

North Iberville Bears

BJ Melancon
Jaylen Mims
Mekell Toussaint

Head Coach: Josh Gast (1st year) 

2023 Record: JV Record 9-1

2023 Playoffs: None

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Team Outlook: “2024 will be the 1st varsity playoff eligible team with a JV schedule. We will run a balanced spread Offense with 3 and 4 wide Wide Receivers. The Strength of our team will be our Defense and Linebackers,” said coach Gast. 

The QB for the Bears will be Justice Roy (5-10, 180) a really good Athlete been in the system. There’s some really good skill players in RB/LB Mekell Tussain (5-9, 205) SR 4.6 speed and power, RB Jeremy Favorite, WR/FS Corey Domino (5-10, 170) SR, WR/CB D.J Brajon 4.42 speed, WR/DB Jaylen Mims (5-7, 165) 4.5 speed, CB Braylon Christmas 4.6 speed, and SS Dekai Butler. Key lineman and lInebackers are OL Anthony Russo (5-11, 195) SR, OL Ethan Thomas (6-0, 190) SR, Noah Mire (5-8, 230) SR, DT Kayden Williams (5-8, 380), DE James Matthews (6-3, 230), LB Trevis Phillips (5-8, 170) leader 2023 All Parish, LB Christopher Armster (5-8, 170) and other young players competing this Summer. Special Teams will be DJ Brajon both Punter & Kicker. 

St. John Eagles

Head Coach: Bryan Troxclair (2nd year) 

2023 Record: 5-6

2023 Playoffs: 1st round lost to Hanson HS

2024 Playoffs: Select

Key PLayers Graduated: DB/RB Michael Patrick Edwards, FB/LB Clayton Repp, DB/LB Jack Marchantel, TE/DE Ellis Braud, QB Gage Blanchard, OC/DT Dylan Lopez, and OG/DT Gage Landry

Team Outlook: “I like where we are. Strong off season kids are bigger and stronger. We had a lot of injuries in 2023. A lot of Freshman played in 2023, that will pay off for us in 2024. We do have experience back on the Offensive & Defensive Lines,” said coach Troxclair. 

The program is returning more starters for the first time in many years with experience on both sides of the ball. The starting QB Tyler Edwards 2nd year starter started 8 games in 2023 was just 90 pounds in 2023 as a QB WOW. He is now (5-8, 135) as the starter. There's a few skill players back in RB/Safety Ahmad Wilson new starter, RB/CB Caden Cannella (5-8, 165) SR new starter, FB/LB Nathan Burleigha 3 year starter (5-10, 198), RB/Safety Daniel Braud lettered in 2023 as a Safety, WR/TE/OLB Dalwine Beloney 4.6 speed big time player for team back, WR/SS Levi Taylor 4.6 speed, and CB Jordan Dorsey 2nd year starter (5-8, 150). Key lineman and Linebackers back are OL/DT Ben Gourgues (6-2, 255) SR All District in 2023, OG/DT Jaren Primeaux (6-0, 240) quick player, OL/DL John Hanks (5-10, 220) SR, OL/DL Dalton hebert (5-8, 230), OL//DL Andrew Hanks (5-9, 210), OG/LB Cole Markins lettered in 2023, OL/DT Braylon Roussel (5-9, 230), LB Brady Lagrange lettered in 2023, LB Logan Ockmand, TE/DE Maddox Quebedeaux 2nd year starter, and LB/Safety Patrick Bush 2nd year starter plays 3 sports for the school. Special Teams Kicker will be Nathan Burleigh and Punter was open after Spring. 

White Castle Bulldogs

Head Coach: Marc Brown (5th year) 

2023 Record: 8-3

2023 Playoffs: 2nd round lost to Welsh HS 

2024 Playoffs: Non-Select

Key Players Graduated: OT/DL Antonio Turner, LB Joshary Allen, WR/FS Vondez Shaw, and LB Jaden Westley

Team Outlook: “We were young in 2023. A lot of So’s in 2023 started for us. Will have a lot more experience in 2024. We don't have depth on the Offensive & Defensive Lines in 2024,” said coach Brown. 

The Bulldogs have been one of the best programs in the State of Louisiana in my opinion the last 20 plus years when it comes to iron man football players playing both sides of the ball and doing it well. Key players back that will all start the whole game in 2024 are QB/DB Jovon Woods 2nd year starter 4.5 speed good arm, WR/RB Ath ChadrackAllen (5-7, 165) SR big time playmaker best Athlete on team 4.5 speed, RB/DB Jamal Brown (5-6-160) SR 4 year starter tough kid, WR/DB Kylei Foster (5-8, 170) SR 4 year starter great athlete makes all the calls for the team with 4.5 speed, OL/DT Jayvion Briley (6-2, 280) 2nd year starter athletic, OL/DL Jyren Favorite (6-0, 280) tough kid, LB/Ath KollinFoster (5-11, 230) 4.6 speed leader, RB/LB Donnie Green missed the 2023 season and now recovered from a injury great Athlete for the program, and OLB/Ath LanceFoster (5-7, 160). Special Teams will be Donnie Green handling both Kicking and Punting duties.

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