District 8-Class 3A

28th Year Louisiana Football Magazine High School Previews for 2025

by Lee Brecheen. 

(Previews were written solely by Lee Brecheen since 1997 for Louisiana Football Magazine.)

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Albany Hornets

Head Coach:Travis Mikel(1st year) 

2024 Record:3-7

2024 Playoffs: No 

2023 Record:5-6.1st Round lost to Plaquemine HS 

Key players Graduated: LB/RB Ethan Hebert, LSP Parker Westmoreland, OG Rylee Shorts, DT Jordan Rowell, OC/DT Josiah Shockley. 

Team Outlook: Hired as an assistant coach at Albany High School in August 2024, and was promoted to interim coach in week 7 of 2024. Officially hired as the Head Coach in January 2025. We have a chance to be a decent team in 2025. We were young in 202,4 with only 6 seniors in the program. Finished the season with 30 total players, but the good news is 15/16 of those 30 got experience as Soph & Freshman, which now these kids are bigger and stronger and have some experience going into the 2025 season. We already have 55 kids in the program going into the Summer, so I'm excited said Head Coach Travis Mikel.”

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QB Michael Miller 5-10 185 finished the season in 2024 as the starter, but there will be competition through the Summer with two more Quarterbacks competing for the starting job in Elijah Shockey, and Jake Milton, 5-7 150, who also has starting experience. More good news is that all three players will start if they don't start at QB. Miller plays LB/RB/FB if not QB, Shockey can start at WR or OLB, and Milton can start at both WR or FS in the secondary.

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The best Defensive player in the program returns as the leader, smash mouth football player Jonah Grob, FB/downhill Safety, RB, and some linebackers. Grob loves contact, and at 6-1, 215 pounds, he's got size and talent to be an All-State player in 2025 with a good year.

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More players to keep a eye on are WR/CB Quenton Smith 5-9 160 a 2 year starter, RB/MLB Kaleb Hiley-Smith 6-0 215 will be the main RB in the Offense, OG/MLB Gavin Harvey 5-10 205 one of the strongest kids in Louisiana, WR/CB Jakyrce Elder 5-6 130 new starter, FS/WR Devin Murray 5-8 150 2nd year starter, WR/Athlete Lawson Pierre 5-11 170, OG/DT Joshua Robinson 5-11 275, OT Jonathan Melendez 5-11 200 2nd year starter, OT James Bates 5-11 220 2nd year starter, MLB Beau Thompson 5-10 218 new starter, and team leader warrior on the field CB Jayden Lapine 5-10 155 2nd year starter.

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Special Teams Kicker & Punter will be Jonah Grob, and Long Snapper will be Jake Milton.

Amite Warriors

Head Coach:Zephaniah Powell(10th year)

2024 Record:8-4

2024 Playoffs:1st Round beat Sarah Reed HS,2nd Round lost to Bunkie HS

2023 Record:7-5.Quarterfinals lost to Jena HS 

Key players Graduated: QB Jeremy Franklin(Hinds, Mississippi JC), DE Aaron Smith, CB Ta’Brylon Buckanan, DT Damien Sopsher, RB/DB Malcolm Patrick, WR/DB Jimmie Hunt, LB/TE Earl Tillman(East Central Mississippi, JC), DE/TE Kingston Harrell,2024 Hon Mention All State WR Brandon Coleman(College Football & Track), OT Pierre Bryant, Center Cole Sharkey, OT Braylen Brumfield, LB Jaiden Kelly(Roseville U), WR Jack Johnson. 

Team Outlook: Finding a Quarterback will be the key for us. Also, we should be pretty good defensively. Our entire staff also returns, so we are very excited for the 2025 football season said Head Coach Zephaniah Powell.”

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Tidbits: I had a chance to meet the Amite High School football team in April of 2025, and came away impressed. This group of kids will be athletic, but also fast among all 24 starting spots, with the chance to play for a State Title in 2025 if they can stay healthy overall. Like the coach said, they just need to settle on a Quarterback by midseason. I also got a chance to meet former Amite High School Athlete All District player Brennan Harrell, who is now a Wide Receiver coach at Amite High School currently and I think he will be a head coach one day with a bright future.

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Going into the Summer, Amite High School did not really have a player to mention for the QB starting job. I think over the Summer and early Fall coach will name someone the starting QB. The Offense will return a lot of speed and size, led by RB/WR/DB Franklin Morgan Jr, a DI player and a kid who will start all over to help his team win with his 4.45 speed in the forty at 5-10, 170 pounds. More players to keep a eye on for both Offense and Defense will be 2024 All District OT Jaylen Haywood 6-7 383 can move for a big kid, OLB/SS Micah Amir Johnson 6-0 180 with 4.6 speed tough player leader SR, LB Osvaldo Razo Jr 5-10 195 leader, WR Braylen Taylor 5-7 160 4.5 speed in the forty,2024 All District RB/LB Jamyron Dillon 5-8 171 his year to shine with 4.5 speed in the forty, OL Vincent Wilson 6-4 300 2nd year starter, OT Alijah Williams 6-2 280 leader,2024 All District DB/SS Cameron Madison a DI college sleeper 6-1 175 pounds leader 2nd year starter, CB Colston Gant 5-9 175, WR Ulysses Powell 5-9 155, sleeper WR Lajarhen Cyprian 6-5 190 SR, OG Stephen Finn 6-0 260, OG Larry Burton 6-0 230, WR Desmon Harrell 5-10 165, CB Marcus Richardson 5-10 170, and DB Braylon Tate 6-0 170.

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Special Teams will be led by new starting Kicker Colin Adamson, 5-8, 160, who has a strong leg already as a Soph, and should be the starter for the program for the next 3 years. Adamson will also be the starting Punter for the Warriors.

Bogalusa Lumberjacks

Head Coach:Cyril Crutchfield(5th year) 

2024 Record:2-8

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record:7-5

Key players graduated: WR/CB/FS Lance Jackson, OLB/P Dyron Jackson, FS/CB Tyler Spikes, RB/LB Damien Tillman, LB Jaylon Keys, and  OL Joshua Cooley.

Team Outlook: We have a lot of work to do as a team. I did think we got better on Offense in the Spring. The last 2 years, we have had small senior classes 2024, we had 7 seniors, and this year, we will have another small senior class of 5 total. I do think we have a group of kids with high effort, determination, and desire to win to be successful in 2025. We are getting better as they say every day, as a team said Head Coach Cyril Crutchfield.”

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The program will get a boost with QB Deontae Ishman returning for his 2nd year as the starting QB in 2025. Ishman has the ability by the time he is done to be a pretty good player and already has made an impact with his team. The Offense does return some quality Offensive Lineman to build this Offense around and protect the young QB lead by OT Aydan Roberts 5-9 225 2nd year starter and also 2024 All District MLB, OG/LB Jakyren Brock a 4 year starter at 5-8 205 pounds tough and quick, OC Jordon Tate 5-8 240 returns for his 2nd year as a starter, OL Rashad Daniels 6-0 250 is a new starter, and OL William Thomas 6-0 340 is back for his 2nd year.

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More key players mostly 2 way starters coming back as new starters or returning starters are TE/Safety Jayden Levi 6-1 190, FS/WR Kason Rich 6-0 168 hitter leader on Defense, RB Danny Ellsworth 2nd year starter 5-6 165, RB Lezarick Peters 5-9 170 new starter, WR Devyron Johnson 5-10 185 new player, LB Jermarcus Bickham 5-8 165 new starter, CB/Safety Talan Guy 5-9 155, DT Dominick Duncan 5-10 245 missed 2024 season and is back starter, CB Lemaj Levi 5-9 150 2nd year starter, CB Tobias King 5-6 140 2nd year starter, OLB/TE William Rawls 6-0 160 2nd year starter, and rotating in DE Elias Morris 6-2 225

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Special Teams, both Kicker & Punter spots are open going into the Summer/Fall. The Long Snapper spot will be Jakyren Brock for his 3rd year as a starter at this spot and 4th year starter as an Offensive Lineman.

Jewel Sumner Cowboys

Head Coach:Ross Currier(11th year) 

2024 Record:10-2 

2024 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to Bunkie HS 

2023 Record:7-5.2nd Round lost to Amite HS 

Key players Graduated:2024 All State/District Defensive MVP LB/RB Kendell Brown(Co-Lin Mississippi JC), CB/WR Tyron Robinson, Hon Mention All State OC/OT Lloyd King, OG/DE Kodi Alford,2024 All State FS/CB Jaden Perry(NAIA Illinois College), LB Javion Kidd, OL Roman Abdollahi, OL Roman Fairburn

Team Outlook: We have the program where we want it now. Trying to build on success, love our 2026 Class kids, seniors coming back. We have a lot of experience with the seniors. We return 7 starters on Offense and 5 starters on Defense said Head Coach Ross Currier.”

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Tidbits: The program, like coach Currier says, has experience back, and the coaches do a great job at Jewell Sumner High School. They do a great job of developing football players and building strong teams every year.

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The skill talent on the team is very good with speed and experience, and leadership led by 2nd year starting QB Eli Neyland, 6-4, 190 pounds, with 4.65 speed in the forty, a dual threat sleeper in Louisiana. You also have some big time 2 way starters at the skill spots like 2024 Hon Mention All State FB/LB Jeremiah Brooks 5-8 195 SR ran for over 1,000 yards in 2024 and in 2023 had 600 plus yards rushing will be a 3 year starter, RB/LB Jamohn Dyson 6-1 190 Hon Mention All State/MVP of the District on Offense in 2024, and on Defense 4 interceptions with 2 pick 6 touchdowns in 2024, RB/OLB Michael Hamilton 5-9 185, FB/FS/OLB Makialley Robbins All District in 2024 with 4 interceptions with 4.5 speed in the forty, CB/WR Kennedy James 5-10 160 4.45 speed 2nd year starter, WR/DB Jeremy Bickham 5-9 155, RB/OLB Jahkari Brown 5-11 190 4.40 speed in the forty, CB Rashuad Shy 5-8 155 new starter, and FS Kelyn Miller.

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Some of the top lineman back in the trenches will be TE/DE Collin Mack 6-1 225 2nd leading tackler in 2024 with 76 tackles a 3 year starter leader, OT/DE Jayon Varnado 6-0 290 tough kid, OT Jaydon Besse 6-0 225 2nd year starter, TE/FB John Speed 5-10 205 a new starter, OT/DT Caeden Starns 6-0 315, OG/MLB Luis Moreno 5-9 200, and OT/DT Ashton Broussard 6-1 280 both kids are super strong players in the weight room.

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Special Teams will be led by 2024 All District Punter Eli Neyland and Kicker Luis Moreno, both will share duties with Kickoffs, Field Goals, and Extra Points.

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Pine Raiders

Head Coach:Bradley Seal(14th year) 

2024 Record:9-4 

2024 Playoffs:3rd Round lost to St. James HS 

2023 Record:9-3

Key players Graduated: OT Jackson Jones(TCU), WR/DB Thomas Bernard(Louisiana Christian),75 catches,1,148 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.TE Zack Thomas(Co-Lin, Mississippi JC), WR/DB DJ Garrett(Kilgore, Texas JC), RB/LB Von Johnson, Punter Hayden Logsdon.

Team Outlook: This time of year, develop players. We need to develop players at whatever level there at older players or younger players in the program. Need to get better as a team, JV players and Varsity team, the whole roster said Head Coach Bradley Seal.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Bradley Seal is a graduate of Bowling Green High School Class of 2004. One of the best players to ever come out of the program I saw play was RB/WR/DB Derrick Dillonn signed with LSU and had a good career and played in the NFL/USFL as a WR.

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The Raiders will build back with a returning starting QB, Trey Knight, 6-3, 190 pounds will be going into his 2nd year as a starter in the program. Knight passed for 1,986 yards with 15 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions in 2024. WR Delvonta Gardner returns to be a key playmaker in 2025 had 2 touchdowns in the Spring game at 6-2, 165 pounds. The Offense and Defense returns one of the best 2-way starters in the District in 2024 All All-District LB/RB Christian Williams, 5-11, 205 All All-District Linebacker in 2024 with 91 tackles, and a big-time leader on Offense looking to have a great year rushing as a 3-year starter overall in 2025.

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More key players to keep a eye on are OLB/DE Cadyn Stogner 6-3 195 a 3 year starter leader, MLB/OG Caden Woodward 5-7 195 leader, OLB/FB Jabari Robinson 5-10 200, OC/DE Levi Spears 5-11 195 a 2nd year starter, TE/FB Trace Steele 5-7 175 leader, DT/OT Lyrian Hart 6-1 280 pounds one of the best lineman in the District All District in 2024 and a 3 year starter, DT Kade Knight 6-2 240, OL Beau Bickham 6-1 240, OL Brayden Bickham 6-1 240, RB Braxton Newman 5-8 155, WR/DB Tyre Bernard 6-2 170, OL Laine Williams 6-0 220, RB Brady Ryals 5-8 160, and DB Chance Handy 6-1 155.

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Special Teams C.J Cobon will be the Kicker has a very strong leg. Cobon will also handle punting for the team.

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Springfield Bulldogs

Head Coach:Ryan Serpas(18th year)

2024 Record:2-6

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record:4-7.1st Round Playoffs lost to Many HS

Key players Graduated: QB Luke Husser(Southeastern Student) 4 4-year starter, WR/FS Peyton Gibbons(Southeastern), OG/DT Nathan Lee, OC/DT Seth Spears, Safety Tobias Price

Team Outlook: We return a lot of players from last year. Hoping that experience will pay off for our program in 2025 said Head Coach Ryan Serpas.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Ryan Serpas is an Alum of Albany High School(Class of 1997). Coach Serpas will be entering his 20th year overall at the school, 1st 2 years started off as the school’s Defensive Coordinator before becoming the head coach. The enrollment of Springfield High School is currently close to Class 2A numbers, about 360 kids total in the school. Coach Serpas has been to the playoffs as a head coach 15 of his 18 years as a head coach.

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For the 1st time in 4 years, Springfield High School will have a new Quarterback under center on Offense. The program will have 2 QBs competing all year. The leading candidate to start the 1st game will be leader Ethan Lipscomb, 5-8, 155, a starter as a Defensive Back in 2024, and could still get reps there too. There’s also QB Brady Stewart, 5-10, 155, a young QB with a great future. Look for both kids to be starters in the program regardless of what happens at QB. The rest of the skill talent for both sides of the football you have Safety/OLB Tyce Divincent 6-2 165 2nd year starter, FS Elijah Logan 6-0 185 new starter, Safety/OLB Bryson Richard 6-1 155 2nd year starter, RB/LB/DE Hunter Stagg 5-8 160 a leader 3 year starter, RB/LB Anthony Williams lead team in tackles in 2023 and 2nd in tackles in 2024, WR/CB Braylon Jones 5-10 175 a 3 year starter, and WR Gauge Flocke 5-9 165 a 2nd year starter.

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The Bulldogs will return some quality young linemen in 2025. They dont have much depth in the trenches but the lineman they do have are good players lead by OL/DL Zachary Starkey 6-2 250, OL Dawson Register 6-2 200 2nd year starter, OL/DL Ethan White 6-3 260, OL/DL Cole Matherne 6-4 280, Center Denley Laudermilk 5-11 225 new starter, OG/DT Logan Milton 5-10 195 3 year starter leader, and TE/DE/LB Laydn May 6-2 205 lead team in tackles in 2024, and runs a legit 4.79 forty.

Special Teams Kicker will be new starter Conner Lipscomb, 5-10, 140 pounds. Punter will be Ethan Lipscomb, 5-8, 155 pounds.

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