District 2-Class 4A

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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Franklin Parish Patriots

Head Coach:Adrian Burnette(4th year) 

2024 Record:10-2

2024 Playoffs: Quarterfinals lost to Iowa HS 

2023 Record:7-4.1st Round lost to Northwest HS 

Key players Graduated: WR/CB Carl Williams, WR/CB Chauncey White, RB/LB Kenyon Martin, WR/FS Addison Spradling, CB Zay Boley, OG Drew Calloway, OT/DE Cameron Plater(Track/Indian Hills Community College), OL Ty Williamson.

Team Outlook: Every year, we get better as a team and with culture. We have a sign in our Football building that says “Success is measured in inches and not in miles”. Strength of our team will be the senior leadership of 7 seniors, not a big class, but the same kids who were Freshman when I got the job and my 1st true senior 4 year class here said Head Coach Adrian Burnette.”

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Tidbits: This is a program that is very close to getting to a Semifinal game and a State Title game. In 2025, I think they will have a great chance to do this in the end. This team has size, experience, leadership, and skilled speed on both sides of the football. Has all the pieces to be a great team in the end. I had a chance to visit the school twice in the last 8 months, and super impressed with the talent they have and their upside as a team. Head Coach Adrian Burnette is a former All-State WR at Bastrop High School and a former starting WR for Tulane University.

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The Offense will return for the 4th year, one of the best athletes in the Monroe or Metro area in All State QB Dezyrian Ellis, 6-3, 185 pounds, with legit 4.59 speed in the forty and a good arm. Ellis will be the face of the program on Offense and might have his best season yet. The skill talent around Ellis will be very strong lead by RB Trey Martin 5-11 195, RB DJ Neal 5-11 175 ran for 1,100 yards in 2024,2nd year starter Kaiden Seals 6-3 175, TE/WR new starter Cameron Easterland 6-4 215, WR Malique Credit 5-9 170 3 year starter, WR Tecorian Spears 5-10 172, and rotating in for reps at WR will be Kaaron Jones 5-8 160, Jameson Wiggers 5-10 175, and Matt Thomas 6-2 190. The Offensive Line you have OT Derrick Martin 6-1 260 a converted Defensive Tackle and 3 year starter, OL Gerren Marzell 6-3 225 2nd year starter, Center Frederick Brown 5-10 305 a 3 year starter, and SR Hunter Caldwell, 6-1, 275, at also some Center/OG for the team. Another young Offensive Lineman, Tucker Jones, 6-0 250, will compete for reps along with some other linemen.

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The Defense will return one of the best Defensive Lines in not only Class 4A but in Louisiana, led by 2024 All State DE Chris Addison 6-3 248, with legit 4.61 speed in the forty, a 4-year starter, and has big time pass rush stuff and run stopper. There’s also big-time DT Tavon Bell, 6-3 264, who moved from DE, and he’s a 4.79 forty guy inside with incredible upside and effort like Addison, a 4-year starter. Also on the Defensive Line, you have DT CJ Jones, 5-11 265, really strong, agile, DE Joshua Johnson, 6-1 240, new starter, DE Daylon Credit, 6-0 230, new starter, and rotating in DE Malachi Grant, 6-4 215. Also coming back, recovering from an injury in 2024, will be DT Arad Davis, 5-9, 230. The Linebacking group will be new starter Mekhi Smart, 5-9, 235, tough kid, new starter LB Jeremiah Lewis, 5-10, 180, lettered in 2024, and others competing for reps. The Defensive Backfield lost a lot of experience from the 2024 team but still returns some talented players in FS/SS Avery Johnson 6-0 170 a 4 year starter with 4.5 speed in the forty, CB Jacolby Brooks 5-8 160, new starter converted WR to CB Christian Jackson 6-0 190, and Malique Credit will get some reps at Safety 5-9 170 a 3 year starter.

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Special Teams Punter will be Trey Martin & Jeremiah Lewis, and Kicker will be Chris Addison and Jameson Wiggers.

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Grant Cougars

Head Coach:Jarvous Felton(3rd year)

2024 Record:4-7

2024 Playoffs:1st round lost to Plaquemine HS

2025 Playoffs:3-5.1st Round lost to Iowa HS 

Key players Graduated:CB/FS Isaiah McKinney(Louisiana Christian),LB Gavin Borland(Louisiana Christian),TE/LB Landon Fredieu, DE Kourtland Elie(Louisiana Christian)

Team Outlook: Best off-season since I’ve been here.Mental focus with hunger to win for these young men. Our players, having been reading, with the staff, a book called (The Program), find commitment, accountability, toughness, and holding each other to a high standard said Head Coach Jarvous Felton.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Jarvous Felton is an Alum of Grant High School, a former All-District player. Coach Felton also played football down the street at Louisiana Christian University in Pineville, Louisiana. Coach does a great job promoting his kids and developing players, and does his best to get as many players signed for college every year.

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The Offense will return QB Gage Hossieui, a really good leader with a good arm, and who knows the Offense. The program does have some quality skill players like RB/FS Ahmad Sykes 6-2 190 3rd year starter, WR/CB Keith McKinney All District in 2024,3rd year starter, WR Myles Futrell 6-2 165 former QB now WR with 4.59 speed, RB/DB Damichael Perry 5-11 160 2nd year starter, WR/CB Shawn Williams 5-11 170 2nd year starter 4 interceptions in 2024, RB/MLB Matthew Cooper 5-11 200, and WR Donte Rubin 2nd year starter. 

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The Offensive Line will be talented with some size lead by All District OC/DT Madden Blalock 6-2 270 3 year starter leader, OL/DL Kaleb Firment 6-2 270, OL Dionte Pennington 6-1 290, OL/DL Owen Stokes 6-2 285, and Center Bentley Sibley 5-11 260 2nd year starter.

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The Defense will be led by talented SR DE Jake Glass, 6-5 250 3 3-year starter, DE/TE Jaiden Moore, 6-2 250, 3rd year starter, and talented  OLB Braedon Sloan, 5-11 195, 2nd year starter. Talented 2-way starters Ahmad Sykes, FS, CB Keith McKinney/LB Matthew Cooper, and DT Madden Blalock will play a lot of Defense for the program.

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Special Teams returns Kicker Jose as the starting Punter & Kicker for his 2nd year as a starter.

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Peabody Warhorses

Head Coach:Jamar Washington(1st year) 

2024 Record:2-8 

2024 Playoffs: No 

2023 Record:7-5.1st Round win over B.T.W New Orleans,2nd Round lost to Lafayette Christian HS

Key players Graduated: OC Malik Armstead(Centenary), OT/DT Byron Wilcox, FS/CB/WR TJ Hullaby(McNeese State), QB Larry Roberts(Kansas Wesleyn), CB/WR Jordan Veal, WR/RB Tru Martin, RB/CB Guy Harber, RB/LB Jeremiah Moore, LB Jerrell Howard, DB Zion Johnson.

Team Outlook: The team had mostly Freshmen & Sophomores play in 2024, which was a huge task. Kids are hungry for success here. We had over 65 players for Spring, and players are dedicated to learn, and I love to teach these kids the game of football, excited for the 2025 season coming u, said interim coach in May, Katerrio Pennywell.

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Tidbits: Head Coach Jamar Washington graduated from Peabody High School Class of 2017. Coach Washington played football in college at Southern University as a starting WR. From 2022 to 2024, he was the Offensive Coordinator for Southern Lab High School in Baton Rouge. Southern Lab High School won the State Championship in 2023.

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Look for a 2 QB system in 2025 for the Warhorses program.QB Zayden Bolden and new QB Zane Windham will both see major snaps, and both will be important for the success of this team in 2025. The rest of the Offense to start you will see WR Zachary Green 6-3 175, OL Jamari Kirt 6-5 320, RB David Newton 5-8 170 2nd year starter, OT Kyron Wilson, TE Markeric Lacour, RB/WR Jordan Hargrove 5-7 165 team captain 2nd year starter, RB/LB Tony Brooks Jr best player on team 5-10 180 4,5 speed 3 year starter and newcomer WR/DB 2 way starter Princeton Pace.

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The Defense will return the heart and soul in OLB/DE Alonzo Joseph 6-0 205, a big-time pass rusher, 2nd year starter with big-time ability, and a team captain in 2025. More players to look out for on Defense are CB Jemal Gibson 5-7 170, FS Nagee Wayford 6-2 170, CB Jeremiah Jackson 6-2 180, and 2 way starter LB Tony Brooks Jr, CB Damarcus Anderson 2nd year starter, DT Christian McNeal, DT Malik Jackson 6-1 250 and players like Cameron Roberts LB rotating in for the Defense.

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Special teams will be in good hands with All-State Kicker/Punter back Jerrod Armond.

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Tioga Indians

Head Coach:Dan Christman(1st year) 

2024 Record:4-6 

2024 Playoffs: No 

2023 Record:9-3.2nd Round lost to St. Paul’s HS

Key players Graduated: RB Travis Adams(Louisiana Christian), OL/TE Jayden Haggor, DT Brodie Goudeau, FB/TE Ryan Reeves,

Team Outlook: It was a tough year in 2024 for the Tioga football program. We averaged over 40 points a game in 2024, but had trouble stopping the opposing team’s Offense struggled there This offseason worked on the Defense in Spring, we worked on Defense personnel to get better there,  and will continue through the Summer. Former Head Coach Kevin Cook did a great job here for the past 10 years, and I will work hard with my staff to continue what he built here said Head Coach Dan Christman.”

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Tidbits: For the first time in 10 years, the Indians will have a new Head Football Coach. Kevin Cook did a great job getting the program to a high level every year. New Head Coach Dan Christman was a great hire. Coach Christman was on the staff at Tioga HS as the Offensive Line coach and WR coach during his tenure for several years, and he will do a great job. This will be Coach Christman's 36th year as a coach. Tioga will only return 7 to 8 seniors in 2025. The youngest position will be replacing most of the Offensive Line from 2024.

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The Offense for the 3rd straight year will return starting QB Cade Malone, 5-10, 185 SR, the heart and soul of the team. Malone can spin it in 2024, passing for 1,528 yards with 15 touchdowns, and running for 300 yards with 9 touchdowns. Malone completed 61% of his passes in 2024. Also back is big time WR Kervin Johnson, 6-4, 195 pounds, 2nd year to start, and in 2024 caught 49 passes for 700 yards. The run game will have 2 way starter at RB/LB Kenny Ponthier, 5-10, 195, a 3-year starter at LB, and now will get carries as an RB. Also, back in the run game, you will have 2-way starter Jackson Tarver, 5-8, 165, also a Safety on Defense. Also, keep an eye on these 2 Wide Receivers, WR/Safety Christian Iles, 2nd year starter, and WR Angelo Shelton, 5-10 170, will be a big-time, game-changer for the team. The Offensive Line has a chance to be good and is lead by OC/OG 4 year starter Tucker Landry 5-10 270 SR leader, OT/DT Marion Jacobs 6-0 307, OG Maxwell Byard 6-2 325 new starter, OG Hayden Laborde 5-8 215, and OT Naradda Roy 6-4 250.

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The Defense returns 3-year starter OLB Sjavien Champion, 6-1, 21,8 SR leader, and also a HB/TE on Offense. Also back on Defense MLB Kohen Henry 5-10 190 2nd year starter with over 100 tackles in 2024, and DE/HB Tarver Landry 6-0 230 had several sacks in 2024 biggest game was against Peabody, had 4 Sacks. More players to keep a eye on in 2025 are DE/OLB Wesley Sherman 6-3 225 new starter, DE/DT AJ Adams 5-9 265 2nd year starter, Safety David Garrett new starter, LB Bryson Faul 6-0 205, CB Karlinsky Loyd a 2nd year starter 5-9 140 SR, and RB Kenny Ponthier will play LB too.

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Special Teams Kicker and Punter will be Ethan Bridges, 6-1 168, returning for his 3rd year as a starter, and will also see some time as a WR in 2025. Long Snapper will be Tucker Landry.

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West Ouachita Chiefs

Head Coach:Mike Rainwater(5th year) 

2024 Record:10-2

2024 Playoffs:1st Round beat Denham Springs in overtime,2nd Round lost to Central HS 

2023 Record:

Key players Graduated: LB/Punter Luke Jones(Ouachita Baptist), CB Kevin Harper,2024 All State SS Matthew Lee, QB Samuel Ozark, FB/LB MJ Owens, FS Seth Dowdy, DE/TE Caiden Waffer, OC Patrick Mchenry, DE Dominic Lyles, OL Bo Harrison, DE Jaylon Jackson, DT Cooper Talley, WR Xzavion Jackson

Team Outlook: Our team motto is T&T(Takes no Talent), to get where we need to be. Takes discipline, doing things the right way, competitive confidence about ourselves day in and day out said Head Coach Mike Rainwater.”

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Tidbits: West Ouachita High School in 2024 won 10 games during the regular season for the first time in school history. Also hosted their first playoff game in 17 years, and won 1st playoff win in 17 years. There were a lot of 1st’s for the program. The school also got upgrades to the Football Stadium, a new turf field for Baseball & Softball, and a new Track. The Chiefs graduated 23 seniors from the 2024 football team, the largest senior football class in the history of the school.

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The Offense will have a new starting QB in 2025. Devin Ellis came out of Spring the starter 6-0 165, has experience started 6 games his Soph year, but will have competition again in the Fall among QB Holdyn Hering 6-1 185, and Trigger Booth 5-10 180, both really good athletes for the program. The run game going into Fall camp, you have FB Duston Baush 5-8 165, RB Aadan Dean 5-10 160, and RB Kaleb Carter, with more young players competing before the season starts. The WR group you have is Elijah Hunter, 6-3 190, new starter, WR Lorenzo Price, 5-7 145, new starter, TE/WR Clancy Grha, 6-3 200, 2nd year starter, and TE Dillon Robb, 6-4 230. The Offensive Line returns some leaders in SR Cooper Donaldson 6-0 280, OT Blake Roberson 6-6 225, OG David Joe Neathery 5-10 300, and 3-year starting Center Hayden Thrasher 5-11 260. New starter on the Offensive Line will be Owen Struben, 6-2, 285.

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The Defense returns All District CB Gavin Yeager 5-11 180 a 2nd year starter, All District LB Asher Thompson 5-11 225 a 3 year starter, LB Brody Otwell 5-11 225 2nd year starter,2 way starter DE Clancy Graham 6-3 200, DE Taylor Martin 5-11 225 2nd year starter, and 2nd year starter DT Andrew Osbon 6-1 270. New starters you have: Safety Dalton Thrasher 5-10 160, DT Jace Siddon 5-10 225, DE Josiah Toston 6-0 230,  FS Eli Cobb 6-4 180, CB Jayland Harper 5-9 160, and LB Kip Spillers 5-10 170.

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Special Teams returning starter Chance Stewart, Kicker, and Punter will be Landon Waguespack, 5-10, 180, a new starter.

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Wossman Wildcats

Head Coach:John Diarse(1st year) 

2024 Record:6-6 

2024 Playoffs:2nd Round lost to Iowa HS

2023 Record:9-3.1st Round beat Brusly, and 2nd Round lost to Northwest HS

Key players Graduated: DE/OLB Fred Clark(ULM), Athlete/WR/CB Richard Wilson, Athlete/WR Travis Lynch, FS/WR Zion Weeks, LB Jeremiah Griffin, WR/DB Prestavion Washington, LB/DB Devin Brown, DE/LB Ke’sean Hines, FB/TE Jonah Greely, OL/DT/DE Ta’mahjaye Burrell

Team Outlook: We have the talent, size, speed, and linemen. We have what you need to win games here. We need to #1 trust our staff,#2 trust in each other, and # 3 we need to increase our football knowledge from a mental standpoint. I think we have a team that can accomplish a lot in 2025 said Head Coach John Diarse.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach John Diarse. I saw him play not too long ago with Neville High School as an All-State Wide Receiver, Class of 2013. John went on to graduate from LSU in 2015 and received his Master's Degree from TCU in 2017. Coach Diarse most recently coached at Slidell High School in 2024 as an assistant coach. This will be Coach Diarse's 1st Head Coaching Job in 2025. The staff has some great people on it, including John’s brother, Josh Diarse will coach Running Backs, also a Neville Graduate, and former Neville WRs coach Terry Levine, who coached John Diarse at Neville, will also be on the staff. Coach also thinks his home run hire will be friend Chad Ali, who has coached football at the high school level in Georgia and Jat ohn Tyler High School in Texas, will be his Defensive Coordinator in 2025.

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There is a good mix of older talent and young talent combined to make this Wossman team a big-time sleeper come playoff time in 2025, after talking to coach John Diarse. Spring, the team had 64 players and hopes to have around 75/80 in the Fall.

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The Offense will count on a very experienced Offensive Line that returns 4 starters Center Christian Humphrey 5-10 190 a 3 year starter, big time leader, OL Jacob Dunn 6-4 250 4 year starter, OL Azarion Wade 6-4 295 a 3 year starter and OL Atriss Williams 5-10 250 a 2nd year starter. The new QB will be Jaterrance Long, 6-1, 168 started some games in 2024 and did a great job had a good Spring. The WR room is talented but young overall lead by former QB now WR Reginald Taylor 5-9 150 playamaker with speed, WR C.J Williams 6-1 190 new starter, WR Kaden Salles 5-11 165 new starter, and WR Kentavius Griffin 6-0 175 will play both WR & RB and started some in 2024 with great hands and has speed 4.5 in the forty. The run game will be led by RB Ron’Querious Hardgrove, 5-9 165, with 4.4 speed in the forty big time playmaker, and rotating in will be a new player in the program, RB Jakeem Reitzell, 5-10 185 SR, who has a chance to be a big time back for the Offense in 2025. Starting at TE/HB will be Lamarian Cage, 5-11, 185, with 4.6 speed in the forty.

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The Defense will be young overall but talented. The Defense will be led around converted starting Offensive Lineman now Defensive Tackle SR Daniel Whitlock 5-10 310, a 3-year starter, and a kid with great motor and feet, and high effort. The rest of the front seven will be DE Rush Wilson 6-0 200 new starter, DE/OLB Austin Wilson 6-0 190 new starter, LB Lamerrius Norman 5-11 210 SR leader, LB Demarrion Price 5-10 185 with 4.6 speed in the forty, and LB Robert Clark 5-10 210 another new starter. The Defensive Backfield will be young with talent starting with Safety Dexter Major Jr 5-10 170 a 2nd year starter tough smart kid, CB Taxon Stewart 5-10 170 another high IQ player of the game lock down CB, CB Jaydyn Connor 6-0 160 a new talented starter, and CB Lamon Woods 5-9 155 a new starter and one of the fastest players on the team with 4.45 speed in the forty.

Special Teams starting at both Kicker & Punter will be a battle between Jakeem Reitzell, SR, and Kicker MarioSalinas, 5-10 170, 1st year player with a good leg.

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