District 1-Class 5A

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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Airline Vikings

Head Coach: Justin Scogin (4th year)

2024 Record: 11-1

2024 Playoffs: 2nd Round beat Westgate HS,3rd Round lost to Destrehan HS

2023 Record: 10-2.1st Round beat Southside HS,2nd Round lost to Mandeville HS

Key players Graduated: QB Ben Taylor (Northwestern State) Passed for 4,189 yards with 49 passing touchdowns in 2024), Kicker Ben Jump(Northwestern State), Athlete Jarvis Davis Jr(Alabama A&M), 84 catches for 1,113 yards and 14 total touchdowns, TE/DE Ayden Baker(Columbia U), SS Lane Plunkett, OL Jayson Burch, OL Kaleb Williams, OL Joshua White(East Texas Baptist), RB Micah Johnson, DL Dylan Patterson.

Team Outlook: The program lost a few experienced players from the 2024 team on Offense, but does have great players coming back to build around.

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Tidbits: Airline High School over the years has produced some great Baseball & Football players. Todd Walker has to be the greatest Baseball player to ever come out of the school, and Football, I would say in my opinion, current WR Kenny Darby is the most gifted athlete I’ve ever seen in my 30-plus years to come out of the school in football.More well-known Athlete to graduate from Airline High School are Golfer David Toms, former NBA Basketball player Larry Robinson, and former MLB Star B.J. Ryan.  Head Coach Justin Scogin is an Alum of the Leesville Wampus Cats.  Coach Scogin learned a lot from Offensive Genius David Feaster when he was the Offensive Coordinator at Parkway High School.Now, Coach Scogin is one of the top Offensive minds in Louisiana high school football currently.

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For the first time in 3 years, the program will also have a new QB. Chase Deon Williams will be the new QB in 2025, and will still have the weapons at the skill spots to keep the Offense at a high level. 2024 All-State WR Kenny Darby returns and had one of the best seasons ever from a Bossier WR with 100 catches,1,764 yards, and 24 touchdowns. Darby also runs a legit 4.4 forty and will keep this Offense rolling in 2025. The Offense also returns WR Terrance Hays, big time RB David Allen 5-10 165 with 4.5 speed, RB Matt Moore 5-8 175 new starter, OT Daylen Carmouche, OG Carl Hernandez, OT Xhyrstian Nelson, TE Justin Woodfork 6-0 200, WR Preston Hughes, OL JD Yates 6-0 245, OT/OG Cole Lowe, OL Joseph Thrash 6-0 250, and RB Chris Hart will get some reps in the Offense as a newcomer.

The Defense will be led by big time Athlete's like All District in 2024 FS/Safety Jeremiah Epps a RB in 2024 now a Safety/RB 5-8 180 4.59 speed, All District in 2024 LB Keandre Gardner 6-1 220 SR with 4.6 speed, CB Zeus Arthur 5-10 175, and LB Braylyn Jackson 6-1 220 4,6 speed another SR. Also back on the Defensive Line Luke Boyter 5-11 255 SR, and DL Jamarea Gardner 5-11 265. More players to look for as starters will be DE Cole Shephard, DT Jamirrion Davis, LB Kyren Taylor, DL Josh Papion, DT Max Moore, SS Abram Coats, CB Jaylan Bradley, DB Pierre Watson, SS Abreion Cooper, and SS Desmian Curry.

Special Teams will return a few players for options at Kicker and Punter in 2025. The leading candidate to be the starting Kicker will be Max Tinkis, SR, and Kickoffs should be Kicker Prenay Patel. The Punting job is still not decided, going into the Summer. Long Snapper starter will be Max Moore. There are two more Kickers, all capable of starting in 2025, Dylan Johnson and Brady Parks. After talking to the coach, he would not be surprised if all these Kickers get a chance to kick in 2025. It will be a good problem to have for any team in 2025.

Benton Tigers

Head Coach: Steve Dennis (1st year)

2024 Record: 1-9

2024 Playoffs: No

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

Key players Graduated: OT Witten Vanhoy(TCU), OC Grant Bunch, DE Tyler Davidson(Centenary), CB Tyler Thomas, DT Myuan Carey, WR Wade Chandler, FB/TE Cameron Boxley, FS Miller Malley, RB Conner Jeter, OL Jackson Touchstone, SS/LB Cole Austin(Evangel).

Team Outlook: We have a bunch of new starters on both sides of the football, but we have a talented group of hard-working kids. I am excited about our continued growth, and the future here is great said Head Coach Steve Dennis."

Tidbits: Head Coach Steve Dennis did a great job at Huntington High School in Shreveport as the Head Coach, and I think this was a slam dunk hire for Benton High School. The Offense has a chance to be one of the best in the school's history when it comes to skill players. Benton Football will have 100 players on the team in the Fall, grades 10th to 12th. The Freshman players coming in will be 45 players, bringing the total program enrollment to 145 players for the 2025 season. Benton High School Football graduated 27 seniors from the 2024 team. I had a chance to visit off-season workouts at Benton High School and was really impressed by how hard these kids are working in the weight room, and overall, the conditioning as a team was impressive to see. Benton High School has a weight room as good as any you will see in the State of Louisiana. Football and Strength and Conditioning Coach Scott Reeder does a great job with the Football team.

QB Malachi Zeigler 6-4 215 returns as one of the top QBs in Louisiana. Zeigler ran for 550 yards, six touchdowns, and passed for 997 yards with six touchdowns in only seven games in 2024 missed some games with an injury in 2024. The Offense also has more firepower in WR Case Austin 6-2 190 SR with 4.40 speed in the forty, RB Greg Chambers 5-10 195 ran for 1,200 yards in 2024, is back with 4.53 in the forty and power, and then you have RB Jaxon Johnson 6-0 175 with 4.49 speed. The Offense also returns at skill spots, TE/FB Tre'Schun Fields 5-11 205 converted from the Defense good Spring, WR Rydon McCormack 5-10 175 led the team in receiving in 2024, WR Owen Patterson SR, and RB/WR Hunter Crosby 5-10 175 will also get reps, tough player improved in Spring. The Offensive Line will have OT Andrew Croall 6-4 240, a really improved new starter, OT Caiden Hammond 6-2 300 leader, Center Pierce Haley 6-3 230 SR leader, OG Kyler Reynolds 5-10 225 new starter, had a great Spring, and new starter OG Maddox Tullos 5-10 235 pounds.

The Defense only returns three starters from the 2024 season will build around All District in 2024 LB Beckett Moore 6-0 200 3 year starter SR, MLB Maurice Goins 5-9 175 3 year starter leader, FS/SS Jonathan Hollis 5-11 170 2nd year starter coach says QB of the Defense, and LB Jason Gonzales 5-8 170 3 year starter SR. More players to keep a eye on on Defense are DT J. T Young 6-0 235 new starter, DE Xavier Villamor 6-3 210 new starter, LB/DE Brady Williams 6-1 200, CB Nicholas Gray 6-2 175 new starter, and DT/DE Carson Stubbs 6-0 210 a new starter.

Special Teams returns Kicker Will Petro for his 3rd year as a starter. Also starting at Punter will be Will Petro for the 2025 season.

C. E Byrd Yellow Jackets

Head Coach: Stacy Ballew (5th year)

2024 Record: 9-4

2024 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Woodlawn HS, Baton Rouge, 2nd Round beat St. Paul's HS, 3rd Round lost to Alexandria HS

2023 Record: 4-7.1st Round lost to Jesuit HS New Orleans

Key players Graduated: DB Kaiden Abraham Miller, WR Alex Schoonover, LB Sam Greer lead team with 136 tackles in 2024, DB Ethan Sipes, DB James Logan, RB Quinton Hillard, DE Rhyan Perry, DE Darell Cottonham(Louisiana Christian), K/WR Jackson Cooper, RB Desmond Simmons, DB Kristian Robertson, QB Harrison Ayres, and OL Joshua Hutson.

Team Outlook: Hard-working kids with new faces on the field in 2025. We feel confident our kids will line up and compete in 2025 said Head Coach Stacy Ballew."

Tidbits: The Byrd staff in 2024, I thought, got the most out of the team and did a wonderful job developing players with a new QB. Head Coach Stacy Ballew is an Alum of C. E Byrd High School(Class 1996). This will be Coach Ballew's 28th overall year as a coach at C.E. Byrd High School in 2025. Coach Ballew is also the team's Defensive Coordinator. After talking to the coach, the program should return in the Fall with anywhere from 90 to 95 players for varsity football. My favorite players over my 30-plus years watching high school football at Byrd High School are QB David Woodley(LSU), Safety Liffort Hobley(LSU), QB Arnaz Battle(Notre Dame was a WR),  and Offensive Lineman Mike Turner(NFL, Minnesota Vikings).

The Yellow Jackets in 2025 will have another new QB in Jackson Davis, 6-2 165, who has a ton of upside to become a difference maker for this program and a leader in 2025. The Offense also returns experience in FB Collin Deere 6-0 200, OG Jacob Martin 6-4 284, RB Peter Joseph Santiago 5-10 185, and RB Christian Maxie 5-10 170 with 4.55 speed. Also back on Offense will be OL Mason Kinley 5-11 195 SR, WR Logan Carlson 5-11 150, a new starter.

The Defense lost a lot of experience in the front seven, but will have a chance again with some younger players who lettered coming back to become a good group in 2025.Safety Ja'Cari Williams 6-0 195 returns as one of the best in the Shreveport area as a senior, and DT/DE Ian Gray returns for his 3rd year as a leader and starter at 6-2 250 pounds with great motor for a big guy. Gray is one of the biggest sleepers at his position in Louisiana.

More players in the program to watch on Defense will be sleeper CB Azariae Barfield 6-1 175 SR, LB Charlie Sepulvado 5-9 175 new starter, LB Madden Cromer 6-2 175 new starter, LB Conrad Hilliard 6-2 185 new starter, SR, rotating in DT Tayvious Washington 6-0 280 SR, rotating in DL Kamerun Anderson 5-10 230, OLB Abram Anderson 5-11 170 new starter SR, DB Cameron Williams 5-11 145 had a great off season. There are still battles going into the Summer/Fall for starting spots on both the Offensive and Defensive Lines, wide receiver, and Defensive Back.

Special Teams returns one of the best Kickers in Louisiana in 2024 All State  Asher Murray, 5-11 175 SR, with a 60-yard leg for range, has a career long of 57 yards. Murray went 12/14 in Field Goals in 2024,44/47 in Extra Points, and 48/57 in touchbacks from Kickoffs. Murray will get the opportunity in 2025 to help win some close games again.

Captain Shreve Gators

Head Coach: Jeremy Wilburn(2nd year)

2024 Record: 6-5

2024 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to Evangel Christian HS

Key players Graduated: OT Lionel Prudhomme Jr (Arkansas), FS/WR Tre Fuller(Navarro, Texas JC), WR JT Hester, QB Brodie Savage(Central Georgia Tech College), DT Cade Givens(Southeastern Oklahoma State), Kicker Zane Wyss(Centenary), LB Lionel Scott, DB Davy Donatelli, OT Jaylon Walker(Coffeyville, Kansas JC), Athlete Jamarion Otis(Garden City, Kansas JC), OL Caleb Randolph, Athlete Gabe Baker(Hendrix)TE Walker Bolton(Arkansas Tech),  Athlete DJ Waldon(Louisiana Christian) and DT Amarion Marshall.

Team Outlook: "The Gators should be much improved entering the 2025 season after a season of significant change in 2024." The players are far more confident in our processes, expectations, and scheme than at any point during the 2024 campaign, said Head Coach Jeremy Wilburn.

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Tidbits: The Gators havee some rich history with football over the years.Some of my favorite football players that played for Captain Shreve High School were RB Roland Harper(Chicago Bears), DT Ken Anderson(Arkansas), RB Derrick Douglas(Louisiana Tech),  DE Chris White, and LB Bo Harris(LSU).  Head Coach Jeremy Wilburn is an Alum of C.E.. Byrd High School, played QB for the Hall of Fame coach Mike Suggs.Coach Wilburn went to college at Northwestern State U, where he played Free Safety.

Even though the program lost a lot of starters, it returns many talented, experienced players to give the program a chance to be even better in 2025. The Offense returns one of the fastest players in the State in 2024 All State RB Jamarcea Plater 5-9 180, who runs a 4.39 in the forty, had a great year in 2024 with 2,234 yards rushing with 29 touchdowns, and caught 23 passes for 258 yards with three touchdowns. The Offense also returns several talented skill players in WR Cardarrian Devers 6-0, 175(1,200 yards of Offense in 2024 with 17 touchdowns and 50 catches), WR Chris Hill, WR Kaleb Law, RB Gabe Lockett, TE Keith Bolton, QB David Amos, and some young players battling for playing time. The Offensive Line will be big in size as a group and talented again led by SR Andre Campbell 6-1 275, SR Rashaun Morrison 5-11 250, SR Donovan Jones 6-5 321, OL Ian Wallace 6-1 285, Wellington Watts 6-2 325, and SR OL Jackson Davis 6-2 305.

The Defense also has several players back who lettered and saw playing time in 2024. LB Briggs Savage returns as a leader on Defense as an SR at 6-1 220. There's also LB Lamelvin Adger 5-11 215 SR, LB Daylen Hill, OLB Deanthony Thomas 5-10 180 SR, big time CB SR Brandon Mays Jr 5-9 165, DB Malachi Frost, DB Michael Brown II, DT Derayl Veal 6-1 265, DT Brayden McDuffey 5-11 265 SR, DE Elijah Turner 6-3 225, DT Charles McIntyre, and DT Osborne Demery JR 6-1 317.

Special Teams returns one of the best Long Snappers in Louisiana in Michael William Wyss, 6-1, 225 pounds.

Evangel Christian Academy Eagles

Head Coach: Denny Duron (5th year)

2024 Record: 5-7

2024 Playoffs: 1st Round beat Captain Shreve HS,2nd Round lost to Alexandria HS

2023 Record: 7-5.2nd Round Playoffs lost to Archbishop Shaw HS

Key players Graduated: OL/DL Donnie Shavers, OLB/DE T. J Grider, CB Solomon Jammer, Kicker/Punter Kent Kaegan(Louisiana Tech), LB Shawn Boston, RB Joshua Isaac Jr(Evangel U), OL Greg Olivier, DE Jamir Wilson

Team Outlook: Evangel Christian in 2025 has a chance to be their best team in many years as far as it comes to getting to a State Title game. When you have a record-setting QB like Peyton Houston, and the skill talent this team has, they will be in every game. The key, I think, to the season is for them to stay healthy in the Offensive & Defensive Lines depth-wise. They do have some big Athletic linemen, just not as many as some of the Class 5A teams in South Louisiana, I've seen again, depth-wise. If this team stays healthy, I think they can make a run for a State Title in 2025.

Tidbits:  Evangel Christian High School, some call it Quarterback U when it comes to Louisiana High School Football. 2024 2nd team All State QB Peyton Pop Houston, in his 1st year as a starter in the Offense, broke all the records for total yards in a season combined from a QB at Evangel Christian, 5,170 yards passing and running combined. That's a amazing stat when you consider the QB's that have come out of this school like Josh Booty(LSU)former USA today National Offensive Player year, Brock Berlin National Gatorade player of the year(Florida & Miami), Blake Shapen currently with Mississippi State, Brent Rawls(Oklahoma), John David Booty(USC), David Dee Duron(Louisiana Tech Baseball), Phillip Deas(North Carolina) and others. Houston also broke the record for total yards in a game in 2024 with 900 yards combined against Captain Shreve High School, and 817 yards passing.

The Offense, believe it or not, actually can get better in 2025. All-State as ann Athlete in 2024 QB Peyton Houston 6-1 200 just in his 1st year, passed for 4,480 yards with 38 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. What's scary is that it was the kids' 1st season to start varsity. Houston also ran for 690 yards with seven touchdowns. The skill players on the team a few of them will play both sides of the football and all of these kids are Athletic and can be playmakers like WR/DB Demarkus Evans 5-7 158 4.45 speed in the forty, WR/DB Johnny Casey 5-10 160 4.45 speed or better in the forty, WR/DB Charley Abraham Jr 6-1 185, RB/WR/DB Cardelrio Coleman 6-0 173 4.5 speed in the forty, FS Jayden Raphiel 6-2 180, Safety Brandon Stephens 5-8 170, RB Kionte Mims II 5-9 180, CB Braylon Lewis 5-8 165, DB Aidan Carter 5-11 178, WR/DB Jayden Hicks 5-8 155 4.5 speed in the forty, CB LaBroderick Wilson 5-8 140 4.5 speed in the forty, CB Seth Collins 6-1 175, and Safety/OLB Ethan Mandigo 5-7 182.

Key starters in the trenches and at Linebacker will be DT/OL Ashton Dawson 6-2 285 SR returning starter, OL/DL Zavian McDavid 5-11 235, OL/DL Christian Speight 6-3 325 SR, OT Jackson Spear 6-6 310 SR, 2024 All State LB Damari Drake 6-0 215 SR 150 tackles,103 solo tackles with 12 tackles for loss in 2024 I think one of the best players in Louisiana intense leader, MLB Javian Rogers 5-10 195, OL Andrew Walker 5-8 200, OL Kyren Gordon 5-9 220, OL Olly Thomas 5-10 232, DE Otis Washington 5-9 215, LB Caleb Armstrong 5-9 180, and sleeper TE/DE Nick Lopez 6-2 250 his year to show his full upside both sides of the football.

The new starting Kicker will be AJ Robinson, 5-11, 160. Young, a talented player, will also play some WR for the team. The Long Snapper will be Westin Chase JoJohnson, 6-1, 21, who has a chance to be one of the best in Louisiana. Johnson will also play some Offensive Line/Center for the team.

Haughton Buccaneers

Head Coach: Matthew Sewell(2nd year)

2024 Record: 3-7

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record: 4-6.

Key players Graduated: WR Zu Davis, WR Jakobe Delaney, WR Boston Bockhaus, DB Andrew Markray, LB Cayden Garcia, DL Gus Beaty, OL Brogen Dodd, OL Rimarria Davis, RB Devontay Moss, DL Jamari Jones, LB Kole Gaspard, WR Preston Peters, OL Cole Chontos, OL Ryland Crawford, Kicker Jacob Wood, LB Harley Ingram, DB/WR John Hudson Brown..

Team Outlook: Should be better in 2025. We did lose a big senior class from last year of 11seniors starters, but we return 11 seniors starters in 2025. We do return six starters on Offense and five starters back on Defense said Head Coach Matthew Sewell."

Tidbits: Head Coach Matthew Sewell told me the schedule is tough with 9 District games in 2025. The Football Field was named after former QB Alum Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys), now called Dak Prescott Field. Dak donated $1.12 million to help improve the football and sports facilities at Haughton High School. The school was able to get a new Video Scoreboard, a big upgrade to the weight room, and possibly more on the way, which will help the program a lot. Coach expects close to 80 players to come out for the Fall in 2025. Class 2025 Football player John Hudson Brown won State in Track in 2025 in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.37 and was 4th in the 200 meters in the State meet. Haughton Girls Basketball made the Semifinals in 2025, Boys Basketball made the 2nd Round, Natalie Davis won her weight Division for State in Wrestling, Haughton Baseball Class 2025, Christian Turner signed with Arkansas U, made the Rawlings All American Team, and was the only one from Louisiana to make the team for the Class 2025.

The Offense returns Quarterback Taylor Weathersby 5-9 185 as a 2nd year starter coming off a great 1st year passing for 2,388 yards with 16 passing touchdowns, and running for five touchdowns. In Weathersby's last three games of the season, he averaged over 375 yards per game passing in 2024. Weathersby already has 17 starts as a QB in his career. Most of the top skill starters will start both sides of the football players like WR/DB Ethan Johnson 5-9 180 2nd year starter had 29 catches in 2024 with six touchdowns, DB/RB Brandon Craig 5-9 175 a 3 year starter had 787 yards rushing in 2024 and averaged 7.1 yards a carry, RB/LB Kendall Hargrove 5-9 185, RB Payton Harris 5-7 150 averaged 6 yards per carry rushing in 2024, WR Colton Bedgood 5-7 175, WR Jay'lon Abney 6-0 160, CB/FS Kyron Turner 6-4 185 one of the best players on the team, DB Xaveria McDuffy 5-9 150 2nd year starter, WR Cameron James 6-0 150, WR Carter Couvillion 5-9 175, FB/TE/LB Jameson Voight 6-1 190, and WR Case Corkern 5-9 185.

Key lineman and Linebackers to watch will be LB Isaac Jennings 5-7 185 2nd year starter, OL/OT Josh McReynolds 6-2 285 2nd year starter, OL Jakob Frasier 5-9 245 new starter, DT Sage Kenney 6-0 230 new starter, DE Nolan Mitchell 6-1 210 new starter, OL Jaden Keith 6-0 215 2nd year starter.

Special Teams, the Kicker, and Punting positions are still open going into the Summer.

Huntington Raiders

Head Coach: John Simon(1st year)

2024 Record: 7-6

2024 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to Edna Karr HS

2023 Record: 7-4

2023 Playoffs: Lost to Woodlawn HS of BR

Key players Graduated: DB William Daughtery(Evangel College), DE Jatarian Montgomery, WR/DB Tyler Welch(Northwestern State), WR Jamarion Washington(Southern Arkansas), RB Kan'Ron Davis, RB Nyles Hullaby ran for 1,305 yards with 15 touchdowns in 2024(McMurry College,  Texas), OL Kevion Henry, OL Naki Reed(Louisiana Christian), DT Hakeem Norman(Ouachita Baptist), QB Lorenzo White Jr(Centenary), WR Keirion Anderson, DB Joemiah Robinson.

Team Outlook: The program graduated 38 seniors from the 2024 season. Over 90% of the Offense production and Defense production have graduated. We do return talented players that need to be developed, and teach these kids to be football players. Keep it simple and grow with the players. We will lean on the Offensive Line, and in 2025 will have an RB by committee, but not sure who the top 2 or 3 are, not set in stone yet for the fall season after Spring said Head Coach John Simon."

Tidbits: Head Coach John Simon, I covered back in the day when he was a star RB at Southern Lab High School (Class 1997) in Baton Rouge. Coach Simon was also a coach at Arizona State University, Memphis, ULL, Southern Mississippi, and was recently at Grambling State University from 2021 to 2023. Coach Simon was a starter all 4 years with 4,852 all-purpose yards in his career, also back in the day for Louisiana Tech in Ruston, Louisiana (Class 2001). Coach also played in the NFL from 2002 to 2004. Coach expects from grades 9 through 12th grade 120 players out for Fall practice. Coach Simon's son James Simon enrolled over the Spring at the University of Texas in Austin as a Running Back after a great career at Calvary Baptist High School. Coach told me his son will play his Freshman year at 6-0, 205 pounds this year for Texas in the Southeastern Conference. Also, the coach told me his son over Spring/Summer carried a 3.5 GPA for the Texas Longhorns.

The Offense will also have a new starting QB, and after Spring, that player will be Darius Truvillion. Truvillion was the program's starting JV Quarterback in 2024. Darius is very talented and at 5-10, 170 pounds with a good arm looks to have a really good 1st season at the position. The WR position lost a lot of experience but does return a starter from the 2024 season, Adrian Johnson, 5-9, 165, who had five touchdowns in 2024. The rest of the WR group are new starters: WR Cameron Walker 5-10 180, WR Kaiden Starks 6-1 182, and WR Ja'Korian Spencer 5-9 170. New transfer Nathan Green 6-0 175 from Evangel Christian High School will also be in the mix with legit 4.5 speed or better in the forty. The Offensive Line returns three big, experienced leaders from a year ago in Center Royuan Jackson, 6-3 315 SR, a 3-year starter, OL Kiran Pea, 6-5 350, a new starter but lettered in 2024, and talented OT Bryson Spencer, 6-6 320. The Offense also has two talented HB/TE position players who will rotate in TE/FB/HB Christian Greer, 6-1, 225 SR, and TE/HB/FB Jaylin Morgan, 6,1, 228.

The Defense will build around a young talented Defensive Line led by DT Joshua Fisher 6-1 285 a 2nd year starter, Safety Charles Tieul SR 5-8 170 a 2nd year starter, FS Ja'Kevion Spencer, DT D. J Kinchen 5-11 351, DT Geordan Coleman 5-10 265 rotate in in, LB Skylar Morrow 5-9 200 new starter, Safety/CB Brayden Cummings 5-7 190 new starter had a great Spring, and new player to the team CB Nathan Green.

Special Teams, the starting Kicker & Punter job is still wide open going into the Summer.

Natchitoches Central Chiefs

Head Coach: Brad Laird(2nd year)

2024 Record: 2-8

2024 Playoffs: No

2025 Playoffs: 2-8

Key players Graduated: WR/DB Dillon Braxton(Grambling State Baseball/Football), FS/WR Titus Williams(Grambling State Baseball/Football), WR Anthony Jernigan, DB/WR Drew Brown.

Team Outlook: Excited about year two as the Head Football coach. The carryover progress we have made as a team going into this coming year is exciting to see. I am also happy we return a lot of experience on the Offense said Head Coach Brad Laird."

Tidbits: Head Coach Brad Laird has a heck of a resume as a High School coach. Laird is a former State Championship Quarterback for Ruston High School. Coach Laird is also the former Head Coach at Northwestern State University. Natchitoches Central High School played Northwood High School of Shreveport in the Spring game. Also on the Chiefs football staff is another former Northwestern State Head football Coach, Jay Thomas.

The Offense has a chance to be one of the sleeper Class 5A Offenses in North Louisiana. Quarterback Owen Smith 6-0 180 returns for his senior season after throwing for 2,419 yards with 22 touchdowns, and running for 700 yards in 2024. Smith also ran for nine touchdowns and threw only four interceptions in 2024. The run game will be strong too, led by returning starter Kelton Howard, 5-11 185, who had over 500 yards rushing in 2024, will be a seniornior, and RB Kaden Kuykendall 5-8, 175, will be another back getting carries. The WR position you have Tight End Mason Britton 5-11 180 (2 Touchdowns in 2024), WR K. J Newton 5-11 170 had over 1,000 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns in 2024, WR Jordan Carpenter 6-0 185 SR with 4.6 speed in the forty, WR DeMarcus Nicholas 5-10 155 new starter with 4.5 speed in the forty, and WR Lamtrey Holden 5-10 160 another new starter with big play ability. The Offensive Line will OG Kennedy Coutee 6-0 290, the team's best lineman back as a SR OL Cemarian McNeal 6-3 230, OT Sammy McCorkle 6-3 285, new starter, and Center Kennard Johnson 6-0 245.

The Defense will be led by leader SR Jeremy Lowe 6-0 190 will play OLB/Safety 75 tackles in 2024, DE/LB Case Singletary 6-0 215 leader returning starter, Safety Amari Speed 5-10 170 converted WR to Defense in 2024 with 4.45 speed in the forty, LB Brenden Young 5-11 190 2nd year starter, DE Austin Sewell 6-1 220 athlete 2nd year starter, CB Dallas Demery 5-9 160 2nd year starter, DE Deshuwn Braggs 6-2 240, CB Kendrick Llorens 5-11 165 new starter, DT/NG Jerelle Palmer 6-0 400 lettered in 2024 and can move for a big kid, and DT Jeremiah Avist 6-2 225 new starter.

Special Teams Amsden Pasch is the leading candidate to start both at Kicker and Punter in 2025. In the return game, Jeremy Lowe scored one touchdown as a Kick Returner in 2024.

Parkway Panthers

Head Coach: Coy Brotherton(6th year)

2024 Record: 8-3

2024 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to West Monroe HS

2023 Record: 7-4.1st Round lost to Belle Chasse HS

Key players Graduated: RB Josh Tell, WR Chase Crowder, DT/DE Devon Oliver(Rice), WR/CB Jayden Lewis, WR/CB Machi Harris-McGee, RB/LB CJ Dudley, RB/CB Camero Mayo(Navarro, Texas JC), TE/DE Kamron Blackshire, FS Trenton Howard, OG Chaze Brown, OT Jax Gallier(Judson University), OG Ethan Plunkett, LB Christian Harris,

Team Outlook: Parkway High School Football graduated many players, but it was a young team again in 2024. The 2025 team has a chance to be better both on Offense and Defense with more experienced players returning. The Defense returns a lot of starters with a chance to be improved in 2025.

Tidbits: Head Coach Coy Brotherton was the Offensive Coordinator at Captain Shreve High School before becoming the head coach of Parkway High School in 2019. Coach was also the former Head Coach of Plain Dealing High School, and spent 6 years as an assistant at Airline High School early in his career under then-Head Coach Mike Greene.

Everything on Offense will revolve around Quarterback Kaleb Williams, 6-1 170, a SR, coming up with good feet in the pocket and every year a stronger arm. Williams completed 63% of his passes in 2024 and was also All-District in Basketball in 2024. The Offensive Line will return some experience and size, led by OT Chris Green 6-0, 305 SR), Center/OL Patrick Gray 6-1, 330 SR), and 3-year starter Keyshawn Long 5-9, 275 SR. The Offense will also return the big playmaker 3 3-year starter, Antonio Gladney, All District in 2024, 5-11, 185 SR, will play multiple positions again, RB/WR/Safety in 2025. Also back is FB/HB/TE Draidyn Davis 5-11 235 SR, will help block with the Offensive Line and play some Tight End. The Wide Receiver group returns JP McGovern 5-11 175 SR, Antonio Gladney 6-0 185 SR 4.5 in the forty, and the rest will be new starters in 2025, like WR Cameron Hines, who runs a legit 4.6 in the forty.

The Defense will return some leaders too,, in Defensive End Nathaniel Kemp, 6-2 245,, a sleeper,, Athletic player, SR, Hon Mention All State in 2024. Defensive Tackle Korde Sharp,, 6-0 285,, a leader, experienced player. DT Ravion Poland,, 6-1 290, returning starter. Linebacker Brady Sutton Prine, 6-1 190, returns as a leader. You also have the heart and Soul back of the front seven  Hon Mention All State , All District Defensive MVP in 2024, LB Mark Copenhaver a 3 year starter 5-9 190 plays bigger than his size a SR had 78 tackles, six sacks and 12 tackles for losses, DE Kelin Milhouse 6-1 230 sleeper returning starter, LB/Safety Colby Lee 5-10 190 2nd year starter leader, and CB Peyton Rayner 5-10 170 a 3 year returning starter leader in the Defensive Backfield along with DI Safety Antonio Gladney.

Special Teams returns 2nd year starter Kicker Shawn Jackson 6-0 180.

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