District 4-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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Catholic Bears

Head Coach: Hudson Fuller(3rd year)

2024 Record: 11-1.District Champs

2024 Playoffs: Semifinals lost to Edna Karr HS

2023 Record: 12-3.State Champs

Key players Graduated: WR Chase Cathey, RB Rylan Parker(Centenary), DB Cayden Jones(Southern U), TE Porter Fourrier, WR Amari Clayton(Nicholls State), DB Sam Norman, LB Corey Hatch, LB Layton Welch, OL John Joffrion, OL Karson Johnson-Harris, DT Oliver Sabine, OL Erv Smith(Louisiana Tech), RB Jeremy Fisher Jr(Trine University), WR Cohen Leblanc(Nicholls State), Kicker Sean Perret(LSU), TE Michael Griggs(Milsaps Football & Baseball), DB Jacob Bradford(LSU), WR Alex Huffine.

Team Outlook: Beginning of the off-season, this team has been motivated, and they are working really hard. I am excited about what the outcome will be in 2025 said Head Coach Hudson Fuller.”

Tidbits: One of the most dominant High School Football programs since 2015 is Catholic High School of Baton Rouge. Since 2015, Catholic has won State Titles in 2015,2017,2020,2021,2023. And in 2024, a great year for most schools, they won District 5-0, and won 11 games in an off year, but again, a great year. Head Coach Hudson Fuller is an Alum of University High Cubs in Baton Rouge(Class 2008). The Catholic High School had several state championship winners in 2025 in different sports: Baseball, Track, Indoor & Outdoor, Golf, and Swimming. The 2025 Football team will place a big-time non-District game week 5 at home against a powerhouse from the state of Mississippi, Ridgeland Academy from Jackson, Mississippi.

The offense has a chance to become a State Championship offense before the season is over. The QB position is as deep as any team in the country with 7 QB’s on the roster and three who could start for anyone in the US Last year’s starter, Baylor Graves, 5-11 190, a SR, tough, leader with the IT factor, can run the ball and has become a pretty good passer. You also have QB Turner Goldsmith 5-10 180, another SR who can win games, and then there’s talented young QB James Pendarvis 6-4 200 pounds waiting for his opportunity. The run game will have a chance to be one of the best in Louisiana led by I think the best young back in the US Jayden Miles 6-2 210, who after this year everyone will know his name power, speed 4.5, and size, not many high school Defensive Backs/LBs see at this level to tackle. There is also Justin Batiste, 6-1, 200 pounds, also power with speed, RB Lamond Robinson, 5-10, 195, power and speed, and then there’s RB/WR Greg Williams, 5-9, 175, another talented back. The Wide Receiver room has talent, also after graduating 5 WRs from the 2024 season. Players to watch at WR are Cale Alexander, 6-0 185, new starter, WR Greg Williams, WR Beau Thomas, 5-10 180, and a few players competing to get on the field in the Fall. There’s also talented Tight End Jude Chamberlin, 6-5 230, who has a chance to be the best Tight End to ever come out of the school. The Offensive Line will be led by SR Blaise Thomassie 6-5 290 talented young player with 3 years as a starter in 2025, OL Josh Shelton 6-1 250, a 2nd year starter, OL Max Jones, 6-6 280, a new starter, and OL Michael Mouck, 6-3 255, a new starter. 5th spot on the Offensive Line still battles among three players or more, the coach told me, going into Fall.

The Defensive front will have speed as its strength and some size. Players to watch are DE Jayden Vessel 6-2 220, DE Jackson Shaw 6-6 240, DT TJ Dearbonne 5-11 320, DT Jace Holland 6-0 285, and DT Liam Myers 6-2 245. The leader at Linebacker returns in Max Maurer 5-10 200, LB John Russel Demoss 5-10 185, OLB/Safety Harrison Kidder 6-1 200 3 year starter leader SR, and there’s four players battling for the 4th spot one of them is LB Pearce Tompkins 6-0 190 who is also one of the QB’s on the team. The Secondary returns the best Safety in my opinion to come out of Baton Rouge since Eric Reid(Dutchtown/LSU), Blaine Bradford 6-2 200 SR 4 year starter, DB Ian Locklar 5-11 190 SR, CB Preston Carmouche 5-11 175 had a good Spring, CB Carson Rice 6-1 180, CB D. J Collins 5-10 165, and CB Anthony Black 5-9 180.

Special Teams, the leading candidate to be the Punter and Kicker is Channer Forbes, 6-0, 180 SR. There are also two pretty talented players battling in SR Weston Jones 6-3 190 at Punter, and Graham Nassif at Kicker 5-10 160. I think you will see all three of these kids play at some point in games. It’s a good problem to have for the Special Team: three players capable of starting.

Central Wildcats

Head Coach: David Simoneaux(3rd year)

2024 Record: 13-1

2024 Playoffs: State Champions. Playoffs wins over West Monroe HS, West Ouachita HS, Neville HS, and Ruston HS.

2023 Record: 9-4.2nd Round lost to Dutchtown HS

Key players Graduated: QB Jackson Firmin(Nicholls State), DB Steven Ranel(UL Lafayette), FB/TE Deshad Sheridan, DE D. K Mays(Houston), Kicker Nathan Zimmer(Southern U), LB K. D Mays(Southern U), OL Jeydon Sparrow(Lamar), RB Emmanuel Williams, DE Connor Scott, FS/RB Kaeden Loupe, WR Maurice Stewart, OL John Cummings, OC/OG Brayden Ringe, CB Blaysen Stoken, WR Kylen Thomas, CB Keon Coverson.

Team Outlook: Excited about how close this team got over the Summer. We will see what the season holds pretty soon said Head Coach David Simoneaux.”

Tidbits: Central High School won their 1st State Title in football since the 1966 team, which was a few days ago. I think what is most impressive about the Title to me was two things,1 Central High School graduated 21 seniors from the year before, and 2nd they had to beat every good team in the Ruston/Monroe/West Monroe area, and I’ve never seen a Baton Rouge team do that in one season to win a Title. They had wins over West Monroe High School, Neville High School, West Ouachita High School, and in the title game, Ruston High School. I remember covering Parkview Baptist High School and watching an All-Disanct player by the name of David Simoneaux play for 3 years as a starter on some really good teams at Parkview Baptist High School. Coach Simoneaux also led Catholic Pointe Coupee to a State Title Runner-up and Catholic High School of Baton Rouge to a State Title. Very impressive leading three different High Schools to State Title games.

The offense will miss QB Jackson Firmin who graduated, but they do return two talented players at QB in Jacori Platt 6-0 220 I had a chance to see play in person last year looked really good as a runner and passer, and you have Alexandria High School Transfer QB Max Gassiott 6-1 185, who played in every game in 2024 2 QB system and a State Title game in 2024 will both compete thru out the Summer. I don't see either one of these kids not starting somewhere if they don't win the job. Both kids are just way too talented, and I am sure the coach will make this work for the Wildcats. The skill talent around the QB’s will still be very talented if not even more speed and now experience at WR/RB with players like Keithan Womack 6-1 180 3 year starter 4.5 speed in the forty, two way All State player 3 year starter Marvin Joseph 6-0 195 a RB and Safety one of the best players in the Baton Rouge area, WR Ty Williams 6-0 210 2nd year starter with great skills for a big guy and soft hands, WR Marcus Watson Jr 6-0 165 another fast player, WR Brodie Diel 6-3 180 newcomer with skills good hands, RB Shane Brown 5-8 165, and RB Tristan Rose rotating in for reps. The Offensive Line will return some experience and size, led by 4th year starter leader Graham Harris, 6-4 285, Center Landon Crochet, 5-10 235, 2nd year starter, OL Kaeden Shows, 6-4 285, and OL Kaleb LeBourgeois, 6-1 275. Also returning will be the tough FB/TE Adam Cullen, 5-9, 180, back for his 2nd year as a starter.

The Defense front seven has a chance to be even better in 2025 which is scary led by DE/DT Scott Smith Jr 6-5 280 2nd year starter, DE Jaydon Garnett 6-1 220 2nd year starter, OLB Alexander Stewart 6-1 220, DT Devin Reed 6-1 255 2nd year starter strong kid, LB Jake Jarreau 5-8 205 leader 3 year starter, and LB newcomer JaMichael Garrett 6-2 215 one of the best players in Louisiana. The Defensive Backfield lost some big time players but return talent again led by Safety Marvin Joseph 6-0 195, CB/SS Mason Moore 5-10 170 2nd year starter, Safety Camden Rankin 5-10 175 2nd year starter, CB Devante Sanders 5-8 170 new starter might be the fastest player on the team, and Safety Beaux Hill 5-11 170 new starter.

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

Liberty Magnet Patriots

Head Coach: Jimmy Zachary(1st year)

2024 Record: 2-8

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record: 2-8

Key players Graduated: WR/DB Asante Williams(Centenary), WR/DB/RB Tyler Camble, RB/SS Jermiah Lutcher, DT Charles Ross III, OL/DL Ahmad Zidan, DE Roman Jenkins(McNeese State), FB Collin Stephenson, DT Noah Mason,

Team Outlook: We have grown some in the Spring as a team. Younger team in 2025, said Head Coach Jimmy Zachary.”

Tidbits: Head Coach Jimmy Zachary brought with him the whole staff that’s been together for a few years from Opelousas High School to Liberty High School for the 2025 season. After talking to the coach, the program will have over 110 players come Fall for JV & Varsity combined. The Spring game was against Southside High School. The 2025 team will return talent, size, and speed, but there will be many 1st time starters learning the coach Zachary high school system, which will now include more of a four-wide offense, but like the Opelousas offense, still will run the ball with balance versus the pass. Coach Zachary won a State Championship in 2023 at Opelousas High School, the only title in the school’s rich history of talented teams.

The offense will have two choices for the starting Quarterback role, with both players having a lot of experience on the varsity level. QB Brice Preston 6-4 195, and SR QB Owen Ellis 6-1 180 are great players to build a program moving forward. Preston got starts in 2024 when Ellis had an injury, and Ellis got experience early in 2024 and some starts in the 2023 season. Both kids have good arms and are mobile enough to run any type of offense. The run game will return starter RB Zaiden Foster, who has put on 20 pounds of muscle from 5-10 180 to 5-10 215 now with 4.59 speed in the forty and the team’s best player coming back in 2025. There’s also RB Bendergoat Stephens 5-10 180, who will get reps and is a very talented player. The passing game did not exist in 2024 but will come back with three new starters in WR Conner Narim 6-4 170, WR Johnathan Harris 5-10 170, and WR Daylan Dorsey 5-10 160, a converted DB who started in 2024. The Offensive Line will have size and experience coming back, led by SR leader Harland Cyprian 5-10, 320 a 3-year starter, OL Leron Butler 5-10, 250 a 2-year starter, OL Dakari Davis 6-4, 250 a 2-year starter, and OL Erin Hitchens 6-5, 350 ), a returning starter. Also competing to start for the first time will be Offensive Lineman Kaiden Kirst, 6-1 240, and Ruben Kilbourne, 6-0 240. The offense will also have two Tight Ends in the lineup: TE Finnian Creeley, 6-3 260 SR, and TE Dillon Coleman, 6-2 220, both new starters.

The Defense has a chance to become a dominant unit with eight starters back. The Defensive front will be strong and has size, led by Jamie Covington, a 3-year starter, 6-3, 245 pounds, with 4.7 speed in the forty, and he actually played in some games his Freshman season. You also have LB/DE Keith Joseph 6-0 220 a 3 year starter, DE Kingston Duhon 6-4 250, CB Ashton Lafleur 5-10 160 3 year starter sleeper shut down CB, CB Aiden Rowley 5-10 165 another shut down CB, Safety Carlnell Robinson 5-9 160 2nd year starter, CB Brice Turner 5-9 155 2nd year starter, OLB Jaughn Davis 5-10 175 new starter, DE/OLB Dakari Davis, and MLB Joshua Davis 5-10 240 1st year starter.

Special Teams Kicker & Punter will be Owen Ellis. Ellis has kicked some 60-yard Punts in practice and is a pretty good Kicker too.

Scotlandville Hornets

Head Coach: Richard Oliver(1st year)

2024 Record: 2-8

2024 Playoffs: No

2023 Record: 1-9

Key players Graduated: WR Ferzell Shephard Jr (Mississippi State, both Track & Football), WR Terrance Smith Jr, RB Darren London, LB/TE Dontrell Waldon, CB Jeffrey Tate, OL Damon Granger, DE Antonio Cooley, OL Kintrell Kador, LB Creighton Stewart, and DE Cayden Knighten(Grambling State)

Team Outlook: “We lost a lot from the Defense to replace for the 2025 season.” We have a good young group of players coming back. Trying to grind and restore the Scotlandville HS glory to bring it back from the old days, said Head Coach Richard Oliver.

Tidbits:  The Hornets will try to get back on Track in 2025. This is a proud program with many winning seasons and a program that has produced a lot of talent for the colleges and the NFL. The Hornets only have three wins in the last 2 years combined, and if you go back to 2020, they won District, and in 2019 finished 10-4 overall, and in 2017 went 10-2 and 8-1 in District. I noticed in 2024 they did not have the number of players they were used to having in the program, and I hope in 2025 they will come out in big numbers again. Coach Oliver told me the school was 1,400 students, and now they have Class 4A numbers, 7 to 800 kids, 9th to 12th. Coach had close to 50 players in the off-season program and expects 50 to 60 kids in the Fall, which is already a big improvement in the number of players in football. Head Coach Richard Oliver is an alumnus of Istrouma High School (Class 1989). Coach Oliver played for three different coaches at Southern U as an OG/DE: Marino Casem,  Gerald Kimble, and the last 2 years with Pete Richardson.Coach Oliver did great things as the former Head Coach and Athletic Director at Baker High School, McKinley High School, and Istrouma High School. Coach also coached at Southern University in Baton Rouge.

The offense will return the talented Quarterback Genard Green, 6-0, 185. I had a chance to see this kid play in person in 2024, and he has the stuff to be big time, and 2025 might be the year in his 2nd year as the starter to blossom into something special. The offense will return some really good skill players in WR/FS DeWayne Ben 5-10 165 good hands 4.5 speed in the forty, WR/SS Brendin Perkins 5-10 155 2nd year starter two way player also big time DB for the team, RB Shawn Chester 5-9 220 is the starting RB with power and speed for a big kid, RB Gabriel Williams 5-9 180 will rotate in talented player, WR Da’Myreon Jones 5-9 160 talented new starter, and WR Jeremy Wellington 6-0 160 another talented new starter. The Offensive Line will have some size and some experience back led by OG/OC Caleb Levy 6-2 305 2nd year starter, OL Dontrell Turner 6-2 310 2nd year starter, OL Jacob Clark 6-3 340 2nd year starter, OL Damien Ford 6-1 265 new starter, and OL new starter Roman Cofield 6-0 265 also will play some Defensive Tackle for the team. Also,, look out for FB/WR/HB Kevin Augustus 5-9 180, who can do just about anything they need, block, catch passes, or play RB if needed.

The Defense will be younger than the offense, but it does return some talented players. Watch out for DT Jeremiah Johnson 5-8 220 returning letterman from 2024, CB Christopher London 5-10 180 returning starter with 4.59 speed in the forty as a SR, Safety Keaven Grows 6-1 180 will get reps lettered in 2024 and also is the team backup QB, DB Caleb Harvey 6-0 160 new starter, LB Connie McFarland 6-0 180 new starter, DT Dedrick Stewart 6-3 285, LB Christopher Williams 6-0 215, and LB Gavin Williams 5-11 220 SR. Starting QB Genard Green, starting WR DeWayne Ben, and starting WR Brendin Perkins will all see action on Defense as two-way starters for the program in 2025

Special Teams will be wide open going into the Fall Practice.

Woodlawn Panthers

Head Coach: Tramon Douglas(1st year)

2024 Record: 5-5

2024 Playoffs: 1st Round lost to C. E Bryd HS

2023 Record: 4-8

Key players Graduated: DE/OLB Chase Walker, Safety/WR Caleb Cooper, CB/Safety Brennen Lamotte, Kicker Klayton Tate, OL Kyren Winn, Center Dwayne Beverly Jr, OT Cornelius Simon, RB Jacob Jolla, OG Kayden Lege, DT Craig Dunn, LB Jordan Barner, LB Cainen O’Neal, CB Keylen Sonnier, WR Ryan Brown, TE Elijah Clark.

Team Outlook: Trying to find our depth in Spring, and guys are going into Summer for the program. We will have a lot of new faces at Linebacker, Running Back, Wide Receiver, and Offensive & Defensive Line. The offense will always try to get the ball in the hands of the playmakers here at Woodlawn High School, said Head Coach Tramon Douglas.”

Tidbits: New Head Coach Tramon Douglas is a Class of 2000 Alum of Glen Oaks High School, where he was an All District WR back in the day. This will be the coach’s 7th overall year being at Woodlawn High School, but 1st year as the Head Coach. Coach Douglas' son WR/DB Tramon Douglas Jr starts in college currently for Mississippi Gulf Coast Junior College this year in 2025, where he will be recruited as a DIV 1 player for the class of 2026. Woodlawn Football had 80 players out for Spring.

The offense will return 33-year starter at QB, Ahmad Price, 5-9 165, who has a really good arm and a lot of experience. Even though a lot of experience graduated at the skill spots there’s still some talented players to keep a eye on WR Trinton Bennett 6-3 185 did not play in 2024 has a lot potential, new starting RB Keyric Jones 5-11 185, RB/LB Brian Carter 5-9 180, WR Jaiden Robinson returning go two player with 4.6 speed in the forty good hands and tough at 5-10 180 pounds, talented WR Jordan Knox 5-11 175 a 2nd year starter, and new starter WR Aprilio Sterling 5-9 180. The Offensive Line lost some experience but still returns some very capable players in OT James Frake 6-6 250 2nd year starter, OL Johnny Caine 6-1 238 2nd year starter, OL Alton Phillips 6-2 305 2nd year starter, OL Dedrick Weatherspoon 5-11 260 new starter, and last spot to be decided in the fall.

The Defensive front has a chance to be really good and one of the best in the District. The starting Defensive End Duo of Cedric Jones, 6-3 210 SR 3 year starter, and DE Tyrone Morgan, 6-4 230 3 year star, has a chance to be one of the best pass rush combos in Louisiana. Defensive Tackle will have some spots to still win in the fall, but DT Tyrus Gurney does return at 6-0, 220 pounds. The Defense did graduate three really good Linebackers but returns some talent in Brian Carter, a 2-way starter, LB Tre’den Conrad, 5-11 190 pounds, a new starter, and LB converted from Defensive Tackle Cameron Joyner, 6-0 195 pounds, a 3-year starter in 2025. The Defensive Backfield, it seems, has been really talented the last 10 years and in 2025 will be talented again, led by All District 4-year starter Cayden Randall, 6-2, 195, leader, who will also get reps at WR on offense. More Defensive backs will be CB Jayden Barthelemy, a 2-year starter, 5-10 180, talented, CB Jaylen Knox, 5-11 175, a 2-year starter, one of the best athletes on the team, and Safety Imari Buckner, 6-2 180, who has a chance to be a great player in 2025.

Special Teams Kicker and Punter will be new starter Matthew Siccard, 5-8, 160, who had a great Spring, and Long Snapper will be Noah Jackson, 5-9, 185, a new starter who also had a good Spring for Woodlawn HS.

Zachary Broncos

Head Coach: David Brewerton(12th year)

2024 Record: 7-4

2024 Playoffs: 2nd Round lost to

2023 Record: 12-2.State Runner Up in the State Title Game

Key players Graduated: DT Sean Hamilton, RB Da’Vekio Ruffin, QB Caleb Gonzales, OT Clifton Webb, WR Jaiden Cockerham, WR/RB Tra’lan Septs, WR Trey Chaney, Kicker/Punter Rafael Costa, LB Michael Septs, CB Kenjaylen Nixon, DE Detroy Posey, Safety Camorie McKnight, HB Michael Kramer, LB Rashaed Smith, DT Javon Dent

Team Outlook: I’m excited about the experience our Defense brings back. We are looking forward to this year, our plan is to lean on our Offensive Line for stability with four starters back on the OL, said Head Coach David Brewerton.”

Tidbits: In 9 of the last 11 years,, the program was Mount Rushmore for High School Quarterbacks with a small group of schools in Louisiana that can say that with State Titles, multiple QBs, Edna Karr, John Curtis, West Monroe, St. Thomas More,  Evangel Christian HS, and Calvary Baptist, to name a few. The Championships started with Lindsey Scott(LSU), who signed and finished a long career in college with Incarnate Word in Texas,  Keilon Brown signed with U Memphis, now Georgia State, then Eli Holstein signed with Alabama, now Pittsburgh. These 3 Quarterbacks led Zachary High School to 4 State Titles in that span of football. Scott is now a college QB coach at Texas Tech, Brown is still in college at Georgia State, and Holstein is doing well at Pittsburgh. I think the next 3 years, Zachary, from what I am seeing, will suit up some State Title-type teams in 2025, 2026, and 2027. Coach Brew, as they call him at Zachary High School, is an alumnus of Catholic of Baton Rouge (Class 1992). Some people forget that Coach Brew took little-known Livonia High School to the State Title game as runner-ups in Class 3A in 2013 and was the head coach there for 8 years. Coach Brew was an Offensive Lineman at Catholic High School of Baton Rouge when the team played for a State Title in 1990 against one of the greatest High School football teams I have ever seen in my 35 years in person covering high school football, Ruston High School, a game which Ruston High School won.

The Zachary High School football team has a good problem in 2025, they have three talented Quarterbacks battling for the starting spot:ike Kirby, 6-2 200, a senior transfer from Silliman High School, talented Jamond Wesley, 5-11 170, and talented sophomore Willie Johnson, 5-11 175. Whoever wins the job will be the next great QB with the guys I wrote about up top. I don't think the staff will have any of these guys on the bench, and they will all help this program win in the end. The Wide Receiver group, after talking to the coach, will be the tallest group of WRsZachary has ever had at one time in a lineup, and might end up the most talented group and this team, the last 5 years, has had some great units at WR. Here are some WR’s to keep a eye on in 2025 Kristion Brooks 6-4 180 SR talented starter, WR Asher Carter 6-3 190 great future, WR Trickoby Rheames 5-10 175 talented player, and they have a 6-4 185 WR possible that will be cleared for the season if that happens wow what a lineup for any QB. The Offensive Line will be the strength of the offense with four starters back, led by OL Keidrick Bailey 6-3 310, OL Cole Fudge 6-2 290, OL/OC Braeden White 6-2 280, and OL Tayvion Richard 6-2 290. The starting RB will be Jeremy Patton, 5-, 175, and there will be 4 to 5 players competing for reps in the Fall.

The Defense will return one of the best Secondary’s in the State of Louisiana with players like CB Jeremiah Smith 6-0 175 a 3 year starter leader, Safety/OLB Isaiah Stokes 6-3 210 2nd year starter, Safety Galen Conrad 6-1 195, CB Zakarri Hogan 5-9 165, and Safety Clyde Jones 5-9 165. The Linebacking group also has a chance to be special, led by veteran leader Dylan Shelmire, 6-1 210 3 year starter, MLB Donovan Beathley 5-10 190, MLB Tyson Kimble 6-0 210, and OLB Jase Mason 5-10 180. The Defensive Line will be led by DT Calvin Duncan 6-3 320, DE Cartier Brown 6-0 195, and a few battles here at the DL spots that will not be completely clear till Fall.

Special Teams will return a really good player at Kicker, Boston Bentley, 6-2, 2nd year starter, and he might handle the Punting duties too in 2025. Starting Long Snapper should be Evan Lawson.

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