District 5-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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Denham Springs Yellow Jackets

Head Coach:Brett Beard(6th year) 

2024 Record:6-5

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to West Ouachita HS

2023 Record:3-7

Key players Graduated: OT Cy Martin, WR T’ylan Hayes, QB Jerry Horne, FS Rancher Miller, DE Trenton Harrison, LB JaCori Gross, TE/FB Peyton Puffer, OL Koi Bethencourt, DL Kaden Kent.

Team Outlook: We accomplished some growth during Spring practice with some battles for starting spots. We got rid of some bad habits as a team. Where we ended in Spring, I am happy going into the off-season said Head Coach Brett Beard.”

I really think this could be a special year for the Yellow Jackets. Both the Offensive & Defensive Lines bring back experience, size, and talent. You also have more skill talent back and more depth. 

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The Offense will have a new starting QB for the first time in 3 years. The leading candidate to be the guy and lettered in 2024 will be QB Da’Jean Golmond, 6-1, 190 SR, who has great feet in the pocket and an improved arm. Golmond will get some competition in the fall from backup QB Dylan Johnson, 5-8 155 SR, and young, talented Devin Kitchen. The run game will have a group led by RB/WR Brenton Paul, a 3-year starter, 6-0 175 SR leader, SR Tanner Koerner, 5-7 155, and SR Enzo Landry, 5-10 170, the fastest player on the team with under 4.5 speed in the forty. The Offense will use a lot of two Tight End sets and you will see these kids in to block and catch passes lead by WR/TE John Gaspard 6-4 210 SR great hands 2 year starter, TE Nathan Black 6-3 215, FB/TE Preston Carmichael 5-11 225 SR, and TE/FB Brayden Ray 6-4 265 big time DI player will be his 4th year to start in high school 1st year with Denham Springs HS one of the best at his position in Louisiana in my opinion. The WR group will be talented again, led by WR Da’Sean Golmond, 6-,1 200 SR, brother is the QB Da’Jean.Golmond should have a breakout year after lettering in 2024. You also have at WR, Trey Seals,, a new starter with the ability to make plays, and Brenton Paul when he is not at RB. The Offensive Line might be the best in 6 years as a unit for the Yellow Jackets. Players to keep a eye on for the Offensive Line are leader SR Christian Ferguson 6-3 275 3 year starter, OL Max Arce 6-2 270 SR 2nd year starter, OL Angel Villagomez 6-1 295 SR 2nd year starter, new starter Will Roberthon 6-0 275, and Center Bryson McCabe 6-1 280 a 2nd year starter and rotating in some younger players like OL  Darius Gascon 6-3 265.

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The Defense will return a few starters with experience and some other players who lettered in 2024 to become new starters in 2025. The front seven will be led by DE/DT Darryus Scott 6-0 245, a 2nd year starter with a motor and the strongest player on the team. Also back in the front seven are LB Caden Allyn 5-11 195 SR 2nd year starter, LB Jackson Seguin 6-1 230 2nd year starter, DE Devan Mack 6-1 230 SR 2nd year starter, new starter DE Jason Dixon 6-5 230, new starter NG/DT Devin Cupit 6-4 290, and LB Cedric Polk SR 6-1 205 is battling to get in the lineup in 2025. The Defensive Backfield will be talented as a group with players like CB Jayd’n Washington a 2nd year starter 4.59 speed in the forty, FS Jacob Deal 5-11 170 2nd year starter, Safety Lucas Gillen 5-11 180 2nd year starter, and two players are battling for the other CB spot Quentin Clay also can play Safety/Nickel, and CB Kaden Milligan 5-11 175 a possible new starter.

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Special Teams will be strong overall in 2025. Kicker Jonathan Bravo will be back for his 3rd year to start. I saw this kid kick in person. He has a leg close to 50 yards, and he’s a  really good Kicker at 5-8, 190 pounds. The Punter should be new starter Luke Wilson, 6-1 160, who has a pretty good leg.

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Dutchtown Griffins

Head Coach: Guy Mistretta(9th year)

2024 Record:8-2

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost Playoffs to Walker HS

2023 Record: Semifinals lost to Zachary HS

Key players Graduated: DE Josh Lewis(Tulane), OT Christian Gautreau, OG Dawson Davis, RB Lekedrin Harvey(Hutchinson, Kansas JC), QB Dylan Champagne(Jones, Mississippi JC Baseball), OG Matthew Travis, Center Ayden Gueho, OT Landon Hedden, WR/P Casey McCoy, WR Andrew Fields(Northwestern State), LB Mason Miles, CB Laithon Riley, DT Tim Oluwade, DT Shawn Lovely, LB Chad Christy, LB Brandon Smith, LB Hyland Rentz, CB Kobe Harris, FS Thomas Pierce, SS Corey Cotton, Kicker Corbin Roussel, WR Ryan Mayeaux.

Team Outlook: We have a solid nucleus of players who have been in the program for several years and are excited to finally have their opportunity to compete for playing time said Head Coach Guy Mistretta.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Guy Mistretta, coaching at Dutchtown High School, has been really good. Coache’s record is 57-26 in 8 years at Dutchtown High School in one of the tougher districts in the state for Class 5A.In the past eight years at Dutchtown High School, all of the coaches' teams have made the playoffs with Coach Mistretta as Head Coach. I have never seen a rebuild in the win-loss stats, which is about as consistent as a coaching job you will ever see in Class 5A, and the coach has had to rebuild fanom a experience-wise team, it seems, from year to year without any drop off. The 2025 team will, again, on paper, seem to be a rebuild with just three starters returning overall, but this program is on solid ground and will find a way to make the playoffs and beyond again in 2025.

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The program returns only three starters combined Offense/Defense overall in 2025. Those three starters back are WR Martell Rogers, SR 6-0 170, TE Zach Dotter, 6-2 215 SR, and Center England Phillips, 6-2 280, another SR.

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The new starters on Offense will have some competing spots going all the way into the Fall at QB. There are two players competing for the starting job in Clay Walker-Vice, 5-11 185 SR, and Owen Fletcher, 5-10 170. The four new starters on the Offensive Line are OT Duncan McCloud 5-11 245, OG Braylon Millien 5-11 255 SR, OG Andrew Kidd 5-10 250 SR, OG Quinton Harrison 5-10 245 SR, OT Brandt Lavin 5-11 260. The rest of the new starting WRs are Malik Shehadeh 5-10 165 SR, and WR Derrick Walker-Vice 5-10 160. The new starting RB will be Carter Hedden, 5-10, 190.TE Brooks Bumstead 6-6 210 will also come in when the team goes to a two-tight-end set on Offense.

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The Defense will have 11 new starters in 2025. The new starters will be DE Jake Monson 6-1 255, DT AJ Price 5-10 320,  DT Drue Price 6-2 305, DE Carter Rentz 5-10 190, MLB Braiden Jarreau 5-8 180, WLB Jarel Mumphrey 5-8 165, OLB Hayden Becnel 5-9 165 will also get some reps at RB on Offense, CB Brayden Dunn 5-8 155, CB Jace Melancon 6-1 175 SR, FS Jordan Odom 6-0 170 SR, SS Marcello Rizzuto 5-10 165.

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Special Teams also has a new starter, Kicker Oakley Rutzen, 5-9, 175 pounds. The Punting spot is still open after Spring, going into the Summer. In the Kick & Punt Return spots, you have Hayden Becnel and Martell Rogers.

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East Ascension Spartans

Head Coach:Brock Matherne(2nd year) 

2024 Record:3-7 

2024 Playoffs: No 

Key players Graduated:OL Kendrell Green(Millsaps College),WR Darrin McGee,RB Jeremiah Wilson(Louisiana Christian),DE Jahmere Smith(Butler,Kansas JC),DE Mervin Ragus(Butler,Kansas JC),LB Zachary Jupiter,Kicker Preston Baker(Louisiana Christian),WR Justin Oubre(Louisiana Christian),CB DeMarcus Grant(Coffeyville,Kansas JC),DB D’Ron McZeal(Xavier U),DB Ernest Mitchell(Louisiana Christian),and FB Caleb Davis(Mississippi Christian Community College),DB Trenton Palmer(Millsaps)

Team Outlook: Offense is bringing back a ton of experience at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. Defense is losing a lot of starters, but we have a great core at Linebacker overall. The Spartans expect to compete at a high level in 2025 said Head Coach Brock Matherne.”

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The Offensive Line like coach said will be big and agile lead by 2024 Hon Mention All State OL Brysten Martinez 6-7 320 SR, OL Javaughn Matthews 6-3 320 SR, OL Austin Mumphery Jr 6-1 330 SR,  OL Jayden Berteau 6-1 320, OL Alkira Anderson 5-11 275, OL Carson Lacombe 6-2 285, OC/OG Devin Oalmann 5-11 270, and OL Jhaivon Johnson 6-1 280. The Offense returns starting QB Hudson Browning, 6-0, 200 pounds, tough kid, really good Athlete, SR. The skill spots will have some talent lead by2024 Hon Mention All State/All District RB Jason Blackburn 5-8 180 SR, RB Jamarius McCarty SR 5-8 165, FB/TE Mason Coto 6-0 190, WR Demirain Williams, WR Jeremiah Merriweather, WR Jayden Ursin, WR Jonathan Stokes, WR Blaine Williams 5-9 170 SR, WR Rishon Taylor, WR Joseph Gautreau 5-8 185, and WR Terrance Wilson to give EA one of the best WR units in the State. The Offense also has a second QB competing in Zaylen Smith, who will get reps in 2025, a very talented young player.

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The Defense will be led by returning starter LB Tony Miles, 6-1 225, a leader with speed and size to have a big-time year in 2025. The Defense also returns DE Cameron Stone 6-1 200, DB Cadon Henry 5-11 170 SR, DB D’Landon Nabor 5-11 170, DB Javon Javius 6-1 170 sleeper, LB Micah Levy 6-2 205 sleeper, DB Dawson Landry 5-8 180 SR, Safety Courtney Thomas Jr, OLB Carson Landry, DE/LB Jalen Hilliard 5-11 180 SR, LB Tyler Jarvis 5-9 175 SR, DT Taylor Christopher, LB Javien Henderson CB Don’jell Smith SR 5-8 155, and DT Taylor Jarvis 5-8 280 SR leader.

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Special Teams Kicker Anthony Authement, SR 5-10 175, is the leading candidate to win the job in the Summer/Fall as the new starting Kicker for the program. The Long Snapper will be Luke Gulino, 6-3 205, who has a great future already for the program as a new starter. Luke will also play some Tight End on Offense.

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Prairieville Hurricanes

Head Coach:Mike Schmitt(2nd year)

2024 Record:2-8

2024 Playoffs: No

Key players Graduated: Athlete Taishawn Smothers, WR Branson Rogillio, DB Austin Gaines, TE/FB Preston Ranallo,  OL Ashton Womack, LB Joshua Dunaway.

Team Outlook: We finally established our identity as a young team. I think the off-season was great for us. We had a great Spring game against Woodlawn HS of Baton Rouge. We will be a little different on Offense in 2025, more of a spread option look. We only lost three starters from the 2024 season said Head Coach Mike Schmitt.”

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Tidbits: The 2024 season was the 1st year for the school and the first year for Sports programs. I had a chance to actually go to 2 games in 2024 for football and i came away impressed for such a young program they have a lot of players in the program, great facilities, and great coaches to compete really soon if not this year in 2025 for District, by 2026 will be a problem for everyone with numbers and depth for many years to come.  The Hurricanes Track Program, Baseball, and Soccer programs all competed at a high level in the school’s 1st year in 2025.

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The Offense does return starting QB Charlie Green, a really good Athlete with a good arm and athletic in the pocket. Green is 5-11, 180. There’s also QB Skyler Kelly 5-11 175, the team’s backup QB, who lettered and got some snaps at QB in 2024. Kelly will also be an RB/WR for the team and will get a lot of playing time there.  The run will have several options of rotating a few players coming back in FB Brayden Duke 5-10 205, RB Ivan Sanders 5-9 190, RB/WR Tahj Wallace 5-8 170, and RB Kadyn Barthelemy 5-10 185. Wallace is one of the most gifted skill players in the young program, coming back.

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The Offensive Line returns just about everyone, starting with Center Jackson Creel 5-10 270, OT Evans Quibodaux 6-2 320, OG Austin Gill 6-0 225, and SR leader Offensive Lineman Brennan Shaules 6-1 255, a 2-year starter but really a 4-year starter in high school for two different programs combined. The WR room has depth and experience back with WR Hayden Paul 6-0 165 new starter, WR Hudson Dettman 5-10 175, WR Chance Jackson 6-1 180, TE/WR Parker Fiast 6-1 180, RB/WR Tahj Wallace, WR Kale Daigle 5-8 165 returning from a injury in 2024, and sometimes WR/CB JaMarion Meady making up a great group for the Quaterback’s.

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The Defense will be led by Brody Creel, a 6-2 218 218-pound SR, 2nd year starter.  Creel has the ability to become one of the best in the District as a DE and will also play some Tight End on Offense at times. Also back on the Defensive front will be DT Gabriel Ford 6-0 225, quick and fast, LB Eric Williams 5-10 210, OLB Stantyn Delapasse 5-10 185, OLB/DE Mike Schmitt Jr 6-3 200 leader, DE Daniel Williams 6-3 215, and MLB Joel Pearley 5-11 215 2nd year starter. The Defensive Backfield will return almost everyone starting with CB Khywan Striggs 5-6 148 tough as nails, CB JaMarion Meady 5-10 165, Safety Cade Hebert 5-10 160 2nd year starter, FS Nigel Turner, and rotating in CB/Safety Karsyn Taylor 6-0 165, and CB Braylon Williams 6-0 160. There will be others competing for playing time in the Secondary come Fall practice.

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Special Teams will have Evan Usner at Kicker 6-0 175, Long Snapper Jackson Creel, and Punter Luke Lyons 5-7 155 returns for his 2nd year as the starting Punter.

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Live Oak Eagles 

Head Coach:Randall Legette(2nd year) 

2024 Record:3-6 

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Southside HS

2023 Record:3-6 

Key players Graduated: LB Wyatt Tynes 149 tackles in 2024,  DE Jacob Cowart(Leaning to Millsaps), DE Gabe Harvey(Southeastern), Kicker/Punter Brek Schultz(ULL), OT Garrett Zachary, FB/TE Ben Moyer. 

Team Outlook: Overall, the kids we have (90 players), including Freshman and staff, are hungry. In spring, we look to improve in all areas. We would like to give ourselves a chance to be successful with a great off-season said Head Coach Randall Legette.”

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Tidbits: Like the coach said, by Summer, I think the program has a chance to improve, and I think the Offense has a chance to be better, and the Defense will be young up front in 2025.

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The Offense returns starting QB Cayden Jones 5-10 160, has a good arm, and is a really good Athlete. There will be a a few skill players to play lead by WR Calvin Ursin 6-2 190 4.5 speed in the forty started in 2024 as a Freshman, FB/TE Landry Smart 6-0 205,  RB Brenden Impson 5-8 165 2nd year starter, WR Jake Landry 5-10 160 back recovering from a injury in 2024,  WR Blayne Beswetherick 5-10 165 new starter, RB Brayden Shelton 5-7 160 rotate in, RB Gino Brudnicki 5-8 165 rotate in, FB/TE Hudson Hyde,  and two way starters CB/WR Jaden Lee, and WR/Safety Cash Davis will both make a huge impact in 2025. The Offensive Line you have 2nd year starter Tyler Kelly 5-11 246 SR, OL Briggs Moyer 6-4 265 played a lot in 2024, OC/OL Jake Smart 5-8 215, OL D.J Williams 5-11 240 new starter, and one spot to be determined during Spring/Summer.

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The Defense lost a lot in the front seven but returns some really good players to take those spots, led by 2024 Hon Mention All State DE/LB Lane Billings 6-2 220, who led the team in tackles in 2024 with 109 total,5 Sacks,16 tackles for loss, and a touchdown on Defense. Lane will be the leader of the Defense in 2025. More players to to keep a eye on are DT Billy Edmondston 5-10 225 SR, DT Gavin Trammell 5-11 225 SR, Safety Dallas Mattingly 5-8 155 2nd year starter, DT Jacob Tibbetts 5-10 230 2nd year starter, Safety Cash Davis, LB new starter Davin Williams 5-9 200, DE Kade Parks new starter and new starter CB Michael Dunn 6-1 175 SR.

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Special Teams, the program lost a 4-year starter, Brek Schultz, at Kicker/Punter to a DI College. The Punting & Kicking spots will not be determined till the Summer.

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St. Amant Gators

Head Coach:David Oliver(19th year)

2024 Record:7-3.Lost a game because of the Weather with Cecilia HS

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Westgate HS

2023 Record: 10-2, 2nd Round lost to Mandeville HS

Key players Graduated: CB Caleb Ricks(Southeastern), WR Timothy Johnson,  WR Connor Darr, WR Abram Clouatre, CB Jarred Brown, FS Easton Mumphrey, OLB Trevor Delhaye, WR Brody Kernan, WR Reid Mayers, SS Anthony Salzarulo, FB/TE Carson Sheets, P Jace Fierro,  LB Evan Williams,  OL Austin Baxter, OL Braydon Kling, OL Austin McNabb, OL Elijah Thornton, DE Gavin Hebert, DE Gavin Carpenter, RB Tyree Williams,  LB/DE Eddie Delhaye,  LB Wesley Dykes, LB Casen Vicknair, FB/TE Conner Darr.

Team Outlook: Young team in 2024. This 2025 team reminds me of the 2016 team I coached here at St. Amant.  It will be one of the better teams I have coached in my 19 years at the school. We are not a perfect team. Need to get better in the Special Teams department, and if we can improve there, we have a chance to be very good in the end said Head Coach David Oliver.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach David Olive, I met years ago when he was an Offensive Line/Tight Ends/Special Teams coach at Tulane University in 2001.  I also had a chance to see the coach at some Southern U practices where he was the Offensive Coordinator and did a great job in the SWAC Conference.  David is a native of Colorado and a big Denver Broncos fan. Coach Oliver was a 2 time All-American in college as an Offensive Lineman at Northern Colorado University.  St.Amant High School has currently 1,700 students at the high school.

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There will be some really good depth at a few positions in 2025 for the Gators, which will bode well for a chance to go deep in the playoffs or beyond.  The Offense will return 4-year starting 2024 Hon Mention All State QB Cooper Babin 6-0 180, a leader with 20 touchdown passes in 2024. The Offense will have a deep rotation of Wide Receivers lead by Quinten Elisar 5-10 160 returning starter, WR Kaven Taylor 6-0 175 playmaker 4.5 speed in the forty SR, WR Jermichael Millien 5-11 160 missed the 2024 season with a injury but in 2023 was All District with 10 touchdowns as a WR, and several talented young players rotating in also will play alot.  The run game will also have some depth, starting with RB Jourdan Hickerson 5-10 180, a returning starter, and RB Jaquan Gordon 5-8 145, rotating in like a starter. The Offensive Line will have a deep rotation of players with size and experience lead by OG Carter Babin 6-3 270 2nd year starter,  OG Sam Palacios 6-1 255 2nd year starter, OT Ethan Lebeau 6-4 295 2nd year starter, Center Devin Gilliand 6-0 250 new starter,  OT Caden Tassin 6-6 305 new starter, and OL Legend Alaniz 5-11 270 rotating in.  The starting FB/TE/HB will be Cooper Ladner, 6-0, 180, 2nd-year starter.

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The Defense will have some depth like the Offense, and you will see quite a few players rotate in as much as starters. The Defensive Line you have Jacoby Davis 6-3 255 2nd year starter,  DT/DE Jeremy Whatley 6-3 255 looking to have a monster year as a SR, DE Kyler Rock 6-1 215 rotating in, DT Noah Jenkins 5-11 250 rotating in, DT Max Keller 5-11 245 rotating in, and DT Brayden Zeller 5-10 240 also rotating in.  The Linebacking group will be strong and tough kids lead by Anden Millet 6-0 170 SR plays like he’s 230 pounds, LB Ronald Guillory 6-0 200 leader 2nd year starter, LB Kent Pearson 5-9 190 new starter leader, and LB Richard Cooper 5-10 230 new starter also strong and tough for the Defense. The Secondary will be CB Cedric Jones Jr 6-2 170 2nd year starter,  CB Clarence Jackson 5-10 155 2nd year starter, FS D.J Schomberg 6-2 170 new starter,  Safety MJ Dunn 6-0 165 2nd year starter, Safety Dak Kluka 5-9 150 rotate in,  Nickel/Safety Camden Clouatre 5-10 165 rotate in, and Safety Brody Mire 5-10 175 also rotating in a deep Secondary.

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Special Teams the new starting Kicker is Paxton Leblanc 5-6 135 pounds.The starting Punter will be in his 1st year will be Anden Millet 6-0 170,who coach said did a good job in Spring.

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Walker Wildcats

Head Coach:Chad Mahaffey(7th year)

2024 Record:7-5

2024 Playoffs:1st Round beat Dutchtown HS, and 2nd Round lost to Southside HS

2023 Record:10-3.3rd Round lost to Ruston HS

Key players Graduated: QB Troy Sylve, WR Rashad Taylor, RB Jacob Mackey,  RB/WR Cayden Jones(Southeastern),  OT Braeden Paetz,  OL Reese Dodd, OL Alex Hibbs, TE/FB/P/K Nile Allen, DE Dontae Flowers, DT Sam Plants,  DE/OLB Travon Dixon, CB Zyon Russ, FS/SS Jeremiah Dorsey, CB Jakyrin Johnson, WR Carleiyon Joseph(Wofford) 

Team Outlook:  Program established. We lost a big senior class.  We have some experience behind us, and we will build on that. We will see where we are soon.  We strive for the playoffs every year and to be consistent as a team said Head Coach Chad Mahaffey.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Chad Mahaffey is an Alum of Catholic HS of Baton Rouge(Class 1996). Walker is one of the top Academic High Schools in the Baton Rouge/Metro area. Walker High School currently has 2,100 students. Coach said he expects about 100 players for the Fall Football. Walker High School will return the biggest Offensive Line in the history of the school in 2025. Walker High School had the best football season in the history of the school in 2023.

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The Offense will center around a Class 5A top-tier type-sized offensive Line with experience to help a young new starting QB, and mostly new WRs and RBs. The OL will consist of OL Charlie Ward 6-7 290 SR, OL Caden Rushing 6-3 285 2nd year starter, OL Miguel D’Angelo 6-6 310 2nd year starter, and OL Rowdy Armstrong 6-4 275 pounds.  The 5th starter on the OL will be decided by Fall practice. The Offense will have a new starting QB in Jayce Evans, 5-10 155, who the coach said is a smart kid and will do a good job of running the Offense for the Wildcats. The run game will be a group that will rotate, led by RB Brashard London 5-9 160,  RB Jayden Wilson 5-10 180, and RB Dylan Breaux 6-0 185. The WR position will start off led by WR Kermit Jackson 6-1 185 SR, WR Gage Poe 5-11 160 new starter, and WR Travion Helm 5-10 155. The Offense also returns two really good TE/FB, Caleb Humphries 5-8 180, a new starter, and TE/FB Ayden Ross 5-10 85, also a 2nd year starter at LB on Defense.

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The Defense will have many new faces across the board in 2025. Safety Jonathan Musso 5-9 165 returns as a 2nd year starter, LB Jeffrey Caldwell 5-9 185 2nd year starter,  and LB Gavin Richard 5-10 185 2nd year starter to lead this young Defense. Here are a few new starters or players ready to play in 2025: CB JaMarcus Neyland 6-3 180, SR, new starter,  Safety Tyler Whishman 5-11 175, DE/DT Logan Ross 6-0 220, and DE Chris Liddic 6-4 210, new starter. There are still a lot of different players competing for starting jobs at DB/LB/DL going into the Summer after talking to the coach.

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Special Teams will have a new starter at Kicker, Aaron Stern, 5-11, 150. The Punting position is still wide open going into the Summer.

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