District 6-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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Covington Lions

Head Coach:Greg Salter(12th year)

2024 Record:9-3

2024 Playoffs:1st Round beat Barbe HS and 2nd Round lost to Neville HS

2023 Record:5-6.2nd Round

Key players Graduated: CB Jeremie Elzy, SS Ryan Jones, QB Caden Heck, TE/SS Hunter Spell, OLB/SS Bobby Barkley, MLB Chase Blackwell(Over 250 tackles last two years combined), DE/OLB Christian Richoux, DT Juan Arenas, OT Cameron McCann, OG Landon Delatte,  OT Abrum Lewis(Central Arkansas), WR Seth Stokes, OC Ty Sevin, FB Matthew Pond.

Team Outlook: Return quite a few players with playing time pieces from last year’s team. We do have a few players with no experience who will need to get their experience in 2025 in key spots. We also feel we have talented young kids who will do well once they get to play. Hopefully, with hard work and tough kids, we will have another successful season in 2025. Our Offensive Line will have a few new starters. Our deepest position will be the Wide Receiver room with many playmakers that will get a chance to shine said Head Coach Greg Salter.”

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The Offense will have a new starting QB in 2025 with a good battle between SR Andrew Reynolds, 6-3 185, who has a really good arm, and Matthew Fussell, 5-11 170, also a really good Athlete. Expect both kids to be able to help the team in 2025. The Offensive Line will be young but there are six players that will get starts among OL Patrick Yoes 6-0 260, OL Justin Van 6-1 245, OL Alex Hughes 6-2 270, OL Sam Aparicio 6-0 240, OL Kole Curry, and OL Jackson Brewer 6-0 255 new to the program. The run game will be strong, led by Jake Pampa, 5-9, 185, who played a lot in 2024, did a great job, and he’s bigger and stronger in 2025. Also getting carries will be Rodney Clark 5-9 185, and WR/RB Devonta Chatman 5-10 155, who is a starting WR but can run the ball for the team too. The Wide Receiver room like coach said is deep lead by Chatman, TE/WR Mason Cryer Jr 6-2 185 new starter, WR Amari Smith 5-10 160 2nd year starter,2024 All District WR Jiwaun Brock 5-11 170 with 11.0 speed in the 100 meters in Track, big time playmaker 2nd year starter, and new player Braeshun Weary 6-2 170 will get reps with his 4.5 speed in the forty.

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The Defense returns last year’s leading tackler, 2024 All District Linebacker/DE Termarkus Scott 6-0 205 with 4.65 speed in the forty and close to 100 tackles in 2024. Also back is DT Addron Jackson 5-10 245 quick, CB Alan Abdullah 6-0 160 a 3 year starter, DT Maximus Guy 5-9 280 a 3 year starter, LB Steele Rogers 5-10 210 a 3 year starter, FS Greyson Frederick 5-11 170 a 3 year starter, DE Peyton Dwight 6-2 210 a 2nd year starter sometimes a TE on Offense, and Jiwaun Brock also will return playing some Safety for the team. There are also three new players that will either start or play a lot in DB Kaydin Antoine, 6-0 170, a Safety, LB Derrick Dunbar, 6-2 190, and CB Cam Johnson, who should start in the 1st year in 2025.

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Special Teams will be strong again for the Lions, led by Kicker Jackson Aleman, 5-7 165, a 2nd year starter, and Punter Brady Graham, 5-11 160, a 2nd year starter, return. Look for a few players to get a chance in the return game to make this one of the strongest positions in the District in 2025.

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Hammond Tornadoes

Head Coach:Dorsett Buckels(5th year) 

2024 Record:6-5 

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Huntington HS

2023 Record: WR Jejuan McGary, WR Undre Johnson, CB/WR Kenyatta Fleet(McNeese State), CB Bradley Ball, DE Melvin Wilson, LB Bryce Carter, RB Andre Dillon, OL/DL Jamir Francis, OL Jalen Perkins, DE/DT Darius Servick(Northwestern State), WR Kenyon Alexander

Key players graduated: 

Team Outlook: On Offense, we have to replace four Offensive Linemen. We also have to replace our deep threat, Kenyatta Fleet WR. On Defense, we have to replace three different Defensive linemen. Even though we are young in spots, these young men have been working really hard this off-season. I’m excited about this group because they are holding each other accountable on and off the field. I’m looking forward to a great season said Head Coach Dorsett Buckels.

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Tidbits: Head Coach Dorsett Buckels played Linebacker for LSU in Nick Saban’s 1st recruiting class at LSU. Coach Buckels also played Linebacker for Amite High School, where he was an All-State performer at Linebacker for the program. Coach Buckels' brother is longtime college assistant Carlton Buckels, who is currently a college coach for Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La. Coach Buckels has built a program at Hammond, which is a storied program for football. I had a chance to visit with the team and coach back in the Spring and was really impressed by how much he cares about coaching and development with these young men coming up in the program.

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The Offense returns five starters, and those 5 are really good players. The Offense also returns some really talented young players to make a good mix for this year. The Offense revolves around QB Terin Jones, 6-0, 190, who threw for 1,100 yards passing in 2024 with 400 yards rushing and six touchdowns. There is also the talented RB Zalen Bennett 6-1 185, who had 1,400 yards rushing in 2024 with 16 touchdowns, and there’s also another great back in RB Quadrez Lewis, 5-10 195, who will get carries like a starter. These two backs will give this team a chance, along with a great QB, to go a long way in 2025.  More players to keep a eye on are WR Reginald Monroe 5-6 155 4.5 speed in the forty, OT Jermaine Brumfield 6-3 238 SR sleeper, Center Gerard Lloyd 5-11 370 2nd year starter, OG Solar Tynes Jr 6-1 245 new starter, WR Tyler Landry 6-5 160 new starter, WR Landen Terrell 5-9 160 new starter, WR DeMarcus Parker 6-0 178 new starter, WR Nicholas Wilson 6-0 170 new starter, OL Jabari Keys 5-9 215, and QB Dakota Mcalister 5-10 185 will get some reps in 2025 also.

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The Defense will be a little more experienced than the Offense, with seven starters back and maybe even more depth overall than the Offense. Some really talented experienced player’s return in Free Safety Amell Garner 5-8 165, had three interceptions in 2024 with nine pass deflections big time player, LB Kevin Tuguta 6-0 208 returns leader, CB Nathaniel Webber 5-11 170 4.5 speed in the forty, Defensive Tackle DaMarcus Servick 5-10 275 (3 Sacks against Amite HS in 2024), Safety Javion Thomas 5-10 160 2nd year starter, DE/OLB Elontae Beauchamp 6-0 225 2nd year starter 4.6 speed in the forty had 10 Sacks in 2024,  DE now and former LB All District 2nd team in 2024 Aydan Self 6-0 210, and Safety Vince Delaney 6-0 180 2nd year start er. There are also more talented players that will play a lot or start in  DE/OLB Johnathan Jackson 6-3 220, LB Trion Wise 5-9 185, CB Cardae Warford 5-10 170, DT Caden Piediscalzo 6-0 240, and others competing for time and reps on Defense in 2025.

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Special Teams will be strong with the return of Kicker/Punter Ethan Young, 5-11 160, a 2nd year starter who the coaches really like in the program.

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Mandeville Skippers

Head Coach:Craig Jones(4th year)

2024 Record:10-2

2024 Playoffs:1st Round beat Thibodeaux HS,2nd Round lost to West Monroe HS.

2023 Record:9-5.1st Round beat Sam Houston HS,2nd Round beat St. Amant HS, and 3rd Round beat Airline HS, Semifinals lost to Ruston HS.

Key players Graduated: RB Nate Sheppard(Duke), TE Parker Lanaux, Kicker Creighton Wilbanks(Southern Mississippi),  DT Juan Canales, LB Chase McCarthy,  LB Wyatt Hammant, CB Michael White(Coffeyville, Kansas, JC), OL Reagan Touchstone(Milsaps), RB/SS Isaiah Baham, OC Blaise Blackwell, OT Brooks Lang, CB Tamaz Walker, WR Ian Harryman, FS Trent Holliday. 

Team Outlook: Replacing a lot 3 3-year starters from the 2024 season. Basically searching to find our identity for the 2025 season," said Head Coach Craig Jones.”

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Tidbits:This is a program at Mandeville High School that has won 5 playoff games in the last 2 years combined in the 2023 and 2024 s easons.The Skippers lost a big senior class, and they will be young overall in 2025.  If the young Offense can get through the first few weeks in 2025, this team will have a chance to go deep in the playoffs again in 2025 with a really good Defense back to help win games.

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The Offense will return starting QB Ben Hendricks, 5-10 175, for his 3rd year as a starter. Hendricks does a great job of running the Offense. Key players to look for at the skill spots are WR Jake Jacketti 5-9 170 a 2nd year starter 4.59 forty speed, RB Jax O’Quin 5-10 195, WR Luke Demelo 6-1 175 2nd year starter, TE Connor Konopka 6-2 200 new starter, RB Brody Hackett 5-9 175 rotate in, WR Brennan McNeely 5-5 140 rotate in, and a few young players competing for playing time at both positions. The Offensive Line will have Center Thomas Goscienski 5-8 240 2nd year starter, OG/OT Nick Averett 6-2 275 2nd year starter, OG Travis Costanza 6-1 250 new starter, and some players competing to start on the Offensive Line like OG Dominic Rossetti 5-9 240, OG Ryan Laurent 5-10 300, and more players competing for Offensive Tackle.

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The Defense will be led up front by 3-year returning starter DE/DT Marques Zenon, 6-2 255, one of the best Defensive linemen in Louisiana. Zenon will be the glue to this team on Defense with the ability to take over a game up front. Also players to keep a eye on are MLB Braxton Paddio 6-0 225 leader 3 year starter, FS Dylan Henry 5-11 170 4.5 speed in the forty or faster 2nd year starter,  CB Dylan Gali 6-0 175 2nd year starter, DE/DT Nick Ingram 6-2 240 new starter, CB Montrell White 6-2 175 2nd year starter, DT/DE Charles Grant 5-9 240 new starter, Safety Maddux Fussell 5-10 175 new starter, and DT Konnor Teresc 6-2 260 new starter.There are a few players battling for starting jobs like Safety Colin Dwyer 5-10 170, LB Cameron Martin 5-10 185, LB Charles Ortner 6-0 190, CB Jareath Francis 6-2 175, and DT Gabriel Herron 6-2 260, who will get reps on the Defensive Line.

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Special Teams will have a new Kicker in 2025, Carson Champagne, 5-10 160, has a bright future. Also, can handle the Punting job.

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Ponchatoula Green Wave

Head Coach:Tim Walters(2nd year)

2024 Record:2-8 

2024 Playoffs: No 

2025 Playoffs:5-6.1st Round lost to Chalmette HS

Key players Graduated: FB/LSP Shawn Puissegur(Southeastern), MLB Jacob Robinson(Coffeyville, Kansas, JC, QB Brayden Perrin, Kicker Gavin Giannobile, WR Cory Jackson Jr(Kentucky State), RB Andrew Cangelosi, FS Jiylon Jackson, MLB Jayden Matthews, OL Trey Ohler, DT Kerry Gardner, DT Jacoby Berry, FS Anthony Vinnett(Grambling), OL Elias Seirra, RB/WR Tyler Galladora,

Team Outlook:  We have grown some. We have a younger team in 2025. We have talented kids, but a lot of them need experience. The kids are working hard and we will get there, and I am excited for the 2025 football season said Head Coach Tim Walters.”

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Tidbits:Head Coach Tim Walters is a Alum of Archbishop Shaw High School(Class 1997).This will be coaches 14th year overall at the school as a teacher/coach. Coach Walters was the Defensive Coordinator for 10 years prior to becoming the head coach in 2024. The 2021 team made it to the Superdome as the State Title Runner-up.

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The new starting QB will be Jackson Aucoin, 6-1, 175, a talented young player with a great future. Aucoin has a strong arm and will, in time, become a really good player for this program.  More skill players back on Offense are TE/HB Cohen Naramore 5-10 200 SR 2nd year starter, WR Jayden Walker 5-8 155 2nd year starter with 4.5 speed in the fortyTE/FB Braedon Desoto 5-10 205 2nd year starter, RB rotation will be Jace Baggio 5-8 185, RB Laiken Jordan 5-10 175 4.5 speed in the forty, RB/WR Aicide Malveaux 5-9 165, and RB Jondarren Brumfield 5-7 165. The WR group will be WR Taj Short 6-0 175, new starter, WR Will Walker 6-1 175, new starter,  and Jayden Walker. The Offensive Line you have OT/OG Paul R.Chapron 6-0 260 2nd year starter, Center Gabriel Riggio 6-0 265 2nd year starter, OG Larry Fox 6-1 300 3 year starter leader, OL Brent Sylve 6-2 290 new starter, and OL Tyran Pope 6-2 310 new starter.

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The Defense front seven starting off will be MLB Layton Bazil 5-10 220 3 year starter leader, LB Skylar Rice 5-10 215 2nd year starter,  LB Jamarion Dokes 6-0 210 new starter, DT Brayden Hurst 6-2 280 2nd year starter, DT William Walker 6-2 285 new starter, DE Jalen Westbrook 5-9 255 new starter, DE Andrew Brooks 5-10 260 new starter, and MLB Dawson Clement and DT Zacharia Keith rotating in for depth.The Secondary you have CB Chad Mangosing 5-9 160 2nd year starter tough kid with 4.6 speed in the forty, two way starter Jayden Walker CB, Safety Robert Taylor 5-8 175 new starter, and Safety Jamari Holloway 6-2 185 new starter with two talented Safeties rotating in Manzy Berry 6-1 185, and Safety Sincere Eubanks 6-1 175.

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Special Teams Kicker and Punter will be Alex Lloyd as the new starter.  Lloyd has a good leg and will be counted on in close games.

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St. Paul’s Wolves

Head Coach:Kenny Sears(27th year)

2024 Record:9-2.District Champs

2024 Playoffs:2nd Round lost to C.E. Byrd HS

2023 Record:10-2.District Champs

Key players Graduated: QB Brenna Keim(Rhodes), Kicker Drew Talley(Southeastern),  TE Chase Ravain(Trinity U), Center Jacob Rebaudo,  DE Alex Mott(Massachusetts Maritime Academy), DB Jude Roberts, DB Connor Lacoste,  DB Tristan Davenport, DB Devan Menon, OL Ford Davidson, OL John Finnan, OL Cayden Arnold, DT Nicholas Lowe,  LB Gavin Bourgeois, LB Khalil Reeves, DB James Hardwick, DB Brody Landry, OL Jake Talley, WR Stone Celestin(Trinity U), TE/FB Emerson Cochran, DT Gavin Ordoyne, OL Drake Fielding, DT Nathan Fegan, DE Ashton Bedford.

Team Outlook:  The Wolves will be a young team in 2025 with many new starters. The experienced run game will carry this team till the new starters get some more experience early on in 2025. The Offensive Line will be mostly new starters, along with the all-new Defensive Backfield on the Defense. The key will be staying healthy and getting a solid season from the new starting QB in 2025. Everyone on the coaching staff and team at St. Paul’s expects to compete for a District Title and State Championship in 2025.

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Tidbits: Head Coach Kenny Sears is the longest current Head Coach at one school in St. Tammany Parish, going into his 27th year at St. Paul’s High School as Head Coach and his 36th year overall at the school. Coach Sears goes into the 2025 season with a record of 189-98 at St. Paul’s High School. 

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The Offense does return some experience RB Cody Corales, 5-11 190 a SR, ran for 646 yards with seven touchdowns in 2024, and caught 10 passes for 130 yards with one touchdown. Also back will be 2024 Hon Mention All State/All District in 2024 WR Brennan Villa 6-2 195 39 catches with 828 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, RB/DB Troy Willis 5-11 185 ran for 736 yards with nine touchdowns in 2024, and two Offensive Lineman return in 2024 All District OL Andrew Shofstahl 6-3 320, and OL Nate Canizaro 5-11 250. The new starters on Offense are TE Christopher Bevolo 6-1 230, TE Adam Connell 5-11 215,  WR Patrick Gahagan 5-8 165, WR Daniel Harty 6-0 175, OL Matthew Blanchard 6-1 245, and OL Joel Scobel 6-3 265. The new starting QB will be Brady Pierson, 5-10 165, who knows the system and looks to have a big 1st year as a starter in the program with already a strong run game around him with great playmaking Wide Receivers.

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The Defense will build around the linebacker group for 2025. Two really good Linebackers return in All District LB in 2024 Hon Mention All State, District Defensive MVP in 2024 Dylan Post had 69 tackles,20.5 tackles for losses, two sacks and many instincts plays at 6-1 225 pounds a SR, and LB Brett West returns 68 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions with 2 of those for touchdowns in 2024. The Defense also returns DT Gage Brown, 6-2 275 SR, who had five tackles for loss in 2024 with 4 Sacks, and DB All District in 2024, Aiden Brooks, 6-2 180, returns with 29 tackles and four interceptions in 2024, looking to have a great 2025 season

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More new starters to keep a eye on are DE Jacob April 5-11 215, DT Christian Boyer 5-9 230, DE Merrick Ancar 6-4 180, DT Casen Boudreaux 6-3 230, DT Chris Cabibi 6-2 240, DT/DE Anderson Padilla 5-10 230,  DT/DE Brody Boyce 6-1 230, DE James Purvis 6-0 200, LB Noah Vicknair 6-0 180, LB Ben Davidson 6-0 210, DB Christian Martin 5-10 160, DB Mason Bazajou 5-9 155, DB Hunter Marchand 5-11 180, DB Clay Sledge 6-1 170, DB Deacon Guice 6-1 170, and DB Taylor Richards 5-10 155.

Special Teams will have a new Kicker in 2025, Carter Pierson. The starting Punter will be Andrew Iennusa. The return game is wide open for starting spots, both Kick Return and Punt Return.

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