District 9-Class 2A

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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Independence Tigers

Head Coach:Sam Messina(1st year) 

2024 Record:1-9

2024 Playoffs: No 

2023 Record:3-7 

Key players Graduated: WR/DB Gabe Ballet, OLB/DE Kordell Hines, K/OC Jose Pinto, and  OG Brayden Tayson. 

Team Outlook: Very talented hard hard-working kids here at Independence HS. It’s important to give these kids direction and back it up with a chance to grow as players on and off the field for this program. Be responsible for the program and try and bring back the old principles and tradition Independence High School has said Head Coach Sam Messina.”

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Tidbits: I think the new hire of Sam Messina was a home run. Coach Messina spent 23 years of his life as the Head coach of Loranger HS football, did a great job, and now returns to his alma mater, Independence HS Class of 1986. Coach was the long-time Defensive Coordinator of Independence HS starting in 1991, under the late great Charlie Bagilio, and Coach Messina played for Bags as a football player. The program will dress 42 players in the Spring for football, which is a really good number for a program with just 120 boys in the school for 2025.

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Like coach Messina said there is talent to build around in 2025 and here are players that coach will count on this coming season 3 year starter  FS/WR/PR Deon Melton 5-6 160 SR 4.5 speed,3 year starter RB/WR/SS Jaylan James 5-9 160 4.5 speed SR,3 year starter QB/WR/P Je’Marcus Weatherspoon 6-1 175 SR,3 year starter MLB/TE/FB Jayden Anderson 6-1 220 SR sleeper 3rd year starter, OLB/DE/RB Christian Butler 6-2 225 sleeper 3rd year starter, CB/WR Roy Jackson 5-10 160 3 year starter, QB/CB Brody Innerarity 6-0 175, RB/DB Brandon Strickland 5-10 180, WR/CB Kyson Garner 5-10 165 4.5 speed, WR/SS Malcolm Brider 5-11 160 3 year starter, OC/DT Luis Carrion 3 year starter 5-9 210, and 2nd year starter Jose Aguirre 5-11 250. There will be other players stepping up over Spring/Summer to win starting jobs for the fall under the new staff.

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Northlake Christian Wolverines

Head Coach:James Willis(7th year)

2024 Record:8-3

2024 Playoffs:2nd Round beat St. Louis Catholic HS, and 3rd Round lost to Catholic of New Iberia HS

2023 Record:7-3.1st Round lost to St. Thomas Aquinas HS

Key players Graduated: QB Luke Leblanc(Maritime Massachusetts), OL/DL Lee Dauterive(West Alabama), TE/FB/DE Gavin Hunter, WR Luke Voelkel, OL/DL Ruben Hower, DE/OG Frank Raimondi, OG/DT Joseph Borzelleri.FS Joseph Dottolo

Team Outlook: Most of this team has been with me since Middle School. Kids have stuck with the program, been through the process, and it’s paying off. We will have a new starting QB for the 1st time in 3 years said Head Coach James Willis.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach James Willis was a great Football player back in the day. Coach Willis was a Parade All-American Linebacker in High School for J.O. Johnson High School in Huntsville, Alabama, and in college at Auburn University, was a three-time All-SEC Linebacker, and a Freshman All-American at the Auburn Class of 1992 Auburn War Eagles.

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Tidbits: Northlake Christian  High School is a K to 12 High School all on one campus.

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What really sticks out to me about this team, they have some really big linemen, Athletic linemen, for the 2025 season and beyond, with a lot of experience overall. Here are the lineman in the program to keep a eye on OL Wyatt Perritt 6-3 285  a 4 year starter, OT Drake Orazio 6-4 295, a 3 year starter, OL/DT Leonard Tridico 6-4 275 2nd year starter, OG Gavin Angelo 6-0 265 2nd year starter, OL Landen Luparello 6-4 275, OL/DL Levi Hastings 6-2 240 a 2nd year starter, and the smallest lineman but tough as nails OG/OC Blake Drury 5-11 200 a 2nd year starter.

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The new starting QB will be Sam Gran, 6-2 190, a SR new to the program in 2025, and really had a good Spring really good arm and feet in the pocket. There will be a few talented 2 way starters Offense and Defense to keep a eye on with experence back WR/DB Jordan Willis 6-1 180 Hon Mention All State & All District in 2024 big time playmaker SR 4 year starter,2024 Hon Mention All State RB/LB/DE Kam Casnave 6-1 225 brings power and speed a 4 year starter, LB/FB Trace Crane 6-1 200 a 4 year starter tough kid leader SR, DB/WR 2024 Hon Mention All State Charlie Gilmore 6-2 190 a 3 year starter big playmaker, LB/SS Colton West 6-0 180 2nd year starter and also can play some snaps at QB, LB/DE Kaden Gill 6-1 205 2nd year starter,  CB Vincent Sclafini 5-10 165 new starter, MLB/FB Avery Cannata 5-11 190 a new starter, WR/DB Chaz Gill 6-1 160 will get reps, and DE Owen Ehrhardt 6-1 210 returns as a 2nd year starter.

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Special Teams at Kicker, you have a new starter, Brayden Finkley, 5-11, 160 has a strong leg. You also have a Kicker Trace Crane. Charlie Gilmore and Crane will handle the  Long Snapper spot. Crane also has a good leg as a Punter.

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Pope John Paul II Jaguars

Head Coach:Phillip Pigott(5th year)

2024 Record:9-3 

2024 Playoffs:2nd Round lost to Episcopal HS

2023 Record:8-3.1st Round lost to Lake Charles College Prep HS 

Key players Graduated:2024 Hon Mention All State OLB/DE DJ Jenkins Jr(Rice),2024 Hon Mention All State TE/DE Andrew Hoff(Southwest Mississippi JC Baseball),2024 Hon Mention All State QB/CB Blaze Rodriquez(Mississippi Gulf Coast JC Baseball), OL/DL Sean Smith,2024 Hon Mention All State WR/Safety Kade Lacoste(LSU Eunice Baseball), FB/LB Nick Andre 

Team Outlook: I really like the experience we have back on the Offensive & Defensive Lines for the 2025 season. We have some talented spots on the team, but also some unproven spots to focus on in the Summer. We also return 4 starting Offensive Lineman from last year said Head Coach Phillip Pigott.”

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Tidbits: I really think Head Coach Phillip Pigott does a great job with this program. Pigott was a member of the LSU 2007 Football National Championship as a Linebacker, and also played football in 2004 & 2005 at Mississippi College, and signed out of high school with the Navy Academy Preparatory. Considering Pope John Paul HS football never gets to have a full spring because most of the roster is on the Baseball team every year. Staff does a great job with what they have every year.

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Let’s start with the Offensive Line because this is the strength of the team going into the new season in 2025. Every Offensive Lineman in the program will also see some time on the Defensive Line as well. You have OT Colin Kornrumpf 6-4 265, OC/OL Wyatt Higgins 6-3 260, 2024 Hon Mention All State as both OG/DE Michael Thiel 6-0 240,  OT/DT Jax Dean 6-0 245, and competing to start for the open spot is Brady Bauer 5-8 210 as a OC/OG.  The Offense return a bunch of new starters at skill spot at QB new starter Austin Franzo 5-8 150 has a good arm Athletic, RB/SS Channing Wise 5-7 145, WR/CB Everett Gibbs 6-2 180 SR, RB/FS Aiden Fairchild 5-11 180 tough and quick, RB/LB Gus Piazza 5-11 205 SR a 4 year starter could play some QB if needed, FB/MLB Jack Roniger 6-1 215, TE/OLB Joseph Sprinkle one of the most gifted players in the program 6-3 210, FB Dominick Smith 5-9 205 power, WR Emilio Uribe really quick in space, and WR Eli Schayot 6-1 160.

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Some really good Defensive Players to keep a eye on in 2025 OLB/DE Joseph Sprinkle 4.55 speed in the forty, LB Josh Callais 5-10 175, Safety Brady Huerstel 5-10 170, DT/NG Ali Khalil 5-11 240, CB King Green 6-1 170, FS Aiden Fairchild, both MLB Wesley Geiman and DE Brady DeHarde 6-2 215 will also rotate in for the Defense.

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Special Teams will be really strong with the return of one of the best Kickers in the state, Kale Oertling, 6-0 190 SR will also handle the Punting duties for the team. In the return game, RB Channing Wise looks to give the team a breakaway threat anytime he touches the football as a Kick Returner with legit 4.6 speed in the forty and looks faster.SR Noah Panks returns as a pretty good Long Snapper for the team.

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St. Helena Central Hawks

Head Coach:DeCarlos Holmes(1st year)

2024 Record:3-8

2024 Playoffs:1st Round lost to Pine HS 

2023 Record:4-5.1st Round lost to Port Allen HS

Key players Graduated: TE/OLB Willie Martin, MLB/WR Diontae Chaney, RB/MLB Jarvis Brister, OG/DT Gekeiten Williams, DE/RB Jonathan Daniels.

Team Outlook: One of the best teams of talent I’ve been around in a long time. We have linemen and big-time skill players, but we need to teach these kids basic fundamentals. The potential to do great things is already at the school. I am excited to be the head coach of this program said Head Coach DeCarlos Holmes.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach DeCarlos Holmes has a ton of experience as a head coach at West Jefferson High School, Woodlawn of Shreveport High School, Sophie B Wright High School, and Washington Marion High School. Coach Holmes also coached at East Mississippi JC, was part of a National Champion Junior College team, and also coached at St.Augustine High School and Bastrop High School. Coach is an Alum of Grambling Lab High School(Class of 1994). Coach also played for the great Eddie Robinson at Grambling State U... Coach Robinson’s last team at Grambling, and his dad played for coach Robinson, J.D. Holmes, back in the 1970s. His dad also played on the only State Title team at West Jefferson High School in 1970.

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The program will return, like the coach said, a host of talented players with raw ability and the potential for several players to become great players before they leave. Here are some players to keep a eye on WR Aderrion Baker 6-2 200 4 year starter leader of the team, RB/LB Miguel Bonds 5-9 200 3 year starter another big time leader, RB/HB KJ Smith 5-11 195 very Athletic with 4.6 speed in the forty, MLB/FB Deandre Spurlock 5-10 195 2nd year starter, OC George Taylor 5-11 230 2nd year starter, OG/OL Braylon Muse 5-9 250 4 year starter leader, WR/OLB Tim Dorsey 6-4 198 3 year starter leader, OG/DT Jamerious Wells 6-1 300, QB A’myrian Baker 6-3 180 threw for over 1,500 yards not even in a full season in 2024, WR/CB Jamiwren Robinson 5-11 185 4.5 speed in the forty, 2nd year starter, WR/CB Tazmond Chandler 5-11 168 2nd year starter, WR/CB J’Noah Morgan 6-0 185 2nd year starter Athlete, DT Ladarrius Taylor 6-5 240 3 year starter leader, LB Trendon Cornish 6-1 215 new starter, RB Jeremiah Gray 5-8 145 new starter, DB Jakobe Bounds 5-11 140 new starter and OLB/DE Darius Myles 6-6 220 new starter.

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Special Teams Kicker will be the Athletic Euro’Quantar Brumfield 5-11 225, and the Punter will be Aderrion Baker 6-2 200.

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St. Thomas Aquinas Falcons

Head Coach:Boomer Nunez(1st year)

2024 Record:1-9

2024 Playoffs: No

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

Key players Graduated: OLB Ross Perrilloux, DE Evan Jump, OT/DT Juan Triste, OL/DL Ryan Jackson, OLB/FB Dean Cusimano.

Team Outlook: I wanted the job because I will be the 4th head football coach in 4 years at the school. I wanted the kids to have a head coach whom they already knew since I was on the staff in 2024. I think that with my being hired, it will bring some stability to the players coming back. We have 30 8th graders and 30 9th graders coming up for football, so the future here is bright said Head Coach Boomer Nunez.”

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Tidbits: Head Coach Boomer Nunez is an Alum of Northshore High School in Slidell(Class 2006). Coach Nunez was also named the school’s Head Baseball coach in 2025. Coach played  Baseball in college at Southeastern Lions as an infielder for 1 season. Coach Nunez started his coaching career at the age of 19 at Archbishop Hannan High School as a Baseball coach. After talking to the coach, since being hired, the program has 65 players out for the football team for Summer workouts, which is a really good total of players for the program. The Falcons will have 17 seniors on the football team in 2025.

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The Quarterback position will be a battle between SR Chase Oalman 6-0 195, and QB Joel Dupree 5-10 170. Oalman is a starter on Defense as a Linebacker. Both kids will help this team win in 2025. Skill talent wise the Falcons will have more competition for starting spots and here’s a few players to look for RB Josh Carballo 6-0 190 new starter, WR Grant Forest 6-4 170 new starter, TE Luke Lambert 5-10 180 2nd year starter, WR/CB Kaiden Dennis 5-10 165 3 year starter will start both sides of the football with 4.5 speed in the forty and one of the best Athlete’s on the team, WR/Safety Jack Beard lso a 2 way starter 6-3 185 SR, and RB Juy Eskano 5-9 170 will get reps at RB and will also start at CB on Defense. Most of the Offensive Line will also get reps on the Defensive Line players like OC/DE Mason Craft 5-8 240 SR 4 year starter leader, OL/DL Brody Crouch 6-2 240 3 year starter, OL/DL Aiden Brown 6-0 220 2nd year starter, and OL Braeden Pierre 6-0 225 a 2nd year starter.

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The Defense will have FS/WR Parker Roubigue 5-9 175 also will see time at WR on Offense,  DE Cole Wilder 5-10 180 2nd year starter, LB Chase Oalman 6-0 195, CB Kaiden Dennis, CB Juy Eskano 5-9 170, CB Rhett Fugaruino 5-9 170 new starter, LB Kaden Lee 6-0 200 2nd year starter, Safety/WR Carson Schanzbach 5-9 150 2nd year starter, and Safety Shane Nicaud 6-0 185, 2nd year starter. There’s also 2-way starter Jack Beard as a Safety,  Safety Cohen Boudreaux 5-9 165, and FS Michael Oriano 6-0 180, both rotating in for reps on Defense.

Special Teams Kicker will be new starter Jax Enmon, 6-1 170, Punter will be Chase Oalman.In the return game, Kaiden Dennis will be one of the top players in the District as a Kick Returner.

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