Offensive Player of the Year Honorable Mentions
by Jace LeJeune
What a year for Louisiana High School Football in 2016. Every year, the state of Louisiana proves what kind of talent that these individuals have. Last week, we revealed our Offensive Players of the Year after revealing our Defensive Players of the Year the week before. The best offensive players in the entire state appeared on our show to receive some magnificent trophies thanks to Linear Controls. Overall, there are nine winners ranging from 1A-5A. There is also a tie for Offensive Player of the Year in two categories. We are not just awarding the skill guys for their marvelous play this season, but we are also honoring the best offensive linemen in the state with our “In the Trenches Award” which will go to the best offensive lineman. There were a lot of great players that were left out and if we had to give out 50 trophies, then, we would do that, but unfortunately, we could not. These are the players that were nominees and did not win for the Offensive Players of the Year awards ranging from 1A-5A. We also have the honorable mentions for the “In the Trenches” awards. For all of the defensive honorable mentions, it will also be posted on our website tomorrow. We do not want to forget the other players that were considered for their accomplishments on the football field and want to congratulate these following players on their great seasons even though they did not win.
1A:
QB Peyton Bahlinger
Acension Christian
Ascension Christian QB Peyton Bahlinger had himself a great senior season leading the Eagles to an 8-2 season while throwing for 2,369 yards and 30 touchdown passes.
WR Keldrick Carper
Plain Dealing
Former Plain Dealing WR and Texas A&M signee Keldrick Carper did just about anything that you can do on a football team this past season besides throwing or kicking a football. Carper had 52 receptions for 863 yards while rushing for 384 yards on 72 carries with 15 total touchdowns. He also had 95 tackles and four interceptions on defense.
RB Debell Crawford
Logansport
The all-time leading touchdown rushing leader for the Tigers had himself one of the best all time seasons for a Logansport running back rushing for 1,747 yards and 30 touchdowns on 204 carries even though he missed the first three games of the season. He also was the 1A State Championship MVP for the Tigers with his three touchdown performance to help lead the Tigers to their first state championship since 1995 as well as an undefeated season.
QB Quincy Fillmore
Southern Lab
Southern Lab QB Quincy Fillmore still has another year of high school football left and has already been a part of two state championship winning teams at Southern Lab. This season, he had to replace Bladrick Veal (Southern University) as a quarterback even though he played wide receiver most of his high school career. The Kittens have not lost a beat and Fillmore was able to lead the Kittens to back to back state championships with over 2,000 yards of total offense and 46 total touchdowns.
RB Bronte Griffin
Highland Baptist
Highland Baptist RB Bronte Griffin is one of the most underrated running backs in the state due to what he has been able to produce statistically in the last couple of years. In his junior year, he led the state in rushing yards with over 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. His junior year did not top his sophomore year, but he was still able to put up monster numbers such as 1,700 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns. Watch out in 2017 as Griffin will be back for his senior season!
QB Keshawn Lyons
Elton High School
Elton QB Keshawn Lyons showed how versatile he is not only as a quarterback, but as an athlete in general. Lyons was also 1st Team LSWA All-State as a punter. As a quarterback, he accounted for over 2,000 yards and 29 touchdowns and as a punter, he averaged almost 40 yards per punt showing that he can be used all over the football field.
RB Sam Philley
Oak Grove High School
The LSWA 1A Offensive Player of the Year made a strong push in consideration for our 1A Offensive Player of the Year award this season. Philley had over 1,300 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns while having 38 catches for 701 yards and nine more touchdowns. Like Lyons, Philley served an important role in special teams as the team’s kicker. Sam Philley was one of the key players in Oak Grove’s semifinal finish this season.
RB Corey Russell
Arcadia High School
Arcadia RB Corey Russell had a great breakout season this season running the football for the Hornets. He finished 2nd in the state in rushing, at the end of the regular season, behind our 3A Co-Offensive Player of the Year Erath RB Elijah Mitchell with 2,415 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Russell is only a sophomore and this type of season is a sign of great things to come if you are an Arcadia fan.
QB Dalton Shaw
Logansport High School
Logansport QB Dalton Shaw and RB Debell Crawford were part of an outstanding 1-2 punch for the Tigers and were both big reasons on their dominating season. Shaw is a junior and will come back next season as one of the best quarterbacks in 1A. This past season, Shaw threw for 2,671 passing yards and 35 touchdowns. What is even most incredible about Shaw was that he only threw one interception in an entire season!
RB Cameron Solet
Covenant Christian High School
Cameron Solet is not the biggest guy on the field at 5’10, 155 lbs.; but he is a lighting in a bottle every time he touches the football. Solet ran for 819 yards on 85 carries and nine touchdowns, but what is special is what he does in the return game. Solet returned not only two kickoff returns for touchdowns but also two more on punt returns last season.
2A:
RB A.J. Carter
Many High School
The junior running back had himself a very impressive season for the Tigers and was the big time playmaker for the team this season. Carter ran for an impressive 2,500 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns to help lead the team to the semifinals where they lost a very close game to the eventual 2A State Champion Sterlington Tigers. Thanks to Carter’s outstanding junior campaign, he has gotten plenty of big time offers from schools such as Louisiana Tech, UCLA, Mississippi State, Missouri, etc. Carter will be one of the top running backs next season.
QB Carson Clowers
Sterlington High School
Sterlington junior QB Carson Clowers was the offensive leader for the Panthers and even though the team does not throw the ball often, the way that Clowers uses his legs and his competitiveness were key reasons why the Panthers were able to pull off the biggest upset in the Superdome this season defeating an athletic Madison Prep team. This season, he was able to put up almost 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns as well as winning the 2A state championship game MVP.
RB Tony Huey
Dunham High School
Before the season started, Dunham RB Tony Huey dedicated his senior season to his father who tragically died from his battle of cancer and what a way for Huey to do it. Huey was 2nd in the entire state at the end of the regular season with 36 touchdowns along with 1,309 rushing yards on the ground. He was the heart and soul of the Tigers offense and the offense’s success had a lot to do with Huey and what he was able to do as a running back. Tony Huey will continue his college career at Louisiana Tech and could be a big addition for the Bulldogs for years to come.
RB Taylor Johnson
Kinder High School
Kinder High School RB Taylor Johnson is one of the most accomplished running backs in the state with what he has been able to do. Johnson is a shy person, but he lets his playing do the talking for him. Over his career, he has ran for nearly 6,000 yards and has appeared in three state championship games while winning two of them. In his senior season, he ran for 1,574 yards and 33 touchdowns.
QB Miles Lapeyre
Isidore Newman High School
Just add another great quarterback to Isidore Newman in Miles Lapeyre. Lapeyre had two great seasons accounting for over 100 touchdowns and over 6,000 yards of offense. In his senior season, Lapeyre showed off his accuracy, his arm, and his ability to improvise when he is pressured. The star Greenie quarterback threw for 2,539 yards and 33 touchdowns along with 367 rushing yards and three more touchdowns. Miles Lapeyre signed as a preferred walk-on for the Tulane Green Wave.
QB Jordan Loving
Riverside Academy
Riverside junior QB Jordan Loving had to recover from an injury that he suffered in 2015, which may have affected his stats this season, but what he was able to do in a limited amount of time is pretty incredible. Loving had over 1,300 total yards of offense and 16 touchdowns and led the Rebels to their first state championship in the program’s history as well as winning the Division III state championship game MVP.
ATH Lloyd Nash
St. Charles Catholic
There was not one position that this versatile athlete played in his junior year for the Comets. This season, Nash played quarterback, punt returner, kick returner, and defensive back. There was hardly a time that he was not on the field for Frank Monica’s club and he made a big time difference whenever he is in the game. This season, he accounted for over 2,000 yards and led the Comets all the way to the state championship game where they lost to Riverside Academy.
WR Brian Savoie
Madison Prep
With a big offensive line and explosive running backs for the Chargers, there were times that they did not need to throw the football, but when they did, they often looked toward Savoie’s way. The senior wide receiver had 62 receptions for 1,207 yards and 21 touchdowns to help the Chargers’ vertical passing game this season.
RB Tyrese Walker
Madison Prep
With all the great athletes that the Chargers had, it was Walker, who was the main offensive weapon for Madison Prep. The junior running back had 2,462 rushing yards to go with 40 touchdowns. Walker had almost 1,000 yards rushing in the playoff run for Madison Prep. It was a great breakout season for the Madison Prep running back and a lot of great things are expected for this exciting running back in 2017.
RB Kordavion Washington
Calvary Baptist
Here, we have another talented junior running back, who had a lot of success in his junior campaign. In the 2016 season, Washington ran for 2,030 yards and 29 touchdowns. Like Carter, he has received some many offers from may programs already. Next season, Washington looks to add his stats up next season as he is already one of the main leading rushers in the prolific program’s history.
QB Ronald Williams
Ferriday High School
Ferriday senior QB Ronald Williams did a lot for the Trojans this season. He threw for 2,059 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also ran for 822 rushing yards and nine more touchdowns to account for almost 3,000 yards and 32 total touchdowns. Not to mention that he also had 22 tackles and four interceptions on defense. Williams’ presence and play making ability is going to be severely missed by the Trojans next season.
3A:
WR Al’Dontre Davis
Lutcher High School
Lutcher senior WR Al’Dontre Davis was part of a great wide receiver trio along with fellow Tariq Belvin and Gregory Clayton, but it was the TCU signee that was our 3A Co-Offensive Player of the Year Lutcher QB Jontre Kirklin’s favorite target. Davis had 66 catches for 954 yards and 12 touchdowns. His toughness, ability to catch the ball across the middle of the football field, and his ability after the catch will make a huge impact for the Horned Frogs next season.
RB Travis Etienne
Jennings High School
The reigning Louisiana Football Magazine 3A Offensive Player of the Year had himself a great career at Jennings High School and will go down as one of the all-time great players to come out of the school. This season, Etienne ran for over 2,200 rushing yards and over 30 touchdowns. This is the second consecutive year that the Jennings running back has accomplished that feat. Known as one of the highest recruited running backs in the state this season, he has decided to go away from his own state to play for the Clemson Tigers.
QB Julien Gums
De La Salle
De La Salle junior QB Julien Gums did not put up huge number compared to other players that were candidates for 3A, but that was because De La Salle was able to win a lot of blowouts and Gums did not have to play in second halves of games. He led the team to a district championship and an undefeated season until the team’s loss in the playoffs to the eventual 3A state champion Lutcher Bulldogs. In his senior season, Gums accounted for 1,700 yards of offense and 30 total touchdowns.
RB Davon Harris
West Feliciana High School
Like De La Salle, West Feliciana was enjoying a magical season until the Lutcher Bulldogs had to ruin it, and like De La Salle, there were a lot of games that West Feliciana had to sit out their star players including Davon Harris in second half of games. Harris was the home run hitter for the option offense as he ran for 1,582 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in his junior season.
RB Julius Johnson
Kaplan High School
Kaplan senior RB Julius Johnson also plays on defense and is a hard hitter, which explains his running ability as a ball carrier on offense. Johnson’s physical running style helped him run for 2,170 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. His leadership, competitiveness, and toughness are all going to be things that the Pirates will be having a tough time replacing. Johnson has signed to play football at Louisiana College next fall.
RB Bruce Price
Peabody High School
Peabody senior RB Bruce Price is a man running the football at 6’1, 235. The physical running back bulldozed opponents to 1,632 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns as the main offensive weapon for the Warhorses. His production and his physicality is going to be hard to replace in 2017. For next season, Price has signed with Grambling to continue his football career.
WR DeVonta Smith
Amite High School
Highly recruited Amite senior WR DeVonta Smith showed why everybody in the country wanted him this season. Smith is seven points waiting to happen every time he has the ball in his hands. This season, he had 1,160 receiving yards and 21 receiving touchdowns. In a losing effort in the 3A state championship game, he had eight catches for over 100 receiving yards, a touchdown, a 93 yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and an interception as a defensive back. It was one of the most impressive performances that you would see from a player from the losing team. On National Signing Day, it came down to Alabama, LSU, and Miami. In the end, Smith chose the Crimson Tide giving Nick Saban another big time weapon at wide receiver.
RB Ethan Stansell
Loyola College Prep
The Loyola College Prep Flyers were on their way to their best season ever in the history of the program thanks to senior RB Ethan Stansell. The 6’3, 230 lb. running back was the bell cow for the Flyer offense as he racked up 1,534 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. However, Stansell suffered an injury late towards the season and the Flyers could not rekindle the magic of their breakout season without their star running back running the football. That is how important Stansell was for this team this season.
QB Elijah Walker
Amite High School
A good wide receiver like DeVonta Smith would be worthless without a good quarterback delivering him the football. That good quarterback was Elijah Walker. Walker will go down as one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the storied history of the Warrior program. After not being able to get a chance at the state championship in his junior year, Walker was motivated to bring Amite back to the Superdome, and that is what he did. In his senior season, he led the Warriors to the 3A state championship game while throwing for 3,300 yards, rushing for 1,000 yards, and accounting for 60 touchdowns. Even though the team fell short, there is no question that Walker brought the program back on top.
4A:
QB Aldon Clark
Edna Karr
Edna Karr senior QB Aldon Clark was arguably one of the top quarterbacks in the entire state and one of the best to ever come out of Edna Karr, if not the best. He led the best team this year to their third state championship win as well as guided Edna Karr to back to back championship appearances. Clark has helped turn the Cougars into state powerhouses. This season, the Arkansas State signee threw for 3,500 yards and 40 touchdowns as well as the 4A state championship game MVP where he ended his marvelous career with over 300 yards passing and three first half touchdowns.
QB Jaiden Cole
Neville
The quarterback that Edna Karr defeated in the state championship was Neville senior QB Jaiden Cole. Like Clark, Cole has been part of a powerhouse in the Neville Tigers. In his career, Cole is 40-2 with two state championship wins and three appearances. This season, the Louisiana Tech signee accounted for 3,000 yards through the air and on the ground along with 39 total touchdowns to end a legendary career at Neville High School.
RB Kevin Dominique
Plaquemine
In one of the best backfields in the state this season, Plaquemine senior RB Kevin Dominique was the “thunder” to Wayne Toussant’s “lighting.” Dominique ran for almost 2,000 yards with 1,805 yards this season along with 26 touchdowns. Also, Dominique sat in a lot of second halves because of the way Plaquemine dominated opponents this season. Dominique has signed with the Ball State Cardinals to continue his football career.
RB Delmonte Hall
North DeSoto
North DeSoto senior RB Delmonte Hall is one of the most underrated running backs in the state. He has quietly ran for over 8,000 yards and 88 total touchdowns in his career, which is pretty impressive. Hall is a touchdown machine as he once ran for eight in one game and has ran for 38 touchdowns this season. He has great vision, quickness, and a nose for the end zone, which are all qualities that you want in a running back. Southeastern Louisiana University has themselves a major gem in Delmonte Hall for next season.
RB Evan Johnson
Loranger High School
Loranger senior RB Evan Johnson has something to prove every time he touches the football. He is not the biggest guy, but he runs like he is over 220 pounds. He is also very fast and is one of the most exciting players to watch on the field. Johnson is a versatile player who can make plays whether it is running the football, catching the football, or on special teams. This season, he accounted for 2,600 all-purpose yards and 20 total touchdowns. Evan Johnson has signed with the North Texas Mean Green to play football next season.
WR Davontavean Martin
Ellender Memorial High School
Ellender senior WR Davontavean Martin is one of the best athletes in the state and is also a great basketball player. The Patriots not only used Martin at his primary position, but he also has played some running back, defensive back, and even quarterback as well. This season, he had 45 catches for 751 yards and eight touchdowns as a wide receiver, 82 carries for 493 yards and five touchdowns as a running back, 376 passing yards and four touchdowns as a quarterback, and four interceptions on defense. Martin will bring his talents to Washington State where he has signed to play football next season.
WR Racey McMath
Edna Karr
Edna Karr QB Aldon Clark’s top target senior WR Racey McMath is one of the most exciting receivers to watch this season. He has an unique blend of size and speed at 6’3, 215 and his 4.4 40 time. This season, McMath had 37 catches for 1,000 yards and 16 touchdowns. He has signed to play football for the LSU Tigers this upcoming season and gives LSU another athletic wide receiver to add to their roster.
RB Patrick Queen
Livonia
Livonia senior RB Patrick Queen is one of the most athletic players in the state as well as one of the most accomplished players at 6’1, 215. He can excel as a running back or at linebacker where he has starred in both positions in his four years as a starter. In his senior season, he accounted for over 1,700 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns. On defense, he had 66 tackles, 42 solo, seven tackles for loss, and six passes broken up. Queen has signed to play football with the LSU Tigers and gives the team some versatility on what he can do as an athlete.
ATH Wayne Toussant
Plaquemine
Plaquemine junior ATH Wayne Toussant is one of the most exciting players in the entire state regardless of position. Toussant has elite speed and is a highlight reel waiting to happen every time he touches the football. Defenses have to be prepared where he is on every play because he can beat defenses in multiple ways including running the football, receiving, and on special teams. This season, he had 565 rushing yards, 596 receiving yards, and 506 return yards. He had 1,717 all purpose yards and 24 total touchdowns. Toussant is coming back and is expected to be the team’s top offensive player for next season.
5A:
RB Kirkland Banks
Barbe High School
Barbe senior RB Kirkland Banks is one of the best athletes in the Lake Charles area. Banks backed up his incredible junior season with a pretty solid senior season rushing for 1,517 yards and 23 touchdowns. Kirkland Banks has the ability to make people miss and score on just anyway possible whether it is in the running game, receiving game, or on special teams. Barbe loses a huge playmaker on the offensive side of the football in Banks, but the Lamar Cardinals are getting themselves a major steal!
ATH Slade Bolden
West Monroe High School
West Monroe ATH Slade Bolden did pretty much everything except sell the popcorn and collect the tickets at the gate for West Monroe. This season, the talented athlete played quarterback, running back, and wide receiver on offense. He ran for 1,370 yards and 24 touchdowns, threw for 906 yards and nine touchdowns, and had 15 catches for 248 yards and four touchdowns to account for 2,524 total yards of offense and 37 total touchdowns. He also helped West Monroe come back to the Superdome since the late, great Don Shows took them there. The good news is that Bolden and 5A Co-Defensive Player of the Year John Bailey Gullatt are all coming back and this time, they want to win the state championship.
WR Nate Briscoe
Barbe High School
Barbe RB Kirkland Banks is not the only senior playmaker that is leaving Barbe. Barbe senior WR Nate Briscoe is another exciting player to watch and is a great route runner. Last season, Briscoe had 88 receptions for 1,063 yards and seven touchdowns. He is a dependable player that a quarterback can trust in to make big time plays in crucial situations. McNeese State is getting themselves a solid football player in Briscoe.
WR/K Briggs Bourgeois
St. Amant High School
St. Amant senior WR/K Briggs Bourgeois is another guy who will do whatever it takes to win football games. He is one of the best kickers in the state the last couple of years. This season, he was 47-51 in extra points and 13-15 in field goals, but what makes him unique is that he is a really good athlete as well. He was Hayden Mallory’s main target in the last couple of seasons and this year, he had 66 catches for 836 yards and 13 touchdowns. This is a guy who can not only be a kicker at the next level, but a receiver as well. Bourgeois has signed to play for Southern Mississippi where he will be a huge asset for the football program.
ATH Tevin Bush
Landry Walker High School
Landry Walker senior QB and our 5A Co-Offensive Player of the Year Keytaon Thompson dominated teams this season, but even he could not have done it without the exciting and explosive play maker in Landry Walker senior ATH Tevin Bush. Bush is another guy who is a big play waiting to happen and is a nightmare for defensive coordinators. This season, he had over 2,000 total purpose yards and 25 total touchdowns. Bush is modeling his game after former West Virginia Tavon Austin and is going to the same school as Austin in West Virginia for next season.
WR Terrace Marshall
Parkway High School
Parkway junior WR Terrace Marshall is one of the most talented wide receivers coming back for next season. He is everything that a coach would want in regards to size, speed, hands, and effort. Last season, he had 46 catches for 1,093 yards and 14 touchdowns. Marshall and his quarterback are going to be one of the top passing duos in the state next season.
QB Justice McCoy
St. Augustine High School
St. Augustine senior QB Justice McCoy competes in one of the toughest districts in the state and faces in District 9. He faces the best competition in the state and he rises up to the challenge. He has a great arm as well as great feet in the pocket. He even has beaten John Curtis in his football career, which is really hard to do. Last season, he accounted for 2,177 total yards of offense and 26 total touchdowns. Justice McCoy will take his quarterbacking skills to the next level at Colorado State.
QB Hayden Mallory
St. Amant High School
St. Amant senior QB Hayden Mallory was the best quarterback in the Baton Rouge area with his strong arm, accuracy, and his leadership. This season, he threw for 2,882 passing yards and 38 touchdown passes in the Gators’ best season in a long time. The way that Mallory led this team all the way to the 5A quarterfinals after everything that happened with the flood earlier in the year was pretty amazing. Hayden Mallory has signed to play at Southern Arkansas next season.
ATH Amik Robertson
Thibodaux High School
There are some players that you just want to watch and really appreciate their game. Thibodaux senior ATH Amik Robertson is one of those players that makes the game look too easy. He is a difference maker on offense, defense, and special teams. This season, Robertson ran for 1,202 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 450 yards receiving and a kickoff return for a touchdown. In the playoff game against Mandeville, Amik Robertson was injured and really took the life out of the Tigers in that game. He definitely can make a difference if he is in the game or not. Robertson has signed with Louisiana Tech to continue his football career.
QB Justin Rogers
Parkway High School
Parkway junior QB Justin Rogers is another top player in the state returning for next season. He may be the top quarterback in the state returning in the entire state. Rogers is following in the paths of Brandon Harris (former LSU QB) and Keondre Wudtee (Oklahoma State) as the next great high school quarterback to come from the Parkway program. He is big, strong, and has really good feet in the pocket. Last season, he was one of the top passers in the state with his 3,022 passing yards, 30 touchdown passes, and 11 rushing touchdowns. Next season, Rogers and teammate Terrace Marshall will be an exciting duo to watch for the Panthers next season.
WR Jeremy Singleton
Brother Martin High School
Brother Martin senior WR Jeremy Singleton is one of the most underrated wide receivers in the senior class in the state. Singleton can run a 4.40 and has big time speed to play at the next level. Last season, he had 50 receptions for 993 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is a part of new Houston head coach Major Applewhite’s first recruiting class and can be a big time play maker for the Cougars in the upcoming years.
RB J’cobi Skinner
Sulphur High School
Before this year, Sulphur senior RB J’cobi Skinner was considered an athlete until he made his home in the backfield for the Golden Tornadoes for a major breakout season. Skinner played running back like he was playing it his entire career and while doing that, he put up some monster numbers such as 2,263 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns to help the Golden Tors win eight games and advance far in the 5A playoffs.
RB Bruce Jordan-Swilling
Brother Martin High School
Heading into this season, it was argued that Brother Martin senior RB Bruce Jordan-Swilling was the best player in the state. He has the type of ability to change an entire game as a linebacker or a running back. In his senior season, he ran for 1,716 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns. Bruce Jordan-Swilling has accomplished a lot in his Crusader career and will go down as one of the most talented players to ever come out of the school. Swilling will continue his football career at Georgia Tech.
RB Anthony Williams
Hahnville High School
Hahnville junior RB Anthony Williams will return next season as one of the top players from the New Orleans area regardless of position with the type of numbers that he put up this season. Williams accounted for 2,231 yards and 29 touchdowns. He is another running back that can take over a game and dominate from start to finish.
“In the Trenches”
We would also like to recognize our honorable mentions for “In the Trenches.” The four linemen that were also considered for the award are: