The Live Oak Eagles Continue Their Recent Success After Soaring to New Heights in 2017

by Cameron Cerniglia

Live Oak senior WR Grant Richardson (Property of LAFM)

The Live Oak High School Eagles had a successful 2017 season after making their first ever quarterfinals appearance. Coach Brett Beard and the Eagles have many players returning from the 2017 season. Once again, they are primed to have a strong 2018 season.

Coach Beard will have a returner at quarterback in senior Sal Palermo III. Palermo is a talented quarterback who has a good arm and can run the ball as well. Louisiana Football Magazine’s own recruiting specialist Lee Brecheen speaks highly of Palermo.

“Palermo is a kid with good size and deceptive speed,” Brecheen said. “He is such a great leader for the program. He’s got a good arm, but is more of a runner. I think he can play multiple positions in college because he is 6-2, 210. He could move to tight end or linebacker if not at quarterback. If he goes to a smaller school like a D-II or D-III school, he will get a shot at quarterback, but if he goes to a bigger school, he will be a tight end or linebacker. I think he is a guy that gets the most out of his ability.”

Palermo will have talented receivers to throw the ball to and they will be led by Grant Richardson, who Brecheen says is a sleeper.

“Richardson is a sleeper at the D-II level,” Brecheen said. “I think he could walk on I-AA. He’s tall and has great hands. He is deceptively fast. He’s made some great catches at Live Oak. I think Grant might be the biggest sleeper on the team because he doesn’t time as fast as some coaches would like, but he looks fast. He is about 6-2 and is a guy that could go I-AA and play in a year or two.”

Live Oak senior safety Eli Johnson (Property of LAFM)

Live Oak senior linebacker Blake Robinson (Property of LAFM)

Another guy on the team that Brecheen thinks is a sleeper at the I-AA, D-II level is long-snapper Peyton Johnson.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Eagles have McNeese State commit Eli Johnson, Cameron Dickerson, and Blake Robinson. These three guys are seniors and have the ability to play at the next level.

“Eli Johnson is a really good safety,” Brecheen said. “He is a hard hitter and has great instincts. He’s a tough guy and just a ball hawk and I think McNeese sees that in him. Eli will be a great safety at the next level. I don’t know how long it will take him to get on the field, but I can see him being in the mix by year two.”

“Blake Robinson is a guy that could go D-II, D-III as a mike linebacker,” Brecheen said. “He’s a tough kid. He’s slightly undersized for a higher level, but could definitely be a D-II, D-III guy.”

Cameron Dickerson is also a guy on the defense that could play at the next level. Brecheen says he could go to a D-III school as a safety.

Coach Beard has these guys returning, but it will be a tough task getting back to the quarterfinals. At this point in the season, the Eagles are 5-3. They have two tough road games remaining in Walker High School and Holy Cross High School.

It is unknown whether or not they can make a run like they did last season, but winning their last two games will put them in a great position heading into the playoffs.

Cameron is from Baton Rouge, LA. He graduated from Woodlawn High School in 2014. Cameron is now attending LSU where he is seeking a degree in Sport Administration with a concentration in commerce. Cameron joined the Louisiana Football Magazine staff in the summer of 2018 for his school internship. During the his days off, Cameron enjoys spending time with family and friends. Outside of being a football fan, Cameron also enjoys watching baseball and playing music.

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Stores Link: http://www.lafootballmagazine.com/news/c48-recruiting/2018-louisiana-football-magazine-north-and-south-editions-now-available-in-stores-near-you/

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