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| FOOTBALL 2016 |
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
PAGE 3
ESJH improving with experience, leadership BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
RESERVE — East St. John High coach Aldon Foster got a rough introduction to River Parishes football last season. In his first year as coach of the Wildcats, the former Amite leader had to get acclimated to his new school, his new team and wait out an eligibility hearing on the status of his quarterback. Then he got a rather rude introduction to District 7-5A football, finishing 1-5 with only a victory against Terrebonne in Week Eight. The Wildcats recorded one more victory to finish 2-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2001. It certainly was not the way Foster wanted to start his stint at East St. John. Things should be better this
Quarterbacks coach Ryan Perrilloux, left, works with East St. John High Wildcats starting quarterback Marquise Darensbourg. (Lori Lyons/L’OBSERVATEUR)
year. Foster worked his players hard in the offseason and they have a better understanding of his system. “We’re looking for big
improvements out of our team since the boys have been with us for a year and are understanding the system,” Foster said. “We feel
pretty good about our team this season.” For one thing, Foster won’t have to wait for his quarterback. Marquise
Darensbourg, once a starter at Destrehan, had to sit out all of last September. This season he is eligible, knows the system and understands the plan. He’s also pretty good. In just six games last season, Darensbourg passed for 1,300 yards and 24 touchdowns and rushed for 540 yards. “That’s who we are going to hang it on,” Foster said. Darensbourg also has a new mentor in former Wildcats standout quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, who has joined the staff as quarterbacks coach and is working hard to fine-tune the youngster’s mechanics. “We go over everything,” Darensbourg said. “Footwork, the fundamentals of playing quarterback, coverages, how to actually SEE ESJH PAGE 13
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| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 4
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
Rams offense runs with speedy Alexander BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
EDGARD — West St. John coach Brandon Walters certainly took some lumps as the first-year coach of the Rams. After inheriting the three-time district champion and Class 1A semifinalist from former head coach Robert Valdez, Walters’ team moved up to Class 2A and got a rude introduction. The team finished the regular season 3-7 and went 1-4 in District 12-2A, including lopsided losses to fellow River Parishes teams St. Charles Catholic (45-15) and Riverside Academy (44-6). Then the Rams surprised everyone with a remarkable run in the playoffs. The No. 17 seed Rams knocked off No. 16 seed Ferriday, 21-20, and No. 1 seed Many, 34-30, before falling to No. 8 seed Mangham 36-34 in the quarterfinals. It was a heart-breaker, decided by a failed 2-point conversion.
Austin Alexander, who starred on the West St. John High track team, is the Rams’ new starting quarterback.
Walters said his team just couldn’t get it together at times. “There were a couple of games, we were right there, we just couldn’t finish,” he said. “That was disappointing. This year we want to remind people that we can still play ball at West St. John and, hopefully, make a little noise.”
Walters believes his team has the talent to do just that. The Rams did lose prolific quarterback Jermoine Green, L’OBSERVATEUR’s 2015 Offensive Player of the Year who passed 2,506 yards and 27 touchdowns. His replacement is a different kind of quarterback — a speedy one.
Austin Alexander was the Class 2A champion in the 100-meter dash in the spring. Walters said it was an easy decision to move Alexander to quarterback. Now he just has to figure out how to use that speed — “every way we can,” Walters said. Alexander will have some talent to work with. First, he has a solid offensive line protecting him. Brett Bailey, Calieb Batiste, Hauron Robinson, Malik Bean, Kyree Thorne and alternate Jayuan Pierce are players who are big, strong and experienced. They average around 300 pounds; the smallest weighs in at 260. He will have a talented group of receivers. Jamal Walters, who was an All-Parish defensive back last season, will join Marcus Boudoin (another track star), Dontrell Javis, Jairon Johnson and Aason Moss, who is a 6-foot-4 newcomer. SEE RAMS PAGE 13
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 5
RA’s dual quarterbacks set sight on season BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
RESERVE — When we last saw the Riverside Academy Rebels, they were on the floor of the Mercedes Benz Superdome, trying to find the silver lining behind their silver state runner-up trophy. They were not very happy. The No. 1 seeded Rebels and their explosive offense had made it to the Division III finals only to get manhandled by No. 3 seed Notre Dame in a 13-3 loss. It still was an incredibly successful season with the Rebels advancing to the final for the first time since 2000. Despite that and the fact that website MaxPreps has Riverside ranked as its pre-season No. 1 team in Division III and No. 4 overall, Rebels coach Bill Stubbs said his team is putting last year behind them. “Last year’s team was a different group of kids,” Stubbs said. “We have to live in the moment. This is a
Riverside Academy coach Bill Stubbs addresses his team after Thursday’s scrimmage against Vandebilt Catholic at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. (Photo courtesy of Houma Courier)
whole new bunch of players, a whole new team.” Well, not exactly. While the Rebels did take a big
hit from graduation, they do return several starters, including last year’s part time quarterback Jared Butler. Butler, who was selected the All-
District 12-2A athlete on last year’s football team, also missed some playing time due to injury in 2015 but still passed for 900 yards. Also returning is receiver Jalen Banks (283 yards) and Avonti Cannon (545 yards). All district offensive lineman Cameron Cook returns to anchor the line. On defense, the Rebels will mourn the losses of linebacker Evan Veron, L’OBSERVATEUR’s All-St. John Parish Defensive Player of the Year, who has gone on to play at Nicholls State University. Stubbs also is working to fill the voids left by Tyler Gauthier, who played wide receiver, kicked and punted. “You don’t replace a Veron,” Stubbs said. “He was a veteran player. A kid like Tyler, you just take for granted. He was a kid that did so many different things, receiving, punting and kicking for us. We do have a couple SEE RA PAGE 14
| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 6
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
Young Comets look to fly under QB Nash BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic coach Frank Monica said this football season easily will be the most challenging of his 47-year career. The veteran coach faces the daunting task of replacing 20 starters from last year’s quarterfinalist team — that’s 20 players out of 22 positions. He has a quarterback and an offensive tackle. To say his team is young is not an apt enough description, he said. “I told the guys the other day I was going to go to the daycare center to pick up my football team,” Monica joked. It’s good to keep a sense of humor about these things. One thing keeping Monica somewhat happy is one of the returning starters is junior quarterback Lloyd Nash. The youngster, who began last season as the backup, was pressed into
Lloyd Nash, No. 5, seen leading a practice drill last week, is the Comets’ starter and team leader heading into the 2016 season.
service early after an injury to the starter. He filled in well, helping the Comets to a quarterfinal run. Monica said Nash can run with some speed and throw, making him
a dual threat. He said the team needs that because of its youth and inexperience. Another thing the Comets have going for them is an offensive line
with some girth. “That’s a little bit of a contrast in that the offensive line has some weight to them but not much experience,” Monica said. “Then we moved one guy over from the defensive line because he had some size, so he’s like a new guy.” The ball-carrying duties will fall to seniors Tyler Sandefer and Timothy Williams, along with sophomore Joseph Chiarella and freshman Philip Tran. All have some speed if not size. “He’s quick as a hiccup but only weighs about 130 pounds,” Monica said of Tran. The same is true of the receivers, seniors Jayce Tamplain and Rhett LeBlanc and junior Darrin Blystad. Those fellows also will have to do a little double duty on defense, Monica said something he really doesn’t like to do. Even Nash will play some in the SEE COMETS PAGE 14
| FOOTBALL 2016 |
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
PAGE 7
Jenkins returns home to state champions BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
LUTCHER — Lutcher High head football coach Dwain Jenkins has been taking quite a bit of goodnatured ribbing from his counterparts in recent months. Ever since he left St. James High to return to his alma mater, where he spent 12 years as an assistant under Tim Detillier, Jenkins has heard the jokes. “They tell me, ‘Not only are you the only coach in the state who can go from one quarterback who is an LSU commitment to another school with another quarterback who is an LSU commitment, you’re the only coach in the state who can go from one school that can win a state championship to another school that can win a state championship.’” All of the above is true. He went from coaching one of the top quarterbacks in the country, St. James High’s Lowell Narcisse, who
Coach Dwain Jenkins has returned to his alma mater, Lutcher High School, as head coach. He coached St. James High last year.
has committed to the Tigers as a quarterback, to Jontre Kirklin, who has committed to the Tigers as an athlete. He not only inherited the defending Class 3A state champion but also the most valuable player of the state championship game in Kirklin. He also was spotted three exceptional wide receivers and a running back. “I’m very fortunate,” Jenkins said. Kirklin passed for 2,257 yards and 35 touchdowns last season and rushed for another 1,081 yards and 17 touchdowns. Jenkins is expecting just as much out of him this year, with a couple of excellent returning receivers. First there is Al’Dontre Davis, a 6-foot-2, 210-pound senior, who led the team in receiving last year with 880 yards and 14 touchdowns. He will be joined by junior Gregory Clayton, who is a cousin of former Lutcher great and current Miami Dolphin Jarvis Landry. He had more than 600 yards last season and has offers from
McNeese State and Tulane. Then there are junior Norris Johnson and senior Tariq Belvin, a basketball player who came on strong towards the end of last season. “I think we’ll present some match-up problems with those guys,” Jenkins said. Another potential receiver is a familiar name to the River Parishes. Rondell Mealey Jr., the son of former Destrehan great Rondell Mealey Sr., is a sophomore expected to see some time at wide out, running back and on special teams. He’ll work with returning junior tailback Daevon Adams. The question for the Bulldogs is the defense. How will Jenkins replace the likes of Class 3A All-State MVP Sully Laiche, Ben St. Pierre and Tyler Williams, who dominated last season? “You don’t replace guys like that,” Jenkins said. “The truth is, we didn’t lose a lot of players on our defense, we just lost a lot of talent.”
GOOD LUCK
ST. JOHN FOOTBALL TEAMS St. John the Baptist Parish Council
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| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 8
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
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| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 10
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
St. James sports new coach, old quarterback BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
ST. JAMES — Robert Valdez knew just what he was walking into when he became the head coach at St. James High. No stranger to River Parishes football, Valdez spent a season as an assistant coach at East St. John High and seven seasons as the head coach at West St. John High before leaving in 2015 for Scotlandville. Valdez is no stranger to St. James either as the Rams and the Wildcats routinely open against one another in one of the biggest River Parishes rivalries. On Sept. 2 he’ll get to see it from the other side. “I knew this was a great place with a lot of tradition and fanfare,” he said. “I knew that when we played them, you would be playing the whole community. I’m kind of getting a little old now and I’m ready to anchor down. This is a great place to
St. James High School quarterback Lowell Narcisse, who has committed to LSU, missed most of 2015 with a torn ACL. He is back to lead the Wildcats in
anchor down.” Valdez inherited the team in January after Dwain Jenkins left to
return to his alma mater and longtime workplace, Lutcher. Jenkins did a remarkable job, resurrecting the team from a 0-20 stint over two years to a state runner-up finish in three years. Valdez inherits a team loaded with talent but heavy with disappointment after losing in the state final to Lutcher, 41-14. “The good thing is, this program was in good hands,” Valdez said. “Coach Jenkins did a great job in his tenure here. “I’m not walking into an empty cupboard. I’m walking into a situation where, really, all I have to do is put my stamp on it and bring my
philosophy on things.” He starts with stellar quarterback Lowell Narcisse, the senior LSU commitment who, finally, is healthy. Narcisse missed all of the 2015 regular season after tearing his ACL during the team’s May spring game. He returned in time for the playoffs to help the Wildcats get to the Dome, but scared everyone when he went down with another knee injury late in the game. It proved to be just a bone bruise, said Narcisse, who added he is “100 percent healthy.” “He even ran track in the spring,” Valdez said. Valdez has been shuffling personnel around him. DeMarcus Williams, who valiantly filled in for Narcisse at quarterback last season, moves back to wide receiver, which is his natural position. Narcisse also will be throwing to receivers Dontez Costley and Jahires James. Valdez has moved Curlin Johnson from receiver to running back, along with Dontez Sterling. Dwayne White and Jonathan Tregre are the fullbacks. They all will be working with a relatively young offensive line, anchored by lone senior Tyler Broden at center. “It’ll be a little bit of growing pains, but at least they’ll all be growing together,” Valdez said. Defensively, the Wildcats are led by middle linebacker Cameron Gros, senior Tyreak Stewart, who can play linebacker or on the line, and Jalen SEE ST. JAMES PAGE 15
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
| FOOTBALL 2016 |
Destrehan domination hinges on defense BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
D E S T R E H A N — Destrehan football coach Stephen Robicheaux has always been a defensive-minded guy. This season, the defense is on his mind. “When you replace nine on defense, it’s always a question,” the 14th year Wildcats leader said. “It’s a little tough.” Robicheaux doesn’t just have to replace nine bodies, he has to replace nine players who allowed less than 20 points per game last season, who helped the team win 11 consecutive games before falling to Parkway in the Class 5A quarterfinals. “We’ve got some good guys that play hard,” Robicheaux said. “It’s just going to take them a little while to get some experience.” In the meantime, the Wildcats will be counting on the offense to take care of business. Luckily, that shouldn’t be much of a problem as only four 2015 starters graduated.
Unlike last season, Destrehan has the benefit of a seasoned starter at quarterback. Senior Kohen Granier led all River Parishes teams in passing last season with 2,657 yards and 37 touchdowns (according to riverparishfootball.com). He passed for 453 yards and five touchdowns in the Wildcats’ quarterfinal loss to Parkway last season. Granier also is one of those guys who, when flushed out of the pocket, can make things happen. In Destrehan’s 52-27 win over Barbe in last year’s regional playoff game, Granier passed SEE DESTREHAN PAGE 15
Best of Luck to all the River Parish Football Teams!
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Top flight passer and Destrehan High School starting quarterback Kohen Granier, seen during practice last week, returns to lead the Wildcats in 2016.
PAGE 11
| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 12
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
Perrin returns to lead Hahnville offense BY LORI LYONS L’OBSERVATEUR
HAHNVILLE — Hahnville coach Nick “Salt” Saltaformaggio is one happy camper right now. Sometime over the summer, the football gods smiled upon the fourth year coach of the Tigers and sent former quarterback Austin Perrin back to the field house for football. Perrin, who is a star pitcher on the baseball team and a University of Louisiana-Lafayette commitment, had given up football to focus on his baseball career. Somehow, Saltaformaggio got him back. It had a little to do with the coaching staff’s decision to option out of the triple-option offense Saltaformaggio brought with him from East Jefferson, and a little to do with some changes to the coaching staff. “I think he saw that we had made a concentrated effort to move
away from the option offense,” Saltaformaggio said. “He felt a little better about it and (offensive coordinator) Lester Ricard had a lot to do with it. “They really have a great relationship. I’ll tell you, it made all the difference in the world to our football team.” Perrin, showing no signs of rust, is back to hitting his targets, which include the likes of 6-foot-3 junior Jamal Byrd (the younger brother of Carolina Panthers receiver LaRon Byrd), junior Michael Grey and the much-recruited junior receiver Anthony “Pooka” Williams. Saltaformaggio said Williams would be the most talented player on the field when his team plays this season, but may not get the most touches. “We’re really spreading it around a lot,” he said. “He’s just so dynamic.” The offense, Saltaformaggio said, is clicking. “We had an intrasquad scrimmage
and the offense scored every time they touched the ball,” he said. “We can’t control them. They’re scoring at will.” Perrin is enjoying that, but Saltaformaggio, not so much. “He gets so mad when we score all the time,” Perrin said. While that’s good for the offense, it also shows the Tigers’ weakness — the defense. Salt is trying to find solid replacements for four three-year starters. “I hope we’re really good on offense because our defense can’t stop anyone,” he said. “We couldn’t stop an old man walking down the aisle at Walmart.” Among those counted on to step up are senior outside linebacker Elgin Collins (5-10, 185). An All-District selection last year, Collins finished with 66 tackles, 45 assists, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and eight sacks. Salt said he is at least encouraged by the size of his team, which took
well to off-season weight-lifting and conditioning. “At least we look the part now,” he said. “This is the biggest we’ve been since I’ve been here. My linebackers were 170-175 pounds; this year they’re pushing 210.” Of course all things are measured by victories on the field and, especially, wins against cross-river rival Destrehan. Saltaformaggio is 0-3 against Destrehan so far, including a loss in the 2014 quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Saltaformaggio said he considers it a compliment to be compared to that opponent. “Destrehan really has been the bell cow program around here the last several years,” he said. “I don’t ever remember them not practicing at Thanksgiving. They’ve been in the Dome, they’ve been in the semifinal, they’ve been in the quarterfinal. To be mentioned with them is a compliment.”
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| FOOTBALL 2016 |
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
ESJH: Wildcats’ Meyer
anchors defensive line FROM PAGE 3
throw the football, leadership. I tell him I’m going to break his records.” One to help him do that is senior wide receiver C.J. Turner, who had 700 receiving yards and nine touchdowns last year. Another target will be another pair of initials, A.J. Long, also a senior. The running back duties fall to newcomer, junior Shelvin Turner. The good news for all is that there are four starting linemen returning, including senior Eric Hampton, junior Morgan Ursin, senior Jaddan Diaz and
PAGE 13
RAMS: Walters wants WSJH winning in 2016 FROM PAGE 4
senior Nathan Robins. The Wildcats’ defense was tested last season and struggled. There are nine starters returning, including 6-foot-2, 320-pound junior nose tackle Myles Meyer, a second team All-District selection last season. Senior defensive end Chandler Vicknair is another returning starter. Linebackers Christopher Thompson and Irvin Benjamin are returning. The secondary is strong with Corey Lee, Andre Craighead, Teorae Henderson and Shayhan Williams, all seniors, back. Williams had four interceptions last season.
Then the Rams will play “running back by committee,” with Kedric Gray, Glen Grayman and Kylan Duke. “Among those three, we should be able to move the ball pretty well,” Walters said. The defense should be improved Walters said. The line has size and experience with Kelvon Gardner, Covan Barnes, Jonathan Porter, Dwaine Cook, Jerome Sterling and Jayuan Pierce up front. Devrin Johnson and Awan Lewis are the linebackers. Wonzell Dumas, Glan Graymore, Trejan Thomas and Alijah Borne are defensive backs, with Jamal Walters.
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| FOOTBALL 2016 |
PAGE 14
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
RA: Riverside returns QB Loving
COMETS: Monica says young
who missed 2015 regular season
team challenged by inexperience
FROM PAGE 5
of kids who are coming along in that area.” The team does return All-District defensive lineman Freddie Means and linebackers Harrison Heckathorn and Jared Hymel, who had a heck of a game in the Superdome. Riverside fans also will be reacquainting themselves with starting quarterback Jordan Loving. It was Loving who bailed the Rebels out two years ago, stepping in after starter Deuce Wallace abruptly transferred to Tennessee. He has since signed with Vanderbilt University.
Loving passed for more than 2,300 yards and 40 touchdowns as a freshman. However, all that wear and tear took its toll and he was forced to sit out most of last season with a couple of fractured vertebrae in his back. Loving did make a brief return during the effort against Notre Dame after Butler was injured. Loving, who passed for 109 yards, was named the Rebels’ Outstanding Player of the Game. Now after the year off, and after a stellar baseball season, Loving says he is “finally healthy” and ready to
resume his role as the starting quarterback. Loving is a 6-foot-3, 220-pound pro-style, drop back passer, but there will be times Stubbs wants another way to move the ball. Luckily, then, he still has Butler, who will share duties with Loving as situations dictate. “We’ll be using both of them together,” Stubbs said. “It gives us another option.” Stubbs says these Rebels aren’t dwelling on the past. It’s time to move on, he said. “As soon as that game was over in December we started planning for this year,” he said.”
FROM PAGE 6
secondary and on special teams. Starting corner Trey Arceneaux will play receiver, if necessary. “We’ve never done that,” Monica said. “We don’t like to. It makes me worry an awful lot, but it’s something we have to do because we have to get our best athletes on the field any way we can. We hope we can find a way to move the ball, but that’s going to be our biggest challenge.” Monica said this year is be a lot about teaching. “A lot of them don’t even know the terminology,” Monica said. “We’re having to correct a lot of little things, things like turnovers and penalties.”
Comets coach Frank Monica said his 47th season will be his most challenging.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24, 2016
ST. JAMES: Valdez says
team has much to prove FROM PAGE 10
Braxton, who Valdez said could be the most athletic of the bunch. Valdez is counting on players like Eltonary Oubre Jr., the son of former Wildcat and assistant coach Eltonary Sr., and Shawn Preston, who is another legacy. “We have some pedigree,” Valdez said. The Wildcats also have some baggage. They suffered two losses to their archrival last season by a combined score of 74-14 and must overcome the stigma they may not have deserved even the runner-up trophy. St. James got its trip to the Dome without hav-
ing to play a semifinal after Amite was removed from the bracket following a fight against its quarterfinal opponent, Bogalusa. Even Valdez isn’t sympathetic to the Wildcats’ pain. “I might step on some toes but I tell them, guys you’re talking about somebody who finished in the Dome four years in a row,” he said. “I don’t really have compassion for you getting to the state championship without playing in the semifinals. I really believe we have something to prove. We have to come out to validate the status of our program.”
| FOOTBALL 2016 |
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DESTREHAN: Offense boasts threats, depth FROM PAGE 11
for 207 yards and three touchdowns plus he ran for two. “He’s not just effective when he’s throwing the ball, but when he’s on the move he can really make things happen,” Robicheaux said. Robicheaux said a solid backup would aid Granier. JR Blood, a sophomore, has shown great promise as the team’s quarterback of the future. Although there will be no rotating system, Robicheaux said it’s nice to know there’s someone who can step in for Granier when needed. “I think that’s going to give us a little confidence going in,” Robicheaux said. “Last year the backup was hurt a little bit. It’s nice to know you have that. We have the confidence to put him in when we need him.” There are a few other offensive weapons in the Wildcats’ arsenal. Although standout wide receiver John Williams has graduated and gone off to Memphis, seniors Justin Jefferson (the youngest brother of Jordan and Ricky) and Mike Young return. Senior Kristian Mosley will take over the running back duties along with sophomore John
DHS coach Stephen Robicheaux has defense on his mind this season after losing nine starters.
Emery. The offensive line also is pretty solid with college prospects Dakota Torbert (6-foot-6, 310 pounds) and Elijah Hayes (6-2, 315) returning. Back to that defense, though. The only returning starters are junior defensive back Macon Clark and senior linebacker Terrell Chopin. The rest just have to get playing time and experience behind them. “We just got to hope that the offense catches on early and gives the defense time to catch up,” Robicheaux said. “Obviously, you can’t do everything that you’ve been doing.”
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MORNING CALL Men’s Health Breakfast St. James Parish Hospital invites you to enjoy the most
RSVP today and encourage a friend to sign up. Space is limited.
Online www.sjph.org/events
By Phone 225.258.5952
important meal of the day with free food for thought. Join us on Friday, September 16th at 7:30 a.m. in the medical plaza (located next to the hospital) in celebration of men’s health and prostate cancer awareness month. Mix and mingle with other men and start your morning off bright with breakfast. Get your fill of health education from a variety of specialists and enjoy a sunny side of free screenings.
On The
MENU {starting at 7:30am}
Breakfast and social Physician Presentations Free cholesterol, blood pressure and BMI screenings 1645 Lutcher Ave. | Lutcher, LA 225.869.5512 | www.sjph.org
$5 PSA Blood Tests (optional)
5 PSA Screenings September 12–16
$
Register in main lobby
Door Prizes throughout the event
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