School Spotlight: Warren Easton

The Warren Easton Fighting Eagles have proven to be one of the best programs in the entire state of Louisiana regardless of classification. Located in New Orleans, the Eagles are one of the many football teams in the area to produce collegiate talent every year including the likes of guys such as Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tyron Johnson, UL Ragin’ Cajuns quarterback Lance Legendre, and Tulane running back Ashaad Clayton just to name a few. Under the leadership of head coach Jerry Phillips, the team has always been in the conversation of contending for a state championship. In fact, since 2014, the Fighting Eagles have been at least to the semifinals every season and also made the state championship game four times during that span including last season. However, the team is still searching for its first state title since 1942. Heading into the 2022 season, the Fighting Eagles definitely want to get that elusive monkey off their back, but right now, the team is only focusing on what they can control today just to get themselves ready for the upcoming season. I got the chance to catch up with Coach Phillips and see what the Fighting Eagles have cooking for the fall. The Fighting Eagles have had themselves a very busy offseason, and because of that, the team is right on pace to start off the season where they want to be. “We did a few seven on sevens. We went to Southeastern, LSU, South Alabama, and UL. We got a lot of seven on seven work this summer because we have a lot of new guys at receiver that need to catch the ball as much as possible, but I think we have had a productive summer. Spring has also been really good for us too so I think we are back on the right track.” This weekend, the coaching staff is taking the team on a team retreat in order to build even more camaraderie before the start of the season. For the coaches, it is another opportunity to grow this team even more while continuing to preach their overall message to the players.

“It is all about sticking together and accountability. They have done a great job in doing that. They are holding each other accountable and this just seems to be one of these teams that are really bonded. It means a lot when the players are holding each other accountable.” The team will certainly be challenged in the first three games of the season as Warren Easton will be playing against Louisiana powerhouse programs including Ruston High School, Catholic High School (Baton Rouge), and Edna Karr High School before even getting into the meat of the schedule. By: Jace LeJeune