District 4-3A season preview

District 4-3A
Preseason coaches poll
Team (1st place votes)    Pts
Crowley (4)            46
Eunice (2)            44
Westlake            32
Iowa                30
Church Point            18
Northwest            10

2009 District 4-3A standings
    Overall    Dist.
Eunice    7-5    5-0
Crowley    9-3    4-1
Westlake    5-6    3-2
Iowa    5-6    2-3
Church Point    5-5    1-4
Northwest    1-9    0-5

Crowley
Mascot: Gents
Colors: Green and gold
Homefield:
Head coach: Tommy Tate, 3rd year as head coach, 17-15
2009 record: 9-3, (4-1 2nd), lost to Parkview Baptist 38-16 in regionals.
Offense: Spread
Defense: 3-4
Returning starters: Offense 6, Defense 7.
Key losses: WR-Donovan Morris, LB-Calvin Lewis, LB-George Henagan, DB-Troy Wilridge.
Top returning players: QB-D'Myrus Daniels, OL Devin Hebert , LB/DB Tuskani Figaro, DL-Troy Johnson
College prospects: QB-D'Myrus Daniels, RB/WR-Tonori Boutte.
Outlook: The Crowley Gents are coming off their third trip to the regional round of the playoffs in the last five years.
With 14 starters back, the Gents are the early season favorites to win their first district title since 2006.
Multi talented quarterback D'Myrus Daniels (6'2", 215lbs) is back for his senior after a stellar junior campaign. In 2009, he passed for 1,402 yards and 10 touchdowns while rushing for 787 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Daniels along with returning running back Tonori Boutte will be well protected with four returning offensive linemen including 2009 first team all-district guard Devin Hebert (5'10", 225lbs, Sr.).
Running along side Boutte will be junior Devonte Bourque (6'2", 185lbs) who is expected to draw some attention from colleges this season.
Although they lost linebackers Calvin Lewis and George Henagan and defensive back Troy Wildridge from a defense that had four shutouts last year. But the Gents still have plenty of talent on defense with six returning starters including all-district first team linebacker/defensive back Tuskani Figaro (62 tackles, 18 TFL, 12 sacks) and defensive linemen Troy Johnson (40 tackles, 10 TFL, 5 sacks) who was named to the all-district second team last year.
Schedule: Sept 3 vs Jennings; Sept. 10 @ Abbeville; Sept. 17 @ Bolton; Sept. 24 @ Peabody; Oct. 1 vs. Rayne; Oct. 8 vs. Iowa; Oct. 14 @ Church Point; Oct. 22 vs. Westlake; Oct. 29 @ Eunice; Nov. 5 vs. Northwest.

Iowa
Mascot: Yellow Jackets
Colors: Purple and gold
Homefield: Jesse E. Cady Memorial Stadium
Head coach: Sean Richard, 1st year as head coach.
2009 record: 5-6 (2-3, 4th), lost Holy Cross 49-17 in 1st round.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-2-5
Returning starters: Offense 7, Defense 7.
Top returning players: QB-Gene Pete, TE-Dylan Williams, RT-Mike Simien, CB-Sean Celestine, ZB-Jamal Chretien.
College prospects: QB-Gene Pete.
Outlook: The Iowa Yellow Jackets had high hopes of a breakout season last year when they reuturned 19 seniors but went just 5-6 and lost in the first round of the playoffs to Holy Cross.
But they will have another chance this season with 14 returning starters.
First year head coach Sean Richard takes over the reins of the Yellow Jackets.
On offense, 2009 all-district first team selection quarterback Gene Pete returns for his senior year after throwing for 1,295 yards and 13 touchdowns and rushing for 687 yards. There will be plenty of other weapons in the Yellow Jackets aresenal this year with Jamar Chretien (589yds rushing 5TDs, 101yds receiving 1TD) and tight end Dylan Williams (302yrds receiving 5TDs.
On defense, Iowa returns their entire defensive line along with first team all-district defensive back Sean Celestine and safety Derek Johnson (63 tackles, 1 INT).
Schedule: Sept. 2 @ Abbeville; Sept. 10 vs. Bunkie; Sept. 17 vs. Jennings; Sept. 25 vs. South Beauregard; Oct. 1 @ Kaplan; Oct. 8 @ Crowley; Oct. 15 @ Eunice; Oct. 22 vs. Church Point; Oct. 29 @ Northwest; Nov. 5 vs. Westlake.

Eunice
Mascot: Bobcats
Colors: Green and white.
Head coach: Paul Trosclair, 15th year as head coach, 129-52
2009 record: 7-5 (5-0 1st), lost to Redemptorist 53-27 in regionals.
Offense: Wing T
Defense: 4-2-5
Returning starters: Offense 2, Defense 4
Key losses: DB, Tyler Fontenot, QB-Stuart Turner, RB-Trey Ceasear.
Top returning players: LB, Vondray Vallere.
Outlook: After winning the District 4-3A title and reaching the second round of the playoffs, the Eunice Bobcats will be noticeably different when they take the field this year with just six returning starters. The starting lineup does feature 20 seniors.
With quarterback Stuart Turner and running back Trey Ceasar gone, the Bobcats will have to find a replacement for almost all of their offensive production last year.
Eunice does have one of their top defensive players back from last year in linebacker Vondray Vallere (105 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception).
Eunice may have one of the toughest schedules in Class 3A that starts with games against two 4A schools (Opelousas and Jennings) and a pair of 5A's in Lafayette and Westgate.
Schedule: Sept. 3 vs. Opelousas; Sept. 10 vs. Jennings; Sept. 17 @ Lafayette; Sept. 23 @ Westgate; Oct. 1 vs. Notre Dame; Oct. 8 @ Westlake; Oct. 15 vs Iowa; Oct. 22 @ Northwest; Oct. 29 vs. Crowley; Nov. 5 @ Church Point.

Church Point
Mascot: Bears
Colors: Black and gold.
Head coach: John Craig Arceneaux, 4th year as head coach, 15-16
2009 record: 5-5, (1-4 5th).
Offense: Wing-T
Defense: 50
Returning starters: Offense 4, Defense 3.
Top returning players: RB-Von Duplechain, NT-John Leger.
Outlook: The Church Point Bears will have their work cut out of them this season with just seven returning starters.
Just three starters are back on defense led by all-district senior nose guard John Leger.
Running back Von Duplechain is back for his senior year. Although just 5'2" and 130lbs, Duplechain is very powerful for his size and should not be underestimated.
With five sophomores in the starting lineup including quarterback Ty Leger, Church Point is looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since losing to Notre Dame in the second round in 2008.
Schedule: Sept. 3 @ Beau Chene; Setp 10 vs. Avoyelles; Sept. 17 @ Parkview Baptist; Sept. 24 vs. Rayne; Oct. 1 @ Erath; Oct. 8 vs. Northwest; Oct. 14 vs. Crowley; Oct. 22 @ Iowa; Oct. 29 @ Westlake; Nov. 5 vs. Eunice.

Northwest
Mascot: Raiders
Colors: Purple and gold.
Homefield:
Head coach: Yves Prince, 4th year as head coach (7-23).
2009 record: 1-9, (0-5 6th).
Offense: I
Defense: 3-3-5/4-2-5
Returning starters: Offense 6, Defense 9
Top returning playres: QB-Henry Synagal, MLB-Dustin Richard; OLB-Travis Brooks.
Outlook: After limping through the 2009 season with a 1-9 record with nearly a dozen freshmen and sophomore in the starting lineup, the Northwest Raiders are hoping that the extra year of experience will translate into more wins.
Other than losing their top rusher from last year in Corey Dean, the Raiders backfield is intact including sophomore quarterback Henry Synagal.
After giving up nearly 40 points a game, the defense is really where the experience will pay off, as they will have to replace just two starts. All-district middle linebacker Dustin Richard is back along with outside linebacker Travis Brooks.
The Raider are looking for their first winning season under fourth year head coach Yves Prince as well as their first district win.
Schedule: Sept. 3 vs North Central; Sept. 10 @ Opelousas Catholic; Sept. 17 @ Mamou; Sept. 24 vs. Port Barre; Oct. 1 vs. Jeanerette; Oct. 8 @A Church Point; Oct. 14 @ Westlake; Oct. 22 vs. Eunice; Oct. 29 vs. Iowa; Nov. 5 @ Crowley.