District 3-5A
Preseason coaches poll
Team (1st place votes) Pts
Acadiana (4) 40
Barbe (1) 32
LaGrange 30
Sulphur 22
Lafayette 16
2009 District 3-5A standings
Overall Dist.
Barbe 9-3 4-0
Acadiana 10-3 3-1
LaGrange 7-4 2-2
Lafayette 3-7 1-3
Sulphur 4-6 0-4
Acadiana
Mascot: Wreckin' Rams
Colors: Green and gold.
Head Coach: Ted Davidson, 5th year as head coach (overall record 68-23)
2009 record: 10-3 (3-1 2nd) lost to Catholic-Baton Rouge 34-28 in quarterfinals.
Offense: Veer
Defense: 4-3
Returning starters: Offense 10, Defense 9.
Key losses: RB-Blair Broussard, K-Cody Mandell.
Top returning players: TE-Alex Morvant, SE-Stryker Trahan, QB-Ryan Bergeron, LB-Keith Ollison, CB-Bukari Hollier, FS-Micah Eugene.
Outlook: With 19 returning starters, the Acadiana Wreckin' Rams are poised to continue to wreak havoc on District 3-5A and the rest of the state.
Since 2005, Acadiana has made three trips to the 5A state championship game and took the title home in 2006 with a 13-10 win over district rival Sulphur.
Although their last trip to the finals was 2007, the Rams have still managed to reach the quarterfinals the last two years.
Although they will have to replace running back Blair Broussard who rushed for 1,350 yards last year, the Rams still have 10 returning starters on offense including tight end Alex Morvant, slot receiver Stryker Trahan and quarterback Ryan Bergeron (45-85, 830yds).
Opposing offenses will have a tough time with a Ram defense that returns nine starters including their leading tackler from last year in linebacker Keith Ollison (93 tackles). Along with interception leader Bukari Hollier (6 INT), the entire secondary is back this year.
Schedule: Sept. 3 vs. Northside; Sept. 10 @ Parkview Baptist; Sept. 17 vs. McDonogh #35; Sept. 24 vs. Comeaux; Oct. 1 @ St. Thomas More; Oct. 8 vs. LaGrange; Oct. 21 @ Sulphur; Oct. 29 vs. Breaux Bridge; Nov. 4 @ Lafayette.
Lafayette
Mascot: Lions
Colors: Black and green
Head coach: Mark Barousse, 15th year as head coach (76-78).
2009 record: 3-7 (1-3, 3rd).
Offense: Run-n-shoot
Defense: 4-3
Returning starters: Offense 9, Defense 2 .
Key losses: RB-Ethan Russell.
Top returning playres: QB-Jordan Romero, OL-Izahia Carter.
Outlook: After struggling through a 3-7 season, the Lafayette Mighty Lions are hoping that more experience on offense will get them back to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.
Back to lead the offense will be senior quarterback Jordan Romero. Big difference this season for Romero will be a more seasoned offensive line in front of him with four returning starters including left tackle Izahia Carter (6'3", 265lbs)
Strong safety Aaron Verrett and defensive lineman Jarvis Mason will have to lead a defense that will start seven under classmen including two sophomores.
Schedule: Sept. 3 vs. Cohen; Sept. 10 @ Terrebone; Sept. 17 vs. Eunice; Sept. 24 @ Carencro; Oct. 1 vs. New Iberia; Oct. 8 @ Barbe; Oct. 15 vs. Teurlings; Oct. 22 vs. LaGrange; Oct. 29 @ Sulphur; Nov. 4 vs. Acadiana.
LaGrange
Mascot: Gators
Colors: Black and purple
Homefield: John J. Mims Stadium
Head coach: Jules Sullen, 3rd year as head coach (10-11)
2009 record: 7-4 (2-2, 3rd), lost to Hahnville 38-32 in overtime in the first round.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-2-5, (3-4 last year)
Returning starters: Offense 6, Defense 5
Key losses: DL-Risean Broussard.
Top returning players: WR-Darius Edwards, OL-Kevin Tankerson, TB-Courtney Brown, DB-Aaron Sams, MLB-Elijah Williams, DB-Fred Galloway.
College prospects: DB-Aaron Sams (Utah St., McNeese, Northwestern St.), WR-Darius Edwards (Southeastern, McNeese, Northwestern St.), DB-Jalin Thibodeaux (McNeese), OL-Kevin Tankerson (Southern, McNeese).
Outlook: With first year head coach Jules Sullen, the LaGrange Gators had a breakout season in their first year back in Class 5A last year going 7-4 and reaching the playoffs.
Although they were picked third in the preseason coaches’ poll, the Gators are poised to make some noise with 11 returning starters and five college prospects.
They will have to replace two-year starter Derek Bellard at quarterback but they do have three-year starter Darius Edwards returning after being named to the Class 5A All-State second team last year.
Right guard Kevin Tanerson (6'2", 310lbs) is getting interest from Southern and McNeese and will lead an offensive line that has four returning starters.
The Gators have plenty of talent on defense this year with college prospects Aaron Sams (DB, 5'10" 180lbs, Utah St., McNeese, Northwestern St.) and Jalin Thibodeaux (DB, 5'10", 170lbs, McNeese). 11 of the 12 positions will be filled by seniors this year on defense with sophomore defensive back Tirell Willmaker being the lone underclassman.
After transferring from Westlake and being named to the District 4-3A All-district second team last year, Jaylin Hadnot (6'1", 245lbs) will help shore up the Gators defensive line.
Two all-district second team members are also back on defense in linebacker Elijah Williams and defensive back Freddie Galloway.
Schedule: Sept. 2 vs Washington-Marion; Sept. 10 vs. Opelousas; Sept. 17 @ East Ascension; Sept. 25 @ St. Augustine; Oct. 1 vs. Sam Houston; Oct. 8 @ Acadiana; Oct. 15 vs. Sulphur; Oct. 22 @ Lafayette; Oct. 29 vs. Barbe; Nov. 5 vs. B.T. Washington-SH.
Barbe
Mascot: Buccaneers
Colors: Columbia blue, navy blue and white.
Homefield: Barbe Stadium
Head coach: Jimmy Shaver, 29th year has head coach (228-97).
2009 record: 9-3 (4-0 1st), lost to Hahnville 37-28 in regionals.
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 3-3-5
Returning starters: Offense 3, Defense 2.
Key losses: RB-Michael Guillory, LB-Logan Hamilton, DB-Leon Francois.
Top returning playres: OL-Stephen Guillory, QB-Jared Foster, WR-Tye Taylor.
Outlook: The last two years have been very successful for the Barbe Bucs with a trip to the semifinals in 2008 and the regionals last year.
But to do it again this season, the Bucs will have to work even harder with just five starters returning.
They do return quarterback Jared Foster who is looking for an injury free season. He threw for 1,173 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.
There is a big hole to fill with the loss of running back Michael Guillory (1,385yds, 19TDs) but Tre Goodley will move into that spot after seeing action last year as a running back and wide receiver.
When it comes to kicking, the Bucs will need just one player in college prospect Mark Menton. He made 22 of 23 extra points last year and went 4-for-7 on field goals including one from 43 yards out.
Defensively, the Bucs return just two starters in defensive tackle Isaiah Lewis and strong safety Zac Courville.
Schedule: Sept. 3 vs. Tioga; Sept. 10 @ Carencro; Sept. 17 vs. Washington-Marion; Sept. 24 vs. Sam Houston; Oct. 1 @ Evangel; Oct. 8 vs. Lafayette; Oct. 15 @ Acadiana; Oct. 22 @ Rummel; Oct. 29 @ LaGrange; Nov. 5 vs. Sulphur.
