Ascension Parish football teams went through spring training with their football teams with some playing games and others choosing to take the option of starting early in the fall.
East Ascension, Donaldsonville and Prairieville participated in spring games while Dutchtown, St. Amant, Ascension Catholic and Ascension Christian choose to take advantage of starting a week earlier in the fall.
East Ascension head coach Brock Matherne.
Photo by Chris Parent
The Spartans, led by coach Brock Matherne, scrimmaged with Thibodaux and ended their spring drills on a high note.
βOur goal going into spring was to practice fast and be physical. Developing the fundamentals of the game, catching, blocking, ball security and tackling make programs great,β Matherne said.
The Spartans finished 8-4, losing in the second round of the playoffs to Central. Matherne mentioned some standouts from spring training.
βJeremyah Merriweather impressed the coaches as always, just the way he carries himself in our program," Matherne said. "Other offensive standouts were Ladeavon Curry, Zion Delong and Carson Lacombe. On the defensive side, Micah Levy, Carson Landry, Jordan Elder and Jakyle Poindexter. All of those guys had a great start to spring and lead by example.β
Watching the Spartans in the spring game, the thing that stood out was the way they ran to the ball, that is not by accident.
βThe price of admission to play defense is to run to the ball, if you donβt, you will not get an opportunity. Our defensive coordinator, Dennis Skains, teaches relentless effort and he kept it simple for the kids. This group is moving in the right direction, and we are pleased with their progress heading into summer workouts,β Matherne said.
East Ascension played two quarterbacks in the spring game and Matherne was pleased with their progress.
βCoach Dane Charpentier and coach Sonny Charpentier coach that group and they are the best at it," Matherne added. "We are confident in both guys and bring a different skill set to the table. I can see both of those kids playing a major role each week in the fall.
As the Spartans head into summer workouts, there is a clear goal in mind.
βWe will continue to work fundamentals and compete against tough competition in our 7-on-7 games. This group has high expectations, and they will put the work in, very exciting times in our program,β Matherne said.
Donaldsonville High School football coach Darnell Lee.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Donaldsonville wrapped up spring training and the Tigers are preparing for an exciting fall season. The Tigers finished 8-4 under coach Darnell Lee and lost in the second round of the playoffs.
The Tigers scrimmaged against St. James and are looking forward to a summer of work.
βOur goal was to find guys within the program to replace the 17 seniors that graduated," Lee said. "We wanted them to get as many reps as possible. We saw some guys step into leadership roles this spring."
The Tigers move down to 2A this fall and look forward to new scenery.
βMove down in classification as far as district is concerned, gives us more district games," Lee said. "We will still compete in Division 3 for the playoffs. We ramped up our nondistrict schedule to prepare us for district play.β
The Tigers will play in a new district that includes Dunham and quarterback Elijah Haven, who is committed to Alabama. Additionally, they added Lutcher to schedule, a perennial state championship contender.
Prairieville head coach Mike Schmitt on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Prairieville, Louisiana.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Prairieville coach Mike Schmitt heads into the team's third season of LHSAA competition after a 5-6 record and a playoff appearance. The program continues to be on an upward trajectory and Schmitt had clear goals heading into their spring game with Woodlawn.
βWe want to develop depth on both sides of the ball," Schmitt said. "Repping our base offense and defense adding in younger players was key. We have installed some things offensively and defensively that fit our personnel.β
The Hurricanes return several key starters; the addition of some junior varsity players who are ready to make the next step will be key for the depth in this 5A program. Coach Schmitt mentioned that some sophomores have a chance to be a part of that much needed depth.
Optimism is high with Prairieville and Schmitt is ready for his team to take the next step. βWe are going into our third season of competition; the coaches are ready to see the guys and this program take the next step. Our seniors will be counted on take ownership of the program. Our culture is established and we have more seniors than ever, exciting times within our program.β
Dutchtown football head coach Guy Mistretta.
PHOTO BY PATRICK DENNIS
Dutchtown coach Guy Mistretta comes off a 5-5 season and opening round playoff lost to Central. The program continues to be in good shape with several key players returning.
St. Amant coach David Oliver finished 7-4 overall, nearly knocking off eventual state champ, Ouachita Parish in the first round. Leaving the program as a four-year starter is QB Cooper Babin, a Nicholls football signee. Coach Oliver is the most tenured coach in Ascension Parish and will lead the Gators into an exciting season.
St. Amant head coach David Oliver waits for the next play in the second quarter of the District 5-5A matchup against Dutchtown on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
STAFF FILE PHOTO BY MICHAEL JOHNSON
Ascension Catholic and first-year head coach Taylor James made it to the D4 select finals, losing to Riverside. The Bulldogs finished 11-3 overall and graduated four-year starters in Trevin Simon (state rushing record and all-state MVP), Vaughn Blanchard (all-state), Josh Barber (all-state) and Christopher Anthens.
Ascension Catholic High School's head coach Taylor James.
STAFF PHOTO BY ENAN CHEDIAK
Quarterback Greg Fernandez returns for his junior season as well as all state linebacker John Rob Daigle. Wideouts Cy Landry and Johnny Viallon return for their senior season. Lineman Cole Cassard returns with Daveyon Geason and Hayden Turner. All-state defensive back Jacob Julien returns and will be counted on along with some new faces to shoulder the load with Simon graduating in the backfield.
A new district is on tap with Riverside, South Plaquemines, West St. John and St. Martins. A nondistrict slate with Episcopal, Hammond, South Terrebonne, South Lafourche, Assumption and Westminster Lafayette will provide the Bulldogs with a strong test against higher classification schools.
Ascension Christian coach Conrad Gayle finished last season with a 6-5 record. The Lions move to a new district; they have opted to not compete for district honors and play a 10-game regular season schedule. The program continues to build under Gayle and the numbers are up.
Returning standouts includes QB Leron McDowell, wide receiver Kason Tanner, running back Luke Denton, defensive back Taylor Painter, defensive lineman Lane Bufulo, linebacker Cade Buratt and defensive back Preston LeBlanc.
All seven teams in the parish enter the summer with a focus on getting bigger, faster and stronger. Football in Ascension Parish looks to be strong again this fall, stay tuned for previews as we get closer to the season.