LEESVILLE
The Leesville High School Wampus Cats seek to continue a recent playoff run that began in 2016. Last year ended in the Class 4-A quarterfinals with a 31-14 home loss to Iowa. Leesville finished 2022 with a 10-3 record, a #8 State Ranking and a share of the District 3-AAAA title.
Coach Robbie Causey has only three starters returning on offense and three on defense, but the key to any Leesville success might come from 23 returning seniors who have been together four years.
Offensively, the Cats will use good size upfront and the talents of junior RB Xavier Ford, a returning All Stater who rushed for 2852 yards and 34 TD’s as a sophomore. Ford missed the loss last year to Iowa. New QB Corbitt Robbins has a bevy of speedy receivers and options for the passing game. The defense will be aggressive and quick.
Leesville defeated Grant 13-0 in the Tioga Jamboree last Friday. They travel to Jennings for the 2023 season opener Friday, September 1. Kickoff is at 7pm.
ROSEPINE
The Eagles set high goals for all that follow the past two years. They visited the AA quarterfinals twice under Head Coach Brad Ducote and his stable of RB’s/sons. They led state champion Many late before losing 14-7 in the semifinals in 2022. Ducote stepped down, turning the reins over to four-year offensive coordinator Trey Gardner. Gardner left the program for personal reasons before the first scrimmage. Ducote is back as interim head coach. He inherits good size on both sides of the ball but must retool the offense. Rosepine has three starters back on offense and four on defense. Ducote likes both the size and the attitude of his squad.
The Eagles finished 2022 with a 10-3 record and a #6 state ranking in the Class AA poll.
Rosepine lost Friday 7-0 to DeQuincy at the Sulphur Jamboree They open the regular season Friday, September 1 on the road at East Beauregard. Kickoff is 7pm.
PICKERING
Red Devil fans are in the midst of the longest losing streak in school history — 21 straight losses dating back to 2020. New Head Coach John Daugherty takes the helm after eight years at Natchitoches-Central. His players are few, and some starters from last year did not return. Daugherty made his squad hit the weight room in a big way. It paid off for lineman Logan Sneed, who is a pillar of strength in the trenches. Sneed recently won several awards at summertime powerliftng meets. This year’s team of Red Devils may remind fans of the James Marcantel coached “Ironmen” teams of years ago.
Pickering lost Friday 26-0 to Vinton in the Sulphur Jamboree. They open the regular season Friday, September 1 at Elton. Kickoff is 7pm.
