Can any school derail Calvary to win the 2023 District 1-2A title?
No surprise here. Calvary Baptist, one of the most talented Class 2A teams in Louisiana, is picked by the coaches to win District 1-2A — again.
With talented defenders such as Hutch Grace and Landon Sylvie, along with one of the best junior running backs in the state in James Simon, plus speed burning receivers in Jay Simon and Aubrey Hermes, the Cavaliers are a favorite to be playing in the New Orleans Superdome in December.
Two of the best contenders to knock off the Cavs are Loyola Prep with running back Reagan Coyle, and North Caddo with Mason Jackson. Green Oaks offers Delarrious Marshall, D’Arbonne Woods has Doran Sandler and Lakeside can deliver with senior Tarmarjah Ferrell to give those schools a shot.
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Here’s a look at how the league coaches see the district season playing out along with a few key returnees for each club.
1. Calvary Baptist
Coach: Rodney Guin (181-74 in 22 seasons; 55-18 in 6 at Calvary)
2022 record: 9-3 (5-0, district), quarterfinalists
Top returnees: QB Abram Wardell, Jr.; LB Hutch Grace, Sr.; WR Aubrey Hermes, Sr.; RB James Simon, Jr.; WR Jay Simon, Sr.; OL Jimmy Wright, Sr.; FS Landon Sylvie, Sr.
2. Loyola Prep
Coach: Mike Greene (151-142 in 27 seasons; 44-36 at Loyola)
2022 record: 6-5 (4-1), 2nd round
Top returnees: RB/FS Reagan Coyle, Sr.; OG/DL Jack Ebarb, Jr.; OL Rowen Guthikonda; K Evan Lirette, Jr.; SS/TE Carter Doyal, Jr.; RB/WR Mason Drake, Soph.
3. North Caddo
Coach: Chase Thompson (First year)
2022 record: 7-4 (3-2), 2nd round
Top returnees: G/ DT Cordacien Brown, Sr.; QB/DB Mason Jackson, Jr.; RB/DB Tray Morris, Jr.; WR/LB Antonio Nelson, Jr.; WR/DB Chancellor Washington, Soph.; DL/TE Jamey Payton, Jr.
4. Green Oaks
Coach: James Bradford Jr. (First year)
2022 record: 2-9 (0-5); 1st round
Top returnees: QB Tavoras Lee, Jr.; OT Jamari Coleman, Jr.; OG Keven Richardson, Sr.; DL Keyshawn Williams, Soph; LB Zachon Miller, Sr.; CB Cortaveous Dorsey, Jr.; S/WR Delarrious Marshall; Sr.; RB/Slot Amarion Dorsey, Sr.
5. D’Arbonne Woods
Coach: Tommy Tharp (12-9 in 2 seasons)
2022 record: 6-5 (2-3), 1st round
Top returnees: RB Doran Sandler, Jr.; DB Weston Jones, Sr.; OL Hayden Williams; DB Austin Patton, Soph.; DL Narciso Valerio, Soph.; DL Hayden Gray, Sr.
6. Lakeside
Coach: Mike Santelices (12-23 in 4 seasons)
2022 record: 5-6 (1-4), 1st round
Top returnees: RB Jordan Case, Sr.; OL Jamarcus Tellis, Sr.; OL Bryce Parker, Soph.; DL Jamarion Evans, Sr.; Jay Allen, Sr.; DB Tarmarjah Ferrell, Sr.
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: LHSAA football: Here's how Shreveport District 1-2A should shake out
