Parish gridiron heroes named to All-District teams

Success in any endeavor sometimes comes in small increments. For this year’s Evangeline Parish football teams, success came in many forms. Basile found their success in a season marked by returning to the quarterfinals. Pine Prairie won more games this year than in the history of their program. Ville Platte competed in one of the toughest districts in the state, and gave the rest of the teams in that district fits. Sacred Heart came away with an even record. Mamou improved every game this season, giving hope to a rebuilding process.
As the saying goes, success breeds success. And for a number of players from around the parish, the success of the team spelled success for the individual. This season saw a number of Evangeline Parish gridironers gather post-season honors as they were named to their respective all-district teams.
In district 4-1A, the Basile Bearcats, by virtue of their second place finish, had a number of all-district performers.
Earning first team honors on offense were running backs Kendrick Ceasar and Gabe Fontenot. The one two punch of Ceasar and Fontenot was a main reason for the success of the Bearcats in 2014. Ceasar rushed for 1,703 yards and 27 touchdowns. Fontenot amassed 1,465 yards on 199 carries and scored 22 times.
Also named to the first team offense was offensive lineman Darren Fontenot and kicker Mark Ledoux. Fontenot lead an offensive line that produced two 1,000 yard rushers. Ledoux was 33 of 38 on extra points and two for four on field goals.
Defensively, linebacker Blaise Hebert and defensive back Tray David were named to the first team. Hebert recorded 155 tackles and two sacks. David was responsible for 41 total tackles and nine interceptions.
Basile also had three representatives named to the second team. Jude Johnson, another offensive lineman earned second team offensive honors.
Representing Basile on the second team defense were linebacker Roger Spell and defensive back Jarrod Bell. Mark Ivory, Kyle Francois and Caleb Marcantel were named as honorable mention all-district performers.
Sacred Heart competed well enough in district 5-1A to earn runner-up honors. Because of their competitiveness, the Trojans had 10 first team all-district performers and 11 second team all-district selections. Four Trojans were named as honorable mention players.
On offense, Sacred Heart placed tight end Seth Shipp on the first team. Shipp had 13 receptions for 174 yards and one touchdown. Two offensive linemen, Bevan Dupre and Wacen Fontenot, were placed on the first team for their play up front. Dupre was also selected as the first team kicker.
Dylan Scully was a force all year running the football gaining 1,178 yards on 153 carries and scoring 18 touchdowns. For his effort, he was placed on the first team as a running back.
The Sacred Heart defense saw five first team selections. Brandon Hudspeth and Wacen Fontenot earned their spots as defensive linemen. Hudspeth collected 44 tackles, five sacks and one fumble recovery, while Fontenot was responsible for 41 tackles and one fumble recovery.
Linebacker Jacob L. Lafleur made 71 tackles and recorded one fumble recovery on the season and was rewarded with a first team nod. Defensive back Caleb Soileau was not only named to the first team defense, but also was honored as a Co-MVP for the district. Soileau was responsible for 43 tackles, three interceptions and one fumble recovery. Phillip Vidrine earned first team at the defensive flex position.
Vidrine accumulated nine tackles on the year. For the Trojans, Benjamin Bergeron, Evan Mire and Jacques Fontenot were named to the honorable mention team on the offensive side of the ball. Defensively, Sacred Heart placed John Christian LaHaye on the honorable mention list.
In district 4-2A, the Mamou Demons faced some of the best teams in the state, including the defending state champions Kinder High School. The goal for Coach Brian Brumfield and his staff was for the Demons to get better every week. This goal was important for the future of the program, as they found themselves in a rebuilding year.
For their effort, the Mamou Demons were able to place four players on the all-district second team. Wide receiver Nathaniel Holland and offensive lineman Braylon Lavergne were named to the offensive team, while linebacker Daniel Matthews and defensive back Christopher Pitre were named to the defensive team. Named as honorable mention all-district players were linebacker Kendeal Jack, punter Jacob Israel, quarterback Dylan Duplechain and strong safety Joab Perron.
District 5-3A once again provided a challenge to both Ville Platte and Pine Prairie. This district has provided some of the better teams in the state the last two years. Even being outnumbered by 20 to 30 players did not deter the Bulldogs from battling the top teams in the state week in and week out. The Panthers used a new attitude to produce the most number of wins in varsity football school history.
Ville Platte garnered enough respect to have three spots filled on the first team all-district list. Vondarius Freeman was selected as a first team offensive lineman. Freeman was the main cog up front for the Bulldogs. He also was honored as a first team defensive lineman after collecting 87 tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery as a defensive end.
Joining Freeman on the first team defensive list was linebacker Dayton Jackson. This was the second year in a row as a first team selection for Jackson. He recorded 118 tackles, four sacks and three caused fumbles on the year.
The Bulldogs also placed three players on the second team offense and four players on the second team defense. Running backs Terese Thomas and Terez Alfred along with offensive lineman Marcus Guillory earned their spots on the offensive side of the ball.
Guillory was also named as a defensive second teamer. Joining Guillory on defense were defensive linemen Trelon Thomas and Kylan Anderson as well as defensive back Shabby Moore.
Honorable Mention spots went to James Wilson, Oxzabein Serie, Justin Ardoin, Jordan Leday and Daylon Jones.
Pine Prairie had one of its own selected to the first team offense. Wide receiver Allen Myles caught 21 passes for 534 yards and four touchdowns to earn his spot. The Panthers also placed two players on the second team defensive unit. Linebacker Joshua Fontenot and defensive back Dylan Doucet were honored with their selections.
Honorable Mention slots went to Keenan Roy, Javon Ardoin, Douglas Fontenot, Gaten Chaddrick and Zack Leggett.
With a plethora of talent lined up for next season, the parish gridiron teams look to improve in 2015. Congratulations to all of these athletes for their placements on the all-district teams.