Despite having to replace seven starters on offense from a team that was the Division III nonselect runner-up fall, including QB Brayden Williams, the Wildcats are a solid favorite. Donaldsonville has 12 players returning with notable varsity experience, including junior QB Donald Brown. A lack of depth could hinder Berwick in its quest to contend.
QB ¦ Berwick After losing some close games in 2023, the Panthers return seven starters on each side of the ball. Having Crappel in place at quarterback should help solidify the offense. DE/TE ¦ Donaldsonville Green (6-5, 185) has the chance to be a two-way force for the Tigers as an edge rusher on defense and on offense as a receiving target in first varsity season.
RB ¦ Donaldsonville Turner (5-9, 180), a senior, is one of seven starters returning for the DHS offense and is an athletic playmaker who figures to be a difference maker. WR/KR ¦ St. James Villanueva (5-8, 165) is a junior who developed into a big playmaker as a receiver/return specialist during the Wildcats’ march to a runner-up finish in DIII nonselect.
RB/P ¦ St. James King-Young (5-9, 175) was a dependable ballcarrier a year ago and enters his junior year with an enhanced role in the backfield with a new offensive line. Also a solid punter.
1, St. James 11-3, 3-1. 2, Donaldsonville 3-7, 2-2.
Patterson 3-6, 1-3. Berwick 2-8, 0-4. NOTE: Champion E.
D. White moved up to Class 4A from what was 8-3A in previous LHSAA districting cycle. • Traditional power E.
D. White’s move into the Class 4A ranks impacts the trajectory of all teams in the league, leaving St. James as an obvious favorite and creating opportunities for others.
• Donaldsonville’s Darnell Lee is one of two new head coaches in the district that was known as 8-3A for the last two years. Patterson’s Shannon Craig is the other first-year head coach. • Rebuilding its offensive line is a key task for St.
James. Senior Andre Mauler (5-10, 220) is the lone lineman returning with experience. Freshman Ju’Juan Jackson is the Wildcats’ new QB.
• By contrast, Donaldsonville enters the season with a lot of size on its offensive line led by 295-pound Ashton Green, 275-pound Darnell Sterling and 265-pound Treshawn Dunham. • St. James coach LaVanta Davis has a 32-9 record as head coach at the River Parish school.
His overall record is 44-10 and includes a runner-up finish in Division I select at Scotlandville..
