Hahnville places six on first team 5A squad while St. Charles and East St. John get a pair

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

High school football fans can find closure on the season as the final class of All-State selections were announced last week, and the River Parishes were well represented with 14 players picked for first teams from seven different local schools.

Hahnville had the most picks, placing three from their starting offense and three from their defense. Offensive linemen Jordan Stephany and Sam Finn helped to anchor a Tiger offense which scored just shy of 30 points a game. They were joined by Terrance Isaac, the senior running back who was a major contributor to a team that made it to the semi-finals before they were beaten by eventual state-runner-up Acadian.

East St. John earned a pair of starters for the team that was ousted by Hahnville despite a second seed in the 5A playoffs. Wide Receiver Louis Lee was joined by special teamer and all-around athlete Radi Jabouri for a prolific Wildcat offense that was joined by an additional six honorable mentions, three of which were on defense. Rotating quarterbacks Johnny Owens and Ricky Dixon are joined in this recognition by Lacardio Joseph, Antoine Fisher and Stefoine Francis.

Destrehan’s Edwin Reed made the first team as a punter and Jai Eugene and Chaz Washington rounded out local 5A with honorable mentions. Those players led the Fighting Wildcats, who had compiled a 10-1 record and were rolling through the playoffs until they came up on football powerhouse West Monroe, who went on to win the state title.

In Class 3A, Lutcher’s Rolando Melancon made first team as a junior defensive lineman, and was joined by fellow bulldogs Broderick Albert, Juan Johnson, Carlos Brown and Wayne Albert, who received honorable mentions. They were all main contributors on a Bulldog team that got hot at the end of the season with wins over established programs including Salmen and Kentwood, but were eliminated by eventual state champ Redemptorist of Baton Rouge.

The St. Charles Comets placed three members of their state runner-up squad on the list, with first teamers Mark Murphy, as an offensive lineman, and

Casey Robottom as a receiver/return man. Defensive team leader Roland Ricca received honorable mentions for his efforts on a defense that gave up an average of less than 13 points per game. They fell to Curtis in the state finals in Shreveport.

Riverside looks to have a starter in place for some time to come as sophomore Jarid Caesar was placed on the first team. The Rebel running back was a big reason for Riverside’s 8-2 regular season record as they reached the quarter-finals in the state bracket this year. There, they too were eliminated by perenial favorite’s John Curtis.

Rounding out the local schools, West St. John’s Thorn August was selected for first-team linebacker. He was joined by teammates Tiarus Jenkins, Josh Roussel and Josh Johnson who all took home honorable mentions. Those players helped to rally WSJ’s poor start to hit the ground running for the playoffs. But their run ended in the semi-finals to state runners-up Opelousas Catholic.