By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic proved one of the biggest factors in Class 3A, while Riverside and St. James each made serious waves at the Class 2A level, earning each at least one player on their respective classification’s LSWA All-State team.

Junior defensive back Eric Lewis represents St. Charles on the Class 3A squad. Riverside senior defensive linemen Joe Anderson and Richie George, junior receiver Herb McGee and junior kicker Tyler Gauthier each earned spots on the Class 2A team, while St. James linebacker Aquindas Steib represents the Wildcats on that squad.

SCC’s Austin Weber, Eian Mitchell and Tyrin Arceneaux each made Class 3A honorable mention. RA’s Von Julien, Austyn Oubre, Kendall Martin, Jordan Loving, Evan Veron and Tannor Triche each made honorable mention in Class 2A, as did St. James’ Lowell Narcisse, Mason Scott and Jonta Jones.

Lewis entered the season as the veteran leader of the Comet defense despite being only a junior. He took to the role with zeal, turning in big play after big play as a defensive back and a dangerous kick return man. Lewis intercepted seven passes this season and racked up more than 50 tackles for the Division II semifinalist Comets, leading a defense that held eight teams to 14 points or less. He also earned District 11-3A MVP honors.

St. Charles coach Frank Monica lauded Lewis’ versatility.

“We played him at safety, linebacker, cornerback, wherever matchups dictated,” Monica said. “When another team had a great receiver we needed to shut down, Eric was the guy we asked to go man-to-man on him. He was a great strong safety in the box against the run.

“Every defense needs that guy who stands as your rallying point. He was that guy for us, the centerpiece of our defense.”

George and Anderson formed a monstrous tandem up front for a terrific Riverside defense that held foes to 13.2 points per game this season. George, a defensive tackle, was the team’s anchor in the middle. He collected 39 tackles, including six for loss, and two sacks. He recovered one fumble and returned it for a score. Anderson, meanwhile, made 38 tackles and registered seven sacks as the team’s playmaking defensive end. He made 10 tackles for loss and returned an interception for a score.

“Those guys played extremely well for us,” Riverside coach Bill Stubbs said. “Richie took on double teams all season and gave the guys around him a better opportunity to make plays and run more freely. He anchored our defense in the middle and really caused teams a lot of problems.

“As for Joe … he’s just that closet monster you worry about. Every snap you had to account for him if you’re an offense, and even if when you did, he continued making plays. We moved him around to try and get him one-on-one when we could and take advantage of his athleticism and speed.”

McGee once again finished as one of the state’s most prolific receivers, this year while doubling as a sub-package quarterback at times for the Rebels. He tallied 47 receptions for 713 yards and 13 touchdowns, while piling up 405 yards and two more scores on the ground.

“Herb’s ability to go across the middle really sets him apart,” Stubbs said. “He has no fear. He’s got good size, he’s athletic, and he’s a great, unselfish kid. When we needed a spark, we always had that card to play where he’d go in at quarterback and get something going. You could throw it anywhere near Herb and he’d find a way to make the catch.”

Gauthier made 5 of 7 field goals and 78 of 80 extra points this season. His greatest value, though, may have been in the field position he yielded his team, his powerful leg booming kickoff after kickoff into the endzone for touchbacks, another reason the Rebels went 12-1 and made a run to the Division III semifinals.

“He was a real weapon for us,” Stubbs said of Gauthier, who also emerged as a productive wide receiver this season. “Those touchbacks are as important as anything else. He hit 65 percent on his field goals, which, in high school, it’s really a blessing to have someone who can do that. A lot of people don’t realize how valuable a player like Tyler really is.”

Two years after St. James finished winless for a second straight season, Steib earns All-State recognition for being a centerpiece of the Wildcats’ rebirth. Steib made 101 tackles this season as the Wildcats’ middle linebacker, helping SJH record its second straight trip to the Class 2A quarterfinals and a return to an overall winning record.

“We needed him to be big for us to make this work, and he delivered,” St. James coach Dwain Jenkins said.

“He’s a guy who made 13 starts as a sophomore. Teams knew about him this season, and he still anchored our defense. When your middle linebacker makes 100 tackles, that’s a very good thing for you.  

“He rarely missed a tackle … if he got his hands on someone, you didn’t see them get out of it. That’s a testament to the work he put in not only on the field, but in the weight room as well.”