All-St. John Parish football team
Published 12:01 am Saturday, December 31, 2016
- St. Charles Catholic head coach Frank Monica, who led the Comets to the Division III state final and a runner-up finish despite having to replace 20 starters, is the All-St. John Coach of the Year.
2016 All-St. John Parish Offense
WR C.J. Turner, East St. John, 6-2, 165, Sr.: No matter who was throwing the football for the Wildcats, he always looked for this target. Turner finished with 60 receptions for 1,223 yards and 12 touchdowns.
WR Marcus Boudoin, West St. John, 5-9, 170, Sr.: The Rams’ leading receiver finished with 26 catches for 802 yards and six touchdowns.
TE Javon Antonio, East St. John, 6-4, 200, Jr.: Another favorite target for the Wildcats’ QBs, he had 32 catches for 500 yards and 13 touchdowns.
QB Jordan Loving, Riverside Academy, 6-3, 210, Jr.: After missing almost all of the 2015 season (he returned for the championship game), Loving made his presence felt in 2016. He completed 111 of 187 passes for 1,397 yards and 13 touchdowns in just the regular season. He was 17 of 21 for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the championship game, earning his second consecutive Outstanding Player award.
RB Jeremy Gibson, Riverside Academy, 5-10, 190, Jr.: Fast and elusive, Gibson was a huge spark on this year’s team with 162 carries for 955 yards and 13 touchdowns. Selected the District 12-2A Offensive MVP by the coaches.
RB Kidrick Gray, West St. John, 5-11, 185, Sr.: A versatile weapon in the backfield, Gray had 140 carries for 924 yards and seven touchdowns rushing. He also had 22 receptions for 392 yards and two touchdowns. He was a solid kick returner as well.
RB Narquez Jones, St. Charles Catholic, 5-9, 190, Jr.: Rushed for 958 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Comets this season, then added 97 yards and another score in the championship game.
OL Glenn Bernard, Riverside Academy, 6-3, 300, Sr.: A solid blocker up front, Bernard had the size and the strength.
OL Cameron Cook, Riverside Academy, 6-0, 260, Sr.: Another solid blocker on the Rebels’ front.
OL Robert McDonald, St. Charles Catholic, 6-2, 210, Jr.: A first-year starter on the Comets’ line, McDonald earned All-District honors as a junior.
OL Calieb Batiste, West St. John, 6-3, 285, Jr.: Coach Brandon Walters said it was difficult to separate his lineman, who have played together since eighth grade.
OL Nate Robinson, East St. John, 6-2, 2-5, Sr.: A standout on a line that had to adjust to several quarterbacks this season.
PK Andrew Rodrigue, St. Charles Catholic, 5-10, 155, Sr.: As reliable as they come, Rodrigue kicked 50 touchbacks during the season. He also was 44 of 44 on PAT kicks and made 11 field goals, including a long of 46.
ATH Austin Alexander, West St. John, 5-9, 150, Sr.: The speedy runner was such a threat, Coach Brandon Walters retooled the offense around him. He finished the season with 2,845 yards on offense and 23 touchdowns, including 1,535 passing and 1,310 rushing.
Player of the Year: Jordan Loving, Riverside
2016 All-St. John Parish Defense
DL Myles Meyer, East St. John, 6-1, 310, Sr.: The District 7-5A Defensive MVP, Meyer had 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks, one interception and five fumble recoveries.
DL Demond Stewart, East St. John, 6-2, 265, Sr.: This senior had 12 tackles for loss, including seven sacks and nabbed one interception.
DL Irvin Benjamin, East St. John, 5-9, 185, Sr.: He posted 122 tackles, seven sacks and six fumble recoveries.
DL Rodney Blanks, St. Charles Catholic, 5-9, 190, Jr.: A first year starter had 35 tackles and four sacks.
DL Covan Barnes, West St. John, 6-0, 225, Jr.: Barnes compiled 112 tackles, including 64 solos, 16 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery.
LB Kelon Gardner, West St. John, 5-10, 240, Jr.: Gardner amassed 114 tackles, including 50 solos and five tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks.
LB Harrison Heckathorn, Riverside Academy, 5-10, 195, Sr.: A major force on the Rebels’ defense, he finished with 54 solo tackles, two sacks and one interception.
LB Jared Hymel, Riverside Academy, 6-1, 210, Jr.: Another defensive force for the Rebels, he finished the regular season with 45 tackles, two sacks, one interception and two fumble recoveries.
LB Dellary Oubre, SCC, 6-2, 215, Jr.: His name (though mispronounced) was heard often in the state championship game as he recorded eight tackles. He finished with 93 tackles, five sacks, nine tackles for loss and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
DB Hardell Mack, Riverside Academy, 5-8, 175, Sr.: He finished the regular season with 27 tackles, five assists, one sack and one interception.
DB Jamal Walters, West St. John, 5-11, 170, Sr.: A WR, DB, KR and QB, the 12-2A Defensive MVP finished with 91 tackles, seven interceptions and three returns for touchdowns.
DB Devin Dumas, St. Charles Catholic, 6-0, 175, Sr.: The only returning starter on this year’s defense, who missed some time due to injury, Dumas finished with 34 tackles and two interceptions.
DB Cardaz Joseph, Riverside Academy, 5-9, 165, Sr.: An All-District selection, he had 24 tackles, six assists, two sacks and four interceptions.
DB Dustin Mire, St. Charles Catholic, 5-8, 155, Sr.: An All-District selection, he finished with 47 tackles, four tackles for loss and two interceptions.
P Jordan Jensen, St. Charles Catholic, 5-9, 165, Jr.: He punted 26 times for a 34.1 yard average this season.
KR Lloyd Nash, St. Charles Catholic, 5-10, 175, Jr.: Besides amassing 1,785 all-purpose yards on offense, Nash had nine kickoff returns for 258 yards.
Player of the Year: Myles Meyer, East St. John