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LAPLACE – Louis Cheneau Jr., a 2019 Riverside Academy graduate, was recently featured in ESPN’s “Resilient Athletes” photo series.

The ongoing photo series examines the ways the coronavirus pandemic has altered athletes’ lives. Not to be defeated, the athletes in the series have adapted to changing circumstances in hopes of a brighter future.

Photographer Annie Flanagan told Cheneau’s story through high-impact visuals. Currently based in New Orleans, Flanagan uses her camera as a tool to explore personal narrative through a documentary framework.

Cheneau hasn’t been at the top of his game since before his senior football season at Riverside Academy. His personal journey has been an uphill battle recovering from a torn meniscus, and he spent most of his 2019 freshman season on the sideline at Louisiana College.

Cheneau prepared to prove himself in spring training with intense and repetitive winter workouts. Little did he know then that the coronavirus would put a halt to all spring athletics and leave the upcoming fall season in question.

According to ESPN.com, Cheneau’s first call after spring practices were cancelled was to his personal trainer, Norman Harrell. Cheneau is now focused on cardio workouts and more mindful eating to drop some extra weight before the fall.

Prior to his injury, Cheneau made two championship game appearances with the Riverside Rebels in his freshman and sophomore years. Coach Kevin Dizer described him as a “tough running back who works real hard and is a good asset to anybody’s program.”

While Cheneau was offered preferred walk-on status at Southeastern Louisiana University, Nicholls State University and Southern University, he ultimately committed to Louisiana College.

“When I went there on an official visit, they opened up with a prayer,” Cheneau told L’OBSERVATEUR in 2019. “It being a Christian school was the main thing for me.”

Cheneau is the son of Bernadette Cheneau and Louis Cheneau Sr. of LaPlace. His ESPN feature story can be viewed at http://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/29087092/louisiana-college-football-player-louis-cheneau-fighting-another-chance-play.