Acadiana looks to return to elite form in 2023

You would be hard-pressed to find a more consistently excellent prep football program in Louisiana than the one at Acadiana High School.

Since 2005, the Wreckin’ Rams have won six state championships at the highest level of play in the state and finished second twice.

Most recently, Acadiana reached the semifinals in 2021 and the regional round in 2022.

Entering his sixth season since taking over for Ted Davidson, who won four state championships, Matt McCullough has continued the great success, winning two state championships, back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.

McCllough has posted an elite record of 56-10 while capturing four district titles in five seasons in always tough District 3-5A.

Last season, the Wreckin’ Rams were 8-4 against a very tough schedule, falling to neighbor and rival Carencro in the regional playoffs.

“We were disappointed with the way last season ended and turnovers killed us in the playoffs,” McCoullough said. “We were very young with eight to 10 sophomores playing last year. The good news is we have experience this year.”

This year, the expectations are high, as always.

Acadiana returns an experienced team with 13 starters back.

That includes six on offense.

Running the show is a returning starter in junior quarterback Caden DiBetta (6-2, 195).

“It is a key,” McCullough said. “It is great to have a guy back with two years of experience. He understands what we want in how we run our offense.”

As always, the Wreckin’ Rams have a deep stable of good running backs.

Senior Ezekiel Hypolite (5-10, 175) leads the way as a returning starter while senior Cameron Monette (5-8, 165) is also back from last season. Juniors Tayden Collins (5-10, 175) and Jonah Gauthier (5-8, 180) will rotate in regularly.

“I think we have four guys who can get it done,” McCullough said. “When we have won state championships, we have had at least three solid ones. I feel we have depth there.”

As always, the success of the Acadiana offense rests with the play of an always tough, quick offensive line which gets off the ball as well as any line in Louisiana.

Three starters are back up front, including both starting tackles in senior Jackson Hammond (6-1, 280) and junior Kaveni Wilson (6-2, 245). Senior Mike Willis (5-10, 265) also returns to man the right guard spot. The new starters are junior Braxton Scriber (5-10, 240) at left guard and junior Brody Estes (5-10, 225) at center. The “extra” lineman is junior tight end Jaydon Bessard (6-4, 230), who will serve as a blocker most often in the split back Veer offense.

Junior Russell Babineaux (5-9, 175) is a terrific performer, going into his third years as a starter with many college offers, including from LSU. Babineaux is a superb kick and punt return man with tremendous speed.

The split end is senior Omari Dupas (5-7, 150).

“We have two guys in Hammond and Willis who are 3-year starters,” McCollough said. “We have four guys who have started games. Bessard moves from defense and we feel he will be good.”

The defense looks good with seven returning starters.

Up front, junior end Jayden Lawrence (6-0, 230) and senior tackle Dominick McKinley (6-6 ½, 285) and junior tackle Vallen Charles (6-1, 265) return to form a very formidable front. Sophomore Darryus McKinley (6-3, 225), the younger brother of Dominick, joins them at an end spot. McKinley was a top tackler for the Rams last season. Jayden Carmouche (6-0, 235) provides solid depth.

“We were young last year but we are now experienced and solid up front,” McCullough said. “Dominick McKinley is a tremendous player and Darryus has a chance to be a very good Division I player.”

At linebacker, senior Shamarius Harris (5-11, 225) was a top two tackler last season and senior Amir Hill (6-1, 185) also returns as a starter. Joining the duo is junior Dajon Francis (5-10, 180). Junior Amarion Cooper (6-1, 200) provides quality depth.”

“Harris led us in tackles last year and he is a 3-year starter,” McCullough said. “Hill played safety last year and we can move him around. Francis can play for us on the weakside. I feel we have some depth.”

The secondary also has a pair of returning starters in cornerback Maurice Brown (6-0, 175 Sr.) and free safety Keeman Thibodaux (5-11, 175), who led the team in interceptions last season. Junior Dayln Lewis (5-11, 170) will start at the other corner while junior Braylon Noel (5-10, 170) is the strong safety.

“Thibodaux was All-District as a sophomore and Brown was an All-District player at corner for us last season,” McCullough said. “Lewis and Noel are versatile. Senior Thommie Videaux (5-10, 170) will really help as well.”

The schedule is again very challenging.

The Wreckin’ Rams open with a bang at perennial power Lafayette Christian.

District 3-5A play opens with road games at Sulphur and New Iberia before a home game with Lafayette. After traveling to Comeaux, the Wreckin’ Rams face Sam Houston. Acadiana goes out of district to travel to defending state champion John Curtis Christian in week seven. A road game at tough Southside follows before the regular season concludes with home games against Carencro and Barbe.”

“It is an extremely challenging schedule,” McCullough said. “LCA is one of the best teams in the state. John Curtis won state and is loaded. Carencro and Southside are really good. Sam Houston is explosive on offense. It is demanding but we believe it helps us grow and improve.”

Winning a playoff game and reaching the regional round is considered a successful season for many, if not most teams. That is not the benchmark for Acadiana. With experience and motivation, look for the Wreckin’ Rams to make a deeper playoff run in 2023.

“Our kids embrace the expectations of competing for a state championship,” McCullough said. “That is our goal. If we don’t do it, we have not achieved the objective. The kids did not like the way it ended last year. We want to return to playing for a title. They are working extremely hard to accomplish the goal and are ready to compete and win games.”

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