Ascension Catholic heads into 2017 with visions of deep playoff run

Coming off a seven-win season and a quarterfinal loss to eventual state champion Southern Lab, the Bulldogs of Ascension Catholic are hoping to bark louder.

Third-year head coach Drey Trosclair returns several key starters including leading rushers Jamar Barber (1300 yards, 21 TDs) and Jai Williams (670 yards, 7 TDs) while Bubba Gautreau and Jon Mire look to replace quarterback Javon Yarbrough (now at Birmingham Southern) in the Ascension Catholic spread offense.

Gautreau looks to be the first in line to lead the offense, but he will have a capable backup in Mire.

The Bulldogs must replace the production of leading receivers Jacoby Stewart (Grambling), Dillion Vice (Central Baptist) and Kebori Hunter. Looking the fill those spots are Rodney Blanchard, Eric Simon, Tre Medine and Mason Zeringue.

Zeringue and Blanchard return as two-way starters, and the former will be counted on more to provide offensive firepower. Providing depth will be Nick Milano, Demontray Harry and Nick Lejeune.

The offense line returns four starters (only DJ Girior graduated) led by Nick Hilliard, Jacob Matirne, Charlie Gianelloni, Robert Lemann and Dillion Davis. All five lineman slated tot start have gotten stronger and should be reliable for Ascension Catholic. Providing depth will be Alex Gros, Ethan Arceneaux, Sam Mire, Alex Cedatol and Landon Falcon.

The Bulldog defense returns six starters led by Mike backer Gautreau, who tallied 100 tackles in 2016, and Davis, a defensive end with several football scholarship offers to date entering his junior year.

JB Broussard, another returning starter on the defensive line, was a pleasant surprise last year. Hilliard, Gianelloni, Cedatol, Matirne, Gros and Lemann will also play the defensive line.

The linebacking crews includes Andrew Landry, Parker Hales and the returning starter Williams.

The secondary looks to be a strength with returning starters Blanchard at cornerback as well as safeties Barber and Zeringue. Newcomers include Mire, Alex Hebert, Dorian Barber, Simon, Milano, Brock Acosta and Jamir Truxillo.

The punting and kicking duties will be handled by Blanchard, but watch out for newcomer Jacob Dunn to potentially have his chances to contribute.

The schedule for Ascension Catholic remains strong with Southern Lab, Kentwood, White Castle, St John and East Iberville in district. Tough contests out of league play include Class 3A schools Mentorship Academy, KIPP, Sophie B. Wright and Thomas Jefferson along with Class 1A Covenant Christian.

The Bulldogs will scrimmage Northlake Christian on Aug .16 at home and participate in the CHSPC jamboree versus False River before the regular season begins.

Ascension Catholic can be heard this season on the Bulldog Network via acbulldogs.org