Catholic Panthers optimistic with new coach, experienced team

It was not very long ago that the Catholic of New Iberia Panthers won a state championship under Brent Indest in 2017. The second title in school history was the first since the 1962 trimuph.

Catholic always enjoys a passionate following supporting the program. There is excitement heading into the 2023 season.

Matt Desormeaaux returns to the sideline after previously enjoying great success as the head coach at Ascension Episcopal, where he posted a terrific 55-14 record and was credited with a Division IV state championship in 2016. Desormeaux previously spent three years as an assistant at Catholic before moving to Ascension Episcopal.

The brother of University of Louisiana head coach Michael Desormeaux, Matt is a 2006 Catholic graduate who played for the Panthers before playing for the Ragin’ Cajuns. Desormeaux served as assistant principal at his alma mater this past season, spending one year out of coaching, so he has great familiarity with the program and student-athletes.

“Part of my move was to try to move up in the educational world and thought coaching would not be part of it anymore,” Desormeaux said. “When the job opened up, I spoke to the principal about doing both and he agreed. It’s great to be back on the sideline. It is a grind at time but it is a big part of my life. I’ve been involved in football since I was five-years-old. My older brother is the head coach at UL and my oldest brother coaches as well. It runs in the family.”

Catholic went 4-7 under Scott Wattigny last season, falling in the opening round of the Select Division III playoffs. Wattigny is now home at his alma mater at Holy Cross.

“Our guys are very experienced, even those who are not returning starters who played last year,” Desormeaux said. “They need to handle how to handle adversity, having lost several close games last way. We have to learn how to win those games and the experience will help.”

The Panthers return 15 starters from a year ago, including eight on offense.

Junior quarterback Luke Landry (5-11, 175) returns to run the offense and he has a returning starter in huge senior Javon Brown (6-2, 245) back at running back.

“We are very fortunate to have Landry back,” Desormeaux said. “He is a natural born leader. When I was announced as head coach, he reached out to me to get together, even though he was playing baseball. He wants to learn and wants to know everything going on. You cannot teach that. Only some kids have that desire to learn. Brown is big and strong and runs pretty well for his size.”

Junior split end Jaiden Mitchell (5-8, 140) is back as well and he is joined by new starters in juniors Chris Green (6-1, 190) and Gavin Roy (5-10, 145). Junior Joseph LeBlanc (5-11, 165) is in the mix as well.

“Jaiden is our slot guy,” Desormeaux said. “He is not big but he runs well and changes direction well. Green played a lot last year. He’s been banged up from basketball which creates opportunities for others. We good skill in our junior class.”

Senior tight end Connor Segura (6-0, 185) returns while up front, four of five starters give Catholic a strong offensive line.

That includes seniors in guards James Jones (6-2, 235) and Drew Desormeaux (6-0, 265), along with tackle William Minvielle (6-5, 225). Junior tackle Roan Judice (6-5, 240) is also back and the new starter is senior Holden LeBlanc (5-11, 225).

“The only new player is our center spot,” Desormeaux said. “Ilijah Butts (5-10, 280) is a sophomore competing with LeBlanc. Thomas Beaullieu (6-1, 195) is also competing at that spot. We like our experience, otherwise, and feel good about our line play.”

The defense returns seven starters and the strength is up front, where three senior starters return.

The ends are Devin Mouton (6-0, 205) and Gerard Schenk (6-1, 205) while Desormeaux is back at one tackle spot. The new starter at tackle is huge senior Kameron Landor (6-1, 330). Jones will also play.

“We have a lot of guys back up front,” Desormeaux said. “Mouton and Schenk have size and move well. Landor is hard to move. It should be a strength for us.”

There are two returning starters at linebacker, including senior Beaullieu and junior Bennett Woodring (6-1, 190). Junior Jace Ruskoski (6-1, 185) is the other starter.

“Beaullieu and Woodring are solid,” Desormeaux said. “Beaullieu is solid in the middle and Woodring is smart, a good player. We are looking for depth there but feel good about what we have. Maxwell Chauvin (6-1, 170 Jr.) and junior Jack Romero are in the mix as well.”

The secondary returns two starters, including junior Tristan Lewis (5-11, 165) at cornerback. He is joined by senior Marquis Austin (5-6, 145).

Senior Carson Broussard (6-0, 155) is back at free safety while sophomore Owen Morris (5-7, 140) is slated to man the strong safety spot.

“Broussard is the quarterback of the defense, while Lewis has next-level potential,” Desormeaux said. “Mitchell played a lot in the secondary last year. Roy could figure in the mix as well. Morris is going to be a really good player for us. We still have competition for playing time but like our depth.”

Junior Bennett Boudreaux will handle kicking and could figure in the mix with punting duties.

“Boudreaux kicked for us last year but we are still unsure about our punter,” Desormeaux said.

The season opens at Vermilion Catholic before three consecutive home games against Parkview Baptist, Erath and Leesville. A road game at Eunice completes the non-district schedule.

“Having three straight home games in non-district is good,” Desormeaux said. “Vermilion Catholic played for a state title last year and Brock Prejean does a great job. Parkview Baptist is a solid program annually, a traditionally great program. Erath is a traditional rivalry. They have a good quarterback and receiver. Leesville comes to us. They have a real good running back. They will be the toughest test for us and it is a bigger school. Eunice is a question mark. They were missing a few players when we played them last year. They will look for revenge this time around.”

District 8-2A play begins against Desormeaux’s old squad at Ascension Episcopal, followed by home games with Delcambre and Franklin. The Panthers close the regular season at Loreauville and West St. Mary.

“Ascension’s numbers are down but they are very well coached with a very good staff,” Desormeaux said. “Loreauville lost a few good players but they are well coached. Franklin always has very good athletes. Delcambre is well coached and run a version of the Wing-T. West St. Mary has a second-year coach and will be better. They were young last year.”

With a proven, home-grown winner leading an experienced squad, look for the Panthers to return to winning ways with a very good chance at advancing in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.

“I feel this team has a lot of potential,” Desormeaux said. “I think we can contend for a district title and make a push in the playoffs. Whether we are a ‘Dome team, we have a way to go to get there but we have a senior-laden team and good juniors. It is the best combination. I think we are capable of having a very good year if we grow and learn from past mistakes.”

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