Cecilia ready to build on good season under veteran coach Skains

Veteran coach Dennis Skains enters his seventh season with the Bulldogs. Skains has been coaching for over two decades now. Skains, a former star quarterback at Teurlings Catholic, served as the head coach at South Lafourche previously for a period of four seasons, posting a 24-19 record with the Tarpons.

At Cecilia, Skains has posted a 39-25 mark.

Cecilia won a state championship in 1995 in Class 3A, edging Karr on a late Andy Chance field goal in what is now Caesars Superdome under coach Andy Waguespack. That squad was led by future Tulane star Cory Green. That came after the Bulldogs reached the state title game in 1992 and 1993, falling to Jennings and Karr, respectively, in close contests.

There is much promise going into 2022 for the Bulldogs after the 2021 team reached the Class 4A quarterfinals, falling to Neville.

While Skains must replace quarterback Alex Soileau, running back Breagan Brasseaux and defensive back Cade Poirier, there are a host of very good players returning.

The offense has excellent skill position players.

Sophomore quarterback Diesel Solari (5-9, 175) returns to lead the offense. Senior H-Back Collin Knott (5-9, 170) is back, along with senior wide receiver Germonie Davis (5-10, 175) and junior Bubba Boudreaux (6-0, 190). In 2021, Davis amassed a 1,020 yards and 10 touchdown catches.

The new starting running back is senior Ridge Collins (5-11, 210) and sophomore Isaiah Champagne (6-0, 180) should start at wide receiver and both are talented.

The big question mark for Cecilia is up front, where Skains must replace all five starters.

The new starters include junior tackle Landon Dekerlegande (5-10, 225), along with four sophomores in tackle Christian Menard (6-2, 225), guards Ryker Airhart (6-5, 280) and Rylan Hardy (5-11, 215) and center Kristen Landry (5-9, 210).

Six starters return on defense.

Up front, the Bulldogs will be good inside with senior tackles Kendrick Alexander (6-2, 280) and Blake Stevens (6-1, 265). Juniors Timothy Andries (5-11, 190) and Demarco Roberts (6-3, 200) will man the end spots.

The strength of the defense is at linebacker, where three starters return.

That includes seniors Ridge Collins (5-11, 210) and Reginald Boutte (5-10, 180), along with junior Bonson Patt (5-8, 185).

The secondary has one returning starter in Davis, who will start both ways. He will be joined at safety by sophomore Brent Gordon (5-9, 165). The corners are junior Jacob Joseph (5-9, 180) and Champagne, who goes both ways.

Knott will handle kicking responsibilities while junior Bubba Boudreaux is the punter.

The schedule opens at home against St. Martinville on Sept. 2 before a trip to Southside. Home games with Washington-Marion and Crowley follow before a road trip to always tough Notre Dame.

District 5-4A play begins on Oct. 7 at Breaux Bridge before Beau Chene visits Cecilia. The Bulldogs then head to Opelousas before a home game with Livonia. The regular season ends at Iowa on Nov. 4.

Coming off an excellent season and with a good group of returning players, the Bulldogs have bite going into 2022.

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