Crescent City Christian looks to build on return to gridiron

In recent years, Crescent City Christian has been known for its superb basketball program, capturing three state championships on the hardwood from 2017-2021.

Now, the Pioneers continue the process of reviving its football program, dormant since 2016, by fielding a team for a second straight year in 2023 under head coach Brandon Cox, who got to Crescent City in 2022.

In the first season back last year, the Pios went 0-9 but it was a win to get back on the field.

In 2016, the Pioneers played just four games.

“The process has been very challenging trying to find some linemen,” Cox said. “Getting any athletic kids has been a challenge. We had 17 last year and this year, we are up to 23 and have some other kids interested in next year.”

In 2023, the Pios have scheduled a full slate of 10 games.

Senior Jeshua Smith (5-7, 164) sat out much of last year, played just one game due to eligibility and he is outstanding.

“Jeshua was at schools that did not have football and he is very skillful, coachable and talented,” Cox said. “He will play strong safety. I’m expecting big things out of him.”

Wyinnyell Anderson (5-8, 147) and Wyinn Anderson (5-11, 157) are twins who are both seniors.

“They are both team leaders and captains,” Cox said. “Wyinn will move to corner from linebacker and he has good coverage skills. Wyinnyell can play wide receiver and defensive back. A lot of our guys have to play both ways.”

Antoine Walker (5-10, 163) is a junior wide receiver with skill.

“Walker has outstanding speed but it is his first year playing high school football,”

Freshman quarterback Jake Boudreaux (5-11, 160) is a freshman quarterback with ability.

“It is his first year playing quarterback and we are looking to develop him,” Cox said. “He is tall with big hands and he is very knowledgeable and coachable.”

Junior Cam’Ron James (6-4, 192) plays wide receiver, free safety and will back up at quarterback.

“Cam’Ron also plays basketball and he is a very good athlete whom we believe will be outstanding for us in many facets,” Cox said.

Andrew Araujo (6-1, 192) plays linebacker and fullback.

“Andrew is military-minded, lives in the weight room and he is very dedicated,” Cox said. “I gave him the most honorable player award last year. He had to leave school to take care of his mother, who was sick, and still made it to practice every day.”

The last non-losing season was in 2011, when Crescent City went 5-5. The last playoff appearance was in 2010, when the Pios fell to powerhouse Haynesville in the Class 1A postseason.

The last winning season was in the Hurricane Katrina-interrupted 2005 season, when Crescent City Christian went 6-1, including a playoff win over Calvary Baptist before falling to St. John under Steve Ceravolo, who had the program on solid ground from 1999-2007.

The Crescents will compete in District 10-1A.

The schedule opens against M.L. King Charter on Sept. 1. Then comes a trip to Lafayette to face Westminster Christian and games with Sarah T. Reed and at St. Edmund. A home game with Pope John Paul II and a road game against Cohen are next.

District play begins with St. Martin’s Episcopal, followed by Varnado, West St. John and Riverside Academy.

“It will be a big difference playing a full schedule,” Cox said. “We are ready for the challenge. Hopefully, we can stay healthy enough and make it the entire way. We got down to 12 players last year by the end of the season. It was tough. We are looking forward to the challenge.”

Regardless of the record, having football again is a great development for the Pioneers and hopefully, the start of something permanent.

Click here for more CCS Prep Football team previews (including archives of past season previews).