Dunham looks to continue success in 2019

A year ago, Dunham posted an unbeaten regular season before losing in the state quarterfinals to powerful Catholic of New Iberia.

Entering his sixth season, Neil Weiner has built an excellent program, fashioning a 41-15 record.

“Every great program must physically be able to compete with bigger teams,” Weiner said. “We have put emphasis on the weight room and getting stronger. We are a smaller school, even at the 2A level. We’ve gotten pushed around on occasion in the playoffs by bigger schools and teams. We have to continue to get bigger, faster and stronger.”

The Tigers should be good again in 2019 but must replace the most celebrated player in Louisiana in Derek Stingley, now at LSU. Dunham must also replace a pair of good linemen in Chad Falgoust and Grant Rebel, as well as quarterback Reed Godbery, among others. The 2018 Tigers were loaded with seniors. Once again, Dunham will play several players both ways in 2019.

Still, 11 starters return from last season.

“Our coaching staff have always done a really good job of playing a lot of kids,” Weiner said. “While we have 11 starters returning, we have others who have played some previously.”

On offense, the big question is the quarterback spot with three players still competing for the starting job.

“We have three kids who can all play the position,” Weiner said. “Probably the most consistent one is senior Rhett Guidry. Stephen Still (6-2, 160 Sr.) and junior Patrick Day are also solid and have different skill sets they bring to the table. Stephen is the ace pitcher on our baseball team and throws it well. Patrick is a fantastic athlete and very explosive but not as polished as a passer. We will likely use them both and likely leave Guidry at tight end.”

Guidry (6-5, 210) is the son of former Archbishop Shaw and LSU quarterback Mickey Guidry.

Sophomore tailback Kalante Wilson (5-6, 175) returns as the primary ball carrier. Wilson carried 36 times for 456 yards and four touchdowns last season, averaging a gaudy 12.7 yards per carry.

“Wilson was a freshman last year who started at strong safety in eighth grade for us,” Weiner said. “He is one of our strongest players. He stepped in last year and was a dynamic player for us. He can make the big play for us.”

The wide receivers include a returning starter in senior Devin Taylor (5-10, 170), who had 40 catches for 652 yards and eight touchdowns last season.

“Devin is tough as nails and really bright,” Weiner said. “He has a chance to attend some Ivy League schools. He’s a great football player. He was big in the spring for us at safety as well. We will rely heavily on him.”

He will be joined by senior Josh Hardy (5-10, 165) and sophomore Jordan Dupre (5-9, 160). Guidry is back at tight end.

The Tigers are solid up front with three returning starters, including both tackles in junior Blocker Harvison (6-1, 200) and junior Camden Holmes (6-1, 220). Center Jarrett Fontenot (6-1, 215) is also back. The guards are new starters in senior Spencer Mounger (6-2, 255) and senior Oren Gleason (5-11, 240).

“Fontenot is our starting center and was a baseball kid who came out and learned the game quickly,” Weiner said. “He was outstanding for us last year. Holmes is not that big but he is fearless and always goes as hard as he can. Harvison had to step in due to injuries last year and did a good job. Mounger and Gleason are entering their third years on the varsity squad and are progressing.”

Five starters are back on defense.

Up front, Guidry is back at one defensive end spot and he is joined by Holmes. Junior Jackson Jeter (5-9, 220) is the defensive tackle. Guidry recorded nine tackles for loss, including 4.5 sacks a year ago. He forced three fumbles and returned one for a score. Braden Augustus is a gifted freshman who could see action.

“We are in pretty good shape up front,” Weiner said. “We have kind of switched to a three-man front. Jeter is a tough guy as well. Augustus is one to watch.”

Linebacker is the strongest position with three starters back, including senior Nick Suire (5-7, 175), junior Cobin Leindecker (5-9, 220) and Wilson. Joining them junior Patrick Day (6-0, 170) and sophomore Matthew Weiner (6-0, 190).

“Leindecker is a fifth-year starter for us,” Weiner said. “Suire is not big but he will swarm for us. Those two are really good. Matthew Weiner and Kalante Wilson will also play and should be good. Linebacker is our best spot on defense.”

The secondary has a returning starter in Cruz Bridges (5-9, 165) while the other starters include Taylor and junior Jordan Melara (5-9, 160).

“We have a lot of question marks in the secondary,” Weiner said. “Bridges always has a knack of reading plays. He will return kicks as well. Melara will likely start at safety for us. He played a lot last year and had a few interceptions and played special teams. He’ll be a good one for us.”

The schedule opens at Woodlawn of Baton Rouge on Sept. 6 before the Tigers host Thrive Academy on Sept. 12. A pair of tough road games follow at Parkview Baptist and Archbishop Hannan before the Tigers return home to host defending Class 1A state champion Kentwood on Oct. 4.

“We have played tough people in the summer and we will have a very tough pre-district schedule,” Weiner said. “Woodlawn will be strong and Parkview Baptist, Hannan and Kentwood are all very good. They will be bigger and will have more depth. That is who we need to play to get better.”

District 7-2A play opens with a pair of home games against Northeast and Episcopal before away games at East Feliciana and Port Allen. The regular season concludes at home against Capitol on Nov. 8.

“I think the league will be pretty strong this year,” Weiner said. “I don’t see many teams going 2-8 or 1-9 like we have seen recently. East Feliciana has the most experience. They should be right up there with the most experience. Episcopal is always well coached. They have good numbers as well. Capitol is a team that could really surprise some folks. They have young talent and have a good staff.”

If Dunham can solve its quarterback position, the Tigers will make a lot of noise in Division II but it is a big position to fill.