Experienced squad has McDonogh 35 looking for big season in 2022

It is never easy to replace a legend.

To have an individual capable enough and mature enough to handle that role is very important.

Long-time Roneagles coach Frank Daggs enters his third year as the head coach after serving in wonderful fashion under legendary coach Wayne Reese for 17 years from 2003 to 2019.

Daggs was richly qualified and richly deserving of the promotion and he has handled the transition in outstanding fashion.

“We have had so many distractions with losing Wayne, the pandemic and hurricanes,” Daggs said. “It has had a tremendous impact on us and everyone else. I think everything is finally moving in the right direction. We have about 80 kids now and we finally have a full school for the first time since 2018.”

The Roneagles went 5-3 in 2021, falling in the playoffs to St. Martinville.

McDonogh 35 figures to be solid if not very good in 2022. That is due to perhaps having the most experienced team in the metro area.

Amazingly, the Roneagles return all 22 starters.

“It means so much to have every starter back and 30 players who played last year,” Daggs said. “They went through the bumps and bruises and have matured. We started five to seven freshmen last year. They are sophomores now.”

Leading the way on offense is junior quarterback Santana Price (5-11, 180).

“Santana is a true leader and he can sling it and run with it,” Daggs said. “He has one of the highest GPA’s on the team. He works hard in the classroom and on the field.”

Price has lots of help, including from speedy senior running back Roosevelt Millet (5-7, 155).

“Roosevelt is quick and fast,” Daggs said. “He can hit the hole fast and take it a long way.”

Also featured are senior wide receivers Charles Barbarin (5-7, 155) and Tyrus Morris (5-10, 170). They are joined on the outside by seniors Derek Patterson (5-11, 170) and Ronald Payne (5-8, 160), along with junior Dameon McCloud (5-10, 170).

“Barbarin is an X-factor for us,” Daggs said. “He can make plays. Morris is the fastest but we will not have him until week two or three due to injury. McClloud and Patterson are doing very well. We are well stocked at receiver. All played last year.”

Leading the way up front is senior Wendell White (6-0, 300). All other starters are back as well with seniors David Fisher (6-0, 235), Josh Dukes (6-0, 300), Toney Tillis (5-11, 240) and junior Ben Wren (6-3, 230).

“Our linemen went through pain last year,” Daggs said. “This year, they will dish out the pain. We are stronger and more mature and they do the right things. White is very good. Fisher is a very hard worker.”

Up front on defense, senior Alex Sumler (6-2, 240) is outstanding along with end Peyton McFarland (6-0, 190). They are joined by junior Kevin Boyd (5-11, 220) and sophomore Keith Newsome (6-0, 190).

“Sumler shows up every single day and comes hard on every play,” Daggs said. “McFarland and Newsome are good pass rushers off the edge.”

At linebacker, senior Corey Ruth (5-10, 205) is the best and he is joined by junior Vincent Guillot (5-10, 180).

“Corey is the quarterback of our defense and makes all the calls for us,” Daggs said. “Guillot will do some of the same things. Both are very smart guys.”

The secondary is led by senior Makyre Robinson (5-11, 180) and he has support from seniors Darrence Carradine (5-9, 165) and Sharod Guidry (5-9, 170), juniors Thai Brown (5-10, 175) and Armani Bell (5-9, 175) and sophomore Jakobie Anderson (5-10, 170).

“Makyre, Thai and Bell are doing great things in the secondary,” Daggs said. “I think we will be good there.”

The kicker is McCloud while Craig Davis will handle punting duties.

The schedule opens with the annual rivalry contest with St. Augustine on September 3, followed by a trip to South Terrebonne. Home games with McMain and West Jefferson are next and the Roneagles travel to Salmen in week five.

“I like our non-district schedule,” Daggs said. “We play a lot of good teams and play both home and road games. St. Aug is a huge rivalry and we have not played since 2019. We look forward to that. Traveling to South Terrebonne is like a playoff road trip. We are home against McMain and West Jeff. Salmen has a good program and new turf.”

The District 11-4A opener is against Abramson on October 6. After a non-district contest at Kentwood, the Roneagles return to district play to complete the season against Carver, Douglass and with a showdown with Warren Easton.

“Carver and Warren Easton are always very good,” Daggs said. “Douglass is improved and will be tough. Abramson is a coming program. We think it is a good league and we have Kentwood mixed in as well.”

With a fine coach and a very experienced team, McDonogh 35 could be a threat to make a substantial run in the Class 4A playoffs this season.

“I think this team has an opportunity to go deep into the playoffs,” Daggs said. “It was not long ago that we reached the semifinals. If we stay healthy, regardless of what class we are in, we like our chances this season. We will play in any class. We just want to play football.”

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