Football Preview: Bonnabel starts anew with Cohen at helm

BJ Cohen has a long history as a fine football player.

Cohen was a three-time All-American defensive lineman at Marshall before becoming a star and fixture in Arena Football, playing for Orlando, Tampa Bay, Kansas City and for the Arena League New Orleans VooDoo, where he played in 2004 and in 2005.

Cohen returned to New Orleans as a coach for the VooDoo in 2014.

Now, Cohen is entrenched in the New Orleans area as the new head coach of the Bonnabel Bruins.

Cohen takes over for Brett Bonnaffons, who resigned after four years on the job. Cohen comes to Bonnabel after working with the Iowa Barnstormers, still an indoor football franchise which used to be in the Arena League.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Cohen said. “I was here when I was coaching with the VooDoo as well so it is good to be back. I also worked at Roosevelt Middle School then and those kids are now juniors and seniors at Bonnabel. I already knew the kids and I already knew the families. My aspirations were to be a head coach. This opened up and I took a leap of faith and I have not looked back.”

Cohen will preside over a spread offense led by senior quarterback Henry Piedy (6-0, 170), who accounted for 1,036 yards a year ago.

The wide receiver position should be a strength with senior Nestor Perez, an outstanding athlete and threat any time he touches the ball. Junior Julian Price (6-0, 175) is a standout while Zaid Padilla and Tylour Marks (5-10, 140) figure prominently as well.

The Bruins have solid players up front in seniors Jakoby Reed (6-2, 240) and James Young (6-4, 244), who could see action on both sides of the ball. Senior Justin Walker should be solid while guards Jerome Vigne and senior Stephen Brock (6-1, 250) should start as well.

“We have to change the culture,” Cohen said. “We have to work harder and be more disciplined to be successful. It is like a blank canvas. Everyone will earn their spot through their work ethic. We competed pretty well in our spring game with Sophie B. Wright. We are running a different offense. Henry has stepped up as a leader. He’s a good quarterback but I challenged his leadership and he has done so.”

On defense, Young and Reed anchor the front and will be joined by sophomores Chris Dickens and Trayon Lewis.

Sophomore linebacker Brandon Lewis has an outstanding future and he is joined by senior Chris Bickham and senior Andres Diaz.

The same is true in the secondary with defensive back David Perry. He will be joined by seniors Janeal Langley and Jalin Toler, along with junior Rashad Foster (5-9, 170) and sophomore Brandon Lewis.

The kicking game is in the hands of Perez and Justin Acosta while Piedy Is the punter.

“We have five or six guys who will play both ways,” Cohen said. “James Young got offered by Arkansas Monticello. Hard work pays off. We have some great young pieces. Price is awfully talented. Toler has looked very good, as have Brandon Lewis and Tryon Lewis. They pay attention to detail. I feel really good about the direction we are heading in.”

The schedule opens at powerhouse Destrehan.

“I know Destrehan is at the top of Louisiana football,” Cohen said. “It will be a challenge to see where we are at.”

Week two has the Bruins taking on Kenner neighbor Kenner Discovery before a home game against Live Oak. Bonnabel then travels to the West Bank to meet Shaw.

On Oct. 1, the Bruins take on McMain before District 8-5A play begins at West Jefferson on Oct. 6.

The annual rivalry battle with East Jefferson follows on Oct. 14 before a home game with Grace King. District powers Chalmette and John Ehret follow.

“I am just excited about what is possible here,” Cohen said. “We know it will take hard work but we are willing to put that work in. The schedule was made before we got here and we know it will be difficult. We will rise to meet the challenge, learn and grow in the process as a team and program.”

The Bruins were 3-4 a year ago. How fast they adapt to a new head coach may determine how fast Bonnabel becomes a playoff team again for the first time since 2005.

To do so, Cohen must create more interest in football at a school where basketball thrives and soccer is solid.

“We have to build the numbers,” Cohen said. “We have it over 40 now and with the incoming freshmen to as many as 70.”

Having worked with the VooDoo in broadcasting their games, the bet is that Cohen will put in the time and effort to restore the roar with the Bruins.

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