Football Preview: Byrd looks to continue great success under first-year coach Ballew

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
Turn and face the strange
Ch-ch-changes
There’s gonna have to be a different man

Those lyrics from the late great Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer-songwriter David Bowie’s hit song “Changes” best describes the scene around the Byrd High School football program entering the 2021 football season.

For the first time in nearly a quarter of a century, there is a different man at the helm of the Yellow Jackets’ football team. Stacy Ballew takes over as head coach after long-time coach and offensive coordinator Mike Suggs retired in May.

Ballew, who is a Byrd alum, has been a part of Suggs’ staff since 2002, first serving as a running backs coach before moving to the defensive side of the ball in 2005 to coach linebackers. In 2009, Ballew took over as the defensive coordinator while continuing to coach the Jacket linebackers.

Ballew admits he wasn’t fully aware of the extent of the love, passion and support that exists for the Yellow Jackets.

“I don’t know if surprised is the right word,” says the 43-year-old Ballew. “I’ve always known Byrd had good support, but I wasn’t aware of the depth of that support until I took over. The amount of support for this program from the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents, former coaches and players is unbelievable. I didn’t see it coming. There’s just so many people that want this program to succeed. It’s tremendous.”

While the musings of Ziggy Stardust (anyone under the age of 45, ask your parents or Google the name) likely doesn’t mean much to Ballew or Byrd fans, unless Stardust is a 6’2”, 215 lb., linebacker who runs a sub-4.5, 40-yard dash, but ch-ch-changes are aplenty in the Byrd football program entering the 117th season of Yellow Jackets football.

Besides Ballew, there’s plenty of changes among the coaching staff. Wade Leone, who coached safeties the last few seasons, moves over to the offensive side to take over as the offensive coordinator. Leone, a former quarterback at Southwood High School, takes over for Suggs, who had called plays for the last 31 years at Byrd. Clint Oliver, who coached tight ends in 2020, is the new offensive line coach, while Marty Guerrero comes in to coach wide receivers.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jason Pope has been elevated to defensive coordinator and will work with the safeties. Byrd alum and former McNeese State Cowboy Jalen Bowers returns to his alma mater and will coach the defensive line. Ballew will continue to work with the linebackers, while Dayton Corbett moves from coaching wide receivers to now working with the defensive backs.

The Yellow Jackets enjoyed an incredible 2020 season in which they went 10-1, with the only blemish coming in the 35-12 loss to Catholic High of Baton Rouge in the Division I State Championship. The Bears recently had to vacate the title along with the 2017 title and two state runners-up for LHSAA violations.

In addition to putting his coaching staff together, Ballew must figure out how to replace nine starters on offense and eight on defense from last year’s state runner-up team.

One consolation for the Byrd brain trust is that one of the two returning offensive starters is junior quarterback Lake Lambert. Lambert (6’2”, 185 lb., Jr.) had a sensational sophomore season leading the Jackets to the 10-1 record and the state championship game.

“Lake (Lambert) played well beyond his age last season,” said Ballew. “He may be the best all-around quarterback we’ve had at Byrd in a long time. He runs the option exceedingly well and can beat you with his legs as well as his arm. He has a strong and accurate arm, and as he showed in the Natchitoches Central game has the ability to put the team on his back and lead us to victory.”

As good as Lambert was last year – rushing for 446 yards and six touchdowns and passing for 531 yards and three touchdowns with only one interception – he had veterans on the offensive line, in the backfield and at wide receiver, all of whom have graduated.

The only other returning offensive starter is senior wingback Mitchell Ramsey, who rushed for 529 yards and four touchdowns last season. Ramsey (5’11”, 175, Sr.) averaged 7.1 yards per carry in 2020, but his biggest impact came as a kick returner. An All-District and All-City selection as a kick returner, Ramsey had three kickoff returns for touchdowns last season, including a 94-yarder in the season-opener against Calvary. The 94-yard return was the fourth longest kickoff return for a touchdown in program history.

“Mitchell (Ramsey) has an incredible combination of speed and vision, which he showed last year with all his kick returns and big runs for touchdowns,” said Ballew. “That combination makes him a threat to score every time he touches the football, and as the lone returning running back, he will be counted on heavily.”

A bevy of backs are expected to join Lambert and Ramsey in the backfield of Byrd’s multi-option offense. Josh Allen (5’10”, 165, Jr.) is expected to line up opposite of Ramsey at the right wing, while Devon Strickland (5’10”, 175, Jr.) is the likely starter at fullback. Walker Fox (5’10, 155, Jr.), Tyler Nichols (5’6”, 155, Jr.) and Jacob McClure (6’0”, 195, Sr.), who is coming off an injury, will vie for playing time at the wings. Dixon Poirer (So.) is listed as Strickland’s back-up at fullback heading into training camp.

The Jackets will have five new starters on the offensive line. Only Caleb Aillet (5’9”, 205, Sr.) at center and Wyatt McCollum (6’2”, 215, Sr.) at right tackle have seen significant snaps at the varsity level. Kailen Moore (6’2”, 205, Jr.) and Jack Thigpen (5’10”, 185, Jr.) are penciled in as the starters at left tackle and left guard, respectively. When the Jackets employ a tight-end, Patrick Snead (6’3”, 200, Sr.) is listed as the starter there.

Wide receiver Reed Sepulvado (, who played in nearly every game in 2020, returns. Used primarily as a blocker, Sepulvado (5’10”, 160, Sr.) lined up opposite of Byrd’s leading receiver Kellum Humphrey, who had 16 receptions for 298 yards and two touchdowns in 2020. Humphrey began his career as a quarterback before making the move to receiver. Such is the case for Logan Pons (5’11”, 180, Sr.), who was Lambert’s backup at quarterback, during an injury-shortened 2020. The coaching staff wanted to find a place on the field for Pons in order to utilize his talent and abilities. Jackson Dufrene (6’3”, 150, Jr.) and Connor Ridenour (5’10”, 150, Jr.) are expected to battle for playing time.

Byrd’s “Purple Swarm Defense” was outstanding last season giving up just over 14 points and 200 yards per game. However, the defense must replace eight starters, including six of the top eight tacklers.

The Jackets utilize a 4-2-5 base defense and will have four new starters up front. Brennan Belanger (5’10”, 195, Jr.) and Isaiah Ford (Jr.) came out of spring as starters at the ends, while Jack Partington (6’2”, 215, Sr.) and Ben Martinson (6’2”, 200, Jr.) sit atop the depth chart at the two tackle spots. Ends Caden Adcock (5’11”, 155, Jr.) and Jamichael Davis (6’4, 165, Sr.) along with tackles Jerquarrius Myles (Sr.) and Paul Stephens (5’11”, 195, Sr.) will all vie for playing time.

Sawyer Benson (6’1”, 175, Sr.) and Brooks Belanger (6’1”, 200, Jr.) are listed as the starters at the “mike” and “will” linebackers, respectively. Anthony Solazzo (5’10”, 160, Sr.) and Jacoby Smith (5’9”, 150, Sr.) are listed as their backups.

At the “buck” linebacker spot, which is a hybrid linebacker-safety position, William Whitman (5’11”, 160, Jr.) and Wyatt Watkins (6’2”, 175, Jr.) are competing for the starting role.

With four veterans returning, including three starters, the secondary is expected to be the strength of the Purple Swarm Defense. Starting cornerbacks Tyler Poland (6’0”, 165, Sr.) and Ja’Kerryon LaCour (5’7”, 140, Sr.) return as does First-Team All-District weak safety John Jordan (5’11”, 175, Sr.).

Jordan was tied for third on the team last season with 48 total tackles. He also had an interception and a fumble recovery. Ryan Todd (6’2”, 190, Sr.), who was a Second-Team All-District selection with 30 total tackles, including a team-high 10 tackles-for-loss, last season takes over at free safety. Christian Jones (5’11”, 160, Jr.), Lamichael Taylor (5’10”, 160, Jr.) and Jude Partington (5’11”, 150, Jr.) are listed as the primary backups in the defensive backfield.

If having to replace 17 starters wasn’t stressful enough for Ballew and his staff, they’re also facing changes on special teams. Michael Hamauei (5’10”, 160, Sr.), who saw limited time last year mostly on kickoffs and extra points, is expected to take over both the punting and kicking duties this season. Also, look for Lambert to possibly be used as the punter. Lambert, whose late father Bryan was a collegiate punter, boomed a 52-yarder in his lone punt in 2020.

Deep snapping duties will be handled by Benson, who garnered high praise at the prestigious Rubio Long Snapping camp over the summer. Lambert and Pons are expected to be the holders on field goals and extra points.

Kick return duties will once again fall into the very capable hands of Ramsey. His three kickoff return touchdowns in 2020 marked the first time since 2004 that a Byrd team had two returns for touchdowns in a season. Prior to Ramsey, the last documented Yellow Jacket to have two kickoff returns for touchdowns in a season was Frank Pernici in 1955. Allen, Pons and Todd are also in the mix as possible returners.

One thing that didn’t change in the transition from Suggs to Ballew was the strength of the Jackets’ schedule. Byrd opens the season on Sept. 2 against crosstown rival Huntington. The Raiders are expected to be one of the top teams in District 1-4A this season.

In week two, Byrd will once again participate in the Battle on the Border High School Football Showcase at Independence Stadium. Byrd has played in all nine previous showcases having posted a 7-2 record. This year, the Jackets will face the Tioga Indians, who were a Class 4A playoff participant a year ago.

In week three, Byrd plays host to the Maumelle, Ark. Hornets in its final non-district game. It’ll be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

Last year, Byrd posted a 6-0 record in District 1-5A and captured the school’s 23rd district title and its first since 2015. Ballew expects the race for the 2021 district title to be as to be wide open.

“In this district, it’s a toss-up every week,” said Ballew. “You can’t take anyone for granted. Every team has great players and can make you look silly if you’re not prepared and don’t handle your business. I think it’s going to be a very interesting battle that’ll go down to the wire for the district title.”

The Jackets travel to the piney woods of Haughton, La., in week four for the district opener against the Buccaneers.

Former Byrd assistant coach James Wilkerson, III, brings his Natchitoches Central Chiefs to Shreveport in week five.

The Jackets will cross over the Red River into Bossier Parish for the second time in three weeks when they travel to south Bossier City to face the Parkway Panthers at Preston Crownover Stadium in week six. In week seven, Byrd plays host to Benton. Last year’s game between Byrd and Benton was cancelled due to COVID issues within the Tigers’ program.

Byrd makes its third trip across the Red River in week eight as the Jackets head to north Bossier City to meet the Airline Vikings. The annual “Backyard Brawl” between Byrd and Captain Shreve takes place in week nine. The regular season finale for Byrd comes against crosstown rival Southwood.

With Byrd being designated a “select” school by the LHSAA, the Jackets will again participate in the 13-team Division I Playoffs.

Time may change me
But I can’t trace time

Despite all the ch-ch-changes, the 2021 Byrd Yellow Jackets are hoping the one thing that doesn’t change is the prosperity they’ve enjoyed.

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