Football Preview: De La Salle poised to continue success under Jarrott

It has become one of the consistently outstanding Division II programs in Louisiana.

De La Salle has reached the state championship three times in the last four years (2017, 2019, 2020), falling just short of capturing a title. In both 2016 and 2018, the Cavaliers reached the semifinals.

In nine seasons, Ryan Manale built a program from a low end of 24 players to become a championship level program with outstanding players who were extremely well coached.

Then, Manale could not turn down the opportunity to take over a huge 5A program at Jesuit, though the decision to leave De La Salle was difficult.

That is because Manale was comfortable, happy and had an outstanding team returning after narrowly missing winning a state title in Natchitoches in 2020.

Enter Graham Jarrott.

A former standout player at De La Salle, Jarrott (Class of 1998) is home again in his first opportunity as a head coach.

“I’ve been very pleased to what I have seen,” Jarrott said. “The kids have been great and responded well to me and a different way of doing things. It is really nice to be home. We are very talented but not very deep. I love the work that they have put forth.”

Jarrott is well prepared, having served as an offensive line coach at Jesuit and Rummel and helping run the Raider offense a year ago. Jarrott also spent brief time coaching at Brother Martin and at De La Salle previously.

Jarrott was part of Division I state titles at both Jesuit and Rummel. He is a highly respected coach with a very good staff to support him.

While some outstanding players were lost to graduation in running backs Montrell Johnson and Byron Phillips, along with lineman John Martin and defensive ends Ja’Marian Peterson and Dwayne Tillis, there is a host of talent returning in a junior-laden class.

On offense, senior quarterback Cole Milford (5-11 ½, 180) returns to start for a third season. Milford threw 16 touchdown passes and rushed for eight touchdowns last season.

“Cole’s leadership skills have been unbelievable,” Jarrott said. “His actual foot speed surprised me. I didn’t realize how fast he was. We are putting a lot on him with the change in our offensive approach. He has picked it up very well.”

Stepping in at running back is junior P.J. Martin (5-10, 200). Martin is enormously talented and now healthy after battling injuries a year ago. Martin rushed for eight scores in 2020. Senior Myles Sider is back to provide depth after seeing solid playing time a year ago.

“P.J. has been tremendous,” Jarrott said. “We are running the exact same offense we ran at Rummel, where we had an elite player in Logan Diggs. PJ has speed to get to the outside and power to run between the tackles. He was great in blitz pickup in spring ball. He has a chance to be pretty special.”

Senior Chris Baxter (6-0, 200) is back at tight end and fullback as a solid blocker.

“Chris has been great,” Jarrott said. “As an in-line blocker or as a receiver or as a fullback, he is a physical kid. He is one of our best blockers.”

At wide receiver, talented junior Makhi Paris (6-1, 175) returns after catching 18 passes, including four touchdown receptions in 2020. Kentrell Mollette (6-0, 180) is emerging as a top receiver as well. Sophomore Jace Bienemy (6-2, 170) will figure in the mix as well.

“Makhi missed all of spring recovering from knee surgery,” Jarrott said. “We hope he will be back full speed. He surely looks the part. He can be a dominant high school wide receiver. Kentrell has really stepped up and has a chance to be really good.”

As an offensive line coach, Jarrott is excited about the group he inherits up front.

Three key players with size and experience return to anchor the offensive line, including junior left guard Hunter Kareokowsy (6-2, 265), junior right tackle Justin Howard (6-3, 275) and left tackle Caden Jones (6-7, 280), along with senior right guard Tim Donelon (6-6, 290). Josh Thornton and Erique Knatt are competing for the starting center spot.

“All four of those guys are back,” Jarrott said. “It is one of the biggest offensive lines I have ever coached. We still a little seasoning. I am going to have four of five back another year as well and that is great to develop skill and consistency.”

The defense must replace five starters who graduated but is still good.

Up front, senior Frankie Bentley (6-5, 315) is a superb player.

Bentley is strong against the run and had a pair of sacks last season. Senior Ramon Cole (5-11, 290) saw lots of playing time last season as well. Freshman Dominique McGill (6-0, 220) is ready to make his mark as well.

“Bentley and Cole are the two seniors in the middle,” Jarrott said. “Frankie was the most dominant lineman on either side of the ball in the spring. Junuior Lance Joseph will play one defensive end and he is athletic. Tyler Lauland comes back at end and will really help. McGill is a freshman who will play significantly.”

The linebacker spot is keyed by talented sophomore Keidrick Richardson (5-10, 230), who was in on 43 tackles as a freshman. Junior Michael Thomas (5-10, 215) led the team in tackles with 48 in 2020 and he is back as well.

“I think the linebackers are tremendous,” Jarrott said. “Richardson is a rising star. His knowledge of the game and leadership skills, I don’t know if I’ve seen that in someone that young. Thomas is a returning starter. Junior Jordan Scott is another player who will be good as well.”

The secondary features standout senior De’Anta Lebranch (5-9 ½, 180), who had an interception and blocked a field goal a year ago.

Kenneth Vaughn will be the strong safety while sophomore Derrick Irvin will play free safety. The other corner will be split between seniors Cornelius Clay and Jaden Bates, both of whom are hard workers.

“Lebranch is our best defensive back, wherever he plays,” Jarrott said. “He played safety last year and he is moving to corner this year. He is our top return man as well. We will use him like we used Donovan Kaufman at Rummel.”

Mollette (6-0, 193) is back to handle punting duties.

“Kentrell is an elite punter who can flip the field,” Jarrott said.

Senior Gabe Capasso will handle kicking duties.

The schedule is tough and features several road games.

De La Salle travels to McComb, Mississippi to take on North Pike, a power in the state of Mississippi, to open the season. Sept. 3.

The Cavaliers take on Holy Cross on Sept. 11 at Tad Gormley before hitting the road for five straight tough games.

First, De La Salle renews a great rivalry at St. Charles Catholic. Then comes a long trip to Lake Charles College Prep and a very tough 5A opponent in Scotlandville. Two more tough games against 5A opponents follow against Landry at Gormley and at Hahnville.

“It is a challenging non-district schedule,” Jarrott said. “We have to get our team ready for playoff football. We want to challenge these kids to put them in against tough competition and to present them with adversity. It will most certainly get us ready for the playoffs.”

District 11-3A games are at home against Haynes Academy, Kenner Discovery and on the road at Thomas Jefferson.

“Haynes is our Homecoming game,” Jarrott said. “Kenner Discovery is a growing school. Thomas Jefferson will be well coached.”

With a well prepared, motivated alumnus running the program and with a host of good players returning, De La Salle appears poised to make another serious run at the Division II state championship.

“I feel we have the ability to win a state championship,” Jarrott said. “We still need to learn how to battle through adversity. They have had so much success in the regular season and going deep into the playoffs. We need to be able to take it a step further. Health will be a big key. Our first 22 are as good as anyone and getting the top seed is very important. St. Thomas More and U-High will be elite again.”

With a proud alumnus who has been part of championship programs at the helm, De La Salle figures to continue to remain a power in Division II and there is a real chance the Cavaliers could take that extra step in 2021.

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