Football Preview: E.D. White looks to take it one step further in 2021

Entering his 12th season as head coach at E.D. White Catholic, Kyle Lasseigne has fashioned a solid program.

Last season was very solid as E.D. White reached the Division II semifinals, going 8-3 overall.

There is good reason for continued optimism in 2021 as the Cardinals return 16 starters who started games a season ago.

Lasseigne must replace quarter Cailun Griggs and that remains the biggest question heading into the season.

Four players are competing for the starting position, including senior Peyton McGoey (5-9, 170), junior Zach St. Pe’ (5-11, 170) and sophomores Barry Bouterie (5-10, 170) and Jake Sternfels (5-10, 175).

There is experience at running back with senior William Gravois (5-10, 190) and junior Braxton Comeaux (6-0, 210). They will be joined by senior Jake Gros (5-8, 180) and sophomore Jeffrey Deidrich (5-11, 200), along with Sternfels, if he is not at quarterback.

Senior Grant Blouin (6-0, 180) is back at wide receiver and tall sophomore Paxton Lafont (6-2, 175) will join him.

Senior Harrison Ledet (6-0, 200) is back at tight end.

Up front, the Cardinals will be good with four starters back.

Junior Jacob Guin (6-0, 285) is back at center, along with Luke Deidrich (5-10, 240) at guard while both starting tackles return in senior Riley Albert (5-11, 210) and Matt Broussard (6-4, 255). Junior Ethan Reynolds (5-11, 225) will push for playing time. The other guard spot is between juniors Luke Gauthreaux (6-4, 280) and Kayden Chiasson (5-10, 235).

There is lots of experience returning on defense as well.

Up front, three starters return, including senior Jake Newchurch (6-2, 215), along with juniors Aidan Clements (6-2, 225) and Braxton Comeaux (6-0, 210). Also figuring in the mix to play are juniors Nathan Johnson (6-1, 180), Joseph Lirette (6-0, 275), Grayson Hildenbrand (5-10, 225) and Blaise Kliebert (6-0, 220). Freshman Zach Guin (6-0, 235) will see action as well.

The one spot lacking much experience is linebacker.

Clements could play some at linebacker while others expected to start include seniors Gavin Fontenot (6-0, 210) and Ben Hebert (5-10, 190), along with junior Braxton Comeaux (6-0, 210).

The secondary is a strength, very experienced with four returning starters, including three seniors.

They include star free safety Ethan Lee (5-11, 180), weak safety Charlie Hunt (5-11, 180), cornerback Chris Gravois (5-11, 175) and corner Matthew Melancon (6-1, 180). The new starter is senior strong safety JJ Jones (5-10, 175).

Last season, Lee was a first team all-state selection after totaling eight interceptions. Melancon had two interceptions.

Kicking duties will be handled by freshman Ty Powell while senior Collin Gravois is the punter.

The regular season opens with rival Vandebilt Catholic at home on Sept. 3 before a tough road trip to Archbishop Hannan. After hosting Assumption, the Cardinals travel to South Lafourche. The final non-district game is at Ellender.

District 9-3A play opens on Sept. 8 at home against Donaldsonville, followed by a road game at Patterson. The Cardinals will host Lutcher and travel to Berwick in week nine.

The final game of the regular season is at home against St. James and it could be very significant.

It has been since 1969 since E.D. White has won a state title as the Cardinals won back-to-back Class 1A state championships.

Coming off a very good season and with an experienced team, expectations are high for E.D. White Catholic and they should be.

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