Football Preview: Jewel Sumner looks to build on solid season

The 2020 season was a good one for Jewel Sumner.

Ross Currier guided his Cowboys to an impressive 8-2 record and a second round playoff appearance.

“We had a good senior class that bought in last year,” Currier said. “We got better every game. We played Archbishop Hannan for the district title and lost but we responded well from that. I was very pleased with the season. We are looking to build on it this year.”

Jewel Sumner must replace quarterback LaQuation Bickham, along with other key contributors in Richard Lee, now at McNeese, nose guard Jakeim Robbins and Adrian Gatlin.

The reason for optimism is the fine 2020 season and the fact that 13 starters return in 2021.

The offense is led by the running game with a pair of fine running backs returning in seniors Brandon Self (5-8, 160) and fullback Brennan Self (5-8, 160). Brandon Self rushed for 559 yards while Brennan Self rushed for 435 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Junior wing back Rodney Brown (6-1, 170) is solid as well.

“Brandon has gotten better every year and he and Brennan are both track guys who can really run,” Currier said. “Brown is likely the fastest kid on our team, another track star who can fly. He has started since his freshman season.”

The quarterback in the Wing-T offense is senior Andres Moreno (5-8, 175). A track star, Moreno is also an outstanding kicker and punter for the Cowboys.

“Bickham started for three years so it will be tough replacing him,” Currier said. “Moreno has continued to get better every week. We feel like he’s our guy. He’s a competitor and a distance runner. You would never bet against him. He is a really good kicker for us as well. He’s just a good athlete and a winner who has the respect of the team.”

Senior Nicolas Walker (6-1, 180) is the wide receiver while tight end Daelyn Haney (6-2, 215), who was a first team all-district player last season.

“Walker was not eligible last year so this is his first year,” Currier said. “He is very long and has speed and go up and get it. We expect big things out of him. Haney is big and physical.”

Up front, the Cowboys are young with three juniors and a pair of sophomores. The juniors include guards Tyler Theriot (6-1, 225) and Ethan Landers (6-0, 230), along with tackle Brayden Tinder (6-2, 250).

The sophomores include tackle Desmond Collins (6-3, 220) and center Joel Fontenot (5-10, 280).

“Last year, we started three sophomores and a freshman,” Currier said. “We took lumps early on but got better. Now, it is one of our strengths as all have a year under their belts. Fontenot is our center and he really came on last year and may be our best up front. Theriot will move from tackle to guard. Collins has good size.”

The defense has six starters returning, led by the returning district defensive most valuable player Drann Tate (6-0, 225). A senior, Tate had 86 tackles, including 11 sacks last season from his defensive end spot.

The other defensive end is another standout in senior Michael Lee (6-0, 185), who had 56 tackles and 11 sacks a year ago in making all-district.

“We return our top three tacklers from last year,” Currier said. “Tate has started since his freshman year and Lee can really run, he is a sprinter.”

Landers, a solid two-way performer, is the nose guard.

Also returning is senior middle linebacker Tylon Milton (5-8, 160), who was first team all-district with 84 tackles. He will be joined by Haney, along with a talented newcomer in freshman Kendell Brown (6-2, 215) and senior Albert Miller (5-11, 170).

“Milton was our leading tackler last year,” Currier said. “We will be good at the second level.”

The secondary has three junior starters, including Darren Thomas (6-0, 200), Rodney Brown (6-1, 170) and Brennan Self. Freshman Tyron Robinson (6-2, 165) is expected to start as well.

“Brennan and Rodney both started last year and are both back,” Currier said. “We will throw in some other guys to give them breathers since they play both ways. Robinson is a freshman with real promise. Kendell Brown is a freshman, Rodney’s brother, and he is 6-1, 215 and he can run. Keep an eye on him.”

The schedule opens on the road but close to home at St. Helena and Kentwood.

Three home games follow against Amite, East Feliciana and Haynes Academy.

“Our first three games will tell us a lot,” Currier said. “St. Helena is always solid and Kentwood and Amite are traditional powers. We have to get through those games healthy. East Feliciana always has good athletes. Haynes is new for us.”

District 8-3A competition begins on Oct. 8 at Loranger before a home game with Albany. A difficult trip to Archbishop Hannan follows before the Cowboys are home for the final two weekends against Bogalusa and Jefferson Rise Charter.

“We have not won a district title since 2004,” Currier said. “That is obviously the goal. We have to beat Hannan. The Hawks have been our nemesis. Loranger and Albany are always there. Bogalusa has a coach who has won state titles. We expect a tough district. We will play Jefferson Rise in a non-district game to end the regular season.”

The Cowboys have a nice combination of experience, with nine seniors, underclassmen with experience and a nice influx of younger players to make them a contender for a district championship and perhaps a deeper run in the 3A playoffs.

“I feel like we will compete for a district title and we are really looking to go further than the second round this season,” Currier said. “We have some experience and we have a lot of good young players. I feel like the program is heading in the right direction. We just want to build on the success we are having.”

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