Football Preview: Pine looks to rebound in 2021

Bradley Seal has been at Pine since 2012 and as a head coach, compiling a record of 49-47.

Last season was difficult as the Raiders struggled to a 2-6 record, including a first-round playoff loss to Port Allen.

“We lost so many seniors going into last year then you take away all the offseason work and it just made it very difficult,” Seal said. “We felt we were playing from behind the whole year. We lost our top three receivers to knee injuries. We had a number of injuries.”

Pine plays at Loranger in jamboree action at 8 p.m. Friday.

The prospects for 2021 are better for the Raiders, who only have five seniors.

Sophomore Luke Spears (6-3, 140) will start at quarterback.

“We changed quarterbacks the last couple of weeks of the season,” Seal said. “Spears stepped in, got thrown into the fire against St. Helena, Amite and Port Allen and handled it well as a freshman. He has a good grasp of the offense and can manage it real well.”

The Raiders have an excellent running back returning in senior Adrianuen Johnson (5-10, 225), a four-year starter. Johnson rushed for 615 yards and two touchdowns in 2020 after a brilliant sophomore season in which he ran for 1,700 yards.

“We get one more year with Adrianuen,” Seal said. “He is totally reliable. You always know what you have with him. He wears teams down by the fourth quarter. They get tired of tackling him.”

Johnson will be joined by junior wing back Kemontre Magee (5-9, 168) and sophomore Aiden Mcintosh (6-0, 200).

The wide receiver is sophomore Preston Stogner (6-2, 170) while the tight end is junior Max Moyer (6-3, 270).

“Moyer is like a third tackle as a blocker,” Seal said. “Stogner has been good in our scrimmage and has good size. Senior Anterrus Walker (5-9, 150) is our speed guy.”

Up front, tackle Bryson Thomas (5-11, 200) is a solid two-way performer, also starting at defensive end. The other tackle will be junior Blaise Seal (5-9, 200). The guards are juniors Seth McClendon (6-0, 220) and John Caldwell (5-7, 171) while the starting center is sophomore Cale Temples (6-2, 315).

“I really think our offensive line is the strength of our team,” Seal said. “We return everyone, for the most part. They are a physical group and they are very smart and have a lot of experience.”

Up front on defense, senior end Cam Brown (5-9, 220) is the best player while Thomas will flank him on the other side. The tackles are junior Jericho Berry (5-8, 237) and Mason Alford (6-0, 260).

“We moved Berry from center to the defensive line and he is a run-stopper,” Seal said. “Brown is the motor of our team. Thomas will play the other end. Those three are guys we really like.”

Caldwell leads the linebacker corps, along with sophomores Ethan Rawls (5-9, 165) and Ethan Rester (5-7, 180).

“Caldwell is solid and Rester has had a good offseason,” Seal said.

The secondary features Walker at free safety, along with senior strong safety Brandon Sprehe (6-1, 170). The corners are junior Kendal Fountain (6-1, 165) and sophomore James Owens (5-10, 140). Junior Chris Dollerson (6-1 165) provides length at corner.

“Walker is a three-year starter at safety,” Seal said. “He is like another coach on the field. When he is not there, the leadership kind of drops off. He’s kind of seen it all. Our corners are long and athletic.”

The kicker is sophomore AJ Warren (5-8, 130).

Pine opens its season at home against Varnado.

Three straight road games follow at Bogalusa, Pearl River and Northlake Christian.

“It is important to get off to a fast start,” Seal said. “There are challenges there. Varnado and Bogalusa are athletic. Pearl River gets better every year. Northlake Christian will play sound football.”

District 9-2A play begins with three straight road games at St. Helena, Independence and Kentwood. The final two games are on the road at Amite and at Varnado.

“St. Helena, Kentwood and Amite are always competing late in the playoffs,” Seal said. “All are threats to go to the state championship game. When you go through our schedule and our league, you have seen the best the class has to offer. Independence seems to be improved as well.”

The offense will have to carry a young defense early and with a superb running back and a good offensive line, Pine could be a very solid team to contend with.

“We are still young but we are not babies like we were last year,” Seal said. “I think we can compete with anybody on our schedule, make the playoffs and possibly win a couple of playoff games. I like our future.”

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