Football Preview: St. Thomas Aquinas looks to build on district titles

Entering his fourth season, St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Randell Legette has a competitive program, going 17-15 in three seasons.

The Falcons went 5-2 a year ago, capturing the second District 10-2A championship in as many years, falling to Dunham in the Division III playoffs in a challenging year due to the pandemic.

“Everyone experienced difficulty last year,” Legette said. “Every day was a roller coaster. We just worked hard every day, hoping for the best and that we would have a season. I think that paid off in the long run. It was tough. You didn’t know who would be available daily. I think the kids did a great job of adjusting and doing what we were asking them to do. Despite losing a jamboree and a game, it was rewarding just getting to play.”

There are key players to replace due to graduation, including an outstanding athlete in Casey Artigues, fine offensive linemen Peyton Parker and Logan Husser and a solid defensive lineman in Kylen Smith.

St. Thomas Aquinas returns 12 starters from a year ago, including six on each side of the ball.

That starts on offense with senior quarterback Drew Milton (5-10, 165).

Milton was the district Most Valuable Player a year ago. Milton was an outstanding defensive player as well and will return to start at free safety again, where he also earned all-district honors.

“Drew is a great kid, inside and outside of the classroom and on the field,” Legette said. “He has solidified himself as a dual threat player who can hurt defenses.”

The running back position is outstanding as well as a pair of all-district performers return this season in senior Devaki Williams (6-1, 220) and junior Darrius Vaughn (5-10, 190).

“We have another young back in sophomore Kendrell Perry and it is a really good group that allows us to rotate and share the load,” Legette said.

The wide receiver position features senior Chase Daigle (6-1, 170), who had a very good junior season. He will be joined by senior Lajalen Jackson (5-10, 185) and sophomore Cace Reed (5-9, 165).

“We have two seniors in Daigle and Jackson and a young guy in Reed,” Legette said. “The two seniors have been part of our program for a long time and know what we expect. Daigle is a great all-around player who will block and catch it and has great character.”

Junior Nunzio Martello (6-3, 240) is back after earning all-district honors a year ago as a tight end and defensive end. Martello moves to tackle this season on offense and remains at end on defense.

Junior Justin Smith (5-10, 225) is a returning starter at right guard while sophomore Jax Peterman (5-11, 200) is the left guard. Senior Braden Moore (5-11, 230) is the center.

“Nunzio will move inside and help us out,” Legette said. “We need his experience. Braden is a senior and Smith got a lot of reps last year. The rest of the guys are young and it will be a first-time experience on the varsity level for them. The veterans will provide guidance as they develop as players.”

Taking over at tight end is junior Gaige Truxillo (5-10, 185).

“We expect Gage to fill the role well for us,” Legette said.

Aside from Martello and Moore, another two-way performer, the defensive front features three new starters, including juniors Dante Dotey (5-11, 237) and Blaine Schilling (5-10, 170), along with freshman Hunter Gambel (6-2, 170).

“We have Nunzio and Moore who are solid while Dotey has experience,” Legette said. “Hunter Gambel has really come along in the spring and summer and we have high hopes for him. We expect them to handle the scheme well and to perform well.”

Linebacker should be a strength, with three returning starters, including two-way stars Williams and Vaughn, along with junior outside linebacker Austin Davis (5-10, 185).

“We have a lot of experience with Vaughn and Davis,” Legette said. “We have others who will rotate in.”

Milton anchors the secondary, along with senior Danik Reed (6-3, 185) and they will be joined by Reed and junior Blaine Schilling (5-10, 170).

“We like our secondary overall and the entire back end of our defense,” Legette said. “We feel very good overall about our defense.”

The Falcons open the season at Hamilton Christian before a tough home challenge against a very good Episcopal team. Road trips to Loranger and Independence follow. The non-district schedule concludes with games against West Feliciana and Riverside.

District play opens at home against Northlake Christian Oct. 22 before road games against Springfield and Pope John Paul II conclude the regular season.

“We start on the road and Episcopal is good,” Legette said. “I feel like West Feliciana and Riverside are traditional opponents who compete at a high level. Hannan is a rival whom we haven’t played in a few years. Loranger is always very competitive. Northlake Christian has a great coach in James Willis. Pope John Paul II and Springfield will be challenges. We just need to stay healthy to win the league and prepare for the playoffs.”

Depth will be a key with as many as six players going both ways for the Falcons but there is talent on hand for another good season in Hammond.

“When you play at a 2A level, you are going to have a lot of two-way players,” Legette said. “Depth is always a question mark. I have been advised by some great coaches to have our second and third level players ready to go. Those players help you win championships and we are working hard to get them ready, prepared for Friday nights.”

Having lost in the opening round of the playoffs in all three seasons, Legette is ready to see that change this season.

“We have to get over the hump,” Legette said. “We have to go deeper into the playoffs, to get past the first round. That is the main goal right now.”

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