Grace King starts over again with new football coach Chadwick Lewis

It has been a revolving door and no one has stopped the door and settled the program just yet.

For Grace King football, turnover has been the story and that does not reference interceptions or fumbles lost.

The turnovers have been in the head coaching position.

Since 2004, the Fighting Irish have struggled to gain traction, winning just 29 games while losing 111 the past 15 seasons. Included were four winless seasons and four seasons with one win each.

A host of solid coaches have tried to right the ship during that time, including Malter Scobel, Byron Nihart, Stephen Ruckman, Alan Boyd, Bob Hitchins, Stuart Bott, Larry Lala and Bryant Holmes, who coached Grace King the last two seasons in 2017-18.

Last year, the Fighting Irish were 1-9.

Enter Chadwick Lewis, who most recently served as offensive coordinator at Port Allen the past two seasons (2017-18). Previously, Lewis was the offensive coordinator at Huntington from 2014-16 and was an assistant coach at Byrd, his alma mater.

Lewis brings experience and needed enthusiasm to a very tough job which needs a culture change.

“I have an opportunity to come in and make my mark,” Lewis said. “There have been a good season or two here and there but never consistently. I believe it can be done here and that is my goal.”

Grace King graduated seven key starters from a year ago.

Fortunately, the Fighting Irish have some key players returning.

Senior quarterback Kevon Winston (5-9, 160) will lead the way.

“Kevon played mostly at wide receiver previously,” Lewis said. “He is a smart kid, very coachable. He will try to do the little things well. He’s the point guard on the basketball team. He understands how to run a show. He can throw it but he can also run it pretty weel. He can do what we want to do in the zone read and help us keep the chains moving.”

Winston has a solid receiving corps, led by seniors Adrian Beard (6-2, 185), Artemis Slaughter (5-8, 145) and De’Younce Batiste (5-7, 145).

“I feel our receivers are three of the better athletes on our team,” Lewis said. “Adrian is big and can go up and get any pass. He is not afraid to go over the middle and catch the slants and drags. He can play quarterback and free safety for us when needed. Slaughter and Batiste are smaller but very shifty and fast. Both run track for us and can flat out run. We will run some bubble screens. We just want to get them in space and let them run.”

The running back is seniors Cartel Dalaureal (5-10, 180) but he will have help.

“Cartel played a lot last year,” Lewis said. “Senior Edy Moncada will also run it for us and he is our middle linebacker on defense. He is not flashy but he is our short yardage buy. Darren Barbain is a talented sophomore that can be special for us. He has a great future.”

The offensive line is young with just one senior in guard Rohan Burnett (5-10, 205). The other guard is sophomore Steve Brown (6-2, 260) while the tackles include junior Joshua Verner (6-1, 265) and Dontrell Burnett (6-2, 340). The center is junior Justin Grandstaff (5-10, 220). Mammoth Tyree Torbert (6-0, 350) is a two-way star.

“Tyee Torbert will play on both sides of the ball for us,” Lewis said. “Offensive line is that position which has been questionable the last few years. We have to get those guys to buy in. They are the most important guys on the team. If there is no offensive line, there is no offense. Verner will be counted on as well.”

The defensive front is led by Torbert and he will be joined by Verner and Burnett, along with senior Dariante Harper (6-4, 200).

“Torbert will play some nose tackle for us,” Lewis said. “Burnett is going to be important for us as well. Harper is a hard working kid who will give us maximum effort.”

Moncada (5-7, 185) leads the corps of linebackers and he is joined by juniors Josiah Dillon (6-1, 210) and Haywood Sutton (5-10, 190).

“Dillon has talent,” Lewis said. “We want to see him realize his potential. Moncada will always play hard.”

The secondary features Slaughter and Batiste, along with senior corner Derrick Green (5-11, 160), along with senior safeties Jon’Quail Parker (5-10, 165) and Kevin Montoya (5-11, 185).

“Batiste will play one corner,” Lewis said. “He doesn’t have the height that you want but he has the fight and the grit. He’s not afraid to battle anybody. Parker will be a solid downhill guy who can tackle but he can also play over the top for us as a versatile performer.”

Junior Ayham Aldash (5-11, 170) is the kicker while junior Sergio Diaz (5-8, 150) is the punter. Parker and Batiste will serve as primary return men.

The schedule opens on the road against KIPP Renaissance on Sept. 5 before the Fighting Irish travel to Lafitte to meet Fisher. Then comes a road game at South Plaquemines.

“I think our pre-district schedule gives us a chance to have some success,” Lewis said. “We need to develop confidence in the program. I am looking at those three teams to push us to the next level and get us ready for district play. It is important to win a game or two early on.”

District 8-5A play opens on Sept. 27 at Bobby Nuss Stadium against Chalmette before King takes on East Jefferson at Joe Yenni Stadium. Week seven is Homecoming at Yenni Stadium against Higgins before the Fighting Irish head to Hoss Memstas Stadium to face West Jefferson.

Week nine finds Grace King at home against John Ehret before the regular season concludes on Nov. 7 against Bonnabel.

“John Ehret has been a team that has gone deep into the playoffs the last few years and they will be very tough,” Lewis said. “Chalmette is a good sound, fundamental team. It is a blessing that we lost Landry-Walker. They were very gifted. If we can be sound and eliminate silly, stupid mistakes.”

Lewis wants to erase one dark constant of Grace King football of recent years.

“I believe we can be competitive,” Lewis said. “I want the 77-7 losses to be a thing of the past. I want the other team to understand that they are in a fight, just as we are in a fight with them.”

While the task is daunting, Grace King may finally settle in with a head coach who will unpack his bags, work hard and do everything in his power to make the Fighting Irish a respected program.