Haynes looks to improve on rough season

It was not quite the season Ben Powell was seeking in 2022. He has done a solid job at Cohen and now at Haynes Academy.

Neither school has been known for its football prowess but the Yellow Jackets have been and can be competitive, despite going 2-7 a year ago. That is the goal for the 2023 season. To accomplish it, Powell’s squad will have to see a few young players mature as the season progresses.

Haynes has moved into the former Grace King High School facilities, and the size and quality of their new home with upgrades should provide a boost to the program.

The Yellow Jackets have just four seniors, though there is a strong junior class of players who have started since they were freshmen.

“We have an abnormally small senior class,” Powell said. “The last year or two, a couple injuries here and there put is in peril, forcing us to play very young players. Fortunately, they have played for a while now and have a lot of experience. We have a lot of buys back. We had a good offseason. We feel good about where we are.”

The quarterback situation is a battle for the starting job.

Sophomore Trent Helwig (5-11, 180) started a couple of games last season. Junior Dom Patella (5-9, 170) converted from the secondary.

“We have two guys who will split time in the jamboree and we will name a starter then,” Powell said. “Helwig is the pure quarterback while Patella is a very good athlete who is dynamic. We will take a good look at both and have a starter for the start of the regular season.”

Haynes has an excellent running back returning in junior Lachlen Claverie (6-0, 185). Claverie was outstanding in 2022, rushing for 720 yards and accumulating 187 yards receiving. Junior Nick Rodriguez (5-7, 155) gives the Yellow Jackets a solid 1-2 punch. Rodriguez doubles as a starting defensive end.

“Claverie has been a starter since he was a freshman,” Powell said. “He’s played a lot of positions for us. He is big in the weight room. He’s tough and physical and will split time with Rodriguez who is more of a scat-back. Both will play defense.”

The wide receiver position features senior Payton Drumm (5-10, 140), a returning starter, who is joined by junior Anthony Pedalino (5-9, 140). Drumm also starts at defensive back.

“Drumm has started for three years and Pedalino is solid,” Powell said.

Both tight ends return in junior Logan Breaux (6-1, 170) and sophomore Sam Adams (5-11, 175).

“Breaux is a hybrid type of player with very good hands,” Powell said.

Up front, the Yellow Jackets have a pair of excellent two-way players in senior Ben So (6-2, 275) and junior Trey Burns (6-1, 300). Another returning starter who starts on the offensive and defensive lines is senior Kirby Mueller (5-11, 185), who also starts at linebacker. A fourth starter in junior Alex Melton also returns on offense. The only new starter is sophomore Takoda Lirette.

“We have a lot of two-way guys and a lot of kids who have played a lot up front,” Powell said. “We have three guys that we will depend on in So, Burns and Mueller. So has started since he was a freshman, as has Burns while Mueller has started since his sophomore year. We finally have a little depth.”

The defensive line also features a returning starter in senior Travis Henry (6-0, 275). The other defensive end is sophomore Noah Hern (6-1, 185).

“Henry started for us last year and he is a wrestler for our school,” Powell said. “He’s good with his hands and feet and we’re excited about him. Hern was injured last year in the preseason and missed the entire year. He will make a big impact this year. He is rangy and pretty fast.”

Junior Stamatis Gamvrogianias (6-1, 190) is the other linebacker, along with sophomore Carter Sternburger (5-8, 170).

“Those guys will be in the rotation and we have good mix of experience,” Powell said.

A returning starter in the secondary is junior Andrew Nugent (5-8, 165). The other two starters in the deep are sophomore William Martz (5-9, 170) and freshman Brady Cribby (5-10, 165). Asante Williams (5-10, 175) will also play.

“Cribby and Williams have played since eighth grade,” Powell said. “Nugent and Martz will also be counted on.”

The schedule opens at Springfield before consecutive home games with West St. Mary and East Jefferson. The annual Magnet Bowl is next on the West Bank against Thomas Jefferson before a road game at Jewel Sumner.

“There are challenges early and we did it on purpose,” Powell said. “East Jefferson is a 5A school, the biggest on the East Bank. Jewel Sumner is a solid program. Thomas Jefferson is a huge rival. West St. Mary has a new coach We replaced Grace King with that program. Springfield is a good gauge for us. They are always physical.”

District 9-3A play begins at Sophie B. Wright before a home game with Sarah T. Reed. Another tough contest with John F. Kennedy follows before the Yellow Jackets host Livingston Collegiate and Patrick Taylor to conclude the regular season.

“I think the league is probably going to stack up to the way it did last year,” Powell said. “John F. Kennedy is still the class with a big squad and a lot of talent. Sophie B. Wright gets stronger every year. Livingston has a ton of good players with numbers. Patrick Taylor is a developing rivalry. We had a down to the wire game last year. Sarah Reed is a developing, growing program.”

With solid experience returning, the Yellow Jackets figure to improve on last season’s win total if they can avoid significant injuries.

“Our goal is to make the playoffs and win a playoff game,” Powell said.

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