Hillman ready to lead young Marksville squad

After six years on the staff including the last five as offensive coordinator, Jimmie Hillman was promoted to head coach at Marksville, replacing J.T. Dunbar. Hillman has also coached track for the Tigers.

A year ago, Marksville was 3-8, losing in the opening round of the playoffs.

While Marksville has only seven seniors and remains a young team, many of those young players saw action a year ago for the Tigers.

The Tigers return five offensive starters beginning with sophomore Eldrick Murray (5’7, 145) is a two-way performer.

Wide receiver is a good position with a pair of starters returning in sophomores Noah Bryant (5-8, 140) and Caden Evans (5-7, 140).

The tight end spot features a pair of young players in sophomore Caden Flores (6-0, 180) and freshman Clayton Bland (5-8, 180).

Up front, a pair of starters are back, led by sophomore center Nate Terrell (5-10, 220) and junior left guard Chauncey Curtis (5-10, 210). The right guard is sophomore James Jason (5-8, 240) while the tackles are senor James Jordan (5-9, 225) and junior Anthony Griffin (6-1, 305).

The defense is a strong point.

Junior tackle Demerion Dupas (5-11, 280) returns after posting 19 tackles, including two for loss with a blocked field goal a year ago. Joining Dupas are junior Shayne Sampson (6-1, 320) and senior Damon Guillot (5-11, 305), providing the Tigers with one of the biggest fronts in the state.

Junior linebacker Chris Bryant (6-0, 180) was in on 26 tackles last season. Senior Hunter Warren (5-6, 170), junior Matthew Wright (5-4, 150) and freshman Jayce Warren (5-7, 150).

In the secondary, Murray was in on 22 tackles last season. He is joined by seniors John Larimore (5-9, 150) and Cameryn Sampson (5-9, 140) and junior D’andre Williams (5-7, 140).

Another strength of the Tigers is the kicking game, where Larimore (5-7, returns.

The schedule opens at Avoyelles on Sept. 2 before the Tigers entertain Sacred Heart and Grant. A pair of road games follow at Tioga and DeRidder.

District 2-3A play begins at home against Jena on Oct. 7, followed by a road game at Caldwell Parish. The schedule concludes with three straight home games, against Bolton, Buckeye and Bunkie.

With a new head coach, a new approach and outlook and a young team with promise, Marksville should be a playoff team again in 2022.

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