John Curtis Christian primed to repeat in 2019

One of the oldest axioms overused in modern dialogue is that the only things guaranteed in life are death and taxes.

In Louisiana High School football, there is also the certainty that John Curtis Christian will play for a state championship.

The Patriots have won 27 state championships on the field since 1975 and they have played in the championship game 36 times over a 44 year period, an amazing feat.

Still, there was some question as to whether the John Curtis dynasty was fading.

Since moving up to the state’s highest classification in 2014, the Patriots had not won a title since taking the Division II title on the field in 2013.

Were the Patriots vulnerable, diminishing as the most powerful program in the state?

Any notion of that thought process disappeared into thin air in 2018 as John Curtis marched through 13 straight opponents undefeated, culminating with a 49-7 demolition of Catholic High of Baton Rouge in the Division I state title game, avenging a loss to the Bears in the 2017 Division I title game.

“It was a good season with a good win against a good team in the Superdome,” J.T. Curtis said. “You try to keep things in perspective. Playing for a state championship, you have to realize that you are playing against the best. Finishing second is not the worst thing in the world. Winning is the goal but you never want to feel like you failed if you fall short in a championship game. What we are trying to do is to teach kids lessons for life.”

J.T. Curtis is a member of the National High School Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame. He continues to build his resume. He is far and away the winningest coach in Louisiana prep football history with 582 wins and ranks second in the nation in victories. His 90 percent win percentage is simply awesome.

While the Patriots had not won a state title in five years until last season, Curtis has won the storied Catholic League three consecutive seasons, going unbeaten in the process against excellent competition.

Going into the 2019 season, the Patriots are most certainly the favorite to win the league once again and are the favorite to repeat as Division I state championships.

John Curtis returns 14 starters from a year ago, including electrifying performers on offense where eight starters are back.

“I think our kids embrace the expectations and the challenge,” Curtis said. “One of the things we are most pleased with is that it has been an excellent summer with the work that has been put in. We have players back that were successful last year. They have not let success go to their heads. They have worked hard. It’s not always about having returning starters but about the attitude of those returning to show a willingness to improve and they have shown that.”

Senior Collin Guggenheim (5-11, 185) returns at quarterback. Guggenheim led the Patriots in rushing with 1,128 yards and 15 touchdowns and in passing with 1,096 yards and 10 touchdown a year ago. He has started games for the Patriots since his freshman season. Guggenheim has committed to play college football at Army.

“He brings every attribute to the table,” Curtis said. “He is highly competitive and wants to well. He understands the game. He is an invaluable part of our offense. The attraction to Army is the offense that they run which is similar to what we do. He will be a great fit to win with his ability and character. We count on him to get us in and out of bad plays. If we call a bad play, he can change it. Not everyone can do that instinctively. He does an excellent job at that.”

Senior Speedster Corey Wren (5-10, 180) returns as a big-play threat in the backfield. Wren rushed 82 times for 886 yards and 10 touchdowns last season and is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball. Senior Shane Goins returns as well and is another player capable of scoring on any play. He rushed 47 times for 325 yards and eight scores a year ago.

“Corey and Shane are both very talented and will help us fill the gap for losing some good backs from last season,” Curtis said. “They will be asked to step in and fill a big role. We don’t have the big power back but we have speed that people will have to contend with. Both are not afraid to run it up inside, either. Either can make a big play anytime he touches the ball>”

Senior Joel Taylor (5-11, 175) returns to anchor the receiving corps. Taylor led the Patriots with 12 catches for 298 yards and five touchdowns in 2018. Sophomore Javon Davis (6-0, 170) also returns. As a talented freshman, Davis caught nine passes for 203 yards and a score in 2018. Junior Josh Dudenhoeffer will also see action on the outside.

“Joel really came into his own toward the latter part of the season last year,” Curtis said. “He began to excel and we expect big things out of him this season.”

Senior tight end Conner Orgeron (6-0, 215) also returns and is an asset in the run game. He had four catches for 64 yards last season.

“Orgeron was a guy that grew into the position as the season progressed,” Curtis said. “He was always a physical kid but he really developed as a receiver, making some big catches late in the season that helped us win games. He is a real asset in the play-action pass game.”

The offensive line is strong and outstanding.

Four starters return, including seniors Robert Pizzolatto (6-3, 290), Joe Dalferes (6-1, 300) and Rudolph Bolds (6-0, 290). Junior John Drake (6-2, 275) also returns. A host of young players will compete for the fifth spot and will provide depth.

“It is a good offensive line,” Curtis said. “Both tackles, a center and a guard are back with our tight end. They have experience and work well together. We have nice size. There is a lot of pressure on offensive linemen to get big. You don’t have to be 300 pounds to be a really effective player. They have don a good job of maintaining weight and gaining strength.”

Six starters are back on defense and like on offense, the Patriots will be strong up front.

Senior Angelo Anderson (6-3, 245) is outstanding. Anderson started as a sophomore at defensive tackle and started last season at outside linebacker, recording 61 tackles, including 11 sacks. He can play up front or at linebacker. Junior Elinus Noel (6-2, 325) is back as well and he is a physical force and quick for his size. Joey

“We will be good on the edges and we have returning players back in the middle,” Curtis said. “It is a solid front.

At linebacker, senior Matt Jayne (5-10, 210) is back after a big junior year. Jayne led Curtis in tackles with 84 a year ago. Hezekiah White will also be called upon and he has experience from last year. Senior Marquis Martin, who sat out last year due to transfer rules, will also shine.

“We need to develop a little depth on our defensive front but if our starters stay healthy in the front seven, we will have a good defense,” Curtis said.

The secondary is a real strength.

Junior Caleb Spann (5-10, 180) is back playing in his third season and can play anywhere in the secondary. Senior Dante Thomas (6-0, 160) led the Patriots with four interceptions a year ago and he is an excellent cover corner. Juniors Jourdan Stipe (5-11, 175) and Collin Morgan (5-9, 175) also return.

“We have good cover guys in the secondary which allows us to take a little more chance with the blitz,” Curtis said. “They will also do a nice job in the run game being physical. It is a good combination of skill. We have experience and talent in the deep. We can be creative whereas in other years, we have not been able to do so at times. It will be a real plus for us.”

The kicking game is solid as well with senior Austin McCready (6-1, 170) back to handle kicking and punting duties. McCready was a perfect 10-of-10 on field goal attempts with a long of 43 yards. McCready also averaged 40 yards per punt with 15 of his punts being downed inside the 20-yard line. His longest punt was 58 yards. Wren returns to anchor the return game.

“McCready is excellent,” Curtis said. “We have confidence kicking the ball inside 50 yards. His punting is a game-changer for us, flipping the field. We anticipate the same thing this year. He has really been a weapon for us. He is a kicker that can make a difference.”

The schedule is once again daunting.

Curtis opens against three-time defending Class 4A state champion Karr before traveling to Shreveport to face powerful Westlake High of Georgia in the Battle on the Border.

District 9-5A play begins on Sept. 28 against St. Augustine at Tad Gormley Stadium. After a second open week, the Patriots travel to Marrero to face Archbishop Shaw before Curtis takes on Jesuit. Curtis will battle Holy Cross on Oct. 25 at Gormley before hosting Archbishop Rummel on Nov. 2 at Joe Yenni Stadium. The regular season finale is against Brother Martin on Nov. 8 at Yulman Stadium.

“The whole objective is to have the best season you can have and you do that by testing your team with tough competition,” Curtis said. “We try to do that annually and we are doing that this year against Karr, Westlake and the teams in our league. We will play against every different style. As a result, we will not see anything new in the playoffs. It gives you a chance to make adjustments in the process.”

Curtis has enjoyed the association with The Catholic League.

“Playing in our league has been a good experience,” Curtis said. “We have won but it has been highly competitive. Our league has well coached teams with good followings and good players.”

The Patriots will only play eight regular season games, barring any change, as Curtis continues to have trouble scheduling opponents, a direct result of the enormous success of the program.

“We are working on filling our fifth playing date,” Curtis said. “It would be an out-of-state team. It would be frustrating to have just eight games. We really feel we can add the ninth game and that is important. I really hope that our association (LHSAA) can find a way to bring people back together as one. We need to reconsider where we are now. We can help ourselves in the process.”

While the schedule is daunting for the Patriots, it is perhaps more daunting for opponents of Curtis. Simply put, the Patriots have no perceivable weakness. With outstanding, experienced players and a Hall of Fame coach, the sky is the limit in 2019.