Kaplan ready for breakout season with experienced squad

It has been a building process.

Entering his third season, Kaplan head coach Cory Brodie is poised to return the Pirates to winning ways as they search for their first winning season since 2019.

The pieces appear to be in place.

While solid players in Caden Campisi, Landon Cheek, Raef Painter and Ethyn Vigneaux have graduated, there are a host of key players returning.

Kaplan is an extremely experienced team, returning 16 starters from last season.

That includes seven on offense, though there is a new starting quarterback in sophomore Sabe David (5-11, 175).

David has a solid running game to lean on with all three running backs returning, including senior wing back Jedd Devoltz (6-0, 230), junior running back Daylon Landry (5-7, 165) and junior fullback Bradyn Bearb (5-10, 195), who rushed for 650 yards as a two-way starter and was a second team All-District choice.

Senior wide receiver Andre Marceaux (5-8, 147) returns as well.

The offensive line features two returning starters, as well as a returning starter at tight end. The tight end is junior Carter Petry (6-3, 230) while the returning linemen are junior center Zach Marceaux (5-8, 190) and junior tackle Isaac Saltzman (5-11, 255). Petry is a college prospect. Petry had 380 receiving yards in 2022 as a second team All-District player while Marceaux was also a second team All-District pick.

The new starters include sophomore tackle Kevin Small (6-1, 277), along with senior guard Talen Fruge (5-9, 227) and junior guard Hayes Broussard (5-11, 200).

While the offense is experienced the Kaplan defense is even more experienced with nine starters returning.

That includes the entire defensive front in junior nose guard Wyatt Bourque (6-1, 180), junior defensive end Remy Broussard (6-2, 235) and Devoltz at the other end spot.

A trio of starting linebackers return, led by Bearb, Broussard and junior Dane Frick (5-9, 165). Frick was a first-team All-District performer last season with 92 tackles to lead the Pirates.

A trio of starters are back in the secondary as well, including safeties Grant Stelly (5-8, 152 Sr.) and junior Coy Terro (5-8, 138). Senior Javarion Landry (6-0, 151) is back at one corner spot while the other corner is junior Gunnar Bourque (5-10, 145).

Kicking duties will be handled by sophomore Gannon Smith and freshman Kodi Clemet.

The schedule opens at North Vermilion before the Pirates host Berwick. Home games with LaGrange and Rayne follow before a road game with Beau Chene.

District 5-3A play begins at home against Crowley before a road game at Erath. Home games with St. Martinville and Church Point precede the regular season finale at Abbeville.

With a very experienced team, expect Kaplan to reach the playoffs with a chance to advance.

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