Loranger, Thomas Jefferson, De La Salle picks to win New Orleans area Class 3A districts

In District 7-3A, Sam Messina’s Loranger Wolves are the pick, dropping down from Class 4A.

Loranger has 24 seniors with 15 starters returning. Loranger has an all-district quarterback returning in senior DJ Hookfin, an excellent senior receiver in Luke Colona, who is also an all-state punter and an all-state center in senior Tanner Armstrong. Senior Dejuan Carter is a good receiver as well. Alex Williams is an all-district running back. Defensively, sophomore linebacker Shawn Toefield is an all-districr performer and Ladarius Gordon is a good two-way lineman. Blaine Westmoreland has experience returning at Albany from a team that went 9-2 a year ago.

St. Thomas Aquinas transfer Brad Lewis is a fine running back while Tyree Callahan is a top defender. Jackson Fazio is the quarterback and Jewel Rheams is a top receiver.

In 9-3A, three teams have a real shot at winning the title, including Thomas Jefferson, Sci Academy/Abramson and KIPP Renaissance. The Jaguars get the nod in a very close call.

Senior Arlen Williams is a fine quarterback and free safety for the Jaguars while seniors Kevin Stevenson and Donovan Gibson are solid at running back and linebacker, respectively. Senior Darnevon Camille gets it done at running back and cornerback. Up front, Jakobi DOublass, Peyton Mitchell and Edgar Vallery are good players.

KIPP Renaissance gets the nod for second in 9-3A. The Bobcats of Corey McCloud have a good athlete in Justin Ratliff at quarterback. He has a good receiver in senior Cedric Williams. Freshman corner Lawrence Joiner has a very bright future. Earnest Pate and Charles Dean are good up front on each side of the ball, respectively.

District 10-3A may be the toughest league in the entire class. St. James is a brilliant team with a chance to make a run at a 3A state title. Donaldsonville has good athletes. Lusher is a solid team and Haynes is competitive. That said, De La Salle and St. Charles Catholic simply look too good.

The Cavaliers have a senior quarterback in Julien Gums while sophomore Kendall Collins is quick at tailback. Senior lineman Jeremiah James is a physical presence. Defensively, Tulane commit Jamiran James is very tough up front while Lance Robinson is superb in the deep.

St. Charles Catholic is equally good with Lloyd Nash at quarterback, along with Narquez Jones and Phillip Tran at running back. Four starters return up front. Defensively, senior linebacker Dellary Oubre is excellent while Trey Joseph will shine in the secondary.

7-3A
1) Loranger
2) Albany
3) Archbishop Hannan
4) Jewel Sumner
5) Bogalusa

9-3A
1) Thomas Jefferson
2) KIPP Renaissance
3) Sci Academy-Abramson
4) Sophie B. Wright
5) Cohen

10-3A
1) De La Salle
2) St. Charles Catholic
3) St. James
4) Lusher
5) Donaldsonville
6) Haynes