Mulhern ready to lead charge at St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Thomas Aquinas has had a successful football program. As recently as 2021, the Falcons won eight games and they posted a winning record in 2020.

Shane Mulhern takes over the program after the Falcons went 3-8 last season, falling in the playoffs to Loyola Prep.

Most recently, Mulhern was the defensive coordinator at St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

“We have a great group of seniors with the culture we’re trying to build,” Mulhern said. “They are multi-sport kids and very competitive. The season is really in their hands. The focus is on how we do things, not necessarily what.”

The Falcons graduated some fine players in Austin Davis, Kendrick Sims, Gaige Truxillo and Darius Vaughn.

Leading the way offensively is senior Kendrell Perry (6-1, 210), who mans the fullback spot and will also play linebacker.

“Perry is a great kid and we expect big things from him,” Mulhern said. “He took his development very seriously. He has next-level speed and power. We will rely on him on both sides of the ball. He can do it all.”

The new quarterback is senior Justin Domiano (5-9, 170), a star baseball player for the Falcons who is committed to play baseball at Southeastern Louisiana.

“Justin is a first-year football player,” Mulhern said. “I was able to get him out. He’s a great athlete who moves very well. We feel as he continues to get acclimated to the position, he will be outstanding. He has definitely won over the team as a leader. He’s a hard-working young men with athletic qualities that will make him a threat in the run game. We’re excited about him.”

The wing backs are senior Cace Reed (5-8, 150) and junior Clifton Bonds (5-9, 165).

“Reed is awesome,” Mulhern said. “He is our bell-cow. He is special with how hard he competes. He is a playmaker with elite speed. He is electric. Bonds is a kid who has had an unbelievable offseason. He’s physical and runs hard and has a great future.

At tight end, senior Braden Bovie (5-0, 180) is back and he is solid.

“Bovie is a first-year player for us, another stellar baseball player for us,” Mulhern said. “He is dedicated.”

The wide receiver is senior Cayden Cuti (5-9, 165).

“Cuti has amazing hands and great speed,” Mulhern said.

Up front, two-way star Lincoln Crouch (6-1, 220) is a stalwart offensively and defensively. He is joined by junior Juan Triste at tackle, junior Brady Mendez and junior Mason Craft at the guard spots and senior Ryan Jackson at center.

The defensive line features Crouch and his brother, sophomore Brody Crouch and Craft.

“Our defensive line has immense physicality and speed,” Mulhern said. That will be a strength. Our offensive line is young and new. It is an unproven but very intelligent group. They care about techniques and the little things.”

At linebacker, Domiano is joined by Cuti, and returning starters in junior Deshaud Sheridan (6-0, 220) and Jermaine Spencer and junior Brock Beaudean (5-10, 165).

“Our linebackers are hybrid-types,” Mulhern said. “I’m really excited about Sheridan. He totally transformed his body this offseason. Perry will see action there as well. Jax Peterman is also competing for a starting job.”

The secondary features Reed, Bonds and sophomore Kaiden Dennis (6-0, 150).

“Reed is a great player for us defensively while Dennis is the boundary corner and we are excited about him,” Mulhern said. “He’s a superb basketball player for us. Bonds is a good athlete.

Reed is the punter while senior Jonathan Bickford is the kicker.

The schedule has just four home games with the Falcons opening at home against Riverside Academy Sept. 1, followed by three straight road games at Episcopal, Ponchatoula and Loranger. The final non-district home game is against Archbishop Hannan.

“It is a great character-building opportunity with our non-district games,” Mulhern said. “Our preparation and commitment to excellence will certainly be tested early. These are very tough opponents. It will be a test for our culture.”

District 7-2A play opens at home against Pope John Paul II before road games at St. Helena, Northlake Christian and Independence. The final game of the season is home against Springfield.

“I think the league will be competitive,” Mulhern said. “I think teams are finding their identity. Independence has a new, well respected head coach in Travis Michael. You cannot take any game lightly. Northlake Christian is solid, the one to shoot for. Pope John Paul and St. Helena are solid.”

The success of the 2023 Falcons depends on how quickly they adapt to a new coach and how quickly young players find their way to support the veterans on hand.

“We will do things the right way and we believe we will be very competitive this year,” Mulhern said. “It is a group of young men working hard to get the job done. I feel this team will re-write the identity of STA football, to re-write the story with a platform to do some very special things. We should contend for the district championship. I believe we have the personnel to do that if we stay healthy.”

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