Newman looks to continue high level of football success

Entering his 21st year at his alma and his 14th as head coach, Nelson Stewart has seen the vast history and success of the Isidore Newman Greenies over an extended period of time.

For the second straight year, Newman reached the Division III semifinals in 2018, falling to the eventual state champion for a second consecutive season.

“You appreciate the last two years going 22-3 overall and we’ve seen a lot of growth in the program,” Stewart said. “We have been in the semifinals three times in six years now. We have prepared well to get that far. The fact that we have gotten that far several times prepares us to try to get to the next game. We continue to focus on our deficiencies and get better. I think we’re closer to getting there.”

Newman has had quite a run of quarterbacks over the past several years, including Jay Tyler, Eli Sterbcow, Myles Lapeyre and Martin Butcher, who is now at Georgetown.

“I’ve been incredibly blessed to have outstanding quarterbacks, including Wes Luquette,” Stewart said. “We have really involved with each signal caller. They were all great. They were really good players and tremendous kids. All had their own individual strengths. We have had a great legacy here at that position, including Peyton and Eli Manning. Martin broke all of our passing records.”

While the Greenies graduated key players in Butcher, Murray Calhoun, Liam Rowan, TJ Bush, Bobby Moore Tyson Forde and Preston Schnell, the cupboard is far from bare.

The Greenies have a pair of solid quarterbacks poised to fill the shoes of Butcher in senior Beau Adams (6-2, 190) and freshman Arch Manning (6-2, 175).

“The biggest thing is to evaluate the position,” Stewart said. “Beau has had a phenomenal summer. He is a tremendous wide receiver. He could play in the secondary. Both he and Arch have been outstanding. They both show a lot of talent and potential. Beau is a selfless leader and he has a great relationship with Arch. We have to remember that Arch is just a freshman. They are both very good. If we have to use two, we can, though we would like to settle on one.”

Manning had a big spring game against Archbishop Shaw and has a great future. He is already attracting substantial attention from college recruiters while Adams has waited patiently for his opportunity.

Both will have the luxury of throwing to talented senior Jarmone Sutherland (5-11, 175). Sutherland has a host of college offers, including from Tulane, Navy, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Princeton, South Alabama, Air Force and Southern. A year ago, Sutherland caught 75 passes for 1,353 yards and 24 touchdowns, a single season school record.

“We had two receivers who had 1,300 or more yards last year with Calhoun and Jarmone,” Stewart said. “Jarmone is dominant and that is an understatement. He is our leader now. He has great burst, runs well after the catch, can high point the ball, runs precision routes and blocks well. He will likely leave here with a lot of school records. He is a three-year starter.”

Junior John Charbonnet (5-11, 170) also returns at receiver. Charbonnet caught 15 passes for 133 yards and three scores last season. The other receivers include senior William Picou (6-2, 185) and junior Walker Reynolds (6-0, 165).

The tight end spot will be manned by senior James Downing (5-11, 190) and freshman Will Randle (6-2, 210).

The running backs include junior Joseph Pleasant (5-9, 200) and senior Jackson Koerner (5-11, 185).

“We had Bush last year who was a multi-purpose guy,” Stewart said. “Pleasant was our second leading rusher a year ago. He is a bruising downhill runner but he has speed and can block. Jackson has size and he can run well. He is a centerfielder in baseball. Sophomore Jack Robert is a third guy who could contribute. He is not as big but has quickness.”

The offensive line features a solid senior in Hunter Gomilla (6-3, 200) at tackle while the other tackle returns as well in senior Carson Oliver (6-1, 200). The center position is a competition between sophomores Watson Scriber (6-2, 200) and Hale Martin (5-10, 190). The guards are juniors Ben Oliphant (6-2, 280) and Colin Dorion (6-2, 290).

“What we like about our offensive line is that both of our tackles return,” Stewart said. “Both are good pass protectors. We are big at guard. Scriber is likely to be our starter at center. Our focus is on running the ball. What we’ve seen in the weight room lends itself well to doing so.”

The defense has experience and ability.

Up front, senior defensive end Brandon Williams (6-3, 220) has a host of SEC offers from the likes of Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee, along with Miami and Tulane, among others. Williams had 17 tackles, including four sacks a year ago in just four games as he was injured much of the season.

On the other side, senior James Downing (5-10, 195) returns. Downing was outstanding in 2018 with 63 tackles, including 13 for loss and seven sacks.

“Our front seven is where we are best,” Stewart said. “Having Brandon Williams healthy is huge. He can really run and plays with great leverage and burst. He is a dominant edge player. Downing was really good for us a year ago.”

On the inside, junior Josh Koeppell (5-10, 205) is back after recording 43 tackles, including eight for loss and four sacks last season. He will be joined by freshman Ramaj Waiters (5-10, 200).

“Koeppell is a good player and can hit,” Stewart said.

There is experience at linebacker as well, led by seniors Wade Politz (5-11, 195) and Reese Andrews (5-9, 195). Politz had 66 tackles, including 11 for loss with a sack a year ago. Andrews recorded 30 tackles and had an interception last season. Senior John Huger (6-0, 185) will join them in the starting lineup.

“Politz and Andrews should be quite good for us,” Stewart said. “We have good tacklers at linebacker. We have strength and athleticism which gives us the ability to do different things up front.”

The secondary is led by junior Sterling Scott (5-10, 175). Scott had 26 tackles and a pair of interceptions in 2018. Junior Penn McCay (5-10, 170) will join Scott, along with seniors Dylon Guillen (5-11, 165) and Cole Herrington (6-0, 165), who will also handle kicking duties.

“Sterling Scott has played safety and corner for us,” Stewart said. “Guillen has started some games for us and he is a senior now. We lost some key players from last year but we think we have guys who can fill the spots. We still have position battles and there is still room for growth.”

The schedule opens at Michael Lupin Field against Lusher on Sept. 6 before the Greenies travel to face Bonnabel. Newman is home in week three against East Jefferson.

“Lusher is right around the corner for us and we have faced them in jamborees for years,” Stewart said. “I think they will be much improved. They were young last year. Coach Brett Bonnaffons has done a nice job at Bonnabel already. They will be better. East Jefferson is a very physical team.”

Then comes Country Day on Sept. 27 at Lupin Field before the Greenies host KIPP-Booker T. Washington. After traveling to St. Thomas Aquinas, the Greenies host Riverside on Oct. 18.

“We will continue to play Country Day,” Stewart said. “We have split them the last four years. They are very good and Justin Ibieta is as good as you will find in the area at quarterback. Coach Wayne Reese is building a very good program at KIPP-Booker T. Washington,” Stewart said. “We will continue to play Riverside, though they are not in our league.”

District play begins with a road trip to always tough St. Charles Catholic follows before Newman closes the regular season against Cohen and South Plaquemines.

“St. Charles Catholic comes into the league and they are really good, as always,” Stewart said. “Cohen is on the rise and made the playoffs last year. South Plaquemines was young last year and will be better.”

With an excellent, seasoned defense and skill on offense, it is easy to see Newman getting back to the semifinals in Division III in 2018. Can the Greenies finally break through to get to the title game for the first time? That is a question that Stewart, Newman fans and alumni would love to answer in the affirmative. It is certainly possible.

“We are so focused on each and every week,” Stewart said. “Our theme is to dominant the moment, dominate the day. To get to the championship game, it is all about getting better every week. We are motivated, not having been to the title game. You learn from experience. We have gotten deep into the playoffs. Now, it is time to try to break through that barrier.”