Notre Dame Pios look to return to championship form

For most programs, going 10-3 and reaching the state semifinals is an outstanding season. For Notre Dame, it is just okay. The result is acceptable but not desirable. It’s also not achieving the primary goal or even meeting the lofty expectations for the Pios.

Such is the nature of the program created by legendary coach Lewis Cook, who is poised to reach the elite 400-win level in his illustrious Louisiana prep coaching career this season. Cook would become just the third coach in Louisiana prep football history to reach that magical number, joining J.T. Curtis and Jim Hightower.

Cook has amassed 392 victories in his brilliant 38-year head coaching career which spanned stints at Rayne, Crowley and Notre Dame, where he has spent the last 26 years.

With the Pios, Cook has posted an amazing 292-47 record (86.1 win percentage). That includes four state championships, most recently in 2018.

Since then, the Pioneers have reached the semifinals three straight seasons and in each of those seasons, have fallen short, losing very close games to St. Charles Catholic on each occasion.

The Comets have won the last two Division III state championships on the Select side of the playoffs. In 2019, Notre Dame lost in close fashion to Catholic of New Iberia in the quarterfinals.

Given the excellence of the Notre Dame program under Cook, it is hard to believe that is has been since 2018 that the Pios have reached a state title game.

“We’ve come up a game short three straight times now but we are not hanging our heads,” Cook said. “We know what excellence is and what we want to accomplish. Other schools may have a parade to reach the semifinals but that is not the case here, though I want the young men to understand they did accomplish quite a bit getting to the final four.”

To change that dynamic and return to being a championship program, a young Pios squad must mature quickly in 2023.

Notre Dame returns just four starters from a year ago, including two on offense and two on defense.

While there are many new starters, many are seniors who are ready to fill the void.

“That has been our identity over the years, a lot of seniors and juniors contributing,” Cook said. “We are fortunate that we still have a lot of kids who want to play so we do not have to turn to may freshmen and sophomores. That certainly helps us.”

Offensively, both returning starters are up front in senior guard Matt Brown (6-1, 240) and senior tackle Luke Schultz (6-4, 265). The new starters include senior guard Jack Cassidy (6-1, 245), junior tackle Landon Mouton (6-2, 250) and senior center Collin Lawson (6-0, 220).

“We have a couple of good linemen back and Schultz is a good player,” Cook said. “He started as a sophomore and played late in the season and he had a good season last year. Brown is back and he has good size. We have some experience there.”

The starting quarterback is senior Jackson Link (6-0, 180), who replaces Aiden Mouton, who also starred in baseball.. Link saw some playing time a year ago.

“Link had to come in and start last year after Mouton got hurt and he got great experience starting four or five games last year,” Cook said.

The new tailback is senior Joe Quebodeaux (5-9, 190) who was solid a year ago in supporting Jake Brouillette.

“Joe got valuable experience last year and we roll in a number of tailbacks,” Cook said. “That has been our approach and it has been successful. We spread the wealth as much as possible. His father, Brian, was a star for us.”

Senior Ben Rosinski (5-11, 170) starts at fullback.

The wide receiver position graduated Teddy Menard and Grady Faulk. New starters include junior flanker Leyton Faul (5-10, 160), along with senior split end Jacob Trahan (6-0, 180). The tight end is senior Hayden Johnson (5-11, 205).

“Jacob is a big body and he will be similar to what Grady Faulk was for us last year,” Cook said. “You have to work hard to go through him to get to the ball. Faul gives us speed and quickness and he is a former quarterback for us, a good athlete. We will count on him for big plays. Johnson is strong and he is smart and will help our running game.”

Defensively, senior tackle Sam Kirsch (6-2, 230) and junior outside linebacker Jackson Casanova (6-1, 205) are the returning starters.

Up front, senior Christian Patin (5-10, 200) joins Kirsch at tackle while seniors Jack Guidry (6-1, 180) and Walker Venable (5-10, 170) will man the end spots.

“Sam started last year and he is Brandon Stokley’s nephew,” Cook said. “He is a solid player with size and he made a lot of plays last year.”

Joining Casanova on the second level are junior William Prevost (6-0, 190) at middle linebacker and senior Keefer Kelbaugh (6-0, 175) on the strong side. Prevost is a striker, a good tackler.

“Casanova started every game and was our leading tackler last year,” Cook said. “He is just a good player. He is Tommy’s great nephew. His father, J.T., was an outstanding middle linebacker for us.”

The secondary features all new starters, including senior Jaiden Andrepont (5-7, 155) and junior Keegan Semmes (6-0, 160) at the corners while senior Luke Privat (5-11, 160) and junior Eli Gros (5-9, 150) are the safeties.

“The secondary is our biggest concern,” Cook said. “Gros is good but he has been nursing some hamstring issues this summer. He can do good things for us at safety. Andrepont played a little last year. Josh Hebert will also play for us and he has come along.”

The kicking game remains uncertain heading into August, a concern for Cook.

“We are not sure about our kicker yet,” Cook said. “We have had tryouts. It is a concern.”

The Pios open on the road against a very good 5A school in Southside before hosting St. Martinville and Comeaux. Another tough road game follows at Teurlings Catholic.

“The big thing is that it’s hard to schedule,” Cook said. “We get turned down a lot by teams that we should be playing. It is a challenging schedule early. You do get good competition and power points and that is important for us.”

After an off week, Notre Dame begins District 5-2A play at home against Lake Arthur. After traveling to Vinton, the Pios travel to Vinton before closing at home against DeQuincy and Grand Lake. It is a bit of a weaker league overall which the Pios have dominated.

“We have to continue to focus on getting better in district games,” Cook said. “It is all about the big picture and preparing for the playoffs.”

Though only four starters return, with 16 seniors slated to start, the Pios figure to capture another district championship and you certainly cannot dismiss the Pios in the conversation for a state championship in what should be a special season for Cook, one of the best to ever coach prep football in Louisiana.

“The number 400 is just a number but I realize only two others have done it,” Cook said. “It is certainly special, understanding the history. I remember being eight wins from 200. I was working on the field at the time when someone called me at that time. I am still working on the field. It has been a wonderful ride. To share the company of J.T. Curtis and Jim Hightower would be pretty neat.”

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