Plaquemine ready to battle for top honors in strong district

In 2017, District 6-4A under went some changes as the first year of the two-year LHSAA classification cycle. Two schools moved out of the district when Belaire moved up to Class 5A and Livonia was moved to a Lafayette-based 4A district.

Plaquemine High had been district champions each season since 2013 and experienced much success during those years.

A pair of schools which moved into the district last season were previous 3A powerhouses Lutcher and Parkview Baptist. A loss to the latter cost the Green Devils another district title, and a surprising first round playoff loss to Belle Chasse put somewhat of a damper on a 8-3 season.

In their efforts to regain the district title, Plaquemine will rely on an experienced offense with eight starters back in the fold.

Herb Thomas, a 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior, returns to take snaps from senior center Zaylen Bouvay (6-0, 280), a first team all district selection last year.

“We look to rebuild this year as its a rebuilding year for us,” Plaquemine head coach Paul Distefano explained. “We have a veteran offensive line that will help to teach the others our system here.”

Senior tackle Brockhim Wicks (6-2, 310) was a second team all district pick. The guards, O’Darius Jackson (5-11, 265) Marquise Brown (5-10 245), are also seniors. The other starter up front is junior tackle Dalen Sanders (6-0, 285).

Senior wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (6-3, 208) had 12 catches for 212 yards receiving in 2017. Carnell Scott (6-0 255, Sr.) starts at tight end.

Melvin McClay (5-8, 165), a junior, had 48 rushes for 449 yards and two touchdowns last season. He’s joined in the back field by seniors Earl Young (5-7, 142) and Dallas Ropari (5-10, 180).

The Green Devils bring back five starters on a defense led by senior linebacker Herman Christophe (6-0, 230), a first team all district performer with 52 tackles (29 solo and 23 assists) and a sack last season.

Other key contributors include senior J’Vonte Powers (5-10, 175), a second team all district at defensive back as a junior with 40 tackles and four interceptions.

The rest of the returning starters include linebacker De’Vonte Russ (5-9, 180 Sr.) with cornerbacks Vincent Collins (5-11, 165 Sr.) and Khamoran Riley (6-0, 175 Sr.).

The rest of the defense includes defensive tackle Cullen Scott (6-2, 290 Jr.) with ends Kenneth Smith (5-11, 211 Sr.) and Dekelon Dupuy (5-8, 220 Soph.) up front. The other linebackers are Montreal Robertson (5-11, 200 Sr.) and Christian Jenkins (5-11, 185 Sr.). The other starter in the second dary is Anthony Collins (5-10, 155 Sr.).

The Plaquemine special teams will feature three kickers and one punter.

Seth Landry (6-2, 141 Sr.) handles the field goals while Shiban Alheidari (5-6, 120 Soph.) kicks the extra points. Nick Devillier (6-3, 285 Sr.) handles both kickoffs and the punting duties.

The Green Devils will open the season by travelling down the river to face East St John before opening the home slate in week two against their intra-parish rivals, the Port Allen Pelicans.

Plaquemine travels across the Atchafalaya Basin to Lafayette to battle St. Thomas More for a fourth straight season. Week four will see Plaquemine host the reigning Class 1A State Champions, West St John. Another home test follows when the Ouachita Lions return last year’s Green Devil trip to Monroe.

Distict play for Plaquemine opens with their homecoming game versus Tara. Then comes perhaps the key clash in league play against Parkview Baptist in Plaquemine.

St. Michael hosts the Green devils in Baton Rouge in week eight followed by a home contest against Woodlawn. To close out the regular season, Plaquemine will travel to face what is expected to be a revitalized Lutcher.

“We have a tough schedule with the non-district games against St. Thomas More, West St John and Ouachita as tests before district,” said Distefano. “Our district is tough again this year with strong teams like Parkview and Lutcher as foes again this year.”

Although Distefano tempers expectations early in the year, the Plaquemine goals remain at the same lofty standards as usual.

“We look to make a run deep in the playoffs as we are accustomed to,” Distefano said.

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