Riverside tops Crescent City Sports Class 2A preseason football rankings

Coming off of a state championship season, Riverside Academy appears poised for another state championship run in 2017.

While there will be several teams that will threaten in Division III, the Rebels are most certainly the favorite to repeat and are the best team in the Class 2A enrollment class.

Here are our top 10 teams in 2A, regardless of classification:

1) Riverside–While Bill Stubbs is gone, Chris Lachney is solid and has a wealth of talent returning, including quarterback Jordan Loving and running back Jeremy Gibson. Jared Butler is a brilliant athlete while Jalen Banks is a real threat at wide receiver. Defensively, linebacker Jared Hymel is outstanding, Garland Robertson is a top defensive back and Zach Gieger returns as well. The Rebels have size, though they face a monstrous schedule.

2) Amite–The Warriors make the step down from 3A and that is bad news for all teams in 2A. Ishmael Sopsher is a terror up front on defense. Senior V.J. Carroll provides speed as a receiver. Zephaniah Powell has outstanding team speed, which is nothing new.

2) Notre Dame–You know Lewis Cook will have an elite team. When is that not the case? Running back Collin Kirsch is a star. Cameron Nelson is a returning star as well. Thomas Stevens is an excellent linebacker while defensive back Garret Cormier should be very good once again.

4) Many–Coach Jess Curtis always has a formidable, sound squad. Running back A.J. Carter is one of the best running backs, if not the best in Louisiana. He is bound for UCLA. Senior Brock Booker is a huge, talented quarterback. Senior Demarious Coleman is an outstanding safety. Peyton Fredieu is a top tackler.

5) Calvary Baptist–Rodney Guin takes over as the head coach of the Cavaliers. Sophomore Cade Hart is coming off of a brilliant freshman season at quarterback. Senior Kordavian Washington rushed for 2,030 yards and 29 touchdowns a year ago. Tank Davis caught 15 touchdown passes a year ago while Jack Tyndall is a fine linebacker who had 102 stops last season.

6) St. Helena Central–The Hawks had a very good season a year ago and will look to back it up in 2017. Ricky Travis is an outstanding quarterback and Troy Hurst is one of the better athletes in the state and St. Helena has size. Demetrious Brown is a standout in the secondary.

7) Kinder–The 2015 state champion Yellow Jackets are always a threat in 2A and this year will be no exception. Trent Johnson returns at quarterback while Trevyn Chaney is a good two-way player. Joey McNeely is a 300 pound defensive tackle. They must overcome the graduation of running back Taylor Johnson.

8) Catholic (NI)–Brent Indest is one of the best coaches around and his Wing-T offense is tough to stop. Senior quarterback Diallo Landry is one of the best at his position in the class. Senior Brandon Potier is an excellent linebacker.

9) Dunham–The Tigers could score with anyone a year ago and they figure to be a potent bunch again this season. Senior Mike Williams is the best athlete on the squad, a huge quarterback who makes plays. Running back Treylan Mouton is a good one while Derek Stingley is a brilliant receiver. Tyler Johnson is huge and stout up front on defense while Ross Thompson is solid in the secondary.

10) Winnfield–Lyn Bankston should have a very solid team in his first year on the job. The best player on offense is senior Lee Estay, a two-way star as a fine safety as well. Up front, junior Rasheed Lyles is big and strong while senior TJ Homan is a good two-way performer. Junior Tristen Williams is solid as well.

Others to watch: East Feliciana, Mangham, Rayville, Country Day, Welsh, Ascension Episcopal, Welsh, South Plaquemines, Newman, DeQuincy, Episcopal, Holy Savior Menard, St. Thomas Aquinas, Northlake Christian, East Beauregard