Rogers enters third year at John Ehret with promising roster

The 2021 season was a typical winning season for John Ehret.

Still, there was a bit of disappointment as the Patriots, who had largely controlled District 8-5A, did not win the district title. Additionally, the season ended in the opening round of the playoffs against eventual state finalist Ponchatoula.

Reggie Rogers enters his third year as head coach of the Patriots with an impressive 15-4 record overall.

“I see us still going in a steady, forward direction,” Rogers said. “We have to learn how to get past the second round of the playoffs. We have to build for the long run. That is our motto.”

There is good reason to believe that winning ways will continue for Ehret, which has posted nine straight winning seasons resulting in playoff appearances. The Patriots reached the 5A state championship game in 2015 and won Class 4A state titles in 1981 and 1985.

Senior quarterback Royal Falgout (5-8, 180) is back to run the offense after rushing for 608 yards and eight touchdowns and passing for 1,121 yards and 18 touchdowns with nine interceptions a year ago.

“Having Royal back is a blessing,” Rogers said. “He is a three-year starter and we expect big things from him, as he continues improving. Royal has a football mind. He understands the game. He has a strong arm, he can run the ball and he is a tough, tough-minded kid. He will always try to make a play.”

Junior wide receiver Charles Coleman (5-9, 170) returns as a playmaker. Last season, Coleman had 30 receptions for 415 yards and six touchdowns, rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns and had 330 returns yards and a touchdown in the kick return game.

Junior Wardell Mack (6-1 175) is an outstanding athlete who will see action on both sides of the ball. Mack accumulated 450 yards of total offense a year ago.

Coleman and Mack are joined at wide receiver by junior Raymond Lain (6-1, 175), another returning starter.

“We graduated an excellent player but Charles is an exciting player,” Rogers said. “Lain is a returning starter. We’re going to use Mack all over because he is such a dynamic athlete. We will just let him play and make plays.”

The running backs are juniors Chad Jackson (5-6, 165) and Damian Smith (5-8, 180).

“We had a small group of backs last year who were older,” Rogers said. “We have a good group of younger guys this year, led by Jackson and Smith. We expect them to be productive with speed and some power.”

Up front, junior Khayree Lee (6-4, 350) leads the way.

Joining Coleman up front are junior tackles Darryl Gibson (6-1, 220) and Burnell Bradley (5-10, 245), senior guard Ernest Touro (6-2, 280) and senior center Terrien Burns (6-1, 255).

“Lee and Touro are back and Burns returns after knee surgery after he was hurt in the West Jeff game last year,” Rogers said. “We are working on the other two starting spots.”

The defense has four standout players, all on the back end.

Senior linebackers Jerzey Brown (6-0, 205) and Malik Brown (6-0, 215) are outstanding while in the secondary, senior Jamari Black (5-7) and Mack provide an excellent pair. Mack was in on 55 tackles with four interceptions, including one for as touchdown, in 2021.

Also at defensive back are returning starter in juniors Armani Cargo (5-11, 170) and Dylan Smith (5-9, 170). They will be joined by junior Jaden Williamson (5-11, 165).

Also back at linebacker is Eric Davis (5-9, 180).

“We are good on the back end with experience and speed,” Rogers said. “We lost a few players we expected to have back. Mack and Black are exceptional. Cargo is a good player and can really go. We have plenty of explosiveness back there. We like our linebackers.”

Up front are three new starters in senior Ahmad Hunter (6-3, 255) and juniors Kendell Johnson (6-0, 240) and Amon Gill (6-0, 260).

“We have some guys that got spot duty last year but they will have to get it and get it quickly,” Rogers said,. “The expectations are there and they have to perform.”

Junior Edis Chavez will handle kicking and punting duties.

The schedule opens at home at Hoss Memtsas Stadium against Covington on September 2.

Ehret faces a very tough trip to Destrehan in week two before hosting a very good Booker T. Washington team. Bogalusa follows before the final non-district game is another very stiff challenge at Warren Easton.

“We scheduled pre-district very tough,” Rogers said. “That was by design. We will play hard and tough against those teams. Our brand of football is good enough to play with anybody. We need the power points from our pre-district schedule.”

District 8-5A play begins at Grace King on October 6 before the annual rivalry game with West Jefferson. A showdown at defending district champion Chalmette follows before the Patriots close at home against East Jefferson and on the road against Bonnabel.

“Losing Riverdale and Higgins changes the league,” Rogers said. “It makes our pre-district schedule more important. The league will be a battle. Chalmette is the returning champion. West Jefferson is right there and East Jefferson is a playoff team. I think the league will be better.”

With good quarterback play and a solid defense, John Ehret will once again be a playoff team and will once again battle for district honors.

“I think we have leaders in the right spot and a good, cohesive coaching staff,” Rogers said. “Our success depends on how quickly and how well our young players develop, especially on the defensive line. We have a tradition of winning and expect to win at John Ehret.”

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