St. Amant looks to build on solid season

It was a good year for St. Amant football in 2021.

In 14 years as a head coach, David Oliver has compiled a very solid 88-50 mark.

The Gators were good last season, posting an 8-3 record and reaching the second round of the Class 5A playoffs before losing to powerful Acadiana.

Oliver faces the challenge of replacing many important players who graduated, including quarterback Cole Poirrier, wide receivers Noah Louque and D’Andre Taylor, tight end Tanner Oliver, linebackers Jax Melancon, Lee Amadee and Stephen Landry and free safety Brandt Zeller.

There are four starters returning on offense.

There is a competition for the quarterback position between three players in seniors Kolby Streets (6-1, 175) and Jacob Sonnier (5-10, 140), along with junior Chase Kelley (5-7, 132).

There is a returning starter and a good one in senior running back Josh Morrise (5-8, 190) and a returning senior starter at wide receiver in Cole Sims.

Joining Sims at wide receiver will be senior Logan McNabb, along with juniors Maddox Melancon (5-11, 147) and Luke Raffray (5-9, 138). The tight end spot will be manned by senior Cade Murphy (6-2, 190) and junior Kamryn Hill.

The offense line features a pair of returning starters who should be outstanding in seniors Mason Vaughan (6-3, 259) and Trinity Williams (6-0, 250). Joining them as new starters are senior Nathan Williams (6-0, 190), along with juniors Seth Guedry (6-1, 271) and Cooper Cheatwood (5-9, 220).

Five starters return on defense, including a pair of players on the line in seniors Dylan Carpenter and Peyton Anderson (6-3 220) . Joining them are seniors Jesse Daniel and Tymarion Fountain (6-0, 280), along with junior TJ Leonard (5-11, 230).

The starting linebackers will all be new. Senior Bryson Humphrey (5-10, 171) will man the middle spot while juniors Braxon Trabeau (6-1, 177) and Damon Smith (5-8, 164) will line up on the outside.

The secondary is the strength of the unit with three of four starters back, including senior corners Malik Paul (5-9, 149) and Mekhi Paul (5-9, 150). Senior strong safety Shane Landry ( is back as well and he will be joined by junior free safety Layne Swanson (5-7, 144).

The schedule is favorable with seven home games, including the first six at home, with four featuring New Orleans area teams.

First up is a date with Carver on Sept. 2, followed by Booker T. Washington and John F. Kennedy. The final two home non-district games are against Opelousas and Helen Cox.

District 5-5A play opens at home against rival East Ascension on October 7. After a trip to Denham Springs, the Gators will host Dutchtown. A road game at Walker and a home date with Live Oak complete the schedule.

If the Gators can solve the quarterback position, the prospect for a good season will improve significantly.

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