St. Louis Catholic touts experience in quest to be sleeper to contend in Division II Select

The LHSAA Division II Select prep football classification is a deep and talented one.

It includes power programs, including multiple state championship teams in St. Thomas More, Lafayette Christian and Madison Prep. E.D. White Catholic and De La Salle are also very potent. Archbishop Shaw and Teurlings Catholic are dangerous as well and John F. Kennedy is a growing program.

While all figure prominently in the mix for 2023 state honors, do not sleep on St. Louis Catholic.

The Saint reached the state semifinals in 2019 under previous coach Chad Lavergne.

Entering his third year, head coach Brock Matherne saw his program take a huge leap last season, going from 4-7 in 2021 to 9-3 in 2022 with the Saints playing traditional power Madison Prep to the wire in a 6-0 loss in overtime in the regional round of the Select Division II playoffs after downing Northside in the opening round.

“The biggest thing is we had 12 sophomores starting two years ago and they turned into juniors last year,” Matherne said. “When you have a quarterback and receiver like we had last year, it made it easier to jump to nine wins. Now, that group is seniors.”

Matherne is from the New Orleans area, having been a prominent player at safety on Bob Becnel’s Belle Chasse team which won the Class 4A state championship in 2008. The most prominent player on that Cardinals team was Brock’s brother Blake, who was Mr. Football in Louisiana as the superb quarterback.

Well prepared for the job at St. Louis Catholic, Matherne had previously served as an assistant at South Lafourche, John Ehret, Belle Chasse and Cecilia.

The Saints are a dangerous team, with 15 starters returning, including a host of seniors.

On offense, that includes three of five starters up front, led by senior Jordan Davis (6-2, 275), a 3-year starter. Also back are second-year starters in senior center Evan Rodericks (6-0, 190) and senior tackle Jacob Fruge. Junior Colton Guillory (6-5, 252) is another talented player who is athletic. The fifth starter is junior Devin Kee. Davis has been offered by Louisiana Christian and Arkansas Monticello.

“The offensive line is the key to our success,” Matherne said. “When I look back at our 2008 team at Belle Chasse, we had outstanding offensive and defensive lines and that is the case here. We will lean on our older guys. We want to run the ball and we feel we can.”

The most important player to replace is quarterback James Reina, who accounted for 35 touchdowns and 2,819 yards passing and rushing as the team leader in 2022.

Senior Luke Pierson (6-1 180) takes over at the vital position. Pierson saw limited playing time last season, completing 4 of 6 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. Pierson started at defensive back previously.

“James was one of the closest things to my brother, Blake, that I have seen,” Matherne said. “He made plays when they weren’t there. I am comfortable with Luke. He is a senior, has command of the locker room and he works extremely hard. When you lose a receiver going to Mississippi State as well, it’s tough, but Pierson can run, has a strong arm and he is smart. I’m happy with his progress and leadership.”

Both running backs return, including senior Kyle Turner (5-8, 170) and senior fullback Brayden Schwertner. Turner rushed 61 times for 186 yards and a touchdown and caught 11 passes for 114 yards in 2022.

“I’m very happy with our running back spot,” Matherne said. “We are deep and will use some defensive guys on offense. Graham Montet will get carries again. Kyle has put some weight on and he has taken over the position. Schwertner is a do-it-all guy. We don’t have to take him out. He can line up in several places for us.”

While talented Grant Evans, now at Mississippi State, and Brooks Habetz accounted for over 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns a year ago, there is experience at wide receiver as well with the return of seniors Andrew Svarney (6-1, 180) and Trey Tate (6-2, 185) . They are joined by sophomore BJ Willis (5-7, 160). Svarney had five catches for 73 yards while Tate had 21 receptions for 331 yards last season.

“Losing Grant is huge and Habetz was big and good as well,” Matherne said. “It’s hard to replace but we have quality guys and we have the most depth we’ve had at the position. Svarney is a big body who can high-point the ball and Tate is a speed guy, the fastest guy on the field. They both love blocking.”

While the offense is experienced, the defense is even more experienced with eight starters back.

Up front, senior ends Kade Nugent (6-2, 207) and Ethan Goss (5-10, 220) return, along with senior tackle Nathan Gray (6-1, 210). Goss had 88 tackles last season, including two sacks. The new starter is freshman Kyle Lebato. Nugent has an offer from Missouri Valley.

All three starting linebackers return to man the second level, including senior Graham Montet (5-10, 215) in the middle, senior Noah Ellender (6-0, 170) on the strong side and senior Luke Mere on the weak side. Montet led the team in tackles with 156 last season, including 9.5 for loss and sports an offer from Missouri Valley while Mere had 109 tackles, including 11 for loss and an interception.

“Our front seven is the same we’ve had the last two years,” Matherne said. “It is a special group. Nugent has broken every single season record you can break here. Goss moved to tackle last year and he goes back to end this year. Our linebacker corps is one of the best I’ve been around. It’s like they are coaches on the field. Montet is set to break our school record for tackles. Mere is physical.”

A pair of returning starters anchor the secondary in Pearson at one corner and senior Hank Hebert at free safety. The other corner is senior Christian Guillory while the strong safety is junior Kaleb Lanthier. Pierson will play some as well despite being the quarterback.

“Hebert led us in interceptions last year and he is a 2-year starter,” Matherne said. “Pierson will play some at corner for us. He knows our coverages. It’s coming together well.”

The kicking game is a strength with senior Landon Daughdrill returning as the kicker and punter. Daughdrill was 47 of 48 on extra point attempts last season and made three field goals. Junior Zach Sugandi has a strong leg and figures in the mix on kickoffs. Sugandi has been offered by Arkansas Monticello.

“We have two good kickers,” Matherne said. “Daughdrill is consistent. His only extra point missed last year was blocked. Sugandi has one of the strongest legs I’ve been around. He will kick touchbacks.”

The season opens on the road at Crowley Sept. 1 before the Saints host Iota and Vidor, Texas.

District 3-3A play begins on Sept. 22 at Kinder before the Saints host South Beauregard.

A stretch of four straight road games follows at Westlake and Lake Charles College Prep, a non-district game at South Lafourche and another district contest at Iowa. The regular season concludes at home against Jennings.

“I think our pre-district schedule is very strong,” Matherne said. “Crowley is good. Iota won their district. Vidor is physical. I think our district is very underrated. All are talented, historic programs.”

With an experienced, senior-laden team, Matherne has his program poised to make a deep run in the playoffs in 2023 with a real chance to make it to New Orleans in December.

“I believe we have one of the hardest divisions in the state,” Matherne said. “There are elite teams, championship programs. We have to focus on us and if we do what we need to weekly to get better, we have a chance against anyone. They give out t-shirts for district titles and rings for state titles,” Matherne said. “We want the ring.”

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