Young, hungry, humble St. Augustine squad ready to roll in 2019

Expectations are always high at St. Augustine High School.

The memory of three state titles in the 1970’s lingers and it was driven home to all motivated Purple Knight alumni with the passing in late May of legendary coach Otis Washington, who guided St. Aug to all three championships.

Though St. Augustine has not won a state championship since 1979, the Purple Knights have been good and been close and the loyal alumni base still looks to the day of the football program returning to glory.

St. Aug turned to Nathaniel Jones to run its storied program after Al Jones retired following the 2017 season.

“The alumni have been great,” Jones said. “It is a great tradition, great expectations and Coach Washington was an outstanding man and coach who represented this school so well. He was a great man. You can still see his imprint on the program even today and that was 40 years ago. We hope to do him proud this year.”

A man of principle, Nathaniel Jones has a pedigree of success. As a player, he was part of a state championship program at Karr.

As a coach, Jones served previously as an assistant coach at Clark and spent significant time on the college level, including at Midwestern State, Texas-San Antonio, and at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.

As a head coach, Jones served two years (2013, 2014) at his alma mater, Karr, leading the Cougars to a state championship appearance in 2013 and a quarterfinal appearance in 2014.

Jones experienced a level of success in his first year.

The Purple Knights had a promising season in 2018, reaching the Division I quarterfinals. St. Augustine overcame a slew of injuries to key players to defeat Catholic League rival Holy Cross in the playoffs before falling to Catholic of Baton Rouge in the quarterfinals, the third straight year in the quarterfinals for the Purple Knights. Still, there is the dream of what could have been. St. Aug dealt with an enormous number of key injuries which curtailed the real possibility of greater success.

“We don’t make any excuses,” Jones said. “Injuries are part of the game. Our kids kept fighting through the adversity. Hopefully, we will stay healthy this year. Our guys will fight and never quit.”

St. Augustine must replace several key players who graduated, including quarterback Trevon Woodson, leading receiver Broderick Martin, offensive lineman Ted Melson and defensive star Chris Confident.

The cupboard is far from bare.

Junior Kendell Sampson Jr. (5-11, 155) returns to run the offense after garnering significant experience behind Woodson a year ago.

“Kendell is new but he is not new,” Jones said. “He took some snaps for us and he has been around the program. He is a dual threat quarterback. He has a good grasp on what we are trying to do on offense. He works really hard and has the respect of his teammates.”

The running back position is a real strength with three talented players back from a year ago.

Senior Mahmoud Bailey (5-9, 180) returns and is a dual threat as a runner and receiver out of the backfield.

Talented sophomore Justin Doyle (5-11, 205) is big and gifted with a great future after a promising freshman season. Junior Albert Quest V (5-6, 155) is also back and brings quickness to the position.

“Having those guys back is going to be big for us,” Jones said. “They have experience in the offense and they bring versatility with their style. That really helps. It is a strength for us.”

Senior wide receiver Khi Mathieu (6-1, 175) is a Memphis commit and a returning starter with big play ability. Senior Josh White (5-8, 155) also returns to provide another threat on the outside. Junior Tyrie Keasley (5-9, 165) saw playing time last season. Senior Jaheim Walters (6-3, 174) adds size and talent as a potential two-way performer.

“We have guys coming back at wide receiver that can play,” Jones said. “Khi’s potential is through the roof. Every year presents a new challenge. I know he expects to do well. He’s been working hard. There is no limit to how good he can be.”

The offensive line is a concern with just one starter returning in Semaj Payton (6-1, 255). Cory Crump also returns.

“That is our biggest concern,” Jones said. “You have to win up front. You can all of the great skill position players you want but if you are not good up front, you will not win against top competition. We have to make sure we do well there and win matchups.

The defensive front features an excellent player and returning starter in senior Kendel Rowan (6-2, 200). Junior Byron Turner Jr. (6-2, 230) also returns at defensive end and should be very solid.

Senior defensive tackle Semaj Davis (5-9, 205) returns after suffering a severe knee injury a year ago. Senior Vincent Joseph (5-11, 250) also returns, along with a good sophomore in Bishop Thomas (6-1, 255).

“Semaj is coming along well, faster than we thought but we are not going to press him,” Jones said. “We want to make sure he is healthy. Football is secondary to making sure he can walk when he is 50. He is a great kid who works so hard. He is ahead of schedule. He is a big part of what we do.”

The strength of the defense is at linebacker, where a pair of returning starters and college commitments reside.

Senior linebacker Taiwan Berryhill (6-2, 200) is a Kansas commit while senior Jabaz Myles (6-0, 204) is a UNLV commit. Joining them with experience is senior Kevin Cooley Jr. (5-10, 180).

“We were pretty banged up last year in our front seven,” Jones said. “Cooley tore two AC joints in his shoulder last year and it is good to have him back. Taiwan and Jabaz are obviously good players. We are fortunate to be healthy here.”

The secondary is good with Walters leading the way, along with seniors Damon McFarland (6-0, 175), Tahj Adams (6-1, 170), Jabbar Rodney (5-8, 170) and Kenneth Rivarde (5-8, 155). Junior Wendell Newton (5-7, 160) is also back to provide experience.

“Damon has really stepped up and we expect him to have a very good season,” Jones said. “We like to play man-to-man and having experience with guys who can cover will help us up front.”

Senior Jaron Marks (6-1, 157) returns to handle kicking duties.

The schedule opens on Sept. 7 at Tad Gormley against traditional rival McDonogh 35 before the Purple Knights battle always talented Landry-Walker. St. Aug will then face John F. Kennedy on Sept. 20.

Catholic League play opens with a bang against defending Catholic League champion John Curtis Christian on Nov. 28 before the Purple Knights take on Brother Martin and Jesuit at Tad Gormley Stadium.

St. Aug ventures out of District 9-5A play on Oct. 19 to take on a very talented Helen Cox squad.

Catholic League play resumes on Oct. 26 against Archbishop Rummel at Joe Yenni Stadium before the Purple Knights host Archbishop Shaw for Homecoming on Nov. 2 and wrapping up the regular season against Holy Cross on Nov. 9.

“We are young, hungry and humble,” Jones said.

To all opponents, that is a dangerous trio of qualities. St. Augustine will most certainly be a team to watch in 2019.

“Our whole league was young last year,” Jones said. “We have key players back but so do the other teams in our league. We have to continue to push forward and improve week to week. That is the focus to compete in a tough league and class.”