Youthful Thomas Jefferson looks to mature quickly

It is a tough, brave new world for some select schools with the split among Louisiana schools in football. That is particularly true of schools without steep athletic traditions who struggle to attract the numbers typically associated with success.

A year ago, Thomas Jefferson finished 3-7. In the watered down, new world of virtually everyone making the state playoffs, particularly on the select side, the Jaguars and head coach Kevin Kelly declined participating in the playoffs as a sacrificial lamb for one of the powers in the loaded Division II classification.

In 2018, Kelly enters his 10th season on the job and hopes to have an improved team. He has done a fine job at the Gretna school. Once again, numbers are an issue at the school known for its outstanding academics. The other issue is experience.

Kelly must rely on a host of sophomores to carry the torch this season.

“The majority of our team is sophomores,” Kelly said. “We’ll have key players going both ways but that is not new. We will spell guys, rotate them as much as possible.”

The Jaguars must replace a host of starters, including at quarterback, a pair of running backs, a pair of good offensive linemen, a solid linebacker and good cornerback.

Offensively, senior fullback Brian Johnson (5-6, 145) should be solid. The quarterback position remains a competition between junior Noah St. Pierre (5-11, 160) and sophomore Damon Martin (5-6, 145) to run the hybrid Wing-T attack.

“St. Pierre played a little on junior varsity and was a backup receiver for us last year,” Kelly said. “Martin is very athletic. He plays defensive back for us last year. The future looks bright but it will be rough going early with brand new quarterbacks. Noah has more experience with his time in the summer and is a little ahead, at this point.”

Up front, the Jaguars feature a host of two-way performers, including Payton Mitchell (6-2, 190), William Harper, along with sophomores Dezmond Logan and Chris Sterling.

Senior Sterling Alexis (6-0, 230) is another two-way standout, who will play tight end and defensive end.

“Harper plays guard and defensive tackle and is a senior,” Kelly said. “He is good. Mitchell is solid as well. Sterling Alexis is our best player.”

Senior Seth Jackson (5-6, 165) is a solid safety who will play running back as well.

“Seth is short but he is a good player who will also play some at running back,” Kelly said.

The schedule opens on Thursday, Aug. 30 with the Magnet Bowl rivalry against Haynes at Hoss Memtsas Stadium at 6:30 p.m. The Jaguars travel to Lupin Field to face always tough Newman on Sept. 7 before hosting Lusher Charter at Memtsas on Sept. 13.

A trip to Ascension Catholic, which reached the Division IV state title game last year, follows before the Jags entertain Ben Franklin on Sept. 29.

“Ascension Catholic was very good last year,” Kelly said. “Haynes is like us, young and it is a big game. We should be well matched. We know Newman is going to be tough. Lusher will be a challenge.”

District 9-3A play opens on Oct. 6 against KIPP Renaissance at Hoss Memtsas.

The final non-district game is a tough trip to Covington to take on Archbishop Hannan.

The final three district games are all at home at Memtsas, against Sophie B. Wright, Sci Academy (Abramson) and Cohen.

“I think we have a shot at winning district,” Kelly said. “KIPP is probably the front-runner with good athletes. We have to remain disciplined and stay healthy.”

With all four district games at home, the Jaguars have a realistic shot at a district championship, if they can remain healthy and if a young team can mature and grow as the season progresses. With slim numbers, Thomas Jefferson cannot afford injuries.

“Our skill positions will be the question marks,” Kelly said. “We feel good about our front on both sides. We may take our lumps early in the year but we hope to be better as the year goes on and be ready for district and hit our stride by then. That is the plan and the goal.”

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