SCOTT — For most high school programs, recording double digit wins and advancing to the state quarterfinals would be considered a resounding success — the type of season that would be remembered for ages.
The Acadiana High Wreckin’ Rams though are not most programs because success with the Rams is measured not by double-digit wins but by trips to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome playing for state titles.
That’s why despite winning 11 games a season ago, including suffering only one regular season loss, Acadiana has spent the offseason dedicating themselves to returning the program to its lofty standards of playing for a state championship — which would be its first trip since 2014 when the Rams won back-to-back Class 5A titles.
“The goal is to beat every team we play,” said second-year Acadiana head coach Matt McCollough who replaced legend Ted Davidson. “The only way you do that is focus on that day and the team you are playing that week. That’s always the goal at Acadiana is to get better throughout the season and then get to playoffs and try to make a run to a state championship.”
With seven starters returning, the Rams have enough offensive firepower to make a deep postseason run.
Leading Acadiana’s split-back veer rushing attack is the senior duo of Dillan Monette and Jeremiah “Bucky” Brooks, who are both committed to play at Army next year. Monette could also become the program’s all-time leading rusher. Monette will need to rush for 1,803 yards to break Alley Broussard’s record of 5,312 yards.
Acadian returns six on defense including Zaiah Adams and Thaos Figaro in the front seven.
With that much veteran leadership returning this season, the main focus is not mastering the playbook or winning the District 3-5A crown but maintaining focus itself day-to-day and week-to-week throughout the season.
“The biggest thing is make sure that every week you are locked in on that day and get better each day,” McCollough said. “And then preparing the next day to get better. The other thing is to not get ahead and just focus on what you are doing individually every day of the week and you will get better on Friday night.”
After last season’s 26-14 loss to eventual state champion Zachary in the state semifinals, Acadiana’s senior are looking to cap off their careers with a trip to the Superdome.
“We are seniors,” quarterback Keontae Williams said. “We want nothing less than a championship. We will never satisfied unless we leave that way. The senior class before us left that way. We don’t want that.”
“We are going to get back to that level this year,” added Adams. “We looking really good this year. We just have to keep pushing and work as a team.”