The Carencro Golden Bears and the St. Thomas More Cougars both had seasons to remember, as both won LHSAA titles last month.
Not surprising then that the two programs dominate the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 4A all-state football team.
STM junior quarterback Walker Howard is the Outstanding Offensive Player. The LSU commitment completed 210 of his 317 passes for 3,369 yards with 39 touchdowns and only five interceptions in leading the Cougars to a second straight Division II state championship.
Howard is joined on the first team by teammates senior wide receiver Jack Bech, senior offensive lineman Ethan Guerin, linebacker Bryce Boullion and defensive back Dominic Zepherin.
Carencro senior defensive back Bailey Despanie was voted the Outstanding Defensive Player. The Tulane signee and District 5-4A Defensive MVP had 40 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, 2 interceptions and 7 pass breakups for the Class 4A state champions.
Despanie is joined on the first team by teammates junior offensive lineman Quinn Collins, senior running back Traylon Prejean, senior athlete Kendrell Williams, and junior defensive lineman Rondre Charles.
Carencro’s Tony Courville was selected as the Coach of the Year after guiding the Golden Bears to their first state championship since 1992 and defeating four-time defending champion Edna Karr in the title game.
Edna Karr placed four players on the Class 4A team with wide receiver Destyn Hill, offensive lineman Kenneth Bannister, defensive lineman Tygee Hill and kick returner Aaron Anderson earning honors.
Neville also placed four players on the team with offensive lineman Will Campbell, kicker William Reed, linebacker Henton Roberts and defensive back Maurion Eleam picking up honors.
Other players to earn honors are Northwood offensive lineman Cameron Foster and running back Terrance Cook, Carver defensive lineman Ty’Ron Magee and linebacker Henry Williams, Tioga wide receiver Jomarion Lilly, Istrouma running back Le’Veon Moss, Plaquemine defensive lineman Dekeion Dupuy, Vandebilt Catholic linebacker Andrew Villavaso, Warren Easton defensive back Ronald Lewis, and South Terrebonne punter Shea Pitre.
2020 LSWA CLASS 4A ALL-STATE FOOTBALL TEAM
(Players from Acadiana area are in bold)
OFFENSE
Pos Player School Ht. Wt. Cl.
WR Jack Bech St. Thomas More 6-1 207 Sr.
WR Destyn Hill Karr 6-1 190 Sr.
WR Jomarion Lilly Tioga 6-3 200 Sr.
OL Will Campbell Neville 6-6 285 Jr.
OL Quinn Collins Carencro 6-0 225 Jr.
OL Ethan Guerin St. Thomas More 5-11 200 Sr.
OL Cameron Foster Northwood 6-3 280 Sr.
OL Kenneth Bannister Karr Sr. 6-4 270 Sr.
QB Walker Howard St. Thomas More 6-1 175 Jr.
RB Traylon Prejean Carencro 5-9 190 Sr.
RB Terrance Cook Northwood 5-7 150 Sr.
RB Le’Veon Moss Istrouma 6-1 185 Jr.
PK William Read Neville 5-11 145 Sr.
ATH Kendrell Williams Carencro 6-0 205 St.
DEFENSE
Pos Player School Ht. Wt. Cl.
DL Tygee Hill Karr 6-3 275 Jr.
DL Ty’Ron Magee Carver 6-2 195 Jr.
DL Rondre Charles Carencro 6-2 245 Jr.
DL Dekeion Dupuy Plaquemine 5-10 285 Sr.
LB Henton Roberts Neville 5-11 195 Sr.
LB Bryce Boullion St. Thomas More 6-0 225 Sr.
LB Andrew Villavaso Vandebilt 5-8 190 Jr.
LB Henry Williams Carver 5-10 195 Jr.
DB Maurion Eleam Neville 5-9 150 Jr.
DB Bailey Despanie Carencro 6-2 175 Sr.
DB Dominic Zepherin St. Thomas More 5-11 170 Sr.
DB Ronald Lewis Easton 6-1 175 Jr.
KR Aaron Anderson Karr 5-10 185 Jr.
P Shea Pitre South Terrebonne 5-9 150 Jr.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: WALKER HOWARD, ST. THOMAS MORE
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: BAILEY DESPANIE, CARENCRO
COACH OF THE YEAR: TONY COURVILLE, CARENCRO
Honorable Mention
Lane Blue, Neville; Lance Heard, Bastrop; Shawn Metoyer, Tioga; Jakorien Greenard, Minden; O.J. Pemberton, Tioga; Josh Ponthier, Tioga; Dedric Vigers, Eunice; Alex Soileau, Cecilia; Ridge Collins, Cecilia; Jaden Tyler, Assumption; Ty’Jai Jones, Assumption; Shae Thibodeaux, Assumption; Royal Williams, Ellender; O’Ryan James, Ellender; Tre’mond Converse, Ellender; Parker Hall, Minden; Hayes Thompson, Vandebilt Catholic; James Thompson Jr., Vandebilt Catholic; Sean Diebold, Vandebilt Catholic; Brady Picou, South Terrebonne; Jackson Autin, South Lafourche; Austin King, Minden; J’rell Joseph, Huntington; Chance Hammons, Minden; Jabaz Thompson, Bastrop; Semaj Tennant, Bastrop; Khrystrian Hoffpauir, Leesville; Ethan Christman, Tioga; Germonie Davis, Cecilia; Zyion Claville, Huntington; Alred Luke, Easton; Lynarise Elpheage Jr., Carver; B.J. Foster, Lakeshore; Hayden Darbonne, Eunice; B.J. Williams, DeRidder; Kevontdraay Savoy, Eunice; Dakameron Calais, Cecilia; Erron Bean, Huntington; Travis Steadman, Huntington; Christian Arceneaux, South Terrebonne; Blake McGehee, Tioga; Anterious Samuel, Karr; A.J. Allen, Neville; Bryden Rountree, Vandebilt; Colby Chelette, South Terrebonne; Caleb Gallashaw, Leesville; Arthur Lavalais, Peabody; Deon Ardoin, Eunice; Demajah Riley, Huntington; Hunter Porche, Vandebilt; Jakobe Brock, Tioga; Jose Mijares, DeRidder; Ja’Darion Byrd, Peabody; Zylon Madison, Westgate; Jermarie Bailey, Northwood; Jirrea Johnson, Easton; Devin Weilbaecher, Lakeshore; Derek Williams, Westgate; Dedrick Latulas, Westgate; Destin Refuge, Karr; Damond White, Kennedy; Casey Cain, Easton; Travis Martin, L.B. Landry; Josh Bertholote, L.B. Landry; Jaylan Scott, Salmen; Brian Jenkins, Pearl River; Karl Simmons, Salmen.