OPELOUSAS – The Opelousas Catholic Vikings made a run to the state quarterfinals a year ago. Their offense was dominant at times, scoring more than 50 points in each of their first two playoff games. However, the offseason brought plenty of change as Cullen Matherne takes over the program. The Vikings have experience at some key positions and will look to improve upon last year’s playoff run in 2023. The schedule has a similar setup to last year, but the Vikings will be on the road for their final two games and could have a district title on the line during that stretch.
IMPACT PLAYERS
Mark Collins, QB, Sr
Collins brings much-needed experience and composure to the quarterback position in 2023. A true dual-threat quarterback, he is already committed to UL to play baseball for the Cajuns. However, he has more football to play for the time being and will be the unquestioned leader of this team. Coach Matherne mentioned how important it has been to have a player like Collins in his first season to help get his tenure started.
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Rowen Bergeron, SS, Jr
Bergeron is a junior safety that will help lead the Viking defense in 2023. A second-team all-district selection in 2022, he will look to lead the secondary this season for a group that is installing a new defensive scheme. Coach Matherne is confident in this defense’s ability to pick things up quickly and excel in the back end.
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Jordan Luna, LB, Sr
Luna is one of the experienced leaders of the defense. As a junior, he earned first-team all-district honors and led the Vikings defensively. Now a senior, he will likely be one of the leading tacklers in the district. Along with Bergeron, Luna will look to have the Viking defense near the top this season in district play.
Head Coach: Cullen Matherne
Zachery enters his fourth season at the helm of Opelousas High. He has seen the program take tremendous strides since the COVID-affected 2020 season. Last year’s great regular season put down a foundation and his team will look to build on that experience in 2023. Additionally, plenty of his best players are juniors and therefore will likely be good again in 2024.
2022 Record: 9-4
2023 Schedule
Sept. 1 @ Oak Grove
Sept. 8 vs Ascension Catholic
Sept. 15 vs Port Barre
Sept. 21 @ Southern Lab
Sept. 29 @ Holy Savior Menard
Oct. 6 vs Westminster Academy
Oct. 12 vs Catholic of Point Coupee
Oct. 20 vs North Central
Oct. 27 @ Sacred Heart (VP)
Nov. 3 @ St. Edmund
Make sure to listen to the St. Landry Parish Game of the Week live over the air on News Talk 98.5 FM — The Talk of Acadiana or by downloading the free News Talk 98.5 FM mobile app.