By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
The eight head coaches at Wednesday’s Caddo Parish Schools football media day were justifiably proud of the student-athletes they brought (two per team) and quite obviously, “excited.”
That word came up probably 4-5 dozen times as the coaches spoke at the event at the Independence Stadium Skybox. After all, jamborees are about to unfold, and the regular season games begin next Thursday and Friday, opportunities to validate all the offseason and summer work by each team.
There was plenty of pride in the room. Pride in the work that’s been done, in the bonds formed, and for all of the players and coaches attending, pride in being associated with each other, no matter what color jersey was being worn.
No shortage of mutual admiration. No sign of impending confrontation in the Friday nights to come.
Being there brought out the smiles.
“Looking to my left, there’s 3-star (recruits), 4-stars, a lot of talent around here, and being in the same room gives me inspiration,” said Captain Shreve’s Scotty Simo.
“I am blessed to be in this atmosphere and this type of community,” said Mar’Jayvious Moss of Northwood.
Most of the players knew each other, or had at least crossed paths, and exchanged social media messages.
“I’ve seen everybody here at some point, at 7-on-7 or in other situations, and they are all very impressive as people and players,” said Southwood standout Corinthian Walters. “It’s fun to be here with them and it’s an honor.”
Some have been pals since childhood.
Quarterbacks Lake Lambert of Byrd and Mason Welch of Northwood go way, way back, growing up playing with, and against, each other. Those kinds of relationships were commonplace among the group and added to the joy of the experience – not to mention the anticipation of meeting again on a football field.
“These Shreve guys, I went to elementary and middle school with them,” said Lambert, “so that makes the rivalry much better and makes us play much harder.”
Some, if not most, of the players will be highly recruited sooner or later. But that took a back seat Wednesday as they uniformly expressed their optimism about the upcoming season, about their teams, and their appreciation for their coaches.
Case in point: Woodlawn defensive lineman Shadrick Jones. He was thankful for the mentorship of his head coach, Thed Harris, and that Harris recognized him as one of the Knights’ leaders.
“I’m honestly grateful, because I was on a bad path, and when he came in, Coach helped me change everything — how I was approaching classwork, everything. It’s honestly a blessing,” said Jones.
As for football, everybody was confident. Those representing heavyweights Byrd, Captain Shreve, Huntington, and Northwood were taking aim at deep playoff runs.
Raiders quarterback Kamron Evans can foresee it all coming together this season, and in the future for coach Stephen Dennis’ rising program.
“Very excited to see all the work we have put in is paying off,” said Evans. “I’m looking forward to building something that is going to be better after I leave.”
Confidence was also plentiful among the perceived underdogs, whose programs haven’t been as successful lately — Booker T. Washington, Green Oaks, Southwood, and Woodlawn.
“We have a lot of expectations and have been working really hard,” said BTW’s Darayvion Eason. “We are really looking forward to having a good year.”
Southwood defensive back Noah Grant was equally undaunted. “I believe nobody can beat us. Others may disagree, but what Coach (Jesse Esters III) has done, we know we are much better than others realize.”
Said Woodlawn’s Jones: “Everybody came willing to work, all summer, and we’ve been grinding. It’s going to be an eye-opener for everybody else, 100 percent.”
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com
Photo by DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports