JOURNAL SPORTS
Calvary dominated not only locally, but statewide in the 2023 prep football season and that was reflected when 10 Cavaliers and their coach were in the spotlight on the Class 2A All-State team announced over the weekend.
Junior quarterback Abram Wardell, who threw two touchdown passes in the final three minutes of the Division III select title game to lead a winning comeback, earned Outstanding Offensive Player honors on the 2A All-State team selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
That’s as many interceptions as he threw all season long as the Cavaliers finished unbeaten in 14 games. He was picked off in the season opener, and on a deflected pass in the Superdome in the state final.
Wardell, a junior, was the state’s second-leading passer (behind only Airline junior Ben Taylor) in all classifications with 3,883 yards in the air on an amazing 78 percent completion rate. He threw for 45 touchdowns on 266 completions in 340 attempts.
A panel of sportswriters from across the state selected St. Charles Catholic linebacker Kyle Cannon, who recorded 133 tackles (including 15 ½ for loss), five interceptions and two pick-6s, as the 2A Outstanding Defensive Player.
Calvary head coach Rodney Guin was named the Coach of the Year after leading a 14-0 season, including a 34-28 triumph over SCC, the previously unbeaten and defending state champ, in the 2A title game.
The Cavaliers landed seven players total on the all-state first team that featured Wardell.
CBA’s leading receiver Aubrey Hermes, running back James Simon and lineman Jimmy Wright made the team on offense. The Cavs’ three defensive players chosen included lineman Ethan Sands, linebacker Hutch Grace and defensive back Landon Sylvie.
Honorable mention selections locally included three more Calvary standouts, linebacker Heath Gross, receiver John Simon IV and defensive back Braylun Huglon. Also spotlighted was Rowen Guthikonda of Loyola.
In his 23rd season as a head coach and 41st overall, Guin earned his first state Coach of the Year honor. He led the Cavaliers to the program’s first perfect record capped by the thrilling state finals triumph in the Superdome. It was Calvary’s second state title under Guin, following the first ending the shortened COVID season of 2020 that culminated with a title game in Natchitoches.
2023 CLASS 2A ALL-STATE CHART
OFFENSE
Pos Player, School Ht., Wt., Cl.
WR Jac Comeaux, Dunham 5-10, 160, Sr.
WR Aubrey Hermes, Calvary 6-3, 180, Sr.
WR Jaiden Mitchell, Catholic-N.I. 5-8, 140, Jr.
OL Will York, Episcopal 5-10, 185, Sr.
OL Jimmy Wright, Calvary 6-2, 246, Sr.
OL Truitt Tietz, Oak Grove 6-2, 240, Sr.
OL Luke Schultz, Notre Dame 6-4, 270, Sr.
OL Brett Bordelon, Newman 6-5, 285, Jr.
QB Abram Wardell, Calvary 6-0, 190, Jr.
RB Braeden George, Episcopal 5-11, 185, Sr.
RB James Simon, Calvary 6-0, 200, Jr.
RB Jeremiah James, Many 5-11, 196, Sr.
PK Joseph Whitehouse, Pope John Paul II 6-1, 170, Sr.
ATH Jackson Bradley, Oak Grove 6-3, 200, Jr.
DEFENSE
DL Ethan Sands, Calvary 6-2, 260, Sr.
DL Swazy Carheel, Many 6-3, 235, Sr.
DL Isaiah Joles, Oak Grove 6-0, 245, Jr.
DL Jaden Breaux, St. Charles 6-2, 190, Sr.
LB Hutch Grace, Calvary 6-1, 220, Sr
LB Cooper Scott, Menard 6-2, 210, Sr.
LB James Harris, Oak Grove 6-2, 225, Sr.
LB Kyle Cannon, St. Charles 6-1, 220, Sr.
DB Drew Bourgeois, Dunham 5-8, 160, Sr.
DB Landon Sylvie, Calvary 5-11, 170, Sr.
DB Tylen Singleton, Many 6-2, 210, Sr.
DB Landon Ferrell, Oak Grove 6-2, 195, Sr.
P Ryan Hicks, Menard 6-0, 165, Sr.
KR Kaden Foster, St. Charles 5-10, 160, Sr.
ATH Kameron Williams, General Trass 6-2, 215, Sr.
Outstanding Offensive Player: Abram Wardell, Calvary
Outstanding Defensive Player: Kyle Cannon, St. Charles
Coach of the Year: Rodney Guin, Calvary
Honorable Mention: Heath Gross, Calvary; John Simon IV, Calvary; Braylun Huglon, Calvary; Rowen Guthikonda, Loyola; Peyton Peebles, Ascension Episcopal; Decareyn Sampson, Avoyelles; Preston Barnes, Avoyelles; Drew Desormeaux, Catholic-New Iberia; Shawn Basey, D’Arbonne Woods; Elijah Haven, Dunham; Logan Sorrel, Dunham; Malachi Jackson, Dunham; Chase Cresson, Episcopal; Chris Reed, Ferriday; Desmen Jefferson, Ferriday; Jay’shaun Johnson, Franklin; Joseph Landry, Houma Christian School; Micah Callais, Houma Christian School; Ray Levi, Lake Arthur; Ryan Hubbard, Lakeview; Kaine Olivier, Loreauville; Trace McHugh, Loreauville; Jalen McGraw Boley, Mangham; Robert Natt, Mangham; Braylon Dusang, Menard; Drake Aldredge, Menard; Gavin Hilton, Menard; Eli Friend, Newman; Peter Loop, Newman; Robert Kerrigan, Newman; Will Loerzel, Newman; Kameron Casnave, Northlake Christian; Jackson Casanova, Notre Dame; Sam Kirsch, Notre Dame; Jay Freeman, Oak Grove; JT Layton, Oak Grove; Seth Ray, Oak Grove; Tamarques Pritchard, Oak Grove; Deekota Johnson, Oakdale; Derrick Green, Oakdale; Ruffin George, Oakdale; DeSean Deville, Oberlin; Kenneth Boston, Rayville; Latavious Murphy, Rayville; Alex Phillips, South Plaquemines; Jy’heim Williams, South Plaquemines; Brady St. Pierre, St. Charles; Daniel Joseph, St. Charles; Jeremiah Wills, St. Charles; Tyler Milioto, St. Charles; Kohen Rowbatham, St. Thomas Aquinas; Kabari Davis, Vidalia; Ayden Miller, Welsh; Hayden VanNess, Welsh; Jonovan Begnaud, Welsh; Troy Pattum, Welsh; Jake Jones, Winnfield.