By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports
Defending state champion Calvary Baptist has eight of the 15 returning players that made the 1-2A All-District team after last season, which culminated with a state champion after an unbeaten campaign.
The Cavaliers return three on offense and five on defense. Highlighting the offense returnees is the MVP from a year ago, running back James Simon. A University of Texas commit, Simon was one of the top backs in the area with 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns in 14 games. The pass-catch duo of quarterback Abram Wardell and wide receiver Kolby Thomas will return after earning all-league honors. Wardell was the second leading passer in the area with 3,883 yards and 45 touchdowns. Thomas tied for the team lead with 70 receptions for 817 yards and 11 scores.
CBA will also have Devin Harper, a transfer offensive lineman from Captain Shreve, who was on the 1-5A All-District team.
Calvary has two linemen, a linebacker and two from their secondary returning all-league selections on defense. Linemen Ethan Sands recorded a team-high 17 tackles for a loss and 51 total tackles while Nate Young was next in tackles with 44. Linebacker Cole Miller was third on the team in tackles with 95 and second to Sands in TFLs with 16. Julius Moss recorded 71 tackles and intercepted four passes while Braylun Huglon led the team with six interceptions his freshman season.
North Caddo has a pair returning for their senior seasons on the offense, running back Tray Morris and quarterback/athlete Mason Jackson. Jackson led the team in rushing with 1,198 yards and passed for 903 more. Morris ran for 660 yards on 101 carries to average 6.5 yards a carry for the Titans.
D’Arbonne Woods returns two on offense and two on defense. Athlete Wyatt Gilbert and kicker Choice Baker are back on offense and defensively lineman Collin McCann and linebacker Jamey Fisher.
Loyola, who has moved up to play in District 1-4A this season, has running back Patrick Gosslee returning. He finished his junior season with more than 900 yards and 10 touchdowns in nine games.
Returning athletes from the 2023 1-2A All-District team
OFFENSE
WR – Kolby Thomas, Calvary, Jr.
QB – Abram Wardell, Calvary, Jr.
RB – James Simon, Calvary, Jr.
RB – Tray Morris, North Caddo, Jr.
RB – Patrick Gosslee, Loyola, Jr.
Ath – Mason Jackson, North Caddo, Jr.
Ath – Wyatt Gilbert, D’Arbonne Woods, Jr.
K – Choice Baker, D’Arbonne Woods, Jr.
DEFENSE
DL – Ethan Sands, Calvary, Jr.
DL – Nate Young, Calvary, Jr.
DL – Collin McCann, D’Arbonne Woods, Jr.
LB – Cole Miller, Calvary, Jr.
LB – Jamey Fisher, D’Arbonne Woods, Jr.
DB – Braylun Huglon, Calvary, Fr.
Flex – Julius Moss, Calvary, Jr.
Offensive MVP – James Simon, Calvary