JOURNAL SPORTS
In the third round of the last Shreveport-Bossier Journal Football Coaches Roundtable for 2025, local coaches were asked to share some bright prospects for next season, along with memories of the best moments from this fall.
What players or position groups showed this season they could be prime time players in 2026?
GARY COOPER, Booker T. Washington: “The offensive line group was young for us this fall. We started two sophomores at the tackle spots and two juniors inside. That group gained a lot of valuable game experience this season. They should be a great strength for our 2026 team.”
JERRY BYRD, Plain Dealing: “Ja’marion Baker-Shepard and Jerry Harris will be our key guys next season. Both will be seniors and start on both sides of the ball. Looking forward to seeing their growth both on the field and off as they lead the 2026 Lions.
GARY SMITH, Bossier: “We are excited to have 90 percent of our offense back including (quarterback) Montrevell Lewis (the first 1,000-yard passer and 1,000-yard rusher locally in 21 seasons) and four of our starting receivers.”
AUSTIN BROWN, Northwood: “We have three young safeties who made some plays this season and will have big shoes to fill in our secondary. Four offensive linemen are coming back and will be seniors, so we expect them to set a great tone.”
DENNY DURON, Evangel: “We are returning three Division 1 players in our defensive backfield next year. We are expecting great things from those guys.
“And of course, the General … Pop Houston is back for his senior year. We couldn’t be more excited.”
COY BROTHERTON, Parkway: “We return all three running backs next year. Braxxton Black will be a senior, Damian Decaldecal will be a junior and AJ Johnson will be a sophomore. All three shared the workload this year and will be very good next season.”
STACY BALLEW, Byrd: “Our offensive backfield looks really good for next season. You’re pretty good if you start with Christian Maxie, and a healthy Collin Deere will be a great addition. We had three quarterbacks who played for us, and got experience, and there’s another, Peter Santiago, who got hurt and didn’t play but I think he’s going to be pretty good.”
Can you share a ‘best moment’ memory from this season?
BROTHERTON, Parkway: “The emotions of winning a second-round playoff game (37-31 in overtime over Hahnville to reach the state quarterfinals). The tears of joy and excitement on the sideline after that game made for a moment we will all remember.”
MATTHEW SEWELL, Haughton: “Our best moment for me was against Evangel. They scored in about three plays on the opening possession. They kicked a touchback so we had to start on the 20. First play, we called a mesh concept expecting them to be in man and they came out in zone. Carter Couvillion slipped behind everyone and Taylor (Weathersby) made a great off-script throw downfield and Carter raced for an 80-yard touchdown. It was awesome. I’ve known Carter his entire life and watching him score his first varsity touchdown and doing it in that fashion was a terrific moment I’ll never forget.”
DURON, Evangel: “The best moment for me personally was running out on homecoming night against my alma mater, Captain Shreve, and seeing the huge homecoming crowd and people stacked around the fences. In 2020, we didn’t know if we would survive as a school or a team. As I ran onto the field I worshipped the Lord and said, “thank you God for restoring your little school … Thank you that it was in your heart.”
COOPER, Booker T. Washington: “The best moment was watching the kids enjoy the sendoff as we left the school for the second-round playoff game at University Lab.”
BYRD, Plain Dealing: “The best moment was every moment we had the opportunity to put the uniform on and either step out onto the field at The Den or load the bus and go represent Plain Dealing High School and the community.”