By JOHN JAMES MARSHALL, Journal Sports
There were plenty of surprises for Hayden Horton and the Loyola Flyers when the Class 4A All-State team was named Monday by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
Horton, a senior linebacker who led the Loyola defense to a 10-2 overall record and a No. 2 seed in the Division II (select) playoffs, was more than a little bit surprised that he had been chosen.
“I really didn’t believe it,” Horton said when he got the news. “It’s kind of shocking, to be honest. But it’s awesome.”
Adding to the surprise is that Horton is the first Flyer to be named to an All-State first team since 2010. During that time, the Flyers have played in Classes 4A, 3A and 2A and the 15-year gap is the longest period in school history that the school had gone without an All-State selection.
“My dad and I were looking in the (Loyola) gym and noticing that there hadn’t been a football player’s picture up there in a while,” Horton said. “I never thought this was possible. When I came in as a freshman, I just wanted to get out there and play football.”
Horton was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Flyers and had 147 tackles during his senior year, the second-highest total by a Loyola defender since tackles have been recorded. He had 57 more than any other Loyola player and had 23 tackles in the final regular season game, a win over Northwood.
“I feel like I’m the coach on defense and it’s my job to make everybody out there better,” Horton said.
Horton also had two interceptions and two fumble recoveries and certainly led the team in post-play celebrations.
“I have fun out there,” Horton said. “I like putting the hurt on people.”
Horton will now swap out shoulder pads for batting helmets as he is a four-year starter – and two-time All-District selection — on the Loyola baseball team.
“My favorite sport?” Horton says. “I guess it’s whichever one I’m playing at the time. Football is more about going out there and having fun. Baseball is more strategic.”
Horton was the only player from a Shreveport-Bossier school on the 4A team, but the local district was well-represented in the Honorable Mention selections.
The Flyers’ offense, which had record-setting numbers this year, had four choices: senior running back Mason Drake, junior quarterback Bryce Restovich, sophomore receivers Charlie McKenzie and Ty Walsworth, and senior lineman Ian Wallace.
Northwood, which finished 8-2 in 1-4A, had two selections in defensive backs Jeremiah Johnson and Justin “Champ” Thomas as well as running back Kyran Johnson.
Booker T. Washington had receiver Vontravious Moore and defensive back D.K. Mitchell on the honorable mention and Bossier’s do-it-all star sophomore Montrevell Lewis was also on the list.
Quarterback Luke Delafield from fellow District 1-4A member North DeSoto was named as the Outstanding Offensive Player. Brooks Monica of state champion St. Charles was named Outstanding Defensive Player and Tommy Johns of Iowa is the Coach of the Year.
Contact JJ at johnjamesmarshall@yahoo.com
LSWA Class 4A All-State Football Team
Offense
WR Jeremiah Bushnell, Iowa, 6-3, 190, Sr.
WR Kervin Johnson, Tioga, 6-3, 195, Sr.
WR Terrance Pitre, South Lafourche, 5-11, 170, Sr.
OL Nathan Dubroc, North DeSoto, 6-1, 265, Sr.
OL Kohl Fulton, Iowa, 6-3, 310, Sr.
OL Jayden Micheal, Lutcher, 6-4, 300, Sr.
OL Drake Perry, Teurlings Catholic, 6-1, 305, Sr.
OL Sawyer Wells, South Lafourche, 6-3, 290, Sr.
QB Luke Delafield, North DeSoto, 6-1, 175, Sr.
RB J’vien Adams, Iowa, 5-9, 170, Sr.
RB Trey Martin, Franklin Parish, 5-11, 190, Jr.
RB Aymaud Sykes, Grant, 6-3, 195, Jr.
PK Tyler Milioto, St. Charles, 5-7, 140, Sr.
ATH Dez Ellis, Franklin Parish, 6-2, 170, Sr.
Defense
DL Chris Addison, Franklin Parish, 6-4, 245, Sr.
DL Savion Barthelemy, Belle Chasse, 6-3, 280, Sr.
DL Landon Joseph, Iowa, 6-1, 215, Jr.
DL Caden Parquette, Lutcher, 6-0, 250, Sr.
LB Charlie Diedrich, E.D. White, 6-1, 220, Sr.
LB Jaheim Diggs, South Terrebonne, 6-0, 205, Sr.
LB Hayden Horton, Loyola, 5-11, 188, Sr.
LB Brooks Monica, St. Charles, 5-11, 190, Sr.
DB Trandin Benjamin, Westgate, 5-9, 180, Sr.
DB Roderick Bingham, Plaquemine, 6-1, 170, Sr.
DB Rontrae Carter, Shaw, 6-1, 190, Jr.
DB Kaston Lewis, Iowa, 6-2, 182, Jr.
P Caden Reeser, Comeaux, 5-9, 145, Sr.
ATH Dax Pregeant, St. Charles, 6-0, 185, Sr.
RS Braylon Calais, Cecilia, 6-2, 196, Jr.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Luke Delafield, North DeSoto
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Brooks Monica, St. Charles
COACH OF THE YEAR: Tommy Johns, Iowa
Honorable mention
Chance Archangel, Westgate; Grant Barbera, E.D. White; Freddie Barra, George Washington Carver; Hayden Bell, North DeSoto; Tavon Bell, Franklin Parish; Cole Bergeron, St. Thomas More; Logan Boudreaux, Teurlings Catholic; Corey Bourgeois, Vandebilt Catholic; Christian Breaux, St. Thomas More; Trel Broom, Leesville; Gaven Brown, Iowa; Jayden Brown, St. Thomas More; Javon Calloway, Minden; Adonis Cannon, Washington-Marion; Jaden Celestine, Comeaux; S’Javien Champion, Tioga; Jacob Crane, Franklinton; Malique Credit, Franklin Parish; Michael Davis Jr., Leesville; Mason Drake, Loyola; Jacob Dunn, Skyler Edwards, St. Charles; Andrew Fruge, Teurlings Catholic; Jonathan Hargrove, Peabody; Ethan Heney, Vandebilt Catholic; Rayheinz Henry, George Washington Carver; Logan Himel, Vandebilt Catholic; Lenord Howard, Westgate; Bryceson Fontenot, Iowa; Patrick Gales, Brusly; Ryan Jenkins, Plaquemine; Avery Johnson, Franklin Parish; Jerimiah Johnson, Northwood; Kyran Johnson, Northwood; Ben Jones, St. Michael; Braylon Jones, Cecilia; Jerimiah Jones, Minden; Tucker Landry, Tioga; Montrevell Lewis, Bossier; Conner McAtee, St. Thomas More; ChrisDon McClain, St. Charles; Charlie McKenzie, Loyola; Krash Menard, Vandebilt Catholic; Brennan Miles, Plaquemine; Parker Millet, St. Charles; Dakerrion Mitchell, Booker T. Washington-Shreveport; Vontravious Moore, Booker T. Washington-Shreveport; Alex Munoz, Teurlings Catholic; Chase Naquin, E.D. White; Landon Ortte, St. Thomas More; Jacob Pajinag, Leesville; Kenny Ponthier, Tioga; Jonathan Perry Jr., North DeSoto; Bryce Restovich, Loyola; Trenajh Smith, South Terrebonne; Jack Snyder, Teurlings Catholic; Cade Stevens, Lakeshore; Bryce Stigler, Lakeshore; Kenny Thomas, North DeSoto; Justin Thomas, Northwood; Reggie Trusclair, Plaquemine; Andrew Viator, Teurlings Catholic; Drake Vincent, Brusly; John Walker, Plaquemine; Ian Wallace, Loyola; Ty Walsworth, Loyola; Miller Warren, North DeSoto; Makai Wells, Westgate; Daniel Whitlock, Wossman; Champ Williams, St. Michael; Amari Willis, DeRidder.