There is a very rich history in football at Salmen High School.
The Spartans won three state championships between 1994 and 2000 under Bill Stubbs.
Jerry Leonard did a good job as well with Salmen reaching the semifinals in 2008 and 2009 and winning a playoff game in 2010, 2011 and 2012 each.
The Spartans have reached the playoffs the last two seasons and in four of the last five seasons.
Eric Chuter is entering his fourth season at Salmen. Chuter previously served as the head coach at Archbishop Hannan for three seasons.
In the pandemic-shortened season of 2020, Salmen went 5-2, falling to North DeSoto in the Class 4A playoffs.
“Everything is back to normal and the kids are working hard,” Chuter said. “We took last year day by day. We were not worried about tomorrow. We looked at accomplishing something new every day. It was a blur. You don’t even realize what you went through and how long it was. Once we were allowed to start football, things got better.”
The Spartans could be formidable in 2021, with 11 starters returning from a year ago.
Offensively, senior quarterback Jack Gillikin returns. Last season, the 5-foot-10, 160 pounder completed 112-of-201 passes for 1,433 yards and nine touchdowns with eight interceptions.
“It is giant to have our quarterback returning,” Chuter said. “He is a three-year starter and has a great grasp of what we are trying to accomplish. We tailor things to what he does well. Jack has a very high football IQ, able to read defenses and find weaknesses and he helps our staff with what he sees. He gets the ball where it needs to be.”
Bruising junior running back Isaac Casnave (6-2” 220) is also back with experience in the backfield after scoring four touchdowns a year ago.
It will be a physical backfield with junior fullback Koi Rodgers (6-2” 215) joining Casnave.
“Casnave really came on strong this spring,” Chuter said. “He actually has thinned down. We are expecting a big year out of him. He is heavy behind his pads and deceptively fast. Rodgers has emerged at fullback. He is a huge kid who doesn’t realize how good he will be yet. He is an honor student. He is just learning how to use his size. He is super strong in the weight room. He will lead the way for Isaac.”
The wide receiver position is one in transition with a lot of receptions to replace. Gone are Jaylan Scott, Mitchell Taylor and Corey Wood, who combined for 71 catches for 952 yards and seven touchdowns last season.
There is one returning starter in senior Davonti Landry (5-9” 150). Landry had 24 receptions for 350 yards and a touchdown last season. Three seniors join him, including Jack Robertson (6’3”, 160), Brandon Acker (5’9”, 160) and Jayden Hardison (5’10”, 155).
“We lost so much at wide receiver,” Chuter said. “They were so much of our offense last season. Landry had an outstanding spring. He is a big-play guy. He has developed speed. You can’t let that fool you. Robertson is a senior who has paid his dues and he is long. It is simply about experience and having some success. Acker will play both ways. Hardison is a sleeper with huge potential.”
Up front, there are two starters back from last year, including senior center Michael Lear (5’11”, 305) and senior left guard Tzar Dubuclet (5’10” 240).
Senior Chris Coste (6’1” 230) is expected to start at left tackle while junior Landen West (5-11, 240) is the right tackle. Junior Elias Carpio (5-11” 225) will start at right guard.
“Lear is a three-year starter,” Chuter said. “He has matured to be a very good player. We started some kids young and they are now very solid up front. Dubuclet started last year as well. Our offensive line is doing a good job coming out of spring. I am excited about this group and excited about what we can do on offense.”
The defense has six starters back and seven players who saw extensive playing time a year ago, though there are three key players to replace.
Gavin Galliano, Karl Simmons and Aldo Johnson combined for 144 tackles and four interceptions last season.
The defensive line is strong, with all three starters returning, all seniors.
They include nose guard Kyran Doyle (6’0” 315), along with tackles Corey Robinson (5-11” 240) and Lawrence Looney (6-1” 225). Doyle had 30 tackles, including six for loss a year ago. Robinson was in on 28 tackles, including six sacks with two forced fumbles. Looney had 43 tackles, including nine for loss last season.
“Looney and Robinson were on offense but we moved them to the defensive front but they can still play on the offensive side,” Chuter said. “It gives us depth on one side and we want to get our best players on the field. Doyle is a three-year starter who is big and hard to move. He is nearly impossible to block without double teaming him. We will be good up front.”
Senior Ethan Steevens (5-10” 175) is the lone returning starter at linebacker. Stevens had 30 tackles, including an interception and a forced fumble in 2020. He is joined by juniors Ja’Mikal Walker (6’0” 200) and Rashad Shepard (5’9” 185). Shepard had 20 tackles, including a sack last season.
“Stevens is returning from shoulder surgery, a labrum repair,” Chuter said. “Walker and Shepard had a little experience last year. Walker had a meniscus injury which limited him last year. We have to find our identity at this spot, which is a concern. Dubuclet could play here.”
The secondary has two returning starters.
Acker is the strong safety, who recorded 33 tackles and two forced fumbles last season.
Junior cornerback Anthony Hogan (5’10” 165) was in on eight tackles and had two interceptions in 2020.
The new starters include senior strong safety Jack Robertson (6’3” 160), senior free safety Jayden Hardison (5’10” 155) and senior cornerback DeMarcus Green (5’9” 160).
“Acker is our Troy Palamalu,” Chuter said. “He lines us up, does the right things and is our leader. Robertson is a two-way player and Green has athletic ability. It will be a work in progress.”
Senior Tristen Pugmire (6’2” 160) will handle kicking and punting duties.
Playing in a small, four-team district, the Spartans play seven non-district games, opening with always tough Amite at home on Sept. 3.
A cross-town trip to Northshore follows before home games against Bogalusa and Belle Chasse. The Spartans then travel to Loranger and Kenner Discovery before concluding non-district action at home against McMain.
“I like the non-district schedule,” Chuter said. “Amite is new to the schedule. There is some history when both schools were 3A schools years ago. They are always very good. I would rather open with someone else but we like the competition and getting tested early. Northshore has always hung with us. We always play.
Like Northshore, Bogalusa has a new head coach. I like playing Belle Chasse. They will play smash-mouth football and challenge you up front. That helps us down the line. Loranger is an annual opponent and will always be competitive. They will be better. Coach Sprunk has Kenner Discovery pointed in the right direction. I don’t know much about McMain but we look forward to the challenge.”
District 8-4A has Salmen hosting Pearl River on Oct. 22 before a road trip to Franklinton. The regular season concludes at home against Lakeshore on Nov. 15.
“I know Pearl River lost a lot but they will be competitive,” Chuter said. “Coach Barber had a staff turnover at Franklinton and I expect they will be a lot better. The team you have to beat these days is Lakeshore. We were up 14-0 on them last year and a pick-six turned the game around. We have to find a way to get over the hump. I think we’re close.”
Entering his fourth season, Chuter sees the light of a program about to turn the corner.
“We did a little bit of rebuilding,” Chuter said. “We had just 32 kids our first year. We are slowly building it up. That is what it will take, continuing to improve numbers and we are doing so slowly but surely. We would love to get to playing guys on one side of the ball. My goal was in four years was to get to 75 players and we are there now in the program. We’re close. We are becoming better and more desirable for kids in our school district.”
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