When you play Belle Chasse High School, there are some absolutes in terms of expectations.
You know it is going to be a fast game.
You understand that you will have to match the Cardinals physicality and toughness.
You are certain to face a well coached team.
You must commit eight men to the box and take your chances in the event of a pass.
The forward pass is an oddity, a rarity for the Cardinals, a rare development in today’s brand of football which features spread attacks and run-pass option looks.
For Stephen Meyers, the option attack remains a staple of a solid program for a solid coach.
Now in his seventh year, the results have been consistently clear for a very consistent program.
Despite facing many teams with superior athletes, Belle Chasse has competed well, make that very well, to the tune of a 41-33 record
The 26th seed, Belle Chasse reached the Class 4A state playoffs a year ago, falling in the second round to Eunice after upsetting No. 7 Carver 35-14 in the opening round. It was the second time in three years that the Cardinals defeated the always talented Rams in the opening round of the playoffs.
It was the fourth straight year that the Cardinals won a playoff game before going out in round two.
The Cardinals also reached the playoffs in 2015 under Meyers.
“You want to be consistent as a program,” Meyers said. “You would like to be seven to nine wins a year. We have been able to win playoff games but now the goal is to get past the second round and to get to play Thanksgiving week. We’ve been close but have not taken that step.”
There are 10 starters returning from a year ago in 2021.
The biggest challenge is replacing all-district performer Twillie Lovett, who quarterbacked the Cardinals and is now at McNeese as a defensive back.
Stepping up to the challenge is 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior Stone Meyers, the son of the head coach.
“Twillie was good for us,” Meyers said. “Stone can manage the offense well and he is an efficient runner and passer. We will be able to throw it more consistently this year. He has been around this offense since he was very young so he knows what we are trying to do. He has a high IQ, is tough and is a leader on the team.”
The wingbacks will be a solid duo in junior Alfred Carter (5-9, 190) and sophomore Kaleb Wallace (5-9, 155) while sophomore Jaedon Voison (6-2, 215) a starter on defense, will also see action at running back.
“Alfred and Kaleb provide power and quickness,” Meyers said. “Both are returning starters so they should be even better for us this season.”
The fullback is junior Jace Gibson (5-8, 195).
The offensive line should be good, with three starters returning, including a two-way performer in junior Riley Whitten (6’2, 265), who will also play defensive line.
“We have three starters back from a year ago,” Meyers said. “Whitten is our center and is a three-year starter now. David Leaber is a junior (5-8, 240) and Corbin Richardson (5’8, 240) should be solid at the guard spots. David started at center for us last year while Riley played guard. They are switching. Junior Hunter Orgeron (6-2, 275) and senior Patrick Chudzinski (6-1, 230) is a returning starter.”
The top receiver will be senior Trace Williams (6-2, 190), who has sure hands and may help the Cardinals expand their passing game.
“Trace has good size and he is a four-year starter,” Meyers said. “He is sure-handed and will help us while junior Jerimiah Moses will see action there as well as starting on defense for us.”
Junior Gary Ragas (6-0, 205) is the tight end.
Another key player to replace is tight end/linebacker Vincent Drake, who is now at The University of Arkansas at Monticello.
There is a bit less experience on defense, where four starters are back.
“We have four guys up front, including a pair of returning starters in junior Nathan Payne (5-10, 245) and Whitten, who will play both ways,” Meyers said. “Sophomore Lamar Wallace (6-2, 225) and senior Dylan Piglia (6-4, 240) is the lone senior on the defensive line. It should be an improved group from last season.”
The strength of the unit is the linebacker position, where juniors Kyelin Smith (6-2, 230) and Voison lead the way.
“Linebacker is a good position for us,” Meyers said. “Smith is very good while Voison is athletic. Sophomore Aedan Westbrook (5-10, 190) is another who will contribute for us and we have another player transferring in who will factor strongly when he becomes eligible. Ragas will also play linebacker.”
The secondary should be solid, led by a pair of good safeties in senior Tyler Dickson (5-11,” 186) and junior Jerimiah Moses (6’1, 190).
“Our safeties are really good,” Meyers said. “Dickson is a three-year starter and a leader. He is tough, fast and likes to hit. Moses is simply a good athlete and rangy. Seniors Kyron Ramsey (5-8, 155) and Evan Pollard (5-9, 160), along with sophomore Leon Jackson (5’10, 155) will all play at the corner spot.”
With its grinding style and solid preparation, Belle Chasse figures to be in games weekly, seeking early on to learn and improve as its younger players gain needed experience.
The schedule is challenging, with only four games at Belle Chasse Stadium with six away from home.
The regular season opens with the battle of Plaquemines Parish against South Plaquemines at Belle Chasse on Sept. 3 before the Cardinals entertain Riverdale.
A stretch of four consecutive road games follow, at Vandebilt Catholic, Salmen, Franklinton and Riverside.
The final non-district game is at Belle Chasse Stadium against Lakeshore.
District 10-4A play has the Cardinals at Helen Cox and traditional power Karr before closing at home against Landry on Nov. 5.
“It may be the toughest schedule ever for Belle Chasse,” Meyers said. “South Plaquemines is a tough rivalry game and they will be ready for us. Playing four straight on the road is difficult. Vandebilt is a solid program. Salmen is tough, hard. Franklinton will be much improved. Riverside was very good last year and has very good athletes. Lakeshore will be improved and they are always really good.
“Helen Cox will be improved, Karr is always elite with a bunch of athletes and Landry has a lot of talent. It is going to be very demanding.”
With the consistency displayed over an extended period of time, there is an absolute in terms of what to expect from Belle Chasse in 2021.
“We are young but more athletic than last year,” Meyers said. “We have just five senior starters with a lot of juniors and some sophomores. The future is quite good but we feel good about the overall ability to translate into winning again. We have to improve weekly through game experience.”
Look for the Cardinals to be in the 4A playoffs again and quite possibly advancing past the first round again. The question will be how soon younger players mature while learning through many tough road tests in the early part of the season.
“We really look forward to a normal season,” Meyers said.
Click here for more CCS Prep Football team previews (including archives of past season preview).
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Football Preview: Belle Chasse looks to continue consistency - crescentcitysports.com
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