TOP 10, All-Grissom Football Teams

Week 1

September 1, 2023

1. Ruston Bearcats

Ruston enters the year fresh from a state championship runner-up in 2022 and will have enough talent to finish the job in 2023. A stacked defense that features over 4 Division I caliber athletes will make it hard for their opponents to move the ball against Ruston Defensive Coordinator’s Kyle Williams 4-2-5 scheme. Ahmad Breaux, Geordan Guidry and Jadon Walker will occupy the box while Nate Johnson, Semaj Jones and Aidan Anding patrol the back end. Junior RB Jordan Hayes will take on the task of replacing All-State RB Dyson Fields after rushing for over 500 yards as a sophomore.

2. Neville Tigers

The Tigers return a slew of starters from last year’s quarterfinals team and will look to make another run at a state title for the first time in 8 years. However, the most important position (QB) in football will have to be replaced, but it looks as if senior John Michael Samponago is ready to fill the void. Senior Aman Fuller will also add depth to the position as the Tigers explore a dual-QB system. Neville will be strong in the skill positions but will need to gel in the trenches if they want to be considered a viable contender, but with Cam Riley, Julian Burns and Allen Price patrolling the secondary, points will still come at a premium.

3. Oak Grove

Another set of Tigers enter my Top 10 at #3 but can also make a claim to be higher. Oak Grove just keeps on winning. One of only 2 area teams to win the title last year, the Tigers will also look to repeat as champs and bring an 8th trophy to West Carroll Parish. Junior signal-caller Jackson Bradley has star written all over him. He’s so talented that the Tigers revamped their offense to fit him. He reminds me of a prep version of Josh Allen. He can do it all! WR Brodie Stuart will be his favorite target while RB Jay Freeman will soften the box with some gashing runs. On the other side of the ball will be senior James Harris, who may be the best linebacker in the state. I fully expect another trophy in the cabinet in 2023.

4. West Monroe Rebs

You can never really count the Rebs out of contention and honestly, they could be #1 to start every year, but they’ll have to venture into 2023 with a new leader. For the first time since 1989 neither Don Shows nor Jerry Arledge will walk the sidelines for the Rebs. Todd Garvin takes over after a brief stint as Ouachita head coach. Garvin has coached for the Rebs in the past so he knows the expectations and after being the first Lions’ coach to beat West Monroe in nearly 30 years I’m sure the Reb faithful are happy he’s back on their side. WRs David Moore and Grant Edmonson will take on the task of providing the offensive spark while Caden Cunningham and Tyler Roark will enforce the defense.

5. Ouachita Lions

The Benjy Lewis era begins in 2023 after the departure of Todd Garvin for West Monroe. Lewis, a 2-time champion as defensive coordinator while at Neville, will put a strong emphasis on the defensive side of the ball and if there’s ever a season where that was necessary it would be this one. Losing Chunk Lewis (graduation) and all-everything TB Cardell Sirmons (transfer) would just about kill any team’s offensive chances, but the Lions will be in good hands with returning starter Zac Jackson at the helm. Sophomore TB Wydell Clark has shown glimpses of greatness in practice but will have some huge shoes to fill.

6. Sterlington

You can never count the Panthers out of title contention and this season will be no different. After a somewhat disappointing end to the 2022 year the Panthers come into 2023 with a lineup full of young talent on both sides of the ball. Sophomore Dylan Downs will be asked to fill the QB void left by Mason Lowhorn and although he’s young, he’ll expand the offense for the Panthers. RB Tramell Colvin returns for another great year and has his eyes set on a 2,000-yard year. LB Jackson King returns to lead a defense that under-achieved a year ago. A disappointing 2nd round exit to district rival, Union Parish is just the motivation Sterlington Head Coach Lee Doty will need to keep his young team focused on a return trip to New Orleans in December.

7. Carroll Bulldogs

In April, I expected that I’d have Carroll firmly in my top 5, but a series of unfortunate events have taken place since then which is why now they come in at #7. Former Carroll Head Coach Brandon Landers was relieved his duties after the notorious incident vs Franklin Parish led to a snowball of events that left the ‘Dogs in an uncompromising situation. Landers was a jolt in the arms on Renwick St. last season and replacing him won’t be easy. Transfer RB Cardell Sirmons’ addition to the team somewhat softened the blow of losing Landers but his eligibility hasn’t been fully granted at this moment. If the ‘Dogs had Landers and Sirmons at their disposal, they’d easily be my front-runner for the 3A title, however with Sirmons alone is good enough to keep them in contention. Added to that is he is a Division I athlete, Nate Roberts who will now be asked step his game up another notch. If Sirmons is deemed ineligible, Carroll will right in the mix of the district title.

8. OCS Eagles

In case you haven’t noticed, I disregard classification when I’m making my rankings. The most important numbers that I care about is the win total and the Eagles have flown high in that category year in and year out. This year’s team will do much of the same as they also return a ton of talent. Vanderbilt-commit Tate Hamby could play for any high school in the state and make an impact wherever he plays. The 6’3 two-way athlete is a phenomenal wide receiver and defensive back for the Eagles but will probably play safety on the next level. Combined with Noah Lovelady, Ben Devall, and Zac White this year’s senior class looks to repeat as champs for the first time since 2011-2012.

9. Union Parish

Unfortunately, the Trey Holly era is done, and no one will feel that blow more than his former team. The state’s all-time leading rusher departed Union Parish without accomplishing the overall goal of a title, but can say that he left the program in a better place than it was before he got there. It is now the next group’s job to keep the ship afloat. One of the guys who’s up for the task of filling Holly’s shoes will be senior RB Jymarion Island, who rushed for over 1,000 yards a year ago. QB Jordan Hill will also have to expand his game if the Farmers want to capture their first title in a decade. Defensively, the Farmers have a stacked LB corps led by junior Ty Wilson who led the Farmers with 12 sacks a year ago.

10. Wossman

On paper, the Wildcats have the pieces to be a top 5 caliber team, but that’s yet to be seen. However, in year 2 of the Terrence Cahee era I do expect the ‘Cats to open a few eyes. Senior QB Tristan Wooten has the tools to put a team on his back but won’t need to with an ample array of weapons at his disposal. Trae Mason, Richard Wilson and Travis Lynch are game-changing athletes that can score anytime they touch the ball. Wilson will also be called on the patrol the defense along with Javontai Spears, Jalen Williams and Keishon Hines. If the ‘Cats can keep this younger group healthy and motivated, I can see a potential district championship. Either way the ‘Cats will be the most improved team in the area in 2023.

Just Missed It: Franklin Parish, Bastrop, St Fred., Mangham, General Trass, Ferriday

1. Ruston Bearcats

2. Neville Tigers

3. Oak Grove Tiger

4. West Monroe Rebs

5. Ouachita Lions

6. Sterlington Panthers

7. Carroll Bulldogs

8. OCS Eagles

9. Union Parish Farmers

10. Wossman Wildcats

2023 All-Grissom First Team Offense

QB – Jackson Bradley, Jr. Oak Grove

RB – Cardell Sirmons, Sr. Carroll*

RB – Tramell Colvin, Sr. Sterlington

RB – Antonio Ford, Sr. West Ouachita

RB – Jordan Hayes, Jr. Ruston

WR – Nate Roberts, Sr. Carroll

WR – Bradley Hanlon, Sr. Neville

WR – David Moore, Sr. West Monroe

WR – Lantavion Murphy, Jr. Rayville

TE – Tre Bradford, Jr. Ouachita

OL – Nate Green, Sr. West Monroe

OL – Mitch Hodnett, Sr. Sterlington

OL– Vasser Day, Sr. St Fred

OL - Ryder Bentley, Sr. OCS

OL– Taylor Quinn, Sr. Neville

Ath – Javion White, Sr. Franklin Parish

Kr – Kaleb Vaughn, Jr. Neville

K – Will Fendley, Sr. Ruston

2023 All-Grissom First Team Defense

DL – Ahmad Breaux, Sr. Ruston

DL – Brody Whatley, Jr. Neville

DL – Geordan Guidry, Sr. Ruston

DL – Logan Hughes, Sr. Madison Parish

Edge – Kameron Williams, Sr. General Trass

LB – Noah Lovelady, Sr. OCS

LB – Brelen Robinson, Sr. Neville

LB – James Harris, Sr. Oak Grove

LB – Jadon Mayfield, Sr. Ruston

HYB – Julian Burns, Soph. Neville

DB – Richard Wilson, Jr. Wossman

DB – Cam Riley, Jr. Neville

DB – Michael Wright, Sr. Richwood

DB – Semaj Jones, Sr. Ruston

Ath – Tate Hamby, Sr. Ocs

P – Aidan Parker, Jr. Sterlington

PR – Dezmen Jefferson, Jr. Ferriday