Caldwell’s dynamic duo of quarterback Jon Paul Shaw and wide receiver Zae Brown connected for three touchdowns in their win over Mangham. Shaw’s 238 passing yards and four touchdowns and Brown’s 134 receiving yards propelled the Spartans to their first victory against the Dragons in ten years.
Week 2 of the high school football season featured standout performances from Wossman’s Richard Wilson Jr. and Franklin Parish’s Javion White and Carl Williams. Wilson recorded three interceptions and a kickoff return touchdown. White tallied 168 receiving yards with two touchdowns and added a kickoff and punt return touchdowns. Williams had 18 tackles, two sacks and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
OCS two-way star Zach White claims the first Aaron’s Aces award of the 2023 high school football season. White had two touchdowns and an interception in OCS’s season opener win against Dallas Christian.
The 2023 high school football season is right around the corner and in todays game, offensive linemen are getting more attention. LSU big men, Will Campbell and Lance Heard, have set the bar high in north east Louisiana for linemen which has gave linemen the attention they deserved. In this edition of “Ace Watch”, Sports Director, Aaron Dietrich, highlights three offensive linemen that anchor their respective teams offense.
In 1993, West Monroe won its first football state championship under legendary head coach Don Shows. The Rebels reunited 30 years later to celebrate another honor of being named Aaron’s Aces.
Former Aaron’s Ace for Ouachita football and basketball, Cam Sims, continues to make a name for himself in the NFL. After five years in Washington, Sims is preparing for his first season with the Raiders.
West Monroe’s two sport star Hayden Federico is anxious to kick off his senior season as the Rebels’ returning starting quarterback. However, the three-time Aaron’s Ace has a golden opportunity to attend Team USA’s training camp in hopes of making the National Team roster for the 18U Baseball World Cup.
Adam Wiedemeier finished his swimming career at West Monroe as a five-time state champion. He swims on to the next level at Missouri S&T as an Aaron’s Ace.
Ashlyn Rodgers became the first and only Franklin Parish track and field athlete to win two state championships. She won back-to-back titles in javelin.
For the first time in OCS track and field history, seniors Chad Strickland, Mason Minvielle, Broc Hogan and Patrick Brocato led the Eagles to their third consecutive state championship.
The Oak Grove Tigers dynasty added some more gold to their trophy case after cashing in on their third straight state baseball championship. The Tigers came out swinging against DeQuincy in the state championship game but Oak Grove gave up a nine run lead which put the game into extra innings. In the 12th inning, sophomore, Tanner Duff, drilled the walk-off hit to name Oak Grove as state champions for the third straight season. This trio of baseball stars earned the latest Aaron’s Aces honors.
Karson Trichel led OCS to its tenth state championship behind a one hit shutout, earning him MVP honors. The sophomore LSU commit only gave up one run in 20 innings of work this postseason.
Allie Wainwright, Anna Cate Miller and Lily Wainwright helped lead Claiborne Christian to back-to-back state championship titles. Allie Wainwright hit a solo home run in the first inning of the championship game. Miller allowed just one run on three hits, while striking out 11. As the only senior on the team, Lily Wainwright scored a run to secure the title.
The Wossman boys track & field team only has five athletes but what they lack in numbers, they more than make up for in talent. The Wildcats had 14 top five finishes to total 59 points, which gave the Wildcats the three-point edge over state runner-up University to take home the LHSAA Class 3A State Championship. The five athletes outstanding showing on the big stage earned them this week’s Aaron’s Aces honors.
Neville and West Monroe both faced elimination games in the LHSAA baseball regionals. Michael Plummer secured the Tigers trip to the quarterfinals with a no-hitter. Behind the junior duo of pitcher Brennan Eager and slugger Hayden Federico, the defending State Champion Rebels head back to the quarterfinals.
The West Monroe Lady Rebels come storming into the non-select division I semi-finals with a lot of momentum. Fueled by Macy Nordstrom who had 23 strikeouts in just two playoff games. They have a tall task ahead of them as they go head-to-head with top seeded St. Amant. In non-select division III, the Sterlington Lady Panthers are also making their third straight appearance to Sulphur. Emma Brown, Aaliyah Alfaro and Maddie Taylor have been leading the charge for their championship run. Brown has 7 homeruns and 43 RBI’S on the season and Aaliyah Alfaro has 4 homeruns. Maddie Taylor has been one of the best pitchers in the state with 18 wins under her belt. The top ranked Panthers take on fifth ranked Jena on Friday.
John Pearson and Tyler Roark have been standout sluggers this season for defending state champion West Monroe, leading the Rebels to a first-round playoff bye. In his junior season, Pearson has a .414 batting average with five home runs and 27 RBIs. Roark, a sophomore, is batting .360 with 27 RBIs. With questionable facial hair choices and unquestionable talent, Pearson and Roark are Aaron’s Aces.
Landon Graves and Carter Volion led OCS to a victory over Ruston on their senior day. Graves went 2-3 with a double and three runs scored. Volion knocked in the tying run in the seventh inning, going 2-4 with two RBI.
Kasee Sketoe, Kamaria Evans and Karson Oliver led West Monroe girl’s powerlifting to its second consecutive state championship title. Sketoe, Evans and Oliver placed first in their respective weight classes, lifting the Rebels to a 23-point advantage over the second-place finisher.
Victoria Gray helped lead St. Frederick to its first district title in 23 years. She went 3-0 in the circle this week, while driving in 26 runs and hitting four home runs on the season.
Basketball runs through the Ellis’s family blood line, siblings Ronald Ellis Junior and Roniya Ellis both brought home district 1-4A MVP’s. This star-studded basketball duo is coached by their father, Ronald Ellis Sr. who was also named district 4-1A coach of the year.
The #6 Richwood Rams have punched their ticket to the quarterfinals in the non-select division III bracket behind an eye popping performance by senior guard, Courtney McCarthy. The newest Aaron’s Ace put up 20 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists and five steals in the 95 to 55 win over #11 Marksville. McCarthy and the Rams look to carry that momentum into Winnfield, when they go take on the #3 Tigers on Friday for the quarterfinals.
The OCS Lady Eagles have been flying high, winning 16 of their last 17 games. None bigger than their district championship win over Cedar Creek, that went all the way to the final tick. Senior point guard, Anna Dale Melton hit the game winning shot over the Lady Cougars to secure OCS a district championship and the fourth seed in select division IV. Ava West has also been lighting up the scoreboard as a eighth grader at the varsity level, averaging 11 points per game.
Sterlington is known as a football powerhouse but this Panthers squad is flipping the script. Right now, Sterlington boys basketball is 22-7 and currently ranked 9th in non-select division III. Coming off huge wins over Richwood and Union Parish. The Panthers glue comes from the big three of seniors Cooper Smith, Cardez Norman and freshman Cooper Nelson. Their electric play that has lead Sterlington to four straight wins earns them this week’s Aaron’s Aces honors.
Wossman isn’t experiencing a championship hangover, the lady Wildcats are currently sitting at number two in the non-select division II with a 20-3 record. After their win over Richwood, they have won 12 straight games. The Wildcats are fueled by the dynamic trio of Anyra Wilson, Ramiah Augurson and Danya Ross . Each player averages around 15 to 18 points per game, earning them this weeks Aaron’s Aces honors.
Ouachita is coming off a stunning buzzer beater victory over powerhouse Ruston. Bradshaw hit the game winning shot for the Lions but his dynamic play is what is leading Ouachita to a 14-7 record. Bradshaw leads the team with 15 points and eight rebounds per game. Sophomore guard, Zion Weeks has also stepped up to the plate to lead the Lions to 7th place in the non-select division one rankings.
The Wossman boy’s basketball team is currently 15-5 and coming off a Don Redden Memorial Classic championship. This week’s Aaron’s Aces have helped put the Wildcats at #1 in non-select division two. Sophomore guard, Antron Mason, averages a team high 15 points per game. While junior guard, Jordan Comanche isn’t far behind with14 points per contest. The 6′8 forward, Kamron Coleman racks up 9 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Sterlington wide receiver John Barr finished this season with seven touchdown catches on 19 receptions. Over the past two seasons, Barr tallied 19 touchdown receptions. Before he continues his football career at ULM, Barr celebrates his long overdue honor as an Aaron’s Ace.
The 2022 high school football season featured many of the top Northeast Louisiana stars putting on showstopping performances, earning them Aaron’s Aces honors. Ruston’s quarterback Jaden Osborne and defensive tackle Christian Davis and Union’s defensive back Cam Hill all had standout seasons. They can now sport long overdue Aaron’s Aces shirts.
Amareya Greeley earned the I-20 Bowl MVP behind a two receiving and one passing touchdown performance. Greeley rushed for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 total touchdowns this season for Carroll. He now finishes his high school football career as an Aaron’s Ace.
Oak Grove senior Kam Franklin led the Tigers defense with eight tackles, including three for a loss, in the semi-final win against Haynesville. Franklin marches his Tigers to the Superdome as an Aaron’s Ace. Zach White and Noah Lovelady each recorded a pick six in OCS’s semi-final victory over Ascension Catholic. Lovelady added another interception and eight tackles, while White tallied 11 tackles plus 103 rushing yards. The two playmakers lead the Eagles to the Dome for the fourth straight season as Aaron’s Aces.
Ruston’s Dyson Fields and Jadon Mayfield helped lead the Bearcats to a quarterfinal win over Denham Springs. In two playoff games, Fields has rushed for 368 yards and nine touchdowns. Mayfield racked up eight tackles and two sacks. The dynamic duo continues the chase for Ruston’s first state title since 1990 as Aaron’s Aces.
Matthew Fobbs-White and Jaylon Nichols helped lead Neville to a second-round playoff win over East Ascension. Fobbs-White tallied eight tackles, including one hit that has people talking across the state. Nichols, who is only a sophomore, rushed for 198 yards on 28 carries. The teammates can now celebrate as the newest Aaron’s Aces.
Ouachita senior Chaunky Lewis rushed for 209 yards and three touchdowns in the Lions 35-21 playoff win against Hahnville. Lewis has racked up 508 rushing yards and seven scores in the last two games, while also being one of Ouachita’s leading tacklers. The two-way star is now an Aaron’s Ace.
St. Frederick quarterback Micah Bell led the Warriors to touchdowns on their first five drives against Cedar Creek. The senior signal caller rushed for 112 yards on 17 carries and three touchdowns and added 81 yards through the air and two scores. Bell has time to soak in his newest honor as his eighth seeded Warriors have a bye week for the first round of playoffs.
The Chiefs broke a 4 game losing streak behind the legs of Antonio “Cadillac” Ford after beating Pineville, 41-7. Ford finished with 266 yards and 3 touchdowns against the Rebels, earning him this weeks Aaron’s Aces honors. Ford has been the centerpiece of the Chiefs offense all year long and he will try to continue that trend against Alexandria and through out the playoffs.
West Monroe’s quarterback Hayden Federico led the Rebels to a 45-14 revenge victory against Ouachita. He led the offensive attack with five total touchdowns. West Monroe tallied 352 total yards of offense. The two-sport star earns his first Aaron’s Ace award on the gridiron.
The Union Parish Farmers got their revenge against Sterlington this past week with a win at Doc Elliot Stadium (29-21). A big contributor to that was sophomore linebacker, Tyquereis Wilson. He terrorized the Panthers with 22 solo tackles, 4 assists, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble and 1 pass deflected. With those stats, Wilson earned this weeks Aaron’s Ace honors.
West Monroe’s Grant Edmondson had two interceptions in the Rebels 54-0 victory over Pineville, including his first career pick six. OCS’s Tate Hamby recorded two touchdown receptions, an interception and a punt return touchdown in the Eagles 49-7 win against St. Frederick. The versatile playmakers are the newest Aaron’s Aces.
Senior wide receiver Aaron Jackson scored three touchdowns for Ruston in the Bearcats 27-21 victory against Neville. The former Tiger got revenge on his old team with 129 yards on six catches. Jackson is an Aaron’s Ace for the first time.
Union Parish running back Trey Holly is the new all-time leading rusher in Louisiana after his 250 yard and 4 touchdown performance against Bastrop, earning his 4th Aaron’s Ace honor. Over in Monroe, Carroll dual threat quarterback, Demardrick Blunt lead the Bulldogs to a huge 34-20 win over the defending 3A champs. Blunt put up 204 total yards and reached pay dirt 3 times.
Mangham running back Jalen Williams rushed for 206 yards and five touchdowns in the Dragons win against Caldwell. He has 13 touchdowns through three games. Neville quarterback Brooks Anzalone threw for 249 yards and four touchdowns in the Tigers victory against Huntington. He is an Aaron’s Ace for the first time.
OCS quarterback Landon Graves had an inspired performance against Oak Grove in honor of his injured teammate Chad Strickland. Graves’ accounted for 241 yards and two passing touchdowns and rushed for 100 yards and another three scores. Ouachita running back Carldell Sirmons put on a show against Neville with 262 yards on 24 carries and four touchdown runs. Sirmons has scored four touchdowns in each of his first two games.
Our first Aaron’s Ace goes to Oak Groves sophomore Ramarion Ruffin, the 152 pound back scored 5 touchdowns vs Opelousas Catholic. Now the Tigers switch their focus to OCS in week 2.
This dynamic duo from Ruston is ready to get over their playoff hump. In the last 4 seasons, the Bearcats have been sent packing home from the quarterfinals. Quarterback Jaden Osborne and running back Dyson Fields plan to change that. Osborne finished with 923 passing yards last season. Dyson Fields found paydirt 31 times last season as well. Ruston will kick off against Warren Easton in week one.
Trey Holly is a special player, the Union Parish star is 875 yards away from breaking the states all-time rushing record. In this weeks edition of Aaron’s Aces we honor one of the states top running backs and why he decided to play for his senior year.
OCS’s Jay Parker is a two-time State Champion in the two mile and the school record holder in the mile. Before he continues his track career at ULM, Parker clocks in as an Aaron’s Ace.
West Monroe’s Colby Dark and Sterlington’s Ian Carter have the personalities to match their impressive fishing skills. The high school seniors recently finished fourth out of 236 teams at the 2022 High School National Championship in Alabama. They have also reeled in the title of Aaron’s Aces first anglers.
Dakota Gasca left his mark on the court for West Monroe. In his season season, Gasca earned honorable mention on the Class 5A All-State team and first team recognition on the All-Parish team. He will continue his basketball career at Millsaps College.
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