In Class 5A football this year one district stood out more than any other. With two District 2-5A teams, Acadiana and Sulphur, battling it out in the 5A championship game, it's no surprise the south Louisiana district also dominates this year's all-state team. District 2-5A placed nine players on the squad selected by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
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The Outstanding Offensive Player Award went to Lafayette quarterback Blake Barousse, who led the Lions with 2,029 yards in the air. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior completed 124 of 181 attempts and had 20 touchdowns.
Across town at state champion Acadiana, the Rams boasted the Outstanding Defensive Player of the year in senior Wilfred Journet. The defensive lineman registered 126 tackles — 48 for a loss, including 19 sacks — had two interceptions, three forced fumbles and blocked six kicks, three of which he returned for touchdowns.
Completing the District 2-5A sweep of the top awards is Sulphur's Paul Bourgeois, named Coach of the Year after taking his Tors on a remarkable playoff run that saw them post three consecutive road wins to reach the finals in the Superdome.
Sulphur played one playoff game at home, opening the playoffs with a win over Covington before posting road wins at West Monroe, Carencro and Rummel.
Joining Barousse on offense from District 2-5A are Carencro running back Alonzo Landry (1,937 yards), offensive lineman Ethan Piazza of Acadiana and Justin Breaux, a Sulphur defensive lineman who was selected at the athlete position after posting 62 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Along with Journet on defense are a pair of linebackers in Sulphur's Ryan Godare (153 tackles and three sacks) and Carencro's Trent Mackey (161 tackles and 12 sacks).
Rounding out the District 2 selections are defensive back Casey Latiolais of Acadiana and Sulphur kick returner Isiah Ryan.The wide receivers are Chad Keys of St. Paul's (1,130 yards, 12 TDs) and Damian Jefferson of Assumption (1,039 yards, nine TDs).
Joining them is East St. John tight end Jarrod Sterling, who had 347 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Joining Piazza on the offensive line are Catholic High's Logan Roubique, West Jefferson's Irvin Bocage, East St. John's Patrick Lewis and Ruston's Justin Frazier.
Joining Landry at running back are East St. John's John Owen (1,469 yards, 28 TDs) and Phillip Livas of South Terrebonne with 1,833 yards and 24 touchdowns.
In addition to Journet, the defensive line consists of Catholic High's Jason Peters (61 tackles), West Monroe's Will Blackwell (54 tackles) and John Ehret's Drake Nevis (123 tackles). West Monroe's Derek Casola (83 tackles) and Slidell's Cedric Cooper rounded out the linebackers.
The other defensive backs are East St. John's Stefoin Francois (81 tackles), West Monroe's Terry Carter (52 tackles) and Catholic's Thomas Broussard (45 tackles, 4 interceptions, three returned for TDs).
East St. John's Radi Jabour is the kicker, while Holy Cross' Danny Hrappman is the punter. Jabour booted a 59-yard field goal this season, while Hrappman averaged 43.6 yards per punt.
HONORABLE MENTION: Demaris Johnson, Destrehan; Lamar Haddox, Ruston; Jordan Rideaux, Carencro; Ryan Lewis, Catholic-BR; Ben Alsup, Ruston; Scott Buisson, Rummel; Jeremy Stewart, Catholic-BR; Kevin Caesar, Ruston; LaDarius Abrams, West Monroe; Justan Gibson, Byrd; Vetric Sam, New Iberia; David Hankins, Byrd; Kip Jacob, Acadiana; Matthew Broha, Catholic-BR; Luther Davis, West Monroe; Joel Bonomolo, Rummel; Nathan Clophus, Sulphur; Jonathan Lirette, South Terrebonne; Lucas Oakley, Ruston; Devin Thomas, Lafayette; Steven Hoffpauir, Barbe; Brett Thibodeaux, Woodlawn-BR; Tremayne Williams, Woodlawn-BR; Kelvin D. York, Dutchtown; Rishaw Johnson, Hammond; Kevin Saia, Dutchtown.