OCS aims to remain among the best programs in Louisiana – Crescent City Sports

It doesn’t take long to play the scroll.

Louisiana’s elite programs, which have won several state championships since 2010, are obvious.

Acadiana, Archbishop Rummel, Calvary Baptist, Catholic (Baton Rouge), John Curtis Christian, Evangel Christian, Haynesville, Karr, Kentwood, Kinder, Lafayette Christian, Lutcher, Many, Neville, Notre Dame, Oak Grove, Ouachita Christian, Parkview Baptist, Southern Lab, St. Thomas More, University High and Zachary make up the list.

Of the 22, 21 are official as Southern Lab had to lose a couple of titles.

Since 2010, Ouachita Christian has played in six state championships, winning four times.

Only Acadiana (five) has won more state certificates during that time, while Lafayette Christian has leveled the Eagles in four championships.

Steven Fitzhugh has won six state championships out of seven in OCS history 27 during his tenure. He has led Eagles state products in 1997, 2000, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2019.

Every year is a blessing, a win or a loss, Fitzhugh said. You enjoy the years you win and take prizes home, but it’s about young men who teach, care for, and build leaders throughout their lives. It was a great year last year, and we are always looking forward to the challenge of each new year and trying to enjoy it during the process of trying to win the championship. We have a great staff and great young men with high expectations.

Ouachita Christian dropped a step a few years ago, losing to Calvary Baptist in the Natchitoches Division IV title game.

Seven beginners return injured a year ago.

The Eagles ’biggest challenge is replacing defender Hunter Herring, now at the University of Louisiana (Lafayette).

Two-year defense starter Junior Landon Graves (5-10, 180) makes the transition to a quarterback to lead the way. Graves has some experience as he started earlier as a quarterback 2-0.

Landon played last year and we have 100 percent confidence in him, Fitzhugh said. Over the years, we have always had to replace good players as a quarterback, and we have been blessed to do so. Landon was thrown into the fire during his first year, and he had a huge game. He has started on both sides of the ball. I don’t think we’ll lose the beat.

Junior Chad Strickland (5-9, 165) is the starting player.

Strickland is a first-year starter, but he’s explosive, Fitzhugh said. Noah Lovelady also plays.

Senior Tristan Wiley (6-2, 185) was a nationwide receiver a year ago. Wiley has offers from the Air Force and the Central Tennessee area. Senior Thomas Culp (5-9, 170) also brings talent and experience to the task.

Wiley is terribly good and we expect even bigger things from him, Fitzhugh said. He loves to work hard and is very successful to the next level. It’s been a while since we had the coveted receiver, a player of great size and speed, who won the state title in the 300-meter hurdles. He is good.

The line of attack should be pretty good when four out of five beginners return.

Senior Andy Weatherford (6-4, 295) shows the way and has returned as an all-state performer in the fight. Senior James David Miller (6-1, 240) also returns and stands out alongside two-way star Casey Cobb (6-3, 225). Senior Avery Pilgreen (6-1, 210) has also returned to the Eagles.

We have a very experienced line of attack, Fitzhugh said. All four guys started as sophomore students and returned last year. That is the strength of our team, the strength of our team.

While the attack is experienced and talented, the defense is big younger and needs to mature quickly.

Elder Casey Cobb was a defending lineman from all states last season and has a good running partner at Miller.

Cobb was great last year, Fitzhugh said. He is one of the most productive lines of defense we have had in two decades. He plays a lot passionately. Miller started last year and we need a few more to grow. Ryder Bentley (6-5, 235) could also produce great things. His father is one of our coaches.

At the back, Wiley and Graves return when sophomore Noah Lovelady (6-1, 195) started a freshman and sees time on the way back as well. Senior linebacker Barham White (6-1, 170) and sophomore linebacker Zach White (5-11, 170) are also returning for beginners.

We return Lovelady and she led us into the fight for the freshman, Fitzhugh said. He runs very well. I think he’s one division. He can really play. He can do what you need. Junior Colin Cork is another player who played well towards the end of last season and we expect him to be good. Wiley and Graves play secondarily with Garrett Simmons, who has strong safety.

Graves was a year ago a statesman bomb and bolt kick game.

The schedule is difficult again.

The Eagles open on the road in Southwood and twice defend Class 1A State Champion Oak Grove at the inauguration of both teams in the early season for both teams.

We start the district in week 2, the whole week of nine, Fitzhugh said.

Next is the home game with the island of Sicily before the road games at Cedar Creek and St.Frederick.

Games with Delhi Charter and River Oaks will follow before the end of the Eagles with three straight home games against Tensas, Delhi and Mangham.

The Mangham game gets us ready for the playoffs, Fitzhugh said. Oak Grove is definitely the team to win again. They return several good players and are used to winning. They have talented division players. They have an established program. It’s always a good fight.

Expectations are always high, lift the sky to the OCS below Fitzhugh. What else do you expect from eagles?

Every year no matter who returns or who graduates, Fitzhugh said. We work hard to improve every day, every game, and play our best by the playoffs. Our goal is to win every game and win the state title, to be the last standing. We won it in 2019 and became short last year. We feel both emotions. The guys we’ve come back from are hungry and working hard to reach the goal.