St.Thomas Aquinas seems to be building district titles – Crescent City Sports

St.Thomas Aquinas head coach Randell Legette is in his fourth season and has a competitive program that lasts 17-15 in three years.

The Falcons went 5-2 a year ago, conquering the second District 10-2A championship in so many years, dropping to Dunham in Division III playoffs in a challenging year due to a pandemic.

Everyone was having trouble last year, Legette said. There was a roller coaster every day. We just worked every day, hoping for the best and that we would have a season. I think it paid off in the long run. It was hard. You didn’t know who would be available daily. I think the kids did a great job of adjusting and doing what we asked them to do. Despite losing Jamboree and the game, it was rewarding just to get to play.

Due to graduation, there will be key players to be replaced, including Casey Artigues ’outstanding athlete, fine offensive buses Peyton Parker and Logan Husser and a solid defensive lineman in Kylen Smith.

St. Thomas Aquinas returns 12 starters a year ago, including six balls on each side.

It begins with an attack with senior defender Drew Milton (5-10, 165).

Milton was the district’s most valuable player a year ago. Milton was also an excellent defensive player and will return again to start with free safety, where he also earned district honors.

Drew is a great kid in and out of the classroom as well as on the field, Legette said. He has established himself as a double threat who can damage his defenses.

The return position is excellent, with a couple of performers from all circles returning this season with older Devaki Williams (6-1, 220) and younger Darrius Vaughn (5-10, 190).

We have another young back to sophomore Kendrell in Perry, and it’s a really good group that allows us to get around and share the load, Legette said.

The wide receiver features senior Chase Daigle (6-1, 170) who had a very good junior season. He is accompanied by senior Lajalen Jackson (5-10, 185) and sophomore Cace Reed (5-9, 165).

We have two seniors in Daigle and Jackson and a young guy in Reed, Legette said. These two retirees have been part of the program for a long time and know what to expect. Daigle is a great all-around player who blocks and catches it and has a great character.

Junior Nunzio Martello (6-3, 240) is back after earning the district’s honors a year ago as strict and defensive. Martello seeks to deal with this season’s offensive and remains at the end of the defense.

Junior Justin Smith (5-10, 225) is a returning start with a right guard, while sophomore Jax Peterman (5-11, 200) is a left guard. Senior Braden Moore (5-11, 230) is in the middle.

Nunzio moves inside and helps us out, Legette said. We need his experience. Braden is older and Smith got a lot of reps last year. The other guys are young and will have university experience for the first time. Veterans provide guidance as they evolve as players.

At the tight end is junior Gaige Truxillo (5-10, 185).

We expect Gage to fulfill the role for us well, Legette said.

In addition to other two-way performers Martello and Moore, there are three new beginners on the defensive front, including juniors Dante Dotey (5-11, 237) and Blaine Schilling (5-10, 170) and freshman Hunter Gambel (6- 2, 170).

We have Nunzio and Moore who are solid, while Dotey has experience, Legette said. Hunter Gambel has really come along in the spring and summer, and we really hope for him. We expect them to handle the system well and work well.

The linebacker should be a strength, with three returns for beginners, including two-way stars Williams and Vaughn, and junior outdoorer Austin Davis (5-10, 185).

We have a lot of experience with Vaughn and Davis, Legette said. We have others who take turns.

Milton anchors the secondary along with older Danik Reed (6-3, 185), followed by Reed and younger Blaine Schilling (5-10, 170).

We like secondary wounding and our defenses all over the back end, Legette said. Overall, we feel very good about our defense.

The Falcons open the season in Hamilton Christian before a tough home challenge against a very good Episcopal group. Next road tours to Loranger and Independence. The out-of-area schedule ends with games against West Felicana and Riverside.

The regional game opens at home against Northlake Christian on the 22nd. October, before the road matches against Springfield and Pope John Paul II conclude the regular season.

We start on the road and Episcopal is good, Legette said. I feel like West Feliciana and Riverside are traditional opponents competing at a high level. Hannan is a competitor we haven’t played in a few years. Loranger is always very competitive. Northlake Christian has a great coach in James Willis. Pope John Paul II and Springfield are challenges. We just have to stay healthy to win the league and prepare for the playoffs.

Depth is key as up to six players go both ways for the Falcons, but talent is on hand for a good new year at Hammond.

When you play at level 2A, you have a lot of two-way players, Legette said. Depth is always a question mark. Good coaches have advised me to keep second and third level players ready to leave. These players will help you win the championships, and we’re working hard to get them ready on Friday nights.

After losing to the playoffs in all three seasons, Legette is ready to see a change this season.

We have to get over the pile, Legette said. We need to go deeper into the playoffs to get out of the first round. That is the main goal right now.

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