December 17, 2006

Written for the LSWA
Lutcher senior defensive tackle Rolando Melancon has wreaked havoc on opposing team's since he first put on the Bulldogs' purple and gold. Rayville junior quarterback Justin Higgins came out of nowhere to do much of the same for the Hornets. They have something else in common as well: they were both crowned outstanding players on Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A all-state team.

Crowley's Brent Indest was named the Coach of the Year, edging out other finalists Keith Carona of Independence and Ken Hilton of Baker. Under Indest, Crowley rose from district doormat a couple of seasons ago to undefeated district champion this year, including a come-from-behind win over rival Notre Dame in the season finale.

Melancon, the 3A Outstanding Defensive Player, capped his career much how he launched it: by helping Lutcher win a Class 3A state championship. He stormed on the scene as a freshman and helped power the Bulldogs to a surprising state championship in 2004. He battled injuries and recovery during his sophomore and junior years, but returned to form as a senior, including a dominating performance in this year's 27-7 victory over Independence in the 3A title game at the Superdome.

Melancon, now a three-time all-state selection, finished his senior year with 79 total tackles, 24 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles,

Higgins, the 3A Outstanding Offensive Player, is the team's athlete. He was the state's leading passer, finishing with 3,393 yards on 172-of-423 passing with 29 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. In addition to his arm, he was a force running the ball when it came to that, tallying 565 yards and eight more touchdowns. He was a key reason why the Hornets went 9-1 during a year many thought the team would be rebuilding post-Richard Murphy. Rayville went on to the semifinals where it lost to Independence 27-12. Higgins suffered a broken thumb in that game, but never left the game.

Counting Melancon, state finalists Lutcher and Independence combined to place seven players on the all-state team. District rivals Crowley and Notre Dame combined for five selectees.

Independence's Jasmine Dalton (45 catches, 742 yards; 13 total touchdowns) was named all-state for a second consecutive year and was joined by Rayville's Chris Tolliver (67 catches, 1,437 yards, 14 TDs), who was the state's leading receiver. Sophomore Andrew Hebert of Teurlings Catholic (58 catches, 930 yards, eight touchdowns) is the tight end.

Lutcher junior Blaine Gautier is the quarterback. He completed 194 of 352 passes for 2,785 yards and 31 touchdowns against 16 interceptions.

The offensive line is made up of LSU commit D'Montreal Wilson of Rayville, Sam Cooper of Richwood, Ryan Anderson of Independence, Brice Nickel of Notre Dame and Malcolm Richard of Crowley.

Booker T. Washington running back Jeremy Jefferson makes the team after having one of Louisiana's more remarkable rushing careers. He became the Shreveport/Bossier area's all-time leading rusher earlier in the season and finished with 2,674 yards and 32 touchdowns. His career mark topped out at 6,430 yards on 957 carries, an average of nearly seven yards per carry, and 69 touchdowns. He was an all-state selection as a junior when he rushed for 2,695 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Joining Jefferson in the backfield was James Lyons of Lake Charles-Boston (294 carries, 2,130 yards, 21 touchdowns) and Derrick Dupard of Independence (221 carries, 1,494 yards, 18 touchdowns).

For the second year in a row, St. Louis has the placekicker, this time it being Ryan Duhon. In his first year as a starter Duhon connected on 33 of 36 PATs, was 7 of 11 on field goals, including four over 42 yards wit a long of 47 yards. He also had a school record 37 touchbacks.

Joining Melancon on the defensive line was Mason Hitt (102.5 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks); John Williams of Independence (83 tackles, 7 sacks) and LSU commit Josh Dworaczyk (99 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, five pass breakups and four forced fumbles.).

The linebacking corps includes Korey Williams of Karr (97 tackles, six sacls and four forced fumbles); Seth Granger of Iowa (122 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions); Ryan Champagne of Notre Dame (83 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three interceptions) and Joe Lewis of Crowley (88 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, six fumble recoveries and fumble return for a touchdown).

The secondary is Notre Dame's Phillip Brown (40 tackles, 12 assists, 2 interceptions, 11 pass breakups); Redemptorist's Reggie Weams (51 tolos tackles, 29 assists, seven interception, two fumble returns for touchdowns); Capitol's Dave Clark (51 tackles, 7 intercemptions, 13 pass breakups) and Independence's Justin Thomas (75 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one sack).

Westlake's Jacob McBride, who averaged 43.5 yards per punt, was named the punter.

Jena's Mychal Bell was voted the return specialist after averaging more than 25 yards per kick return and 17 yards per punt return to go with long resume as both an offensive and defensive standout.

Class 3A All-State
OFFENSE

Pos.	Name, School	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.
WR	Jasmine Dalton Independence	6-3	200	Sr.
WR	Chris Tolliver Rayville	6-2	165	Jr.
TE	Andrew Hebert Teurlings Catholic	6-2	185	So.
OL	Brice Nickel Notre Dame	6-2	260	Sr.
OL	Malcolm Richard Crowley	6-0	215	Jr.
OL	D'Montreal Wilson Rayville	6-4	300	Sr.
OL	Ryan Anderson Independence	6-3	255	Sr.
OL	Sam Cooper Richwood	6-3	320	Sr.
QB	Blaine Gautier Lutcher	6-0	180	Jr.
RB	Jeremy Jefferson B.T. Washington	5-8	165	Sr.
RB	James Lyons LC-Boston	5-9	190	Sr.
RB	Derrick Dupard Independence	5-10	225	Sr.
ATH	Justin Higgins Rayville	6-2	185	Jr.
PK	Ryan Duhon St. Louis	6-0	155	Sr.

DEFENSE

Pos.	Name, School	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.
DL	Rolando Melancon Lutcher	6-1	270	Sr.
DL	Mason Hitt Parkview Baptist	6-2	268	Sr.
DL	John Williams Independence	6-2	295	Sr.
DL	Josh Dworaczyk Catholic-NI	6-6	280	Sr.
LB	Joe Lewis Crowley	5-9	175	Sr.
LB	Seth Granger Iowa	6-0	195	Jr.
LB	Ryan Champagne Notre Dame	5-10	190	Jr.
LB	Korey Williams Karr	6-2	230	Sr.
DB	Philip Brown Notre Dame	5-9	180	Sr.
DB	Reggie Weams Redemptorist	6-1	190	Sr.
DB	Dave Clark Capitol	6-0	182	Sr.
DB	Justin Thomas Independence	6-0	190	Sr.
RS	Mychal Bell Jena	5-11	185	Jr.
P	Jacob McBride Westlake	5-7	150	Jr.

OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Justin Higgins, Rayville

OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Rolando Melancon, Lutcher

COACH OF THE YEAR: Brent Indest, Crowley

HONORABLE MENTION: Marvin Batiste, Baker; Ashton Key, Caldwell; Louis Walker, St. Louis; Johnell Jefferson, Independence; Austin James, Buckeye; David Rue, Richwood; Vince Deville, Bolton; Ryan Bourgeois, Lutcher; Tarence Calais, Patterson; Nathan Basco, Caldwell; Lane Anzalone, Notre Dame; Chris Banks, Independence; Taylor Dugas, Teurlings Catholic; Damon Wicker, Baker; Preston Haile, West Feliciana; Jarvis Jackson, Bolton; Khymest Williams, Lutcher; Joe Dave Petitjean, Notre Dame; Jordan Landry, Crowley; Travis Zacherie, Catholic-New Iberia; Travis Broussard, North Vermilion; Elliott Hebert, Teurlings Catholic; Kyron Benoit, Crowley; Ron Alexander, Marksville; Keeric Nicholes, Independence; Romero Brass, Benton; John Ohlenforst, Notre Dame; Jeremy Cook, Baker; Brian Ellis, Grant; Robert Wilson, Bolton; Chase Clement, E.D. White; Quinton Harris, West St. Mary; Toby Mott, Richwood; Richard Warren, Independence; Perry Welch, Bunkie; Jordan Williams, Marksville; Michael Glaviano, Marksville; Darrell Augustine, Avoyelles; Bradley Roussel, Redemptorist; Adam Zeringue, West Feliciana.