Louisiana: Bastrop High School 2015 Football Season Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Head Coach: Brad Bradshaw
Mascot: Rams
District: 2-4A
2014: 6-5
Location: Bastrop, Louisiana

Overview
Bastrop had a roller coaster of season last year as every time they tried to start a long winning streak it would get halted. The Rams still managed to make the playoffs but suffered a heartbreaking 48-44 loss to Franklin Parish in the first round.

The Rams should profit from the experiences they went through last year and be a much improved team going into the 2015. Bastrop returns many of their skilled players including wide receiver Isaiah Graham and their whole defense. The Rams have the talent to make a deeper run into the playoffs this season.
One key game for the Rams is their season opener when they host 5A powerhouse Parkway. Bastrop lost at Parkway (55-28) last season and will be out for revenge in 2015.

Offense
This high-scoring offense averaged 40 points a game last year and should put on another offensive show in 2015. The Rams lost their quarterback, Christian Doaty, but former running back, Jerry Powell (5’9″, 185), is expected to fill that hole.

The offensive star will be senior wide receiver Isaiah Graham (6’1″, 180). Graham had 1,100 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in his junior season and recently announced his top nine college choices which included Mississippi State, Arkansas, TCU, Tennessee, Arizona State, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Miami and South Carolina.

The running back position will be held by senior Travion Burks (5’11”, 185) who was selected second-team All-District in his junior season. A key offensive lineman is senior William Lewis (6’2″, 280).

Defense
Bastrop gave up on average 34.7 points a game but they return plenty of talent and experience on the defensive side of the ball. One of the leaders of the defense is safety James Hill (6’0″, 168). Hill was selected first-team All-District in 2014. Another key player in the secondary is senior John Robinson (6’0″, 185).

The front seven is loaded with seniors William Lewis (6’2″, 280) and Travez Moore (6’4″, 235) up front while linebacker Orion Murphy (5’8″, 200) roams the middle of the field. Moore has eight Division-I offers at this time including Texas A&M, LSU, TCU, and South Carolina.

Bastrop will lean on these defensive players as they face some tough offenses in 2015.

Schedule
9/4 Parkway @ Bastrop
9/11 Bastrop @ Shiloh Christian (AR)
9/18 Bastrop @ Rayville
9/25 Bastrop @ Mansfield
10/2 Bastrop @ Richwood
10/9 Neville @ Bastrop
10/16 Bastrop @ Tioga
10/23 Bastrop @ Franklin Parish
10/30 Grant @ Bastrop
11/6 West Ouachita @ Bastrop

Photo credit: thebastropentreprise.com; wide receiver Isaiah Graham