Louisiana: John Curtis High School Football Season Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Head Coach: J.T. Curtis
Mascot: Patriots
District: 9-5A
2014: 12-2
Location: River Ridge, Louisiana

Overview
John Curtis had a successful season in 2014 with the Patriots making it all the way to the Division One championship. Unfortunately John Curtis suffered a nail-biting 17-14 loss to Jesuit. Going into 2015, there is an apparent hole on this team as quarterback Myles Washington graduated but senior Brock Hebert is expected to fill those shoes.

The rest of the returning team including running back Devon Benn and linebacker Nathanel Evans should be just as talented as last year. By far the biggest game this year for the Patriots will be when they travel to Jesuit on Oct. 9. John Curtis will be looking for revenge for last year’s the state title game loss.

Offense
The Patriots offense scored 27.7 points a game in 2014 and their offense should be just as explosive in 2015. The offensive star of the team is running back Devon Benn (5’9″, 190) who ran for 1,227 yards and 10 touchdowns in his junior year.

The most experienced returning wide receiver is senior Travis O’Connor (6’2″, 190). O’Connor will be a tall target for Hebert to throw to downfield. Senior Corey Seiser (6’3″, 210) will hold down the tight end position.

The experienced offensive line is led by seniors Willie Allen (6’7″, 300) and Jake Charpentier (6’3″, 260). Allen is ranked as the eighth best offensive line prospect in the nation by 247sports.com has offers from 29 college football teams.

Defense
John Curtis brings back seven defensive starters from a defense that only gave up 12.8 points a game in 2014. The good news for Patriots fans is that there are some talented and athletic players filling the five holes in the defense. The leader of the defensive line is defensive tackle Devin Savwoir (6’2″, 285). Savwoir had 60 tackles and seven sacks in his junior season.

The leader of the experienced linebacker squad is Nathanel Evans (6’2″, 230) who had 122 tackles and three sacks in 2014. Evans has 11 Division-I offers at this time including in-state schools LSU and Louisiana Tech. Other linebackers include Tariq Pierce (5’10”, 215) and Kevin Milton (5’10”, 200).

The senior leader of the Patriots secondary is cornerback Colby Mitchell (5’11”, 180). The talented juniors include cornerback Theodore Stamps and safeties Mason Matherne and Garrett Wallow.

Schedule
9/4 John Curtis @ Landry-Walker
9/11 John Curtis vs. Shades Valley (AL) @ Battle on the Border event in Shreveport
9/17 John Curtis @ Parkview Baptist
9/26 John Curtis @ Brother Martin
10/9 John Curtis @ Jesuit
10/16 St. Augustine @ John Curtis
10/23 John Curtis @ Holy Cross
10/31 Archbishop Rummel @ John Curtis
11/7 John Curtis @ Archbishop Shaw

Photo credit: rivals.com; Willie Allen.