Louisiana: Neville High School 2015 Football Season Preview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Head Coach: Mickey McCarty
Mascot: Tigers
District: 2-4A
2014: 13-1
Location: Monroe, Louisiana
Overview
Neville suffered a heart-breaking 19-13 loss to Longview (TX) in Week Two of the 2014 season then the Tigers went on an incredible 12-game winning streak which ended with them hoisting up the 4A state championship trophy in New Orleans.
In 2015 Neville will once again be built around a ferocious defense which includes one of the best football recruits in the country, defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence. The Tigers will also have an experienced and talented offense to help them contend for a second consecutive state championship.
Neville opens the season against Ruston on Sept. 4. Other key games include traveling to Ouachita Parish on September 18 and then traveling to Bastrop on Oct. 9.
Offense
The Tigers averaged just over 40 points a game in 2014. Their star quarterback J.T. Jackson graduated so now it is Christopher Haynes turn to lead this explosive offense. Neville has a lot of experienced and talented offensive players returning so they will once again put on a show week in and week out.
Senior wide receiver Quintin Guice is the leading returning receiver. The 6’2″, 170 pound, playmaker gives Haynes a tall target to throw to downfield. Another returning offensive contributor is senior tight end William Wooten (5’10”, 205). The two senior leaders of the offensive line are center John Kade Lawrence and guard Blaze Van Buren (6’1″, 255).
Neville has the talent to once again put up big offensive numbers in 2015.
Defense
Neville put on a lockdown defensive show last year when they only gave up 12.07 points a game. The good news for Tigers’ fans is that most of their defense returns in 2015.
Senior defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence headlines this unit. The 6’3″, 305 pound, man-child is ranked the second best high school player in the state of Louisiana by 247Sports and recently announced his Top 5 college choices which consisted of Alabama, LSU, Ohio State, UCLA and Washington.
Two other key big men are senior defensive ends Ben Nola (6’3″, 200) and Anterrius Goodin (5’10”, 217). The leader of the linebackers is senior Marvin Millsap (5’8″, 210).
Two juniors lead Neville’s secondary, cornerback Corey Straughter (6’0″, 165) and safety Jacorian Andrew (6’0″, 175). Straughter already has been offered by Tennessee and has drawn interest from LSU and Alabama. Opposing teams will have a tall task if they want to score on Neville this year.
Schedule
9/4 Ruston @ Neville
9/12 Maumelle (AL) vs Neville at Battle on the Border event in Shreveport
9/18 Neville @ Ouachita Parish
9/25 Carroll @ Neville
10/2 Open Date
10/9 Neville @ Bastrop
10/16 Grant @ Neville
10/23 Tioga @ Neville
10/30 Neville @ West Ouachita
11/6 Neville @ Franklin Parish
Photo credit: 247sports.com; Rashard Lawrence holding up the state championship trophy.