Ascension Athletics for Aug. 17, 2017 – The Advocate

Ascension Catholic Bulldogs ready to bark

Ascension Catholic heads into 2017 with visions of a deep playoff run. Coming off a seven-win season and a quarterfinal loss to eventual state champion Southern Lab, the dogs are hoping to bark louder.

Third-year head coach Drey Trosclair returns several starters including leading rushers Jamar Barber (1,300 yards, 21 touchdowns) and Jai Williams (670 yards, 7 TDs). Bubba Gautreau and Jon Mire look to replace Javon Yarbrough, who graduated and is playing with Birmingham-Southern College, in the Dogs' spread offense.

Gautreau looks to be the first in line to lead the offense, but he will have a capable backup in Mire. The Bulldogs lose leading receivers Jacoby Stewart (Grambling), Dillion Vice (Central Baptist) and Kebori Hunter. Looking to fill those spots are Rodney Blanchard, Eric Simon, Tre Medine and Mason Zeringue.

Zeringue and Blanchard return as two-way starters. Zeringue will be counted on more to provide offensive firepower. Providing depth will be Nick Milano, Demontray Harry and Nick Lejeune.

The Bulldog offense line, which returns four starters, is led by Nick Hilliard, Jacob Matirne, Charlie Gianelloni, Robert Lemann and Dillion Davis. All five lineman have gotten stronger and should be a strength for Ascension Catholic.

Providing depth will be Alex Gros, Ethan Arceneaux, Sam Mire, Alex Cedatol and Landon Falcon.

The Bulldog defense returns sixstarters led by Mike Gautreau (100 tackles) and Davis. Davis, a defensive end, has three scholarship offers to date entering his junior year and continues to improve. J.B. Broussard returns as a starter on the defensive line and was a pleasant surprise last year.

Hilliard, Gianelloni, Cedatol, Matirne, Gros and Lemann will play along the defensive line. The linebacking crew will also include Andrew Landry, Parker Hales and Williams (returning starter). The secondary looks to be a strength with returning starters: Blanchard (corner), Barber (SS) and Zeringue (SS). Newcomers include Mire, Alex Hebert, Dorian Barber, Simon, Milano, Brock Acosta and Jamir Truxillo.

The punting and kicking will be handled by Blanchard and watch out for newcomer Jacob Dunn to develop. The schedule remains strong with Southern Lab, Kentwood, White Castle, St. John and East Iberville in district. Tough nondistrict contests include 3A schools Mentorship Academy, Kipp Renaissance, Sophie B. Wright and Thomas Jefferson along with 1A Covenant Christian.

Ascension Catholic was set to scrimmage Northlake Christian at 6 p.m. Aug. 16 and participate in the Catholic High School Pointe Coupee jamboree vs.. False River.

The Bulldogs can be heard on the Bulldog Network via acbulldogs.org.

Here's the jamboree and scrimmage schedule for the rest of the Ascension Parish schools.

Ascension Christian Lions

Scrimmage vs.. St. Martin at Lion Stadium at 6 p.m. Friday

Jamboree at Lion Stadium vs. Houma Christian at 6 p.m. Aug. 25

Donaldsonville Tigers

Scrimmage vs. Tara at Floyd Boutte Stadium, 6 p.m. Thursday

Jamboree at St James vs. West St John, 6 p.m. Aug. 24

Dutchtown Griffins

Scrimmage vs. Woodlawn at Denham Springs High School (junior varsity and varsity), 6 p.m. Thursday

Jamboree at Denham Springs (freshman, junior varsity and varsity), 5:30 p.m. Aug. 24

East Ascension Spartans

Scrimmage at Central, 6 p.m. Thursday

Jamboree vs. Woodlawn at Spartan Stadium (freshman, junior varsity and varsity), 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25

St. Amant Gators

Scrimmage vs. Loranger at The Pit, 6 p.m. Thursday

Jamboree at Central (freshman, junior varsity and varsity), 6 p.m. Aug. 25

Editor's Note: This story was changed on Aug. 16 to announce the change of location of the Dutchtown High School scrimmage.

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Ascension Athletics for Aug. 17, 2017 - The Advocate