East Ascension football looks to mature early this season – The Advocate

Youth is not a bad thing. In regards to a football team, it can take some time for that youth and inexperience to develop. The East Ascension Spartans hope that it happens quickly.

We have to mature early and remain healthy this season, said coach Darnell Lee.

Lee enters his ninth season as the Spartans' head coach and has 20 years in the profession.

The Spartans went 5-4 last season and lost to powerhouse Acadiana. Gone from last year's team is wideout Navell Chopin, offensive linemen Gavin Soniat, defensive linemen Jerrell Boykins, defensive back Kale Babin, kicker Logan Kern and linebacker Blake Thompson. Most of those players were three- and four-year starters for the Spartans.

East Ascension does return some explosive players on offense, including quarterback Troy Dunn, tight end Jaquel Mack, running back Walter Samuel and wideout Zhavier Jupiter. Offensive lineman Jayven Richardson leads the way in the trenches.

The Spartan defense has some experienced players returning in defensive linemen Alex Lambert and Thomas Lee Jr. Rionte Jones will be a force on the defensive front; he has played linebacker in the past. Other defensive players to watch include linebackers Tyandre Hayes and Joshua Berfect. Defensive back Kendrick Broussard will be the leader in the secondary.

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The kicker will have a familiar last name as Evan Kern takes over.

We must improve in our running game and up front on defense; those are areas we are working on, Lee said.

The Spartans are known for playing a difficult schedule and that is apparent with the teams they will line up against this season. Scotlandville, Zachary, Destrehan and Walker are predistrict games; that is some stretch. District play begins with Catholic followed by games at Dutchtown, Woodlawn, McKinley and the annual showdown to end the season with St. Amant.

Our district will be very tough. Every team is solid and are so well coached. Our predistict games will be challenging, Lee said.

Watch out for the Spartans as the season progresses. I fully expect them to get better each week and make a run in class 5A.

We prepared hard this summer, worked more on explosion. Our kids will be more explosive this season, Lee said.

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East Ascension football looks to mature early this season - The Advocate