Central Catholic standouts sign college letters

They were the standouts on either side of the ball during Central Catholic’s 8-3 football play run in 2022. Now they’re moving on to college ball.

School rushing and touchdown record-holder Damondrick Blackburn signed a letter of intent Friday to attend and play football for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Teammate Andrew Cavalier, an All-District first-teamer at both linebacker and offensive lineman, signed a letter with Nicholls State.

Cavalier stood out for his aggressive play on defense.

Cavalier posted 84 tackles, 6-1/2 tackles for losses and three sacks on his way to a second All-State first team selection this season.

But head coach C.L. Grogan notes that Cavalier played many positions during his career as a four-year starter.

And one of those positions was long-snap specialist.
played for the Eagles. Nicholls State is projecting the 6-foot, 205-pound Cavalier as a deep snapper.

Cavalier follows some of his family members to Nicholls. And “I liked the atmosphere,” he said.

Blackburn will go to UL as a running back after his record-shattering senior season.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Blackburn carried the ball nearly 19 times a game in 2022 and rushed for a school record 2,012 yards.

He scored 36 rushing TDs to go with another five as a receiver for 41 total touchdowns, also a school record. In all, he caught 23 passes for 451 receiving yards.

Blackburn was named to the All-District first team and was voted Offensive Co-MVP.

He chose UL “because they were interested in me and showed me a lot of love,” Black said.

“He was just that special an athlete for us,” Grogan said.

“It worked out for Andrew and Damondrick, and they get the opportunity to play college football.”

Blackburn is the son of Davida Bias and the late Lawrence Blackburn. Cavalier’s parents are Joe and Shantell Cavalier. All are from Morgan City.

In 2023, Nicholls will try to come back from a 3-8 season. The Colonels finished with a 3-3 Southland Conference record for head coach Tim Rebowe.

UL fell 23-16 to Houston in the Independence Bowl, finishing the 2022 season with a 6-7 record, 4-4 in the Sun Belt Conference. The Ragin’ Cajun head coach is Michael Desormeaux.