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Berwick High School enters the 2019 football season riding a three-year playoff streak.
While the Panthers will be looking for a fourth straight playoff berth, they will need to fill some significant holes on offense and defense this season.
Berwick returns four starters each on offense and defense.
“I think the year before I got here, I think they were on the verge of really getting culture changed in terms of where the expectation is to go out there and win every game,” Berwick football coach Mike Walker said. “That hasn’t always been the case here. … I think the culture is on the verge of where the kids expect to have a chance to win every game. No matter who we’re playing or what the situation is, the kids expect to go win and go compete, which is for me, I love it.”
Berwick enters this season having to replace some playmakers from a year ago.
Among the losses are Louisiana Sports Writers Association All-State honorable mention selections Josh Jones, who signed with Harding University to play running back, and Barrett Hover, who starred at wide receiver in addition to his role as a standout in the defensive backfield.
Also gone is quarterback Mitchell Sanford, who is continuing his career at LSU on a baseball scholarship.
This year, Walker said he doesn’t want his players to try to mimic the players that Berwick lost from a year ago. He said he just wants them to play their best in the team’s scheme.
Berwick features an odd situation this year in that numbers are up from a year ago from the low 40s to 55 players this year, but 24 of those players are incoming freshmen, “which is kind of a good thing and a bad thing for us,” Walker said.
“We’re going to have to rely on some freshmen early that in most normal years maybe we wouldn’t, but at the same time, a year from now, two years from now, those freshmen are going to be able to have valuable experience that they can draw back on,” Walker added. “So I think in a year or two, when those freshmen mature, I think we’ll be right back to where we were. I think this year it’s just going to kind of be us getting them up to speed, getting them ready to play.”
This year, Berwick will be running a spread offense with its base offense featuring four wide receivers and one running back.
Berwick is trying to "not necessarily stretch the ball vertically a whole lot but stretch the ball sideline-to-sideline, make defense have to defend the whole field," Walker said.
Walker said he would like to use a quick passing game and run-pass option to get opponents to leave the box on defense.
"We want to run the ball, first and foremost," Walker said.
Defensively, Berwick will make a change this year. While the Panthers ran “kind of a hybrid 4-2-5” look a year ago, Walker said, this season, he said they will run a 3-4 and 4-2-5 scheme.
"Really, the kids have done a great job of learning the new schemes and the new techniques," Walker said.
Walker will serve as the team’s defensive coordinator and will coach the secondary. Derek Ribardi will coach the linebackers, while Josh Montgomery is the team’s defensive line coach.
Paul Gilder and Chuck Boudreaux will coach the offensive line, while Toney Linn will coach the team’s wide receivers.
Aaron Barras will coach Berwick’s running backs, while Justin Osborn will coach the Panthers’ quarterbacks.
Gilder, Osborn and Linn will share the team’s offensive play-calling duties, while Boudreaux is working with the squad’s special teams.
Below is a position-by-position look at the Panthers.
Quarterback
Senior Reed Gonzales will replace Sanford at quarterback this year after playing mostly at wide receiver a year ago.
“He’s’ really embraced the quarterback role, and he’s a very coachable kid,” Walker said.
Gonzales is a quick decision maker, which Walker said the coaching staff likes.
“He gets the ball out of his hands quick and gets it to his playmakers, so I think he’ll have a productive season for us at quarterback,” Walker said.
A year ago, Sanford was a first-team All-District 8-3A selection at quarterback.
Running Back
The Panthers will use multiple running backs this season to replace the production of Jones, who was the District 8-3A Co-Offensive Most Valuable Player a year ago.
This season’s running back group will be led by senior Keyon Singleton, who saw time on offense for Berwick last season.
Berwick also will utilize sophomore Ky Garrison, while senior Hayden Seneca will see time during short-yardage plays. He also will serve as Berwick’s H-back or its fullback.
Freshman Jayden Milton is another Panther the coaching staff has been impressed with and will be looking to get some work, Walker said.
Wide Receiver
Berwick’s outside receivers this season will be freshman Zack Gonzales, senior Dylan Cothron, senior Isaaiah Williams and junior Zane Souileau.
At the inside receiver spots, Berwick returns starter Seth Canty from a year ago. They also will use sophomore Kaeden Thomas and Singleton.
Gone from the team’s wide receiver group from a year ago is Hover, a first-team All-District 8-3A selection at wide receiver, and Hunter Landry, a second-team All-District 8-3A selection a season ago.
Offensive Line
Berwick suffered heavy losses on the offensive line from a year ago.
“That’s kind of been the position that … we lost the most,” Walker said. “We lost four out of the five starters. Three of the starters that we lost last year were seniors that had played a bunch.”
Among the losses was Matthew Legendre, a first-team All-District 8-3A offensive lineman a year ago.
Berwick’s lone returning starter on the offensive line is senior center Noah Alhayek, a second-team All-District 8-3A offensive lineman a year ago.
Juniors William Skinner and T.J. Soudelier are working at the guard positions. Junior Riese Ratcliff has been working at one tackle position, while freshmen Caleb Connerly and Cody Voison have been working at the other tackle position.
While Walker said earlier this month that Alhayek is the team’s center, he said that the other offensive linemen mentioned above all are working at all the other four spots, too.
Defensive Line
Berwick returns one starter on the defensive line from a year ago in junior nose guard Dravyn Bryant.
Freshman Jakobi Theriot will serve as Bryan’s backup.
Berwick’s defensive ends will be senior Bailey Thibodeaux and sophomore Dale Turner. Freshman Darryl Washington will back up Thibodeaux, while sophomore Kaden Gil is Turner’s backup.
Gone from a year ago is Cruiz Crawford, a second-team All-District 8-3A defensive lineman.
Linebacker
Seneca returns as a starter for his senior season at inside linebacker. A year ago, Seneca was a second-team All-District 8-3A linebacker.
Senior Parker Bran also will play inside linebacker for Berwick, while also vying for time at inside linebacker are Garrison and freshman Brett Smith.
At one outside linebacker position, senior Landon Harris returns as a starter and will be backed up by sophomore Drake Macaluso, while Williams and Souileau will be at the other outside linebacker position.
"I'm excited about our outside linebackers,” Walker said. “I think they're going to be very productive for us."
Gone from a year ago is Rustin Ratcliff, a first-team All-District 8-3A linebacker last season.
Secondary
Berwick’s secondary returns Singleton, a starter from a year ago.
Singleton is working at safety along with junior Matthew Broussard and junior Connor Campbell.
Working at cornerback for Berwick this year are senior Donte Short, sophomore Hayden Landry, junior Trevor Wiggins and sophomore Keon Carbin.
"I think we'll be a little bit more athletic than we were last year in the secondary, especially at corner,” Walker said.
Gone from a year ago is Hover and Ethan Nguyen, who earned first-team All-District 8-3A and second-team All-District 8-3A honors, respectively, a year ago.
Special Teams
Berwick returns last year’s Canty, last year’s starting kicker and punter. Canty was a second-team All-District 8-3A kicker a year ago.
Singleton will be the Panthers’ primary returner of kicks and punts.
Schedule
The Panthers will play six of their 10 games at home in addition to another game at nearby Morgan City.
Berwick will open the season at Morgan City before playing five straight home games against South Terrebonne, Vandebilt Catholic, Rayne, Cohen College Prep and its District 9-3A opener against Patterson.
With a young team in terms of classification and experience, Walker said he thought it was big for his team to be able to play so many games at home.
“Five of our first six are right here at home, so I think that’s huge for us to be playing in an environment that they know and they feel comfortable in in front of their family and friends,” Walker said. “I think it’ll be huge for us.”
Berwick will compete in District 9-3A this season with Patterson, Lutcher, St. James, E.D. White and Donaldsonville. Both E.D. White and Lutcher are moving down from Class 4A.
“It's definitely a tough league that we're in, but at the same time, I'm excited to go compete against some of the best teams in the state, district wise,” Walker said. “If I'd had known what our district was going to be, I might have scheduled predistrict a little different, but I'm excited for our kids to go out there and compete against really some of the best teams in our area and in our state.”
Berwick will face White Castle Friday at 6 p.m. in the Taco Bell Morgan City High School Football Jamboree. Berwick will open its season Sept. 6 at Morgan City.

Mother Nature did her best to make things difficult Thursday, but Central Catholic and Franklin still managed to get in some preseason work in a fall football scrimmage.
While the scrimmage originally was scheduled to be held in Morgan City at Central Catholic, the event was moved to Franklin Thursday afternoon following a heavy downpour in the Morgan City area.
The teams, minus referees, scrimmaged on Franklin’s practice field before the event was cut short due to lightning.
“Good, physical day,” Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said. “They’re a good 2A football team. They’re big, got great size, and I wanted to see how we’d hold up against that, and I thought the kids did a good job. They got after it pretty good.”
Franklin scored three touchdowns during the scrimmage — one by its first team and two by its second group. The Eagles were held out of the end zone.
Franklin’s first-team score came on its first drive with a rushing touchdown.
While the Eagles received some good running from Davidyione Bias and Central Catholic quarterback Ryan Miller completed a pass to tight end Nathan Hebb for a nice gain on the Eagles’ first drive among its top unit, the squad could not get close to the goal line.
Central Catholic’s first-team defense stiffened on its second series, holding Franklin out the end zone despite a nice pass play and another nice run. Freddie Calloway recovered a fumble for the Eagles’ defense on the first-team unit’s second series of work.
Offensively, Central Catholic was more productive on its second drive among first teamers as the Eagles received solid running from Davidyione Bias as well as a nice run from Damondrick Blackburn, who also excelled for the Eagles’ ground game in the second-team work.
Central Catholic’s Hugh Hamer appeared as if he may have a shot at the end zone on the Eagles’ second drive, but he was corralled by Franklin before he could attempt to break away.
“I thought up front on offense, especially the second series, we did a good job,” Minton said. “We moved the ball, and my backs ran really hard. All four of the one’s that got action ran really, really hard.”
The scrimmage was called after Miller’s completion to Hebb in Franklin territory on the second Central Catholic drive with its first team.

Staff Report
Berwick police officers conducting a sobriety checkpoint Friday arrested a Denham Springs woman for possession of several hundred prescription pills and fopr drunk driving, Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. said in a news release.
Her passenger, a Morgan City man, was also found to have an open container, Leonard said.
—Nancy Blondeau, 49, of Thames Drive in Denham Springs, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. Friday on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II (Adderall and oxycodone), possession of Schedule II (Vyvanse, hydrocodone and Zenzedi), possession of a legend drug (Naproxen), possession of oxycodone, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.
—Terry Richards, 53, of Tupelo Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:50 p.m. Friday on a charge of open container.
Officers came into contact with a vehicle while conducting a sobriety checkpoint on La. 182 in the Berwick city limits. The driver was screened by officers and was suspected of operating the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. The driver was identified as Blondeau and was removed from the vehicle as well as her passenger, Richards, who was in possession of an open alcoholic beverage. Blondeau was given a field sobriety test which she failed, Leonard said.
Officers noted a strong odor of marijuana emitting from the cab. Officers conducted a search of the vehicle and located marijuana as well as a large amount of prescription medications which Blondeau had no valid prescription. Blondeau was later transported to Berwick Police Department, where she submitted to the state’s breath test and also a blood alcohol kit. She was jailed with no bail set. Richards was jailed and released on a $301 bond. Several hundred prescription pills were seized in this investigation.
Leonard also reported the following arrests:
—Joseph James, 38, of Iberia Street in Franklin, was arrested at 11:22 p.m. Saturday on charges of obstruction of justice, improper lane usage, open container and driving under suspension.
Officers were in the area of U.S. 90 West when they observed a vehicle cross the fog line several times. A traffic stop was initiated, however officers indicated that the vehicle took longer than normal to stop. The vehicle stopped and the driver was identified as James.
Officers detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and also observed an open alcoholic beverage in the vehicle, Leonard said. A check revealed that James was operating his vehicle with a suspended license. Officers observed James chewing a piece of what was suspected marijuana, Leonard said.
The officer indicated that he observed pieces of marijuana on James’ mouth area and asked him several times to spit it out. James spit out a piece of an empty baggie, Leonard said. James was jailed and released on a $2,500 bond.
—Landon Robinson, 34, of Short Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 9:18 p.m. Sunday for charges of driving under suspension and license plate light required. Officers conducted a traffic stop in the area of La. 182 at a local business for a vehicle operating without a license plate light. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Robinson. A warrant check revealed that Robinson was driving with a suspended license. He was jailed and released on a $252 bond.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 128 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Carl Joseph Batiste, 56, of Taft Street in Patterson, was arrested at 10 a.m. Friday on warrants for four counts failure to appear. Batiste turned himself in to the Morgan City Police Department on active warrants held by the City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Michael W. Federer, 55, of Theriot Alley in Berwick, was arrested at 11:02 p.m. Friday on a warrant for failure to appear. Federer was located at St. Landry Parish Detention Center on an active warrant held by City Court of Morgan City. He was jailed.
—Hailey Comeaux, 19, of Reno Street in Pierre Part, was arrested at 2:58 a.m. Saturday on charges of improper lane usage and driving under suspension. An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of La. 70 and Fig Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Comeaux. A computer check revealed her driver’s license was under suspension. She was jailed.
—Donald Thomas Dupree, 20, of Mike Drive in Patterson, was arrested at 10:37 a.m. Saturday on charges of careless operation and possession of Schedule IV controlled dangerous substance (Xanax). An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of La. 182 and Seventh Street. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Dupree. Dupree was found in possession of Xanax without a prescription. He was jailed.
—Chad Allen Ross Jr., 26, of East Garner Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 1:43 p.m. Saturday on charges of stop sign violation, expired driver’s license, expired inspection sticker, fourth offense possession of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
An officer on patrol observed a traffic violation in the area of Freret Street and Federal Avenue. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Ross. A computer check revealed his driver’s license was expired. The officer observed the vehicle Ross was driving had an expired motor vehicle inspection sticker displayed. Ross was found in possession of suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was jailed.
—Michael Jack, 42, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:42 a.m. Sunday on charges of domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace.
—Olinda Stoker, 42, of Sixth Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:42 a.m. Sunday on charges of domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace.
Officers were called to the intersection of La. 182 and Florence Street about two people fighting in the roadway. When officers arrived they located Jack and Stoker matching the description. The officer learned both Jack and Stoker had committed batteries on each other. Both were jailed.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that the Sheriff’s Office responded to 40 complaints and the following arrests were reported:
—Dandre Prince, 23, of Napoleon Street in Baton Rouge, was arrested at 1:44 a.m. Saturday on charges of possession of marijuana and no driver’s license. A deputy patrolling the area of La. 182 near Old Spanish Trail observed a vehicle pull over and activate its emergency flashers. The deputy pulled over to check on the driver, Prince, and render help if needed. Through the stop, the deputy learned that Prince did not possess a driver’s license and marijuana belonging to Prince was located. He was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court Nov. 8.
—Martin Luther Chapman, 37, of Third Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 2:01 a.m. Saturday for turning movements/ required signals and driving under suspension. A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a vehicle fail to signal when making a turn. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Chapman, who was driving with a suspended license. He was arrested and released on a summons to appear in court Nov. 8.
—Alyshia Maxine Carlton, 29, of Clark Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 3:04 a.m. Saturday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of possession of marijuana and signaling required. A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a female walking in the middle of a dimly lit road. The deputy made contact with the female, Carlton, to check on her safety. During the stop, the deputy learned that Carlton held an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed with no bail set.
—Shakettia Nichole Skinner, 28, of Arizona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:47 p.m. Saturday for turning movements/ required signals and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of simple battery and disturbing the peace by fighting.
A deputy was patrolling the area of Siracusaville when he observed a vehicle fail to use a signal when making a turn. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, Skinner, and learned that there was an active warrant for her arrest. She was jailed and released on a $450 bond.
—Jonathan Dean Brown Sr., 59, of Clarke Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 1:55 a.m. Sunday on a warrant for purse snatching. A deputy patrolling Bayou Vista observed a male with a flashlight looking in a mailbox in the early hours of the morning.
Due to complaints in the area of subjects pulling on doors during the night, the deputy made an investigatory stop. During the stop, the deputy made contact with Brown and learned of an active warrant for his arrest. He was jailed with no bail set.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported there were no arrests.

The National Weather Service in Lake Charles is monitoring Tropical Storm Dorian in the eastern Caribbean Sea. This system has the potential to become a hurricane before it reaches Puerto Rico on Wednesday and Florida late this weekend. Depending on where Dorian tracks across Florida will determine if it will come in the Gulf of Mexico. If it moves across southern Florida, it could be in the Gulf of Mexico next week. If it moves across northern Florida, it may not enter the Gulf of Mexico at all. Dorian is still worth monitoring for Texas and Louisiana.

In addition, a weak low pressure area is forecast to develop in the southern Gulf of Mexico this weekend. This potential system is currently forecast to slowly move east to west across the southern Gulf of Mexico this weekend into early next week. This system, which has not developed yet, will also be worth monitoring for Texas and Louisiana.

We are entering the peak of the hurricane season. We will provide daily updates on these two systems until the threat diminishes for our region.

Roger Erickson
Warning Coordination Meteorologist