By BRET H. MCCORMICK, Journal Sports
A front four that could get after the passer and stuff the run, combining for more than 20 sacks and 50 tackles for loss.
A linebacker corps that averaged more than 100 tackles apiece.
A secondary that was so deep we had to take five who had a nose for both taking away the football and finding the end zone afterward.
Below are the 12 players selected as the top defensive stars for the 2023 football season along with the best of the rest on the inaugural Rapides Parish Journal All-Parish Football Team.
The team was selected by RPJ contributor Bret H. McCormick and CenlaPreps.com’s LaMar Gafford along with consultation with the parish’s coaches.
Defensive Line: Jeremiah Jeffers-Wright, Sr., ASH (6-2, 280) – The anchor in the middle of the Trojans’ defensive line, Jeffers-Wright was a District 2-5A first-team selection and finished with 70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two sacks and 10 QB hurries.
Defensive Line: Zyrian Taylor, Sr., Peabody (6-0, 235) – A dominant presence on the Warhorses’ defensive line, Taylor was a District 2-4A first-team selection and made 68 tackles on the season, including 30 tackles for loss and 13 sacks.
Defensive Line: Drake Aldredge, Sr., Menard (6-2, 220) – Menard’s second-best player, Aldredge was the anchor of the team’s defensive line. A very physical football player who was a District 4-2A first-team selection, Aldredge made 72 tackles with four sacks and 11 pass breakups.
Defensive Line: Elijah Nelson, Jr., ASH (6-0, 220) – Nelson was a standout defensive end who improved as the season went along, earning second-team all-district and finishing with 62 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, four QB hurries and one forced fumble.
Linebacker: Cooper Scott, Sr., Menard (6-2, 215) – A four-year starter and the leader of a stout Eagles’ defense, Scott earned the District 4-2A Defensive MVP and finished with 112 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, one interception and two defensive TDs. Scott also doubled as a part-time running back with 403 rushing yards and six TDs.
Linebacker: Omarion Ford, Sr., ASH (5-11, 185) – The Trojans’ leading tackler and biggest playmaker, Ford was a second-team all-district performer and finished the season with 113 tackles, including 85 solo, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, four QB hurries, one interception and two pass breakups.
Linebacker: Kaleb Andrus, Jr., Tioga (6-2, 215) – The Indians’ play-caller on defense and leading tackler, Andrus was a District 2-4A first-team selection after finishing the season with 95 total tackles, including 33 solo, and nine sacks.
Safety: Ja’Corian Norris, Sr., Tioga (6-1, 185) – By far the Indians’ most important and most talented player, Norris made 34 tackles with nine interceptions, including five returned for touchdowns, earning first-team all-district in District 2-4A. He also was a dangerous threat at receiver with 16 catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns, and was one of the top return men in the parish with four kickoffs returned for touchdowns, including a 99-yard return against Neville.
Safety: Jason Blackwell, Sr., ASH (5-10, 150) – The heart and soul of the ASH defense, the Trojans’ free safety battled injuries all season but still was a first-team all-district selection in District 2-5A and finished with 76 tackles, four pass breakups, one fumble recovery and one interception returned for a TD.
Safety: Jacob Miranda, Jr., Pineville (6-1, 190) – The Rebels’ best player on either side of the ball, Miranda finished the year with 59 tackles, four fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, one interception and two defensive touchdowns while earning second-team all-district.
Cornerback: Amyrion Mingo, Sr., ASH (5-11, 170) – Mingo began the season at receiver but flipped to cornerback early on as the Trojans’ tried to shore up their biggest weakness. He finished the season with 27 tackles, a team-leading three interceptions and 11 pass breakups while earning first-team all-district in District 2-5A. Mingo still caught 19 passes for 204 yards and four TDs in limited offensive action.
Cornerback: Max Kadrmas, Sr., Tioga (5-11, 180) – A legitimate track star, Kadrmas was the fastest player on Tioga’s team and stood out as the team’s top cornerback. He earned first-team all-district in District 2-4A and finished the season with 38 tackles and three interceptions, including two returned for touchdowns.
Best of the Rest
Defensive Line: A.J. Adams, Jr., Tioga; Aayden Walker, Sr., ASH
Linebacker: Cedric Allen, Sr., Peabody; Jaylon Kirk, Sr., ASH; Zane Seitz, Jr., Pineville; Kolt Vercher, So., Buckeye
Defensive Back: Briant Dearborne, Jr., Pineville; Maddox Shelton, Sr., Menard; Eric Vorhies, Sr., Peabody.
YESTERDAY: The All-Parish offense and specialists
TOMORROW: Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Coach of the Year