Preseason Top-5: Louisiana Public School Football Teams 2019
5) Destrehan
Despite falling short of the state finals last season, Destrehan is dangerous. The Wildcats' 2018 season ended with a 67-57 barnburner against eventual champions Zachary in the state semifinals, but they come into 2019 with firepower on both sides of the ball. Four-star running back Kyle Edwards and four-star wide receiver Quincy Brown are game changers on the offensive end while three-star defensive end Noah Taliancich will be terrorizing quarterbacks from the strong side edge.
4) Warren Easton
As the returning 4A state runner-ups, Warren Easton comes into the 2019 season with top-end talent. Four-star recruit and first team All-State center Sedrick Van Pran will be paving the way for fellow four-star recruit, running back Ashaad Johnson, all season long. Competing with 4A rival Edna Karr is no easy task, but the Fighting Eagles have cemented their position as a worthy contender.
3) West Monroe
After losing to Zachary by just three points in the 2018 state final, 17-time state champion West Monroe will look to reclaim its title this year. The Rebels are equipped to do so, with yet another talented squad slated to hit the field in 2019. The redoubtable defensive unit—led by second team All-State safety Brooks —will be crucial to WM's success next season.
2) Edna Karr
Edna Karr, a 4A dynasty and the defending state champions, will return a loaded line up in 2019. Riding a 26-game win streak, the Cougars will be chasing a four-peat. Three-star cornerback Jamie Vance will anchor the secondary while wide receiver Destyn Pazon—who recently clocked a 4.5 second 40 yard dash at the Rivals Combine—has the potential to be a major difference maker on offense.
1) Zachary
The defending state champions are poised for another title run in 2019. Matching their 2018 championship season should not be a problem for the Broncos, as they return a formidable defense and the 2018 Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Keilon Brown. Zachary's aerial assault will continue throughout 2019, as Brown will be throwing to five-star wide receiver Chris Hilton. Also look for wide receiver Jeremiah Grimes and tight end Jalen Bolden to shine as targets for Brown this year.
Flashback Friday: USWNT Stars in High School
Alex Morgan
Fast facts
- Position: Forward
- Age: 29
- Hometown: Diamond Bar, California
- College: University of California, Berkeley
- High School: Diamond Bar High School, California
Alex Morgan, the long-time face of United States soccer, has been laying siege on nets from a young age. Growing up as multi-sport athlete, Morgan did not make her club soccer debut until the age of 14. Despite her late start, she rocketed to elite status in high school. At Diamond Bar, she was an NSCAA All-American, a three-time all-league selection and a four year scholar-athlete while also lettering in track and playing volleyball. Morgan garnered attention for her speed and was recruited to play for the Olympic Develop Program (ODP) state and regional teams. At 17, she began her storied national team career when she was called up to the United States under-20 women's squad. Morgan's accomplishments merited a top-50 recruit ranking, and she carried this momentum into college, where she quickly became a star for the California Golden Bears.
Julie Ertz
Fast Facts
- Position: Midfielder
- Age: 27
- Hometown: Mesa, Arizona
- College: Santa Clara
- High School: Dobson High School, Arizona
Julie Ertz, the 2017 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the year, never competed for her high school. Instead, she volunteered as a student athletic trainer at Dobson and played for Sereno Soccer Club—a nationally-recognized organization from Phoenix. Ertz's departure from the traditional American high school sports experience has served her well, as she describes her switch to Sereno as the "best decision [she's] ever made." Ertz graduated from Dobson in 2010 and proceeded to shine as a midfielder for Santa Clara University.
Megan Rapinoe
Fast Facts
- Position: Forward
- Age: 33
- Hometown: Redding, California
- College: Portland
- High School: Foothill High School, California
Megan Rapinoe, the crafty co-captain of the US women's squad, also opted to dedicate herself to a club program in high school. Instead of playing soccer at Foothill, she competed for the Elk Grove Pride club team. Her high school athletic career was nonetheless impressive, as she donned Foothill colors on the track and basketball court while keeping her name on the honor roll every semester. After leading her club team to a second-place finish at nationals, Rapinoe was named a Parade and NCSAA All-American as a junior and senior. Like Morgan, Rapinoe also played for state and regional ODP teams. Upon her graduation from high school in 2005, Rapinoe continued her excellence at the University of Portland.
Kelley O' Hara
Fast Facts
- Position: Defender
- Age: 30
- Hometown: Fayetteville, Georgia
- College: Stanford
- High School: Starr's Mill High School, Georgia
Kelley O' Hara, perhaps the USWNT's most versatile star, is a high school legend in Georgia. During her time at Starr's Mill, O' Hara was a two-time Parade and NCSAA All-American as well as the 2006 NCSAA and Gatorade Georgia State Player of the Year. A two-year captain, she led her team to a state title in 2006. These endless accolades and wins gave O' Hara a top-5 recruit ranking coming out of high school, and she only improved during her legendary career at Stanford.
Mallory Pugh
Fast Facts
- Position: Forward
- Age: 21
- Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
- College: None
- High School: Mountain Vista High School, Colorado
Mallory Pugh, the second youngest player on the USWNT roster, is less than four years removed from her last high school game. Her spot on the squad is more than amply backed up by her sprawling high school resume. Over her three seasons playing for Mountain Vista, Pugh was named the Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year, NSCAA Youth Girls National Player of the year (twice) and Colorado High School Female Athlete of the Year—amongst countless other titles. Pugh has been playing for been playing for US National Teams since 2013, when she made her debut with the U17 squad. In 2016—after graduating from high school—Pugh delayed her enrollment to UCLA in order to compete in the Rio Olympics and FIFA U-20 World Cup. Having already proved herself against the top competition in the world, Pugh represented UCLA in just three scrimmages before deciding to skip college altogether to pursue a professional career.
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