BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Looking Ahead: Opelousas High may be the defending Class II non-select champion, but the Tigers are still preparing for 2024 with the intention of repeating. Why not? Opelousas returns an abundance of seniors and talent. However head coach Jimmy Zachery, Jr. hasn’t made the encore attempt easy, as Opelousas plays a difficult schedule that includes Edna Karr, Alexandria, Teurlings Catholic and Zachary.
Looking Back: The 2023 OHS season will be remembered as one of the most intriguing in St. Landry Parish football history. After playing only three home games the entire season, Opelousas launched a memorable playoff run that featured defeating four of the top five seeds, including No. 2 Cecilia in the championship game, which included a large number of Opelousas High supporters. Keeping the state title trophy was a drama-filled story in itself.
Preseason Standouts: Zack Malveaux (QB), Korey Fontenot (WR), D’Shawn Ford (RB), Corey Amos (RB), Travis Esprit (LB), Landon Hammond (DB), Kyran Moore (S), Chris Rideau (OL), Jonathan Ford (DL), Jacobian Ardoin (DL), Bryson Lewis (OL), Kylyn Young (LB), Jamarian Daughtery (LB), Cody Major (WR), Myles Zachery (WR)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: Multiple
What Is The Coach Saying: “After winning a state title, we know the target is going to be on our backs. We prepared for that in the offseason. We’ve been more intense than the ones before. We are preparing to bring the “A-game,” Jimmy Zachery, Jr.
Players Comments: “Our goal is that we are out to win (a championship) again. We have the experience and a lot of seniors. We lost only three people. We’ve been through a lot of tough games together.” Zack Malveaux
Players Comments: “We have a lot of players coming back on our defense, both on the front and back ends. I think our secondary is going to be tight again. This offseason has been tough, but we did that so everyone is held accountable,” Kyran Moore
Further Review: Opelousas lost only three games in 2023, but complementing that might be more difficult this year considering the schedule. The Tigers however play six home games against the high caliber competition. Repeating as a state champion isn’t easy and Zachery is willing to acknowledge that. However the Tigers are experienced and certainly talented enough to make another championship run.
