2024 ST. LANDRY NOW
Football Preview
North Central
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Looking Ahead: For the first time in at least a decade, the North Central High football program has a head coach with extensive veteran experience. What’s more is new head coach Dwight Collins seems determined to remain at the school and build the sport. Collins has been a head coach previously at Mamou and Opelousas High. He was also an assistant at Eunice High. The Hurricanes will continue to play in a tough Class 1A district, but North Central has non-district games that are winnable. Player participation has always been a chronic issue for the ‘Canes, although talented players have appeared in the program. Collins thinks he could have enough depth to sustain the 2024 season.
Looking Back: North Central finished 1-9 in 2023 with an early season win over Gueydan and ended the year again without a district victory. Since 2018 the ‘Canes have won six games. North Central was winless on the football field from 2019-2021.
Offense-Multiple-spread
Defense-4-3
Preseason Standouts: Steven Joseph (WR), Tristin LeBlanc (OL-DL), Dylan Joseph (WR)
What The Coach Says: “I came into the program during the summer and we are trying to do a lot of teaching. I look at the situation as a total rebuild. Our attendance in the summer could have been better, but we were able to play 7-on-7 and that gave us some good experience. We looked better each time out there. Eventually we expect to have 30 or 40 on the roster.” – Dwight Collins
Players’ Comments: “Last year was pretty rough. I think if we get the O-line going, we will be OK.. I think this year will be different. Coach Collins knows what he’s doing and that is going to make a big impact for us.” Dylan Joseph
Players Comments: “Coach Collins has been preaching that we are a team and he is getting us to play together. We are trying to set a standard.” Tristan Leblanc
Players Comments: “We have an offense that is way better than before. The coaching we have now is a lot better than before.” Steven Joseph
Further Review: Although he may have arrived a little late, Collins should bring stability and overall coaching knowledge to a program that has had three coaches in as many seasons. Collins thinks football can add a couple of basketball players to the roster which will improve overall athleticism.
