Photograph: St. Edmunds Players Taylor Daire and Sam Prudhomme (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
2022 Football Outlook
Head Coach: James Shiver
2021 Record: 6-5, playoffs
Looking Back – The Blue Jays continued an annual appearance in the state select playoffs, but were a 12th seed eliminated in the first round. St. Edmund continued to put up impressive offensive numbers under Shiver. St. Edmund competed in a tough Class 1A district that featured four playoff teams.
Looking Ahead – This year the St. Edmund coaching staff will be teaching the game to most of the players, as at the outset, this will be one of the youngest teams the Jays have had in recent seasons. Shiver anticipates having 25 sophomores on the roster, along with 15 upperclassmen. The Jays have scheduled nine games this year. Two of them (South Lafourche and LaGrange) are Class 4A programs. Still there is enough talent and experience along the offensive line to give St. Edmund a chance to be good by the time the district schedule arrives. The ‘Jays have senior running back Taylor Daire (935 regular season rushing yards) and quarterback Luke Vidrine (943 passing) returning along with Wesley Lafleur and Justin Landry, who played extensively at skill positions.
What Does The Coach Think – “We’re going to be young, real young. We have a tough schedule and a game scheduled in Texas (Oct. 1) to help get us ready for the postseason. All that matters are the playoffs. We’re looking ahead and we are going to be real good in two years,” says Shiver. The ‘Jays will continue to use a 4-2-5 defense, Shiver points out. “We have a good group of seniors and they are going to have to provide leadership by example in order for us to succeed with the young players,” Shiver admits.
Meet The Key Players – Luke Vidrine (QB, SS), Wesley Lafleur (QB, SS), Justin Landry (CB, WR, SS), Sam Prudhomme (FB, LB, senior), Taylor Daire (RB, SB, senior), Blake Summerlin (DE, OT, senior), Matthew McGee (C, junior), Jacob Bearb (G, T, Sr.), Kane West (QB, sophomore), Noah Russell (G, DE, LB, senior).
Making A Prediction – There seems to be generous uncertainty due to inexperience in order to frame an accurate picture as the season unfolds. However there are some areas that the ‘Jays can use to build a program this year. It seems .500 would be a good gauge to describe the season.
*Note – analysis by Editor Bobby Ardoin
