In his first full season at quarterback, James Kirklin racked up plenty of honors while leading the Oberlin Tigers to the District 4-1A championship and a trip to regional round of the state playoffs.

With more experience and confidence, Kirklin says he’s ready to take on that leadership role one more time as the Tigers eye another district title.

“I not feeling any pressure, especially now that I have a lot of help from my senior class and a lot of people that had playing time last year,” Kirklin said. “The younger kids are picking it up and I have a lot of confidence in my team this year.”

Kirklin, who says he sports a 3.6 grade-point average, relishes the role he plays and has been working out nearly every day at 7 a.m. to prepare for his final prep season.

“It was hard at first coming from the running back position not having the ability to throw, but I like it because I think it fits me because of the leadership part,” Kirklin said. “The leadership comes from my parents and coach Seth (Storer) helped me at practice every day.”

Kirklin, who packs a big punch in a compact 5-foot-9, 175-pound frame, rushed for 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns last year while completing 23 of 35 passes for 400 yards and a touchdown to earn first-team all-district, All-Southwest Louisiana and Class 1A all-state honorable mention honors. He scored 144 points, including 15 2-point conversions.

He saw limited action on the defensive side of the ball as a junior, making 50 tackles, two sacks, and eight pass break-ups playing cornerback and free safety, but will see more time on the defensive side at linebacker and possibly strong or free safety.

“We don’t have as much depth this year so (coach Durrell Peloquin) is moving me around,” Kirklin said. “I like contact, shooting through the gaps and tackling people.”

While district runner-up East Beauregard has moved up to Class 2A and Lake Charles College Prep has moved to 3A, Kirklin said he still expects a battle to the end for the district title, especially with the return of rival Basile to the district.

“Last year, being district champs and two new teams in the district, including one of our rivals (Basile), it is more important that we work even hard this year,” Kirklin said. “We have a target on our back this year.

“I am not going to turn my back on any of the teams. They are working just as hard. We are not going to take anybody lightly.”

Kirklin’s biggest reason for being so confident in his team is an offensive line that returns all five from last year, including seniors Trooper Peloquin and Tucker Fontenot, who has moved from center to tight end, and Laronzo Gradney, and juniors Cameron Grandney and Makenzie Carrier. The lone newbie on the line will be sophomore Alex Fontenot at center.

“Having the same line from last year, I have confidence that we are going to drive it at least five yards per play,” Kirklin said. “I refer to it as a brick wall.

“We do have an inexperienced center, but he has picked up on it quick.”

Kirklin, who said he plans to become an athletic trainer, hasn’t received a college offer yet but is holding out hope.

“I have always dreamed to do that and I pray that I can go to the college level and even take it further than that,” Kirklin said.