In this edition of the 3PS, Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux discuss area high school offensive and defensive linemen.

Which school has the best set of returning offensive linemen?

WA: Welsh has five players back who started at least one game last year, when the Greyhounds ran for more than 2,700 yards and averaged 29 points per game despite losing starting quarterback Gabe Gillet early in the season.

RA: Iota averaged 34.5 points a game last season and returns three starters in seniors Hanz Lacasse and Connor Zinn and sophomore Layne Turner plus two others who got a lot of experience in Collin Simar and Seth Leckelt.

Which school has the best set of returning defensive linemen?

WA: Iowa returns three of four linemen from a defense that allowed less than 20 points per game last season and helped the Yellow Jackets win 10 games on the season.

RA: Westlake got back to its winning ways last season and returns nine on the defensive side including three linemen in Gavyen Carlin (34 tackles, 3 TFL), Ja’Qualon Pettieway (44 tackles, 2 sacks) and Keelan Ozane (19 tackles).

Who are the best returning individual offensive and defensive linemen?

WA: Jesse Williams helped clear the way for DeRidder running backs to run for more than 3,000 yards and averaged 31 points per game. DL Troy Pattum is an emerging star for Welsh who brings the total package of talent, work ethic and leadership.

RA: Leesville’s Jay’Shawn Mabry will anchor the Wampus Cats’ defensive front line. He lead Leesville with 16 tackles for a loss last season and was third in total tackles at 58. DeQuincy senior Hunter Kelly (5-11, 280) helped DeQuincy win its first playoff game since 2018 last season and run for more than 2,700 yards. He will play a key roll as the Tigers develop replacements for graduated backs Taije Ceasar and Hudson Snyder.