(Note: information on starters is based on questionnaires that were submitted in July.)

Things are starting to get back to normal for the Barbe Bucs.

Four years ago, they had to cancel their 2020 season because of overwhelming damage from Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

It took some time to build the program back up and they finally returned to the postseason last year for the first time since 2019. On the heels of that playoff appearance, the Bucs have their largest senior class (37) since the storms.

“This, by far, might be the biggest we’ve ever had,” Head Coach Skeet Owens said. “It’s going to be a heavy senior class.

“We have about 15, 16 starters returning. We’re trying to compete as much as we can. We’ve got a bunch of guys that played last year that aren’t seniors, so we’ve got a bunch of guys that have experience and hopefully that’ll carry over. I mean, I would say almost all of them, at least 90 percent of them are going to play somewhere. Most of them are contributors, so we’re going to lean heavily on them. ”

Not only is the senior class huge, but they have around 60 freshmen, which will help continue to fuel the growth of the program.

“It just helps with everything, obviously, with depth and options,” Owens said. “And we just have so many more options to do things and move kids (around) and special teams and whatever the scenario is.”

Barbe has a solid core of returning players (8) on the offensive side, including 1,000-yard rusher Eric Jones and 1,000-yard passer Jelandon Gray.

Jones ran for 1,591 total rushing and receiving yards and 17 touchdowns last year and is poised for a big senior year.

“He’s going to be the go-to man,” Owens said. “We’re going to spread him out, as well.

“He’s one of our playmakers, so we’re going to try to get the ball to him as much as we can.”

Gray got a crash course on varsity football last year as a 14-year-old freshman starter but held his own with 1,527 passing yards with 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Owens sees a lot of growth in his sophomore quarterback this year.

“He’s grown,” Owens said. “He’s put on 15 pounds. He grew a couple of inches. He was a baby. He was 14 years old. He’s progressing. Like I said, he’s putting some weight on growing up, so we expect a lot out of him. He’s got a lot to go on with. He has more options. He’s faster, bigger. Obviously, the playbook opens up a lot more.”

Four linemen are back in seniors Cooper Hughes, Jake Leger and Kamarii Smith and junior Drew Nunez, plus a pair of receivers in senior Luke Leger and junior Myles Ledoux.

The Bucs had a four-game win streak last year keyed by the defense that allowed 7.75 points per game during that span. But they struggled in the final two games after giving up a combined 108 to Acadiana and Zachary.

They return seven starters on defense led by a trio of seniors who earned second-team all-district honors last year in defensive tackle Courtlyn Houston (6-2, 285) and safeties Jack Sonnier (106 tackles) and Dane Dixon (3 INT).

The secondary will be seasoned with four returning starters including cornerbacks Makayden Ryan and Tristin Bilbo.

Seniors Hayden Biesonberger and Eli Simon return at linebacker and will be joined by senior transfer Bryce Richard. He was a second-team all-district player for Lake Charles College Prep last year.

Sophomore Kyle Wilkinson (6-2, 270) will give the Bucs a second formidable tackle, and senior Carter Hooks will take over the open safety spot in the secondary.

BARBE

Mascot: Buccaneers.

Home stadium: Buccaneer Stadium.

District: 3-5A.

Playoff division: Nonselect Division I.

Head coach: Skeet Owens.

Head coach career record: 6-5.

2023 record (Dist.): 6-5 (4-4).

Last time in playoffs (round): 2023 (bi-district)

Returning starters (offense/defense): 8/7

Key players lost: Landon Victorian (WR), Collin Harris (WR), Dillan Harmon (OL), Jace Vasquez (K), Classie Ballou (LB),

Top returners: Eric Jones (RB), Courtland Houston (DL), Jalandon Gray (QB), Jack Sonnier (S), Dane Dixon (S).

Schedule

 

Sept. 6 vs. Airline

Sept. 12 at Lake Charles College Prep (Thurs.)

Sept. 20 vs. Northwest

Sept. 27 vs. Carencro*

Oct. 3 at Southside* (Thurs.)

Oct. 11 vs. Acadiana*

Oct. 18 at New Iberia*

Oct. 25 vs. Lafayette*

Nov. 1 at Sulphur*

Nov. 8 at Sam Houston*

*District 3-5A game