Kinder’s two-year experiment with Class 3A is over as they return to Class 2A this season. But they have a new experiment in their second season under Justin Reed — scheme changes on both sides of the ball.

Gone is the Yellow Jackets’ traditional flexbone offense. Now they will run a pro-style spread offense.

“It’s a lot closer to the stuff I did whenever I was in Sulphur,” Reed said. “So, you know, for me, I’m a little more comfortable in it.

“But I don’t think I would have done this if I didn’t feel like they could handle it. I feel like the skill level of our team this year really lends itself to be able to move to that kind of offense. I just think it’s going to maximize our potential as a team.”

On the defensive side, they will trade in the 4-3 for a 3-3-5.

“It’s kind of how we cover some things, maybe a little different than last year,” Reed said. “And I feel like this style of defense is going to be a little more aggressive.

“I feel like that kind of plays into the hands of our kids. We don’t have a ton of big, strong lineman-type kids, but we’ve got a bunch of athletic kids who grow. I think this is going to allow us to get more of those guys on the field and hopefully kick up the aggressiveness a little bit to help us be a little more successful and create some more turnovers than we did last year.”

Senior Logan Lebeouf (6-0, 195) will reprise his role as running back after earning first-team all-district honors last year with 1,254 yards and 12 touchdowns. He will run behind a line that has three seasoned players in the middle in seniors Guy Hayes (6-2, 293) and Hunter Sonnier (5-11, 225) and junior Riley Edwards (6-0, 170), plus a pair of new tackles in sophomores Paxton Pierotti (6-0, 191) and Isaiah Thomas (6-1, 195).

Sophomore Isaiah Thomas (6-1, 195) will assume the role of quarterback in the Yellow Jackets’ new offense. He won a competition in the summer with incumbent Landen Rice (5-10, 175).

“Isaiah has just had a really, really, really productive offseason in spring,” Reed said. “And he looked really good at any of the times I gave him a chance. And he basically has performed well enough to where he kind of made the decision on his own. I wouldn’t do that if I didn’t think he could handle it. And I think he’s going to have a good year for us. I really do.”

But Rice will still play a major role as a wide receiver and strong safety.

Other receivers will include returners Hudson Guidry (6-3, 198) and Brandon Perkins (5-10, 145), plus Braxton Manielle (5-11, 165) and a transfer from Notre Dame in Jonluke Bendily.

Senior linebacker Noah Romero (6-0, 172) will lead the defense.

“He’s been starting since he was a freshman,” Reed said. “He is definitely the leader of our defense as far as his work ethic and his attitude. We’re going to lean on him a lot this year.”

The other three returners are on the defensive line in seniors Tre Lavan (6-0, 201) and Hunter Sonnier (5-11, 225) and junior Riley Edwards (6-0, 170). Senior Braxtyn Manielle (5-11, 165) and sophomores Paxton Pierotti (6-0, 191) and Bryson Eaglin (5-11, 170) are slated to start at linebacker, while new starters in the secondary will include seniors Mason Lafargue (5-9, 152) and Joey Lovejoy (6-2, 165) and junior Cooper Lemons (5-8, 162).

KINDER

Mascot: Yellow Jackets.

Home stadium: John C. Buck Memorial Stadium.

District: 5-2A.

Playoff division: Nonselect Division III.

Head coach: Justin Reed.

Head coach career record: 5-5.

2023 record (Dist.): 5-5 (2-3).

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

Returning starters (offense/defense): 7/5

Key players lost: Donte Botley (DB), Ben Fontenot (LB), J.J. Eaglin (DB)

Top returners: Guy Hayes (OL), Logan Lebeouf (RB), Tre Lavan (DL), Noah Romero (FS), Landen Rice (WR/SS).

Schedule

Sept. 5 at Welsh (Thurs.)

Sept. 13 at Iota

Sept. 19 at Rosepine (Thurs.)

Sept. 27 vs. Eunice

Oct. 4 at Logansport

Oct. 10 vs. South Beauregard (Thurs.)

Oct. 18 vs. Oakdale*

Oct. 25 vs. Holy Savior Menard*

Nov. 1 at Port Barre*

Nov. 8 at Avoyelles*

*District 5-2A game