With a more experienced lineup, the LaGrange Gators look to put the struggles of the last few years behind them.

The Gators — who return 15 starters and are posting their second consecutive 1-9 season — look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

“We’re going to be a lot better just on both sides of the bar,” Head Coach Ibaidi Ogbanga said. “My kids are older. They’re a lot stronger now. I think we’re going to shock some people for sure.

“We had a tough schedule last year. We played a lot of 5A teams to start off. We had some injuries throughout the season that kind of hurt us in the middle of the season. We took our lumps to the district because a lot of teams in the district were older. In the beginning, we were playing 14- and 15-year-olds against 17- and 18-year-olds. Like big brother versus little brother. My kids are growing up, so we’ll be able to compete a lot better. This group is capable of really doing great things. “

They will have a veteran group on both sides of the line, which boasts six returning starters.

On the offensive side, 6-4, 295-pound junior Keilynn Tanner is back to lead the way after earning first-team all-district honors. Also back is junior Armald Leday and senior Royale Stewart. New to the group will be junior Sionee Seau and freshman Joshua Pave.

“I get a majority of them back for two years. They’re mostly juniors and sophomores. Royale’s the senior. He’s going to be the leader, kind of the captain of the offensive line. He’s gotten a lot stronger, a lot bigger. He leads them well. He motivates them and pushes them to get to the right spot.”

The defensive line also has a returning all-district first-teamer in junior Jayvon White plus a second-team all-district senior in Markus Spiller and a third senior returner in Braydon Williams. Also in the mix is senior James Kelly and junior Kaleb Douglas.

“The defensive line, they’re pretty solid,” Obanga said. “They’re aggressive.

“They’re very strong. They’re fast. They come off the ball. They’re mainly seniors. They have a lot of experience. They’re very aggressive, and they fly to the ball.”

Offensively, the Gators lost a three-year starter at running back in Keshaun Doucet, but they return three receivers in senior David Martin — a 4-year starter — junior Jyran Richard and junior Dylan Bertrand, who will also play running back, plus tight end Marvin Chatman.

Patrick Bertrand played both ways last year and will take over the starting role at quarterback full-time this year.

“Kiki (Doucet) was a real good running back, but with Patrick Bertrand coming back, we’ll be fine,” Ogbanga said. “The ball’s in his hands.

“I feel like he’s going to be a real good asset to us. He’s going to make a lot of plays, and he’s going to shock a lot of people. The kid is a flat-out ball player.”

Senior Tarrant Boone and sophomore James Butler will see action at running back.

On defense, the Gators bring back a pair of linebackers in Larry Guitton and Stephen Coleman, Martin at cornerback, defensive back Jeremiah White and senior Taysean Harris, who Ogbanga expects to make a big impact. Senior Amarie Thomas will play strong safety.

“He’s (Harris) going to be like the heart of the defense as well,” Ogbanga said. “He’s going to be a rover He’s a hitter. He’s smart. He’s a ball hawk. He plays the ball well.

well. He’s good in open-field tackles.”

The Gators will open the season with two home games starting with Peabody — who reached the regional round last year — then will play five of six on the road before closing the season with tough district home games against Iowa and Leesville.

“We got some tough games starting off with Peabody,” Obanga said. “They come to us on a Thursday night.

“We play Westlake. We play a lot of some inner-city guys. I look forward to just seeing my kids. They worked very hard this summer, so a good percentage, about 95 percent, attended throughout the summer workouts. I’m looking forward to seeing them compete on a high level.”

LAGRANGE

Mascot: Gators.

Home stadium: John J. Mims Stadium.

District: 3-4A.

Playoff division: Nonselect Division II.

Head coach: Idaibi Ogbanga

Head coach career record: 1-9.

2023 record (Dist.): 1-9 (1-4).

Last time in playoffs (round): 2019 (bi-district)

Returning starters (offense/defense): 7/8

Key players lost: Keshaun Doucet (RB), Isiah Lewis (WR/LB), Taah Coleman (DB).

Top returners: Patrick Bertrand (QB/DB), Keilynn Turner (OL), Jayvon White (DL), Markus Spiller (DL), David Martin (CB).

Schedule

Sept. 6 vs. Peabody

Sept. 13 vs. Westlake

Sept. 20 at Slaughter Community Charter

Sept. 26 at Bolton Academy (Thurs.)

Oct. 4 vs. Abbeville

Oct. 11 at Washington-Marion*

Oct. 18 at Eunice*

Oct. 25 at DeRidder*

Oct. 31 vs. Iowa* (Thurs.)

Nov. 8 vs. Leesville*

*District 3-4A game