It was not until the playoffs that Lake Charles College Prep realized its potential in 2023, reaching the quarterfinals. They hope to carry that momentum into the new season.

“I kept telling the boys all season, that eventually it’s going to click for everybody,” said Head Coach Erick Franklin Sr., who is starting his 10th season with the Trailblazers. “It is hard when you are losing to keep kids inspired.

“They stayed inspired and eventually started clicking in the playoffs. We had some really good wins in the playoffs. I told this team just a couple of weeks ago, that they’re a quarterfinal team at least. Once you get to the quarterfinals, anything can happen from there. I think off of talent alone, the experience that we have playing a lot of games, I think this is a quarterfinal team at least.”

The Trailblazers lost seven first or second-team all-district players from that team but return 14 starters, including an opposing offensive line. Returning starters on the line are Jeramiah Freeman (6-4, 297), Gary Durriseau (6- 0, 265) and Micah Louis (5-8, 260) and junior Caron Henderson (6-0, 290). Freeman, a four-year starter, earned first-team all-district honors a year ago. Dominique Delacruz (5-11, 220) will fill the open spot in the line.

“They are finally grown men now,” Franklin said. “They are definitely run blockers.

“They are big and physical. They are guys that can get it done. Most of them have been starting the last three years outside of Delacruz. That makes it better when you have guys that have played that much football. It gives you a chance to run the ball and control the game up front.”

Sophomore quarterback Dylen Vital has grown in strength and confidence after he was thrust into a starting role last year unexpectedly and threw for nearly 1,000 yards.

“It’s been a night and day, man,” Franklin said. “After the season, he said ‘Coach, I am going to take over the team’.

“He looks totally different right now in practice. He has slimmed up. Last year, he was a freshman coming in not thinking he was going to have to play. He is so much smarter than he was last year. That helps out with his decision-making and his overall leadership.”

Senior Alijah Pete is the lone returning receiver in the Trailblazers’ spread offense and will be joined by senior Kalen Antoine and sophomores Ayden Carter and Caiden Jones. Senior Allen Botley moves from half-back to running back to replace all-district running back Dylan Rubin.

“He’s going to finally get his chance to be the main guy this year,” Franklin said. “He’s having a good camp so far. There’s an expectation that you’re next up, and he knows he’s next up.”

LCCP returns seven on a defense that allowed 23.7 points a game last year, including a combined 10 points in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

“The good thing about this group is they have played a lot of ball,” he said. “They know the scheme inside and out.

“We have really good leadership on that side of the box. We have on that side three captains out of the five. That says a lot about them and the leadership on that side of the ball. I think we’re really good in the trenches.”

Franklin looks to junior linebacker Brenden Malveaux (6-2, 205) to lead the group after switching from the defensive line.

“He just has it, man,” Franklin said. “I could have put him at the will-backer last year. I gave him time to get on the field at the (defensive) end. He’s a gifted talent.”

Other returners include senior lineman Karson Graham, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 1 last year, and Lamarion Armstead, junior linebacker Elijah Frank, senior safeties Cameron Brazzle and Braylon White and cornerback sophomore cornerback Kai Fontenot.

Juniors Elijah Williams and Ian Pete will start on the line, and senior Careion Franklin and sophomore Braedon Reed in the secondary.

LAKE CHARLES COLLEGE PREP

Mascot: Trailblazers.

Home stadium: Cougar Stadium.

District: 3-3A.

Playoff division: Select Division II.

Head coach: Erick Franklin Sr.

Head coach career record: 53-46.

2023 record (Dist.): 5-7 (2-3).

Last time in playoffs (round): 2023 (quarterfinals)

Returning starters (offense/defense): 7/7

Key players lost: Elijah Garrick (WR), Erick Franklin Jr. (DB), Dylan Rubin (RB), Elijah Simon (DL), Bryce Richard (LB), Darian Edwards (LB)

Top returners: Jeremiah Freeman (OL), Dylen Vital (QB), Brenden Malveaux (LB), Karson Graham (DL).

Schedule

Sept. 6 at Westgate

Sept. 12 vs. Barbe (Thurs.)

Sept. 20 at Opelousas

Sept. 27 vs. Mansfield

Oct. 4 at Catholic-New Iberia

Oct. 11 at Jennings*

Oct. 18 vs. St. Louis Catholic*

Oct. 25 at Westlake*

Nov. 1 vs. Comeaux

Nov. 8 vs. South Beauregard*

*District 3-3A game