To say the last three seasons have been a struggle for the Pickering Red Devils would be an understatement. They haven’t tasted the excitement of a victory since Nov. 20, 2020.

The Red Devils are trying to end one of the longest losing streaks in the state that currently stands at 31.

Low numbers nearly sent them to the same fate as South Cameron, which shut down its program in 2018; however, the staff and administration decided to take advantage of a Louisiana High School Athletic Association rule that allows teams to play a non-district schedule and not compete for district honors or playoffs and maintain a varsity program.

“It was tough for us. We had a lot of young kids that got a lot of playing time, but they were outmatched,” Head Coach John Dougherty said. “I had eighth-graders, ninth-graders, and mostly sophomores playing against juniors and seniors, so that was rough.

“But we met, there was a possibility of us dropping Varsity due to those problems, and I pretty much kind of talked the administration out of it.”

Doughtery said it was the best path forward for a team that used a mostly junior varsity roster last season, its third consecutive 0-10 season.

The change has already improved some things as the Red Devils will enter the season with more than 30 players, up from around 18 last season.

“I’ve gotten a lot of kids out,” Dougherty said. “It’s actually kind of surprising.

“There were athletes on campus that didn’t play last year for me, for whatever reason. They’ve come back, and our numbers have spiked.”

Pickering has eight returning starters in offense, including second-team all-district running back Xavier Mitchell, but technically it is 10.

Senior quarterback A.J. Berry and wide receiver Ladarius Privitiera are back after not playing last season. The pair led the Red Devil basketball team to the semifinals in March.

“Having a kid (Berry) like that changes everything,” Dougherty said. “I really think that he’s going to be special for us this year.

“Those two passing and catching together is a pretty good tandem. It’s a big plus and it changes things for us.”

Mitchell ran for 477 yards and four touchdowns behind an inexperienced line last season. All five linemen return in seniors Augustus James and Braden Willis, juniors Matthew Blankenship and Mariano Bunch and freshman Landon Noel.

Other returners on the offensive side include receivers Tyler Cryer and Caleb Falls. Senior Kenny Givens, who will also play linebacker, and sophomore L.J. White are new additions to the receiving corps as the Red Devils transition to the spread offense.

Doughtery is looking to nose guard James (5-9, 220) to lead the defense.

“He’s the second strongest player on the team, 5’9”, 220,” Dougherty said. “He’s fast, quick with feet. He’s short and stocky. He’s going to be able to cause some problems inside. He’s also a smart left guard, a big puller. I think he’s going to make a lot of noise up front.”

Noel and Bunch also return on the line along with linebackers Braden Ford, Cryer, Hunter Noel and Mitchell. Caleb Falls, Privitiera and Berry return in the secondary.

PICKERING

Mascot: Red Devils.

Home stadium: O’Banion Stadium.

District: 4-2A.

Playoff division: Select Division IV.

Head coach: John Dougherty.

Head coach career record: 0-10.

2023 record (Dist.): 0-10 (0-4).

Last time in playoffs (round): 2020 (bi-district)

Returning starters (offense/defense): 8/8

Key players lost: Logan Sneed (OL).

Top returners: Xavier Mitchell (RB/LB), A.J. Berry (QB/S), Braden Willis (OL), Ladarius Privitiera (WR/CB).

Schedule

Sept. 6 at Gueydan

Sept. 13 at Montgomery

Sept. 20 vs. Northwood-Lena

Sept. 26 at Merryville (Thurs.)

Oct. 4 vs. LaSalle

Oct. 10 at Crescent City (Thurs.)

Oct. 18 at Vinton

Oct. 25 vs. Pine Prairie

Nov. 1 vs. Ringgold

Nov. 8 vs. Plain Dealing