Church Point’s Gibson named to LSWA Class 3A All-State team

The Church Point Bears have a reputation for being one of the most dominant defensive teams in the area, if not the state.
That was more than evident in 2021 when the Bears limited opponents to just 40 points and pitched eight shutouts heading into their semifinal contest against eventual state champion Sterlington.
Javen Gibson was the leader of that defense and his efforts were well noted when the LSWA met to vote on the Class 3A All-State team that was recently released.
Gibson, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound defensive end, was one of four defensive linemen named to the All-State team, joining Union Parish standout Blake Ramsey, University Lab’s Nick Williams and Madison Prep’s Quency Wiggins.
Gibson, a senior, recorded 70 solo tackles and 41 assists on the year, including 19 tackles for a loss. He logged 12 sacks, most in recent memory by a Church Point player, forced four fumbles and recorded 15 quarterback hurries.
Church Point also garnered three spots on the honorable mention list.
Running back Tylon Citizen grabbed a spot after rushing for 1,468 yards on 162 carries through 14 games. He had 24 rushing touchdowns and also logged nine receptions for 222 yards and three touchdowns.
Church Point’s other two honorable mentions were senior Camden Maroon and junior Tanner Little, both offensive linemen who helped pave the way for over 4,600 total yards of offense.
Iota’s Dayton Boone was also named to the honorable mention list. The junior linebacker tallied 84 total tackles, including 55 solo. He had one sack, forced three fumbles and recovered one for the Bulldogs.
Headlining the Class 3A team werecUnion Parish running back Trey Holly and Madison Prep defensive lineman Quency Wiggins.
For the second year in a row, Holly was voted the Outstanding Offensive Player for the Farmers. The junior running back tallied 2,815 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns on 320 carries.
Holly also claimed Most Outstanding Player honors in the Class 3A State Championship Game after totaling 265 yards and two scores in the 26-24 loss.
Wiggins, an LSU signee, claimed Outstanding Defensive Player honors after recording 56 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, four pass deflections and three forced fumbles as a returning all-state player.
Sterlington’s Lee Doty was honored with coach of the year. As the No. 1 seed, the Panthers defeated the likes of Madison Prep, Church Point and Union twice to finish with a perfect 15-0 record. Doty became just the eighth coach in Ouachita Parish to record an undefeated LHSAA season.
Sterlington, Madison Prep and Union placed two players each on the LSWA 3A team. Offensive lineman Payton Parks-Smith and defensive back Armod Mills earned the nod for Sterlington, while quarterback Zeon Chriss and Wiggins represented the Chargers on the list. Representing Union were Holly and defensive lineman Blake Ramsey.