Wolves dominate 4-4A Football All-District selections

RAYNE - During a season still plagued with COVID restrictions and not knowing whether your team would play from week to week, the Rayne High Wolves kept their heads low, worked hard and hit their peak in the homestretch of the 2021 football season for the school’s first out-right district title since the 1980’s.
For their efforts, Rayne High team leaders were selected in a number of spots when all-district selections were announced.
“We’re basically a young team that had some growing pains this year, but we also really had a lot of bright spots and some leaders who carried us through a winning season (7-3 overall) and an undefeated district slate (4-0),” stated Rayne High Head Coach Kaine Guidry, who completes only his third year at the helm as this year’s 4-4A All-District’s Coach of the Year.
“We came out of this year on a good note, won our district, fell a little short in the playoffs, but we can now congratulate everyone on a job well-done and look forward to getting work on next season.”
The No. 13-ranked Wolves were looking towards loftier goals as they hosted the No. 20-ranked North DeSoto Griffins in the opening round of the 4-A State Playoffs. But, the Griffins were able to manage both sides of the ball, handing Rayne a 34-16 first-round loss, cutting their post-season play.
But when it came to the announcement of all-district selections, Rayne High dominated the charts with 12 Wolves named during this season’s 4-4A All-District selections.
Leading the way was senior Bleyton Young, who was not only named to First Team Offense and First Team Defense teams, but was also tagged as the district’s Most Valuable Player.
“Bleyton is an athlete you can go to at anytime and at almost any position,” stated Guidry of Young’s talent on the football field.
“We have a good group of kids that deserve all the accolades they are getting, including Bleyton. It was a real pleasure to coach this senior group for the last three years.”
Young was named the First Team All-District Athlete as he amassed 409 offensive yards on 25 receptions and four touchdowns. On the ground, he tallied 33 carried for 170 rushing yeards and two touchdowns.
The MVP was also named as a First Team Defensive player in the defensive back position. Young’s defensive stated total 42 tackles along with 30 solos and two tackels for a loss. He also nabbed four interceptions, a pick-six and 8 PBU.
“Bleyton will surely be missed on both sides of the ball,” stated Guidry. “He was one of our go-to guys when we needed something to happen.”
Rayne sophomore quarterback Dylan Judice was named the district’s QB, tallying up 79 completions on 148 attempts for 1,644 yards and 19 touchdowns. He will be a major weapon for the Wolves in his remaining seasons at the helm.
Rayne junior leader Darian Chevalier was one of three running backs named in First Team offensive seelctions.
Chevalier had 159 carries for 854 yards and eight touchdowns for the Wolves. He also came down with seven pass receptions for 175 yards and two passing touchdowns.
Joining Chevalier at running back were North Vermilion’s Benny Freeman and Ray Thomas of Washington-Marion.
At wide receiver, Rayne’s Kylin Wheeler was one of three of the district’s honorees.
Wheeler recorded 25 catches for 798 yards and 11 touchdowns during his freshman campaign. His natural talents will be a definite asset for the Wolves in his upcoming seasons for the Wolves.
Joining Wheeler at running back were Jaden Bias of Lagrange and Ethan Guidry of North Vermilion.
Of the five offensive linemen named to First Team Offensive Team selections, two slots were filled by Wolves, senior J’sia Eaglin and junior Trey Lagrange. Both contributed to a productive Rayne offense.
Completing the all-district offensive line selections were Lex Schouest and Dylan Darbonne of Eunice and Javonte Roberts of Washington-Marion.
Another two-way weapon for the Wolves, four-year starter Deuce Comeaux, was named the district’s top kicker once again. He completed his senior campaign 32 extra points, 16 touchbacks and two fieldgoals.
Comeaux was also named First Team All-District Defensive Team at the linebacker position where he collected 25 solo tackles and two tackles for a loss.
“Deuce (Comeaux) will surely be missed as he was one of our key team leaders on and off the field,” stated Guidry.
Completing the First Team All-District selections for offensive skills was Tyree Brown of Washington-Marion at the return specialist position.
Joining Young and Comeaux on the First Team All-District Defense Team were teammates Tre’von Williams on the defensive line and defensive back Lance Smith.
Williams collected 28 solo tackles and four tackles for a loss during his senior campaign.
Smith completed his senior year with 29 tackles, 20 solos and one interception. He also contributed 8 PBU and a pick-six for the Wolves.
Joining Williams on defensive line were RJ LeMay of North Vermilion, Dylan Darbonne of Eunice and Raykeithan Thomas of Washington-Marion.
Completing the linebacker selections with Comeaux were Hayden Darbonne and Dedric Vigers of Eunice and Ezra Proctor of Washington-Marion.
Joining Smith for defensive back selections were Terrance Shilow of Eunice and Washington-Marion’s Tyree Brown.
The lone Wolf named to the Second Team Offensive Team as Athlete was Joseph Emilien, who was also named as a defensive back on the Second Team Defensive Team. The young, talented sophomore expanded his wings on both sides of the ball and is sure to advance his duties in his remaining time for the Wolves.
Rayne juniors Jamari Eaglin and Derek Istre were both named to the Second Team Defense. Eaglin held his own as the defensive line, while Istre was a dominant starter as a defensive back.
““We are excited about what we hope is a regular off-season now that COVID has settled down a bit,” stated Guidry while looking at next year.
“We have a group of hard-working kids returning and a number of underclassmen who are showing promise. Time will tell.”