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Thursday was all about depth when Jeanerette football hosted familiar non-district foe Loreauville in Week 4 of the 2025 season.
The fellow Tigers were both without key players as Jeanerette was without three-star junior running back Devine Duhon and senior linebacker Javonte “Manny” Williams. For Loreauville, the injury bug has been following them to start the season, taking out two of its two-way starters, including starting quarterback Blake Delcambre Jr.
Despite the injuries, Jeanerette’s younger players stepped up big with the team’s perfect record on the line. The Fighting Tigers proved they are the true Tiger of the 337 small school scene by beating Loreauville 20-6 for their fourth win of the season.
“We made a few mistakes, but in a hole, when it counted, we rallied, we played hard and we made plays,” Jeanerette coach Clifford Paul said. “That’s the strength of our team and that was the best thing. I’m grateful that the other kids are stepping up and we’re 4-0 without our workhorses.”
Making the most of your opportunity
With Duhon out for Jeanerette’s offense, it was up to freshman running back Destin Smith to keep its ground game alive.
“When Devine, he had got hurt, I just knew I had to step up for my team,” Smith said. “I had stepped up made it happen, and we got the dub.”
The 5-foot-8, 165-pounder showed no fear going up against a tough Loreauville defense, serving as his team’s new workhorse this week. He rushed for nearly 90 yards on 18 carries and found the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown. That score put the game out of reach in the fourth quarter.
While Smith was Jeanerette’s workhorse on offense, on defense, linebacker/defensive lineman Tyler Hurst and defensive back Nysir Jackson were leaders. Jackson came away with a pick-six in the first quarter to score his team’s first points of the game. Hurst was crucial in affecting Loreauville’s pass game coming up with two sacks and a fumble recovery.
“That’s the strength of out team, our defense,” Paul said. “When we start rolling and we get going, we have success.”
‘Pretty good run of bad luck’
Without Delcambre at the helm of Loreauville’s offense, junior Wyatt Hazelwood was thrust into the starter role this week. Hazelwood’s lack of experience at the position put pressure on its run game led by Thomas Carter III. He finished with the game leading his team in rushing yards and with their lone score of the game off a 7-yard rushing touchdown.
Outside of Carter, two-way senior Kadyn James was Loreauville’s other bright spot from the loss. The 5-foot-11, 155-receiver was Hazelwood’s go-to target and on defense James came away with an interception.
Loreauville will look to flush this loss and get back healthy as it prepares for district play next week.
“We’re just a little bit behind with what we need to do,” Loreauville coach Terry Martin said. “Seems like every time we turn around, we lose a different guy, so it just seems like we’ve had a pretty good run of bad luck. But we’ll just keep fighting. Each week that we play, we’re getting a little better, so hopefully those injuries will slow down.”
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
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