Just 20 years ago, the Port Barre Red Devils neared a dynasty.
Today, they float aimlessly, without a winning season since 2013.
In 2023, coach Brett Angelle took the wheel. The longtime assistant oversaw a 5-6 campaign and Division III Non-Select playoff berth in 3A, their first since 2019. But last season, injuries derailed a transition into 2A en route to 1-10.
With rested bodies and returning stars, Port Barre aims to put the basement in its rear view mirror, once and for all.
“The injuries just started piling on,” Angelle said. “It was injuries to key guys …. We’re anxious to get back to the winning ways.”
It starts on the ground. Angelle has installed a run-heavy approach for this fall, mainly to put the ball in the hands of its dynamic duo of seniors: Tylus Metrejean and Bailey Rideaux.
Both Swiss Army Knives unfolded just five times apiece in 2024. Now, they’re back healthy as the double-barreled shotgun of Port Barre’s attack.
“With both of those guys, we want to have the identity of you never know where they’re going to line up,” Angelle said. “We want to keep defenses guessing on where they’re going to be, because it won’t take long to figure out wherever they line up, they’re getting the ball.”
Metrejean (6-1, 160) primarily plays quarterback. Seth Smith (5-11, 145, Jr.) will occasionally take command to allow him time at wide receiver, where his raw athleticism hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Every 7-on-7 we’ve played this summer, the cornerbacks that were lined up against him, after the game were like, ‘Man, you’re fast,’” Angelle said.
He’ll also start at cornerback, punter and kick returner.
Rideaux’s (6-2, 220) role shifts toward running back after two seasons starting at tight end. He’ll also get after opposing quarterbacks at defensive end.
In the weapons department, running back Chase Dedon (5-9, 175, Sr.) returns, while wide receiver Kegan Ledoux (6-1, 150, Soph.) and tight end Bennett Fontenot (6-0, 192, Sr.) get their first chances to start.
Port Barre’s protectors and their experience will be key for a bounce back. Four of five offensive linemen are back, a rarity in recent Devils history.
“This year is probably the first since I’ve been here where there’s very little questions on the offensive line,” Angelle said. “We’ve got some bruisers up front that can control the line of scrimmage and make some good things happen for us.”
First-team all-district selection Brett Menard (5-9, 180, Sr.) starts at left guard, flanked by rock-solid upperclassmen in left tackle Karson Dupre (6-3, 260, Sr.) and center Luke Stagg (5-9, 250, Jr.). Right tackle Luke Grimmett (6-2, 251, Jr.) also returns, leaving right guard Cy Leger (5-11, 210, Soph.) as the only new starter.
Defensively, linebacker Juwan Horns stands tall. The 6-foot, 190-pound senior earned first-team all-district honors as not only a tackling machine, but also a role model.
“He’s definitely the glue that keeps it all together,” Angelle said. “We’ve had several media days where our kids were asked who’s your leader in the locker room. It’s 100% consensus, everyone says it’s Juwan. And he does it by example.”
But for Horns to fully congeal a new-look unit that struggled mightily in 2024, sacrifices are mandatory in the trenches.
“One of the biggest focuses this year, especially up front, is being able to eat up those double teams, being able to keep those guards off our linebackers,” Angelle said. “Not playing selfish football, you might not have to make the tackle, but keep those guys off of Juwan, so Juwan can make the tackle.”
Port Barre has just two starters returning to its defense other than Horns, a linebacking partner in Malcolm Mallett (5-9, 160, Sr.) and Fontenot at defensive end.
Rideaux, Drake Thomas (5-11, 297, Soph.) and Devin Mallett (5-10, 289, Sr.) provide the dirty work at defensive line. Karson Darbonne (5-6, 181, Jr.) joins a fit linebacker corps that’s hungry for productivity.
At defensive back, the Devils are hot off the press. Metrejean will start at corner alongside Brenden Perdue (5-7, 140, Sr.) while Ledoux and Karter Richard (5-6, 135, Jr.) galvanize the skies at free and strong safety, respectively.
On special teams, Angelle has the privilege of coaching his son, Benton (5-6, 125, Soph.) to be placdkicker. While Metrejean does the rest, Ledoux will return punts.
After a preseason scrimmage against Oberlin and a jamboree versus North Central, Port Barre kicks off its season with Crowley on Sept. 4. Beau Chene, Opelousas Catholic, Marksville and South Beauregard follow before district play starts against Avoyelles.
The Devils play just three district games this fall, taking on Oakdale and Holy Savior Menard after a non-district tilt against Westminster Christian-Opelousas.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Angelle said. “Whether we go 0-3 in district or 3-0 in district, that still leaves us seven other games.”
Amid last season’s slew of injuries, the Red Devils’ stymied upperclassmen still forged mentorship roles.
Now seniors, they’ll continue to believe in what’s earned them such high status, as well as what can guide Port Barre back to postseason form in 2025.
“I think our young guys have built up that drive of ‘I don’t want to let these older guys down,’ so I think that’s helped with our chemistry,” Angelle said. “They developed friendships that way, through the injuries, through the adversity. They’ve really come together.”
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