(Photo: Timothy Seller)
Decades into a run of royal distinction, the Ouachita Christian Eagles still find ways to impress.
Coach Steven Fitzhugh brought a team with four returning starters to the Division IV Select title game in 2024, falling short of Vermillion Catholic but further proving why they’ve won eight state championships.
After overseeing six of those titles, a field named in his honor and 27 seasons of excellent football, Fitzhugh’s latest “Cinderella run” is another lucid link in a glistening chain.
“It was just a surprise, blessed season,” Fitzhugh said. “How they continued to address and correct their mistakes week after week, early on, to where they were a confident group of guys, more so each week.”
OCS had no business in the dome last season, leaving three schools with first-round byes in its wake. Still, coming up short put a chip on each Eagle’s shoulder, now with five starters back on both offense and defense.
“It definitely lit that fire even more,” Fitzhugh said. “They’re hungry.”
The Eagles weren’t scared to “turn it loose” last fall, giving them a head start in terms of mindset. Quarterback Luke Vidrine captained this aggression, passing for 2,356 yards and earning a Class 2A All-State honorable mention as a junior.
He first started as a sophomore, the first Eagle in 15 years to do so. He badly injured his foot to end that season, causing over half a year of recovery. Now a senior, Vidrine’s recaptured athleticism could help him reach a new level.
“He’s faster,” Fitzhugh. “Last year, he came into the season honestly not even knowing if he could run full speed.”
His offensive line will incorporate four new starters for the third consecutive campaign, but senior Micah Mosher is a bedrock. The first-team All-State selection is entering his final year on a perennially sound, foundational unit.
“Last year and this year, he has been the one who has the knowledge and experience,” Fitzhugh said. “Having communicated so many other linemen and brought them along, he’s been that solid force.”
Jude Turner returns to running back after collecting 80 carries for 626 yards and an impressive 19 total touchdowns as a junior. Eli Grey, a senior, will join him.
Ridge Coats starts anew at tight end, but lead wide receiver Patrick Turpin is back. He caught 41 passes for 649 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Junior Luke Edwards will hold down the opposite wideout spot.
OCA’s defense lost its two leading tacklers last year but is captained by its linebackers, namely Cooper Thomas, Hunter Traxler, Ridge Coats and Grey.
“Those are guys that’ll come back and lead our defense,” Fitzhugh said.
Thomas scrounged up 64 tackles (five for loss) and six sacks as the most productive, but Hunter Traxler is the vocal presence.
“Late in the year, [he] just became a real emotional, passionate leader on this team,” Fitzhugh said of Traxler. “Just a guy that makes everyone around him play with energy.”
Seniors Landon Waller (50 tackles, seven sacks, two forced fumbles) and Turpin (33 tackles, three interceptions) lead the defensive line and cornerback room, respectively, but both have to-be-determined partners.
Hudson Weems starts at nose guard and D’Siah Bradshaw will play the versatile “rover” spot. Tristan Raymond and Barrett Freeland join Turpin in the defensive backfield.
However, no discussion of OCA is complete without senior kicker Gavin Polk. He earned high marks at the prestigious Kohl’s Kicking Camp in Tennessee this summer, nailing two 57-yard tries and averaging seven yards through the end zone on his kickoffs.
“He’s a disciplined kid,” Fitzhurgh said.
The Eagles travel to Ruston and ULM for preseason duels versus Captain Shreve and St. Frederick before its campaign opens at home against Caldwell Parish. Division IV Non-Select semifinalist General Trass comes next before Delhi and a 2A District 2 opener against Madison.
They’ll do battle with Rayville, Delhi Charter, Beekman Charter, Mangham and Ferriday before Oak Grove caps off the regular season.
“We have three seasons,” said Fitzhugh, referring to non-district, district and postseason play.
During his storied career, Fitzhurgh’s mantra has and always will be incremental growth. His Ouachita Christian has an eternal buy-in that both overachieves and overwhelms. Ultimately, it wins.
“We talk about seize the day, let’s get better today,” Fitzhugh said. “Success, it’s a journey, not a destination … It’s not defined by whether we are or are not holding the trophy up at the end of the year. It’s doing things right on a daily basis, getting better today.”
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