Jerry Leonard, who did an excellent job as the head football coach at Salmen, stepped away from that position in 2017. That’s eight years. In 16 seasons with the Spartans, Leonard won 100 games and guided Salmen to a state semifinal appearance.
After Leonard moved into administration as the parish athletic director, Eric Chuter took over as head coach of the Spartans.
At Pearl River, Leonard succeeds another veteran coach, Eric Collins, who led the Rebels to three straight playoff appearances. The challenge for Leonard is to maintain that level of success and grow it to where the Rebels can advance in the postseason.
As a resident of Pearl River, Leonard is excited about his new opportunity.
“I am very happy to be back coaching,” Leonard said. “It has been a while. I’ve landed in a good spot. I wasn’t necessarily looking to be a head coach again. When I started getting the itch to coach again, I thought I would help someone else out.”
Then, the Pearl River job beckoned.
“Things changed,” Leonard said. “This job came open and it is in my backyard, five minutes from home. The timing was right. The place was right. Things fell into place.”
The Rebels were 5-5 last season, falling to eventual state champion Cecilia in the opening round of the playoffs.
Pearl River returns assets from a year ago.
Senior quarterback Brayden Hutchinson (6-3, 175) is back to run the offense.
“I like the fact that Hutchinson is a senior and a natural leader,” Leonard said. “We have implemented some changes and he has handled it well. Brayden is tall, rangy and athletic with a lot of upside.
“He does a lot of things well. He’s getting better as a passer and can run. He’s a basketball kid who can jump and he will play defense for us. I have tremendous confidence in his ability to lead our team and win.”
The run game should be solid with senior Gage Durand (6-2, 230) leading the way in physical fashion. Ja’Ty Maryland (5-10, 165) and junior Andrew Sikes (5-8, 160) will also be in the mix to get carries.
“Durand returns after not running a lot last year,” Leonard said. “He’s a special kid. He played a lot of defense last year. He’s big, solid and tough. He will pound it. Sikes has a different skill set and is quicker. Maryland is that type of back as well.”
At wide receiver, junior Daven Keicher (5-11, 185) returns and he is joined by Cason McGinnis (6-2, 170). McGinnins came out from basketball.
“We have a bunch of young, hungry kids at wide receiver,” Leonard said. “Several came out from basketball and decided they wanted to play. They have tremendous skill sets and are getting better. Keicher returns and he is solid and improving.”
The offensive line returns experienced players, including senior Hayden Mitchell (6-2, 305) and junior Jude Ohler (5-11, 280). They are joined by junior Merrick Murphy (6-3, 230) and junior Jeffrey Ohler (5-10, 280). Junior Jace Zeringue (6-0, 255) is another player being counted on.
“The line is the heart and soul of our offense,” Leonard. “They have played together for a long time. They play well together, feed-off one another and are good leaders. Mitchell is a very good player with quickness and size. The Ohler brothers are solid, Murphy came from basketball.”
The defensive front features Mitchell, along with senior end Peyton Penton (6-1, 205). They are joined by Andrew Barron (5-10, 265) and senior Dakota Johnson (6-1, 205). Albert Porter will play an end spot.
At linebacker, junior Charlie Rickoll (5-11, 210) returns and he is joined by sophomores Ryan Dean (5-10, 175) and Dawson Drew (6-2, 185), along with junior Ethan Bowman (6-0, 185).
“Our defensive front returns,” Leonard said. “Penton, Johnson and Barron are good. The defense has changed from last year. We are running a different front. They have learned it. Charlie played last year and Ethan moves to linebacker and they are learning it and progressing. Dean and Drew are blossoming.”
The secondary is led by senior free safety Javontae Rogers (5-11, 165), a returning starter. Maryland and senior Randall Bannister (5-6, 140), along with Dylan Painter, another basketball player, will also see action.
“We had the summer to get it right and they understand the coverages now,” Leonard said.
The schedule opens with road games at St. Martin’s Episcopal and South Lafourche. The Rebels host Pine before traveling to Chalmette.
“I feel the non-district schedule is tough,” Leonard said. “St. Martin’s beat us last year. South Lafourche is much improved. Pine beat us last year. Episcopal is always solid. We will be battle-tested going into district play.”
District 7-4A competition starts at Archbishop Hannan before a home game with Lakeshore. A tough trip to Franklinton is followed by home games with Pope John Paul II and Loranger.
“The league is tough but that is to be expected,” Leonard said. “You are always trying to bridge the bap between those at the top of the league and yourself. We are looking to make up ground. I feel we have the ability to do that.”
With an experienced quarterback and an experienced coach who has won, Pearl River has a shot to make noise quickly.
“We want to put a great product on the field that this community can be proud of,” Leonard said. “We’ve put in a lot of work. Now, we want to see that work pay off. Our players have bought in with the changes we have put in. We’re moving in the right direction.”
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