SCOUTING REPORT
Strengths
Even at the high school level, a team can’t expect to have much success when its offense is one-dimensional. For Rick Hutson and New Iberia, a team that went 3-7 and averaged just 19 points per game in 2016, the passing game was hardly ever in sync last season. But balance may be on the horizon for the Yellow Jackets offense, as junior quarterback Austin Norris takes the reins. Norris has shown an advanced football acumen since he joined the team as a freshman, and he’ll have three returning running backs to lean on. Two of those tailbacks, Eddie McZeal and Darren Weekly, excel as receivers, giving New Iberia two more capable wideouts to a passing game that should be more effective. Hutson said he doesn’t have a wide receiver that stands above the rest —senior Dylan Breaux has the most experience — but the group is deeper overall, which should allow the Yellow Jackets to spread the ball around.
But the Yellow Jackets biggest strength should be its defense, which returns seven starters. The front seven is particularly strong with three starting linebackers returning, all of which play physically and possess speed. Burly defensive end Grant Mitchell is perhaps Hutson’s best overall player and one of the strongest he’s ever had at the school, capable of driving offensive linemen off the ball and getting to the quarterback.
More:2017 Prep Football Preview
Question Marks
The Yellow Jackets have to replace four of its five starting offensive linemen, the exact opposite of its situation last season. Senior tackle Eddie Fichter is the lone returning starter, but experience or talent does exist elsewhere. In fact, four of the five starters are seniors. If not for a preseason injury that kept him out until the second half of the season, junior guard Broderick Rosewould have been a starter last year, Hutson said. New starting center Peyton Bailey also played a good amount last season. Because of this, Hutson is confident with his top 5-6 offensive linemen, but the seventh and eighth spots on the line may go to sophom*ores. Of course, throwing second-year players into the fire, especially in the trenches, isn’t ideal.
New Iberia will most likely start a freshman in the secondary: strong safety Taylor Williams. Hutson believes Williams is “one of the top prospects of the future,” but there could be some growing pains early on. Hutson is also concerned about his overall depth, so the health of his starters will be key to avoid playing more young players.
More:Experience gives New Iberia a leg up next season
The Bottom Line
With an improved passing game and a wealth of experience on defense, New Iberia should, at the very least, be in the playoff mix by season’s end. Realistically, the Yellow Jackets could have been 5-5 last season, dropping an overtime game to Breaux Bridge and losing to Sam Houston by one score after fumbling near the goal line. With New Iberia planning to throw the football more, the key for Yellow Jackets will be protecting the football, Hutson said. It’s riskier than being a run-centric team, but the rewards are potentially greater. Hutson believes his offense has a chance to be very effective if they can avoid costly mistakes.
Hutson also thinks the district isn’t as top heavy as it has been in recent years. Because teams like Acadiana, Barbe and Sulphur are replacing key pieces, including at quarterback and running back for the Buccaneers and Golden Tors, the district race has a chance to be tighter overall. That doesn’t mean Hutson expects it to be any easier. Even before district play, New Iberia will rekindle a rivalry with St. Martinville in the season opener. Carencro and Westgate will round out the pre-district schedule, so the Yellow Jackets will be tested even before the gauntlet of District 3-5A begins.
More:ANALYSIS: District picks for the upcoming football season
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin Norris, QB, 5-9, 165: It was clear to Rick Hutson that he had something special in Norris when the Yellow Jacket’s new starting quarterback was just a freshman. In his first year with the team, Norris was making reads that were taking players 2-3 years to fully grasp. A coach’s son, the junior is an intelligent player who excels in the classroom, and his understanding of the overall offense gives Hutson confidence to open up the passing game this season.
Eddie McZeal, RB, 5-8, 185: McZeal is the most experienced of the three returning running backs on New Iberia’s roster. He’s the fastest of the trio and, like backup Darren Weekly, is versatile enough to line up as a wide receiver. Hutson said they have packages in which two tailbacks and three wide receivers are used. They could also bring in the third running back, Calin Labbe, when McZeal and Weekly are split out wide.
Grant Mitchell, DE, 6-0, 260: Mitchell’s strength – he can bench press 365 pounds – is something Hutson hasn’t quite seen at New Iberia. An All-District second teamer in 2016, the senior is a nightmare to block and plays a relentless motor. He’s also easily coachable, and his work ethic is top notch, Hutson said.
Ja’Braylon Spencer, OLB, 6-3, 230: Spencer is New Iberia’s swing player in front seven that should prove to be formidable. His speed allows him play either inside or outside linebacker, but Hutson admits he’s probably more comfortable when playing inside. Spencer, like fellow returning linebackers Franklin Polk and Thor Boudreaux, also has the physicality to make plays.
Seth Landry, PK, 5-6, 145: Showing solid accuracy and consistency last season, Hutson believes Landry is one of the best kickers in the area. In fact, Landry’s only misses last season were a product of poor snaps. His leg strength has only increased, Hutson said, so Landry could be nailing kicks from more than 45 yards out this season.
2017 SCHEDULE
September
1 ST. MARTINVILLE
8 CARENCRO
15 Westgate
22 Acadiana
29 LAGRANGE
October
6 Lafayette
13 Barbe
20 COMEAUX
27 Sulphur
November
3 SAM HOUSTON
Home games in ALL CAPS
2016 IN REVIEW
Overall Record:3-7
Lost BREAUX BRIDGE 35-28
Lost Carencro 45-20
Beat WESTGATE 34-0
Beat Lafayette 29-7
Lost BARBE 33-14
Lost Sam Houston 20-14
Lost SULPHUR 44-17
Lost Cecilia 27-13
Beat Comeaux 21-20
Lost ACADIANA 42-0
Home games in ALL CAPS
LAST FIVE SEASONS
2016: 3-7
2015: 4-6
2014: 2-8
2013: 9-3
2012: 9-3
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
OFFENSE
WR Christian Druilhet (5-10, 170, Sr.)*
WR Dylan Breaux (5-11, 165, Sr.)*
WR Khaj-Erik Oliver (6-1, 185, Jr.)
WR Makholven Sonn (5-11, 170, Soph.)
OT Eddie Fichter (6-1, 250, Sr.)*
OG Chris Tarver (6-1, 280, Sr.)
C Peyton Bailey (5-11, 245, Sr.)
OG Broderick Rose (6-1, 275, Jr.)
OT D’Eric Castille (5-10, 260, Sr.)*
QB Austin Norris (5-9, 165, Jr.)
RB Eddie McZeal (5-8, 185, Sr.)
DEFENSE
DE Gregreon Green (5-11, 245, Sr.)*
DE Grant Mitchell (6-0, 260, Sr.)*
NG Tyran Vallere (6-0, 275, Sr.)
OLB Ja’Braylon Spencer (6-3, 230, Jr.)*
OLB Tanner Doiron (6-0, 215, Sr.)
ILB Franklin Polk (5-10, 180, Sr.)*
ILB Thor Boudreaux (6-0, 220, Jr.)*
SS Taylor Williams (5-11, 190, Fr.)
FS Martin Guidry (5-11, 175, Sr.)*
CB Mike Sonn (5-9, 180, Sr.)*
CB William Black (5-10, 170, Jr.)
*Denotes returning starter
