Q&A with Ken Trahan: Previewing New Orleans Area Football Landscape for 2024

August 6, 2024

by: Vincent Cacioppo // GeauxPreps.com Managing Editor

We had the opportunity to catch up with Ken Trahan CEO of Crescent City Sports and award winning sportscaster to preview the 2024 high school football season in the New Orleans-area. Ken offered his insights on several key storylines, including Brother Martin’s returning talent, Karr’s best team since 2019, and Robert Valdez’s return to the high school ranks. We also discussed John Curtis’ efforts to replace standout quarterback Dagan Bruno, Destrehan’s deep pool of talent, and Chalmette’s move to a stronger league for the 2024 season.

BROTHER MARTIN:

Photo Courtesy: Rusty Costanza
  • After a strong 7-4 season and a second-round playoff appearance, how do you see Brother Martin building on that momentum, especially in the tough Catholic League? With key players returning for the 2024 season, who do you view as the standout leaders, and how critical will their roles be in driving the team’s success?

Ken: With one of the most tenured coaching staffs and an excellent head coach with a proven track record of success, Brother Martin will always be competitive and solid. The key will be remaining healthy, along with the development of young players. Seth Dazet returns at quarterback while Hudson Fields will push him. Caleb Smith is an outstanding offensive lineman and a Nicholls commit. Chase Chesser has length and ability on the defensive line and is another Nicholls commit while Nathan Malek is another very good player up front on defense. Jadon Weber is an All-State linebacker and in the secondary, Treshoun Ware is outstanding.

EDNA KARR:

  • After falling just short in the semifinals against Acadiana last year, what adjustments or improvements do you think Coach Brice Brown and his team will focus on to make another deep playoff run in 2024? With a roster stacked with Division I recruits, including LSU commits like TaRon Francis, Corey Adams, Aiden Hall, and Richard Anderson, how do you expect these standout players to perform and elevate the team’s success this season?

Ken: Karr will have a real shot at winning the Division I Select title this season. The Cougars have to be better and more consistent up front, as we saw against Acadiana, and they have the players and experience for that to occur this season. This looks like the best Karr team since the 2019 state championship team. There is size and there is speed. There is experience and there is fine coaching. The key will be surviving a brutal district and very tough schedule.

ST. AUGUSTINE

  • With Robert Valdez returning to the high school ranks at St. Augustine after his stint at Grambling, how do you think his college-level experience will influence his coaching style and the team’s performance this season? Additionally, with five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart poised for a standout year, how do you see his presence impacting St. Augustine’s defense and contributing to their overall success in 2024?

Ken: Robert Valdez is a proven winner. The college experience gave him some different perspectives and looks. Valdez brings stability and discipline to the Purple Knights and he has credibility, with a state title at St. James and having taken West St. John to a title game and having a solid winning tenure at Scotlandville. Stewart is perhaps the most impactful player in Louisiana. He is big and he is athletic, a major problem for opposing offenses. His ability to attract double teams will free up other athletic players to make plays.

JOHN CURTIS

Photo Courtesy: Parker Waters
  • After a strong season last year that ended with a quarterfinal loss to eventual Division I Select State Champions Catholic High, how do you see John Curtis rebounding and what’s their outlook for 2024? With several key players returning, who do you expect to be the driving force for the team this season, and how do you anticipate they will perform in the highly competitive Catholic League?

Ken: John Curtis Christian is simply John Curtis. The Patriots will always be excellent and will always be a threat to win a state championship. The big key is replacing a brilliant quarterback in Dagan Bruno and finding stability with a host of new offensive linemen. The defense is experienced and talented. A.J. Smith moves over from the defensive side to be the feature running back but as we know, Curtis spreads the wealth in its run game. Xavier Brown and Juan Washington are good receivers. Reggie Johnson and Drake Mason will split quarterback duties.

DESTREHAN

  • Following a strong 2023 season that ended with a quarterfinal appearance, what are your thoughts on Destrehan’s outlook for 2024? With LSU commit Jhase Thomas, Phillip Wright, and wide receiver Jabari Mack expected to make significant contributions, how do you see their performances shaping the team’s success this season?

Ken: Marcus Scott has another very talented team. Quarterback Jackson Fields and really throw it. The Wildcats can run it as well, providing balance. The defense is fast. Destrehan will squarely be in the mix to contend for the Division I Non-Select title. All are as good as advertised, as is Fields. There is depth and speed at wide receiver. The offensive line is huge, physical. That is true of the defensive line as well.

CHALMETTE

Photo Courtesy: Scott Threlkeld
  • Chalmette had an impressive 10-2 season last year with a perfect 4-0 record in district play. As they head into the 2024 season, what do you see as their biggest challenges and opportunities to build on that success? Considering the roster for this year, which players do you expect to have the biggest impact, and are there any individuals you think are poised for a breakout season?

Ken: It is a new challenge for the Owls, moving from a weak league to a stronger league with north shore teams. It is a step up in class but the Owls are well coached and equipped to handle it, though there are a lot of new starters. Defensive end Eric Anderson, wide receiver John Young, who has size, and running back Axton Lopez are the top players. Linebackers Oday Samad and Leo Gonzales return.

As we wrap up our preview of the 2024 New Orleans-area football landscape, it’s clear that this season is brimming with promise and challenges. Brother Martin is looking to build on last year’s success with strong leadership and contributions from their standouts. Edna Karr, coming off a deep playoff run, will need to leverage their roster of Division I recruits to navigate a demanding schedule. St. Augustine, with Robert Valdez returning to the high school ranks, is set to make an impact, especially with the top player in the country, Jahkeem Stewart leading the charge. Destrehan aims to build on their strong 2023 performance, with players like LSU commit Jhase Thomas expected to be pivotal. Chalmette, fresh off a stellar 10-2 season, faces the task of maintaining their high level of play, with several key returners poised to have breakout seasons.

Stay tuned as we continue to preview more teams in the New Orleans area and across the state!

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