football schedule
Players To Watch
| Name | Position | Height | Weight | 40-Yd | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryson Baloney | OL | 6-2 | 260 | 5.1 | Sr |
| D'Shaun Ford | RB | 5-11 | 200 | 4.5 | So |
| Mekhi Jones | WR | 5-8 | 140 | 4.5 | Sr |
| Zackeus Malveaux | QB | 5-11 | 175 | 4.5 | So |
| Deshun Thomas | DL | 6-4 | 250 | 4.9 | Sr |
| Dontan Washington | LB | 5-11 | 220 | 4.7 | Sr |
Last 5 Seasons
| Year | Class | Wins | Losses | Playoff Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4A | 6 | 6 | Regional |
| 2020 | 4A | 0 | 5 | |
| 2019 | 4A | 3 | 6 | |
| 2018 | 4A | 5 | 6 | Bi-District |
| 2017 | 4A | 5 | 5 |
About the Team
Head Coach: Jimmy Zachery, 3rd season (6-11, all at Opelousas)
2022 Returning Lettermen: 22
2022 Returning Offensive Starters: 9
2022 Returning Defensive Starters: 9
Lettermen Lost: 4
State Runner-Up: 1938, 1956
Playoff Appearances: 1938, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2004, 2018, 2021
Stadium: Donald Garden Stadium
Turf Type: Natural Grass
2022 Preview
The time for Opelousas football is now.
Head coach Jimmy Zachery believes starting 14 freshmen in a majority of its games a year ago will pay off in 2021. The Tigers compiled six wins and for just the second time in the last decade qualified for the playoffs, upsetting higher-seeded South Lafourche in the first round despite having to navigate a difficult schedule with a throng of underclassmen.
The offense brings back nine starters from a scrappy football last year with sophomores Zackeus Malveaux (600 yards, 7 TDs passing) and D'Shaun Ford (800 yards, 8 TDs rushing) leading the way while Mekhi Jones who caught 50 passes for over 500 passes and 10 touchdowns will serve as the top target.
On defense, only two starters will not return from last year's team but the experience that remains will help Opelousas in the battle against a respectable schedule full of high-octane opposing offenses. Dontay Washington (110 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT) is the anchor for the Tigers' defensive unit while Landon Hammond returns as the team's interception leader from last year with 5.
The strength of schedule in the early portion of Opelousas' schedule will help prepare the team for a tough district slate. The Tigers open the season on the road at Teurlings Catholic before returning home for two of its biggest games of the season with Natchitoches Central and Lake Charles Prep making the trip to Donald Garner Stadium. St. Amant, Leesville and New Iberia round out the remaining non-district slate.
Team Stories
