By Chris Singleton
Written for the LSWA
Vermilion Catholic and Kentwood enjoyed memorable runs through the LHSAA Division IV select playoff bracket this season.
The two teams met in the semifinals with the winner advancing to Prep Classic championship game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Although Vermilion Catholic rolled to a 33-0 win over Kentwood in the semifinals, both teams topped the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State team.
Vermilion Catholic senior quarterback Jonathan Dartez earned Outstanding Offensive Player honors on the All-State team, while Kentwood senior defensive lineman La’Mikal Callahan took home Outstanding Defensive Player honors. The All-State teams were selected by sportswriters throughout the state.
Dartez led Vermilion Catholic to a perfect 14-0 record and a Division IV select state championship. It was Vermilion Catholic’s third state title in school history and first since 2013.
Dartez dominated throughout the season with 2,761 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns on 348 carries. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry. As a passer, he completed 92-of-146 passes for 1,638 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. He finished with 177 career touchdowns (a state record) and 13,302 total yards for his career.
Callahan played a key role in Kentwood’s run to the semifinals this season with 172 tackles, 76 tackles for a loss and 27 sacks. He also recorded 36 quarterback hurries for Kentwood, which finished the season with a 10-4 record.
Covenant Christian Academy’s Jesse Turner received LSWA Coach of the Year honors in Class 1A. He helped CCA improve from a 4-8 record in 2023 to a 11-1 record in 2024. The Lions finished 10-0 in the regular season for the first time in school history, won their first district title since the 2016 season and advanced to the Division IV select quarterfinals for the second time in school history.
LSWA CLASS 1A ALL-STATE CHART
OFFENSE
Pos player school ht wt cl
WR Nehemiah Philip Riverside Academy 6-0 192 Sr.
WR Jermaine Brown Kentwood 6-0 180 Jr.
TE Allen McLain Vermilion Catholic 6-0 190 Sr.
OL Ayden Bullock Riverside Academy 6-2 270 Jr.
OL Kabren Thomas Covenant Christian Academy 6-1 260 Jr.
OL Jackson Trahan Vermilion Catholic 6-2 255 Sr.
OL Gregory Green Jeanerette 6-2, 265, So.
OL Dakota Davis Haynesville 5-11 230 Sr.
QB Jonathan Dartez Vermilion Catholic 5-8 170 Sr.
RB Harlem Berry St. Martin’s Episcopal 5-11 188 Sr.
RB Dedric Lastie Riverside Academy 5-4 165 Sr.
RB Chad Elzy Jr. Ascension Catholic 5-10 205 Sr.
PK Cooper Helmke St. Martin’s Episcopal 6-3 180 Sr.
ATH Owen Trosclair Covenant Christian Academy 5-10 160 Jr.
DEFENSE
DL Ahmad Cage Riverside Academy 5-9 250 So.
DL Javonte Williams Jeanerette 6-2 240 Jr.
DL La’Mikal Callahan Kentwood 6-0 225 Sr.
DL Germerian Williams Haynesville 5-11 230 Sr.
LB Cole Parrino St. Frederick 5-11 210 Sr.
LB Mace Melancon Ascension Catholic 5-10 200 Sr.
LB Keizavion Woods Haynesville 6-3 215 Sr.
LB Hunter Martin Logansport 5-9 165 Jr
DB Damarion Berry General Trass 5-10 175 Jr.
DB Owen O’Neal St. Frederick 5-9 170 Jr.
DB Luke McLain Vermilion Catholic 6-0 180 Jr.
DB Isaiah Washington Haynesville 6-1 170 Jr.
P Eli Bray Haynesville 6-1 200 Jr.
KR Javon Vital Hamilton Christian 5-10 185 So.
ATH Trevoris Norman Southern Lab 5-7 180 Sr.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Jonathan Dartez, Vermilion Catholic
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: La’Mikal Callahan, Kentwood
COACH OF THE YEAR: Jesse Turner, Covenant Christian Academy
HONORABLE MENTION
Austin Paine, Ascension Catholic; Alijah Hardy, Basile; Makelin Lemoine, Elton; Rory Lambert, Catholic-Pointe Coupee; Landyn Ramagos, Central Catholic; Tate Fontenot, Central Catholic; Russel Mandenbourg, Centerville; Jaden Carter, Covenant Christian Academy; Brennan Champagne, Covenant Christian Academy; Patrick Williams, Covenant Christian Academy; Tyrin Singleton, Delta Charter; Marcus LeBlanc, Elton; Ahmoniee Williams, General Trass; Josh Hopkins, General Trass; Chris Rideau, Hamilton Christian; Derwin Rankins, Hamilton Christian; Andrea Brooks, Haynesville; Isaiah Washington, Haynesville; Jayden Bokemeyer, Oberlin; Kyle Horde, Westminster-Opelousas; Henry Summerlin, St. Edmund; Rowen Bergeron, Opelousas Catholic; Andre Abshire, Ascension Episcopal; Matthew Thompson, LaSalle; Ayden Gongre, Montgomery; Mason Jordan, Montgomery; Jacorian Shepherd, Montgomery; Atlas Hicks, St. Mary’s; Haiden Nelson, St. Mary’s; Braylon Normand, St. Mary’s; Cenario Wilson, Lincoln Prep; D’Tavion Wright, Lincoln Prep; Eli Carr, St. Frederick; Armyrian Asberry, Southern Lab; Jerry Bottley, Southern Lab; Jukadynn Carter, Logansport; Tonashton Bland, Logansport; Andrew McCormick, Ascension Episcopal; Kenric Johnson, Riverside; Kaleb Brumfield, Riverside; Mekell Toussaint, North Iberville; Jon’Quinn Charles, Jeanerette; Wyatt Dubois, St. Edmund; William Patrick, St. Edmund; Joradae Grows, West St. John; Chance Bovie, West St. John; Bryce Guillory, Grand Lake; Brooks Capps, Catholic-Point Coupee.
