Ascension Episcopal plans on continuing success under new head coach

What We Know

Despite injuries to its top two quarterbacks, Ascension Episcopal achieved a nine-win season in 2024, and with both players returning and capable of manning more than one position, great things are possible.

Starting quarterback Branon Mitchell was sidelined with an injury in the first quarter of the fifth-seeded Blue Gators' regional playoff loss to No. 12 Kentwood. He threw a long touchdown pass to Hayes Trotter for an early lead before leaving ahead of what went on to be a 42-16 loss.

Backup D.J. Kelly, a dynamic all-around athlete, was lost for the season with an injury on the first drive of Week 1.

"It adds depth to us, especially at the quarterback position, to have both back," first-year coach Jay Domengeaux said of Mitchell and Kelly, who are both expected to play quarterback and receiver.

"Having them play both positions is definitely a positive. Last year, we did a good job of spreading the ball out with our run game and receiving. That helps keep (opponents) from not locking into one thing to stop us."

 In addition to the return of Mitchell, who passed for 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns and only one interception, the leading rusher (Andre Abshire) and the top four receivers (Andrew McCormick, tight end Preston Peebles - five of 13 rec. were TDs - Abshire and Jack Boudreaux) and Trotter are all back.

"When D.J. got hurt, Jack Boudreaux played a lot of Z receiver," Domengeaux said. "We can use him anywhere."

The Blue Gators, whose only loss last season was to Division IV select state champion Vermilion Catholic for the District 6-1A title, return eight offensive starters, including three-year veterans Charlie Milam and Hayes Beaulieu.

What We Don't Know

Domengeaux, who took over for Stephen Hearen (now at Lafayette High), hasn't decided on a defensive starting lineup with the regular season fast approaching.

Two spots on the defensive depth chart list linemen as "by committee," which could mean that Beaulieu, Milam and offensive lineman Merrit Hawkins will be thrust into major defensive roles as well.

"We'll try to keep fresh legs as best we can," said Domengeaux, whose defense will make the move from a three to a four-man front under new coordinator Rob Segura, who comes over from Loreauville High along with tight ends/defensive backs coach Ross Dirks.

"You have to rob Peter to pay Paul with players going both ways. We have three guys working at split end who will do double time in the secondary."

Moreover, any injury could prove devastating to a team that is considering using its two valuable quarterbacks in the secondary - especially the versatile Kelly (6-0, 190), who was a second-team All-Metro selection in basketball.

Junior Sport Gros is a talented baseball prospect who will play defensive back and receiver.

How We See It

Ascension Episcopal has been among the area's most consistent programs, winning an average of nine games per year since 2019 for a program led by coach Matthew Desormeaux (55-14, state final in 2016) prior to Hearen.

The Blue Gators earned non-district wins last year against two Class 4A programs, North Vermilion and Archbishop Hannan, two Class 3A schools (Kaplan and Abbeville) and two in Class 2A (Lafayette Renaissance and Rosepine).

That schedule will repeat itself with the following storylines: North Vermilion is entering its second year under coach Roderick Moy, who has built winners everywhere. Abbeville has some of the state's best prospects and promises to be improved under new coach Jonathan Zenon.

Kaplan is a wild-card, switching from its Wing-T offense to the spread with the recent hire of former Vermilion Catholic assistant John Thompson, who brought in Dillan Briggs from the Eagles staff as offensive coordinator.

Lafayette Renaissance, which lost 35-22 to Ascension Episcopal, is a program that is expected to rapidly improve. Last year, Abshire gashed the Tigers for 123 yards rushing on five carries and two receptions for 95 yards from Mitchell, who ran for 94 yards and two touchdowns.

Expect middle linebacker Owen LeBlanc (6-0, 195) to make a ton of tackles in the mold of recent Blue Gators Beau Domengeaux and Luke Curry. Braxton Woodring and Aiden Johnson are also anticipated to be highly productive at linebacker.

Five Players to Watch

Andre Abshire

RB 5-11, 175 Sr.

Abshire led the team in rushing, averaging nearly eight yards per carry with 800 yards and 18 yards, and he added three receiving scores. "It's good to have that weapon whenever you need it," Domengeaux said of the district champion in the 110 and 300-meter hurdles. "Another good thing is his ability to get it into the end zone."

Andrew McCormick

WR 5-8, 160 Sr.

McCormick, who led the team in receiving, erupted for four receptions and 175 yards in one game. He is also a 4.5 star-rated kicker and the latest big leg for a special teams unit that produced Peyton Woodring (Georgia) and Badger Hargett (LSU).

Branon Mitchell

QB 6-2, 175 Sr.

Mitchell is a polished passer in addition to a dangerous runner (600 yards, 8.4 ypc, 7 TDs). He helped the Blue Gators to nearly 400 yards and a 50-12 halftime lead vs. North Vermilion. Also, the senior is a national champion in the javelin who won the 200-meters in district. His father, Brandon Mitchell, is a defensive coach at the school.

Jo Falgout

DL 5-11, 175 Sr.

The hope is to let Falgout loose on defense for every snap. The undersized defensive end used his speed to beat much larger offensive tackles as an edge rusher and showed the ability to chase down quarterbacks on the far sideline.

Hayes Trotter

WR 5-11, 150 Sr.

Trotter and Beaulieu were both first team All-Metro for the state runner-up No. 2-seeded soccer team. Trotter, who came on strong late in last year's gridiron campaign, finished second in district in the 1600 meters (third in 3200).

Projected Starters

Offense

WR Andrew McCormick (Sr.)*

WR Jack Boudreaux (Jr.)*

WR Hayes Trotter (Sr.)*

TE Preston Peebles (Sr.)*

OL Hayes Beaullieu (Sr.)*

OL Charlie Milam (Sr.)*

OL Merrit Hawkins (Jr.)*

OL Andrew Clement (So.)

OL Rhodes Perry (So.)

QB Branon Mitchell (Sr.)*

RB Andre’ Abshire (Sr.)*

Defense

DE Jo Falgout (Sr.)*

DL David Kennedy (Jr.)

LB Owen LeBlanc (Jr.)*

LB Aiden Johnson (So.)

LB Braxton Woodring (Jr.)

CB Hudson Campbell (Sr.)*

CB Austin Adams (So.)

SS Sport Gros (Jr.)*

Coaches

Head coach: Jay Domengeaux

Assistant coaches: Rob Segura (LB/RB), Karl Broussard (OL/DL), Brandon Mitchell (DL), Gus Maraist (WR/DB), Ross Durke (TE/DB), Scott Mcullough (OLB/RB).

2025 Schedule

Sept. 5 Kaplan

Sept. 12 HANNAN

Sept. 19 ABBEVILLE

Sept. 26 Rosepine

Oct. 3 North Vermilion

Oct. 10 Gueydan

Oct. 17VERMILION CATHOLIC

Oct. 23 HIGHLAND BAPTIST

Oct. 31 Westminster-LAF

Nov. 7 LAFAYETTE RENAISSANCE

2024 Results

Beat Kaplan 23-6

Beat Hannan 31-7

Beat Abbeville 38-14

Beat Rosepine 42-8

Beat North Vermilion 50-18

Beat Gueydan 56-6

Lost Vermilion Catholic 49-27

Beat Highland Baptist 45-0

Beat Westminster-Lafayette 45-0

Beat Lafayette Renaissance 35-22

Playoffs

Lost Kentwood 42-16

Past 5 years

2024: 9-2

2023: 7-5

2022: 6-6

2021: 8-4

2020: 7-1