Southside remains serious contender to District 3-5A championship

What we know

The Sharks will run the ball with authority.

Parker Dies, a college baseball prospect, will be the primary quarterback after splitting snaps last year with senior Cruz Holden.

Coach Jess Curtis said the 5-foot-10, 170-pound junior — who has 4.5 speed in the 40-yard dash — will operate the Sharks' triple-option offense behind three returning starters on the offensive line.

"Bricker Eskind is our emotional leader at center," Curtis said. "He's very physical and will spearhead the charge. Damire Mouton is a very athletic left guard. He could probably play running back."

Left tackle Esai Gonzales has a clean bill of health after getting injured last year. Senior Ashton Labit (6-0, 205), who ran for a touchdown in last year's win over Madison Prep, moves from slotback to tight end.

Ramon Singleton and Justin Williams combined for more than 2,000 yards rushing last year. Singleton graduated, but Williams returns along with transfer Coby Broussard (5-10, 190), who can play slot or fullback in Southside's flexbone.

The Sharks showed some creativity in the spring game, lining up in the I-formation with Williams at fullback and Broussard at tailback.

Southside rushed for 3,500 yards last year with slotback Kollen Francois (5-7, 150) averaging a team-high 7.5 yards per carry. McCain Weaver, a returning starter at receiver, averaged 22 yards per catch.

"Francois and Williams were our lightning and thunder," Curtis said. "Kollen has great hands and can take it to the house. I feel like we're going to be just as physical and maybe a little more explosive."

What we don't know

Defensive coordinator Joshua LaBorde will plug in three new starters on the Sharks' four-man front. Tackle Levi Menard (6-1, 250) is a transfer, and junior end Landry Kahler (6-2, 215) is a great athlete who will be flanked by junior Ethan Roque (6-0, 210).

"Landry plays with tremendous effort and attitude," Curtis said.

Cornerbacks Emanual Collins and Cameron Allen are both returning starters, while safeties John Armstrong and Gage Babineaux are making their debuts. Curtis said Armstrong is the school's best basketball player.

"We've had great success in our secondary with guys who play basketball," Curtis said.

How we see it

Southside, which is looking to make it past the third round and possibly further, took a quick lead in last year's quarterfinal game at Ruston before the Bearcats roared back to win comfortably.

Curtis, who won multiple state championships at Many High, has the luxury of a brand-new stadium, a welcome addition after playing home games outside of Lafayette Parish for years.

Southside's quick-hitting offense is difficult to defend, as the flexbone isn't seen elsewhere on the Class 5A level in Louisiana.

The backend on defense is stout with returning starters Kaden Williams, Shamar Broussard and Jaik Chadwick, who can play linebacker or safety. Williams was a leader in tackles, while Broussard (6-0, 210) steadily elevated his play throughout last season.

Amondre Gilliam (5-11, 180), a versatile senior transfer from Westgate, could make his mark on offense or defense.

"We're trying to push this program as best we can," Curtis said. "We made the quarterfinals and saw what it's about. You see what it takes and come back and make sure you're doing what it takes to get to another level.

"I think people are starting to know that when they play us, they're getting a team that's focused and physically prepared to play four quarters of football."

Five players to watch

Ashton Labit

TE, 6-0, 205, Sr.

A workout warrior in the weight room, Labit will seal the edge with his blocking. He can catch the ball and is built like former NFL tight end Rob Gronkowski, Curtis said.

Parker Dies

QB, 5-10, 170, Jr.

Though Dies didn't throw the ball often, nearly half of his completions last season went for touchdowns. He averaged 6 yards per carry and will pass to receivers Devin Rudd, Ryan Sealy, McCain Weaver and Labit.

Emanuel Collins

DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.

The Louisiana Tech commitment, who primarily played safety as a junior, is listed as a cornerback on the depth chart. He intercepted three passes in 2024 and is a three-year starter.

Justin Williams

RB, 5-9, 195, Sr.

The Sharks are developing a reputation for bruising running backs. Williams hits the hole with a vengeance and doesn't need much of a crease to shake loose for big yardage.

Gavyn Kern

DT, 6-3, 265, Sr.

Kern is the lone returning starter on a defensive line that held Madison Prep to negative rushing yardage and limited Lafayette High to less than 15 yards. Curtis described Kern as a brawler.

Projected starters

Offense

WR McCain Weaver (Sr.)*

WR Kollen Francois (Jr.)

WR Coby Broussard (Jr.)

TE Ashton Labit (Sr.)*

OT Esai Gonzales (Sr.)*

OG Landon Hebert (Sr.)

C Bricker Eskind (Sr.)*

OG Damire Mouton (Sr.)*

OT John Jackson (Jr.)

QB Parker Dies (Jr.)*

RB Justin Williams (Jr.)*

Defense

DE Ethan Roque (Jr.)

DT Gavin Kern (Sr.)*

DT Levi Menard (Sr.)

DE Landry Kahler (Jr.)

LB Kaden Williams (Sr.)*

LB Shamar Broussard (Sr.)*

LB Jail Chadwick (Sr.)*

CB Cameron Allen (Sr.)*

CB Emmanuel Collins (Sr.)*

FS Gage Babineaux (Sr.)

SS Jonathan Armstrong (Jr.)

*Returning starter

Coaches

Head coach: Jess Curtis (155-39)

Assistant coaches: Josh LaBorde (DC), Zack Bertrand (OC), Neil Lowery (DB), Andre Boudreaux (QB/RB), Josh Lierman (DL), Brandon Monrose (WR), Mike Stelly (LB), John Babineaux (OL), Taj Lopez (WR), Culley Holden (OL), Brayden Guilbeau (K)

2025 schedule

Sept. 5 NOTRE DAME

Sept. 12 Westgate

Sept. 19 MADISON PREP

Sept. 26 Lafayette

Oct. 3 Barbe

Oct. 9 SAM HOUSTON

Oct. 17 SULPHUR

Oct. 24 ACADIANA

Oct. 30 Carencro

Nov. 7 NEW IBERIA

2024 results

Lost Notre Dame 21-20

Beat Madison Prep 27-14

Beat Lafayette 28-0

Beat Barbe 31-14

Beat Sam Houston 46-21

Beat Sulphur 41-0

Lost Acadiana 43-10

Beat Carencro 44-21

Beat New Iberia 31-21

Playoffs

Beat Live Oak 42-10

Beat Walker 47-0

Lost Ruston 49-7

Past 5 years

2024: 9-3

2023: 8-4

2022: 10-2

2021: 7-4

2020: 3-4