Still-loaded Catholic High figures to remain among state’s best

Catholic (Baton Rouge) wrote a storybook finish to legendary coach Dale Weiner’s career in 2015. But the long-awaited first state championship in an already proud football tradition proved only the beginning of a new era with the Bears firmly etched among Louisiana’s most dominant programs. After a 2016 quarterfinal disappointment, successor Gabe Fertitta and company proceeded to lead the team to four straight title games, including victories in 2017 and 2020. Only perennial powerhouse Edna Karr in Class 4A and Lafayette Christian in Division IV and Division III made as many championships appearances or won more during that span. And, even with most of the staff and several notable players moving on, the goal for new coach David Simoneaux and the still-talented Bears remains much the same Graduated seniors such as quarterback Landon O’Connor, running backs George Hart III and Jackson Guest, safeties [player_tooltip player_id="63608" first="Michael" last="Cerniauskas"] and [player_tooltip player_id="63706" first="Jackson" last="Demouy"], cornerback [player_tooltip player_id="63725" first="Connor" last="Stewart"], linebacker Mikey Albarado, defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="63630" first="Christian" last="Mannino"] and a trio of offensive linemen in Sam Cole, Zach Boulet and Evan Madere are the departures to leave big shoes to fill. But lineman [player_tooltip player_id="136547" first="Emery" last="Jones"] (2022), wide receivers Tre’ Benson (2022) and [player_tooltip player_id="138438" first="Shelton" last="Sampson"] Jr. (2023), running back [player_tooltip player_id="127864" first="Corey" last="Singleton"] (2022), defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="136598" first="Wesley" last="Woodward"] (2022) and cornerback Joshua Robertson are among the returning stars. And several other familiar faces appear poised for prominent steps forward, as well. Here are eight of those key names from a long list. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zn2fZKid9qI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139258" first="Daniel" last="Beale"] — 6-1, 180 QB — Catholic (2024)</strong> "Baby Beale" should already be pretty firmly on most radars after his admirable performance unexpectedly filling in for an injured O’Connor late last season against some of the state’s top defenses and helping keep the momentum rolling. But that experience and a full offseason under his belt should position the rising sophomore for an even more well-rounded campaign in a complete season this fall. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8XcJwcsfFTc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138363" first="Braden" last="Cazes"] — 5-11, 185 LB — Catholic (2023)</strong> Already an active tackler on special teams and alongside Albarado and 2022 linebacker Jack Massey as a sophomore, Cazes only figures to hear his name called even more this fall. Only Albarado finished the title game with more tackles than Cazes’ seven — including the team’s lone sack — this past December. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136538" first="Prince" last="Edwards"] — 6-1, 220 TE — Catholic (2022)</strong> Edwards caught a handful of passes, including a touchdown, as a junior and served as a key blocker for the Bears’ impressive rushing attack. The continued progression of Beale as a passer and the graduation of Guest should present an even bigger opportunity for Edwards to showcase his skills in both capacities. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138449" first="Daniel" last="Harden"] — 6-1, 180 WR — Catholic (2023)</strong> The young receiver came on strong down the stretch his sophomore season as one of Beale’s top targets and, like his quarterback and fellow receivers, should be in store for even bigger numbers this fall as they continue developing together. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138357" first="Harold" last="Lawson"] — 6-0, 205 LB — Catholic (2023)</strong> Another of the youngsters on defense to show some notable flashes last year, Lawson is among the Bears’ top 2023 prospects and figures to frustrate opposing offenses alongside Cazes and Massey and Woodward, [player_tooltip player_id="136612" first="Jordan" last="Toaston"] and [player_tooltip player_id="136619" first="Jermaine" last="Vessell"]. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136661" first="Taelon" last="Nicholas"] — 5-10, 190 RB — Catholic (2022)</strong> Singleton gives Catholic one of the state’s top returning running backs after 656 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 carries — 9.5 yards per attempt — as a junior. But the graduation of George Hart III — who finished the season with 769 yards and 13 scores on 126 carries — leaves the door open for another lead back in an offense that figures to utilize three or four rushers. Nicholas, who had 271 yards and three touchdowns, should be the next man up. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BpnGooX4Yy4" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139472" first="Barry" last="Remo"] II — 5-10, 180 ATH — Catholic (2024)</strong> Remo may be the next up-and-coming rusher behind the rising senior duo. He arrived to high school last year with early comparisons to a young Clyde Edwards-Helaire, got his feet wet with a few reps along the way and should see more opportunities as a sophomore. <strong>Joshua Wax — 5-10, 155 DB — Catholic (2022)</strong> The speedster provided a few of the Bears’ biggest defensive plays last season working alongside and behind Cerniauskas and Demouy, including multiple long run-downs to save touchdowns, a timely interception against Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) and seven tackles in the state championship game against C.E. Byrd. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/30pHJKHhAo0" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>