Rickie Collins and Marcus Randall Awarded Top District Honors

Dec 9, 2021

After finishing the regular season with a 5-4 record, including a 4-1 district mark and the District 5-5A Championship, the Woodlawn players were recognized by district coaches.

Senior Kyle Jones makes a catch in pregame warm ups.

Seventeen players were named to the first or second teams. In addition to these selections, Quarterback Rickie Collins and Head Coach Marcus Randall were recognized with two of the top three awards for the district.

Collins, a junior, was named the District 5-5A Offensive MVP. He completed 119 of 182 passes for 1930 yards. He finished with 16 passing touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns to only 3 interceptions.

Coach Randall was named Coach of the Year in District 5-5A. Randall is in his third year as the Head Coach of the Panthers. Coach Randall led Woodlawn to their first District Championship since 2010.

Offensively, the Panthers placed five players on the first team. Offensive linemen Roy Brackins and Jeron Lewis helped protect Collins and open up holes for fellow first team member Amani Givens. Givens finished the season with 917 yards on 111 carries with 7 touchdowns.

The final first team offensive player was wide receiver Jaylon Henry. Henry led the district in receiving with 43 catches for 788 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Wide receivers Clayton Adams and Kyle Jones, offensive lineman Tylan Day, and running back Jay’Veon Haynes were each named to the second team. Codia Walker and Alonzo Taplin were named to the Honorable Mention team.

Junior DJ Delmore led the Panthers with 4 interceptions through 8 regular season games.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers placed five players on the first team. Defensi

ve lineman Mark Fielder finished the season with 20 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. Linebackers Jayden Woods and Ketrick Owens were also selected for first team honors.

Woods led the Panthers with 56 tackles through the 8 game regular season. He added 5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble. Owens finished with 30 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and 2 PBUs.

Safety Dezaray Delmore and cornerback Jordan Matthews rounded out the first team defensive selections. Delmore led the district with 4 interceptions to go with 35 tackles and one defensive touchdown. Matthews, although rarely targeted, finished the season with 23 tackles and 4 PBUs.

Defensive linemen Ellis McKneely and Devin Boyd and cornerback Marcus Stewart were named members of the second team. Honorable Mention members included Devyn Jones, Mason Watson, Deshaun Flowers, Chris Cooper, and Dawaun Harris.

Panthers Move to Second Round

Nov 15, 2021

For the first time since 2010, the Panther football team is moving to the second round of the LHSAA playoffs. The 13th seeded Panthers defeated Natchitoches Central by the score of 42-14, cruising into their second round contest versus Destrehan.

Natchitoches Central struck first, marching 72 yards in 7 plays to take the 7-0 lead. After each teams went three and out on their next possession, the Panther offense hit its stride. Rickie Collins led the Panthers to touchdowns on their next three first half possessions to take a 21-14 lead into the half.

After receiving the second-half kickoff, the Panthers scored to up the lead to 28-14.

It was then the defense’s turn to take over. The Chiefs’ next three possessions ended in turnovers. The final of the three was a huge difference maker, as defensive lineman Devin Boyd picked up a fumble and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown and 35-14 lead.

The Panthers scored once more for the final tally. Woodlawn will travel to Destrehan to face the fourth ranked Wildcats next Friday.

Panthers Capture District 5-5A Championship

Nov 8, 2021

The District Championship that has evaded Woodlawn High for the past decade has finally been captured by the Panther football program. Head Coach Marcus Randall directed the Panthers to a 4-1 record in District 5-5A to be named champions.

After falling to East Ascension in week 8, the Panthers came out on top of previously undefeated Catholic High in week 9. The Panthers shut out McKinley High 62-0 Friday night to do their part, but had to wait until East Ascension and St. Amant completed their contest to celebrate the district championship.

With the St. Amant victory, the Panthers finished atop the district with Catholic High, but the head-to-head victory over the Bears was enough for the championship.

The Panthers were last named district champions in 2010. That championship was in class 4A.

Woodlawn High now awaits the release of the LHSAA Class 5A brackets, which was postponed due to an emergency hearing. The Panthers should know their playoff fate by Monday morning.