Carolina Alvarado Provides Panthers with First Powerlifting Title

Carolina Alvarado Provides Panthers with First Powerlifting Title

Mar 28, 2022

Senior Carolina Alvarado has brought the first State Championship in the sport of Powerlifting to Woodlawn High School. The Panthers have participated in Powerlifting for less than a decade, but Panther lifters have consistently qualified for the State Meet. However, no lifter has been able to be crowned State Champion until now.

Carolina Alvarado displays her State Championship medal.

Alvarado, who placed second in Regionals, competed in the 97 pound weight class. She posted three personal records on the way to the state championship. Her squat of 210 pounds and bench of 90 pounds each bested her personal records by five pounds. However, it was her dead lift that was the difference between first and second place. Alvarado had a previous record of 235 pounds. Lifting that weight again would have placed her second in the competition. First-year coach Knute Douglas knew she could lift more weight and went for the State Championship by listing 275 pounds as her final attempt. When Alvarado successfully lifted the weight, Woodlawn High had it’s first Powerlifting State Champion.

Alvarado was not the only bright spot in Panther powerlifting this season. For the first time in the history of the school, the boys’ team won the Regional Championship. The Panthers also placed 5th overall at the state competition. The Panthers were led by senior Amani Givens, who finished runner-up in the 198 pound weight class.

Amani Givens prepares to squat at the State Championship Meet.

Coach Douglas was extremely proud of all of his lifters this season.

“Year one has been a great ride, filled with fantastic moments,” said Douglas. “This year’s boys and girls teams have seen lots of first-time achievements in school history and will be a great foundation to build upon moving forward as we strive to make Woodlawn High School Powerlifting a Championship Program.”

Woodlawn was represented by four girls and five boys at this year’s State Meet. In addition to Alvarado, Krystel Amo (105 pound weight class), Celine Thomas (148 pound weight class), and Marie Sierra (165 pound weight class) also competed. All three Lady Panthers had top ten finishes. Freshman Amo finished eighth and juniors Thomas and Sierra finished fifth and fourth.

Willie Nunnery (123 pound weight class), Mason Watson (198 pound weight class), Hunter Thomas (242 pound weight class), and Devyn Jones (275 pound weight class) joined Givens to represent the Panthers. Juniors Nunnery and Jones placed sixth and fifth, and seniors Thomas and Watson each placed fourth.

Rickie Collins and Marcus Randall Awarded Top District Honors

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

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

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.

Panther Football Loaded with Talent

Panther Football Loaded with Talent

Aug 23, 2021

The Woodlawn Panther Football team had a shortened season last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Panthers were only able to play four regular season games due to cancellations. The coaching staff and players are excited about the likelihood of a full season.

The Panthers finished the short season with a 2-3 overall record, but bring back talent at many positions on both sides of the ball.

The offense will be led by Junior Rickie Collins. The four star quarterback is a two-year starter with plenty of weapons to get the ball to offensively. Senior running back Amani Givens, Senior wide receiver Jaylon Henry, and Senior wide receiver Kyle Jones are looking to build upon last season’s success. Junior wide receiver Clayton Adams will be a weapon on offense as well as special teams.

Collins will be protected this year by Seniors Tylan Day and Jeron Lewis, along with Junior Roy Brackins.

Defensively, the Panthers return players at all three levels, and look for production from all of them. Junior defensive lineman and Senior linebacker Mason Watson look to be leaders in the box for the Panthers. In the secondary, Senior Marcus Stewart and Juniors Dezaray Delmore and Jordan Matthews are expected to continue their stellar play from last season.

Newcomers Lawrence Hillard and Deshawn Flowers are expected to push for starting positions on the offensive line and in the linebacking core, respectivley.

Coach Randall stressed that the goal of this year’s Panther team is to win district and improve on last year’s first round playoff defeat.

“With the veterans we have returning, we look to build off of last year’s season,” said Randall. “We feel that we have the talent to compete for the district championship and advance past the first round of the playoffs.”

The Panthers will begin the season with a scrimmage at Denham Springs on August 19th. The jamboree will be played at home versus Madison Prep on August 27th, before hosting Jesuit in the season opener on September 3rd. Weeks 4 and 5 pit the Panthers against two traditional 5A powers in West Monroe and Zachary, followed by the gauntlet that is District 5-5A.