Acadiana Rams confident all pieces are in place to make another championship run (2024)

What we know

The Acadiana High Wreckin’ Rams are going to be very experienced and very good.

Not just on offense, defense, or special teams, but in all three phases of the game, as they return 19 starters from last year’s Division I select state runner-up team.

“The biggest thing about this team is that we have a lot of potential and we have a lot of depth,” Rams head coach Matt McCullough said. “We have a lot of players back on this team that have played in a lot of big games.”

The Rams, who went 11-3 overall and won the District 3-5A title last season, have 10 returning starters on offense headlined by quarterback Caden DiBetta, running back Jonah Gauthier and receiver Russell Babineaux. Defensive ends Darryus McKinley and Jayden Lawrence and defensive backs Keeman Thibodeaux, Braylon Noel and Dalyn Lewis are among nine returning starters on defense.

“Our strength is that we are very athletic at the skill positions, depth on the defensive line and we have a lot of experience,” said McCullough, whose Rams have more than 30 seniors on the roster. “This is the most experience we’ve had back, and this is the most seniors we have had starting on offense and defense.”

What we don't know

Although the Rams have a lot of returning starters on both sides of the football, two of the biggest positions they must fill are at right tackle and at the star linebacker positions after the graduations of Jackson Hammond and Amir Hill.

“Those are both key positions for us,” McCullough said. “We have a chance to be good on the offensive line with four linemen back and the star position is really important for our defense. We have some guys (capable of playing) the star position. We’ll see how it goes.”

Owen Carpenter is getting the first crack at replacing Hammond on the offensive line, while the star position could be filled by Keldrick Francis, Gavin Coleman, or Kaleb Andrus.

“We all just have to continue to work and grow,” McCullough said. “Our focus just has to be on continuing to get better every day.”

How we see it

The Rams are arguably the best team in the Acadiana area and one of the best in the state regardless of classification. With so much talent, experience, and depth on both sides of the football, the Rams are not only the favorites to repeat as 3-5A champs but are more than capable of making a return trip to the Division I select title game.

“This group can be as good as they want to be,” McCullough said. “Every year we have two goals and that’s to win a district championship and a state championship. We have to be focused on each game, each week and be consistent. After losing this year in the finals last year, this group is hungry.”

Five players to watch

Caden DiBetta

QB, 6-1, 205, Sr.

DiBetta is a three-year starter who knows the Rams’ offense inside and out. DiBetta showed last year that he is capable of impacting the game on the ground as a runner and/or through the air as a passer.

Russell Babineaux

WR, 5-10, 175, Sr.

Babineaux, a Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns commit, is an explosive player that is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Equipped with tremendous speed and great hands, Babineaux is a playmaker no matter if he is lined up at receiver, in the backfield, as a returner or at defensive back.

Jonah Gauthier

RB, 5-8, 195, Sr.

If there is one player expected to have a huge season for the Rams this year, it is Gauthier. Although he had a good season a year ago, Gauthier is expected to be the bell cow in the Rams’ rushing attack. Gauthier has good speed and is one of the hardest working players the Rams have.

Keeman Thibodeaux

SS, 5-11, 175, Sr.

A three-year starter for the Rams, Thibodeaux is the leader of Acadiana High’s defense. In the offseason, Thibodeaux, who is physical at the point of attack, worked hard to improve his speed. A sure-tackler, Thibodeaux has established himself as the tone-setter on the Rams’ defense.

Darryus McKinley

DE, 6-3, 265, Jr.

McKinley is fresh off a solid sophom*ore season in which he was vital to the Rams’ success. An explosive defender, McKinley has a high motor that keeps involved play after play. He’s stronger, quicker and seems primed for a big season.

Projected Starters

Offense

WR Russell Babineaux (5-10, 175, Sr.)*

WR Collin DiBetta (5-10, 175, Soph.)*

TE Jaydon Bessard (6-4, 220, Sr.)*

OT Kaveni Wilson (6-2, 245, Sr.)*

OG Brody Estes (5-10, 240, Sr.)*

C Robert Welch (5-11, 235, Sr.)

OG Braxton Scriber (5-11, 265, Sr.)*

OT Owen Carpenter (5-10, 235, Sr.)

QB Caden DiBetta (6-1, 205, Sr.)*

RB Jonah Gauthier (5-8, 195, Sr.)*

RB Tayden Collins (5-10, 180, Sr.)

Defense

DE Darryus McKinley (6-3, 265, Jr.)*

DT Vallen Charles (6-1, 275, Sr.)*

DT Jayden Carmouche (6-0, 245, Sr.)

DE Jayden Lawerence (6-0, 265, Sr.)*

LB Dajon Francis (5-10, 185, Sr.)*

LB Keldrick Francis-Star (5-11, 200, Sr.)

LB Gavin Coleman (5-10, 185, Jr.)*

CB Dayln Lewis (6-0, 175, Sr.)*

CB Taveian Landry (6-0, 180, Jr.)

FS Braylon Noel (5-10, 170, Sr.)*

SS Keeman Thibodeaux (5-11, 175, Sr.)*

* - Returning starter

Coaches

Head coach: Matt McCullough (67-13)

Assistant coaches: Kyle Seibold (DC), Jordan Romero (LB), Jimmy Hemsell (WR), Dylan Langlinais (DB), Cade Dawes (OL), Trace Sutton (DL), Ronald Gunner (OL), George Harris (OL), Doug Dotson (AD-QB), James Estes (OC/QB), Keith Morgan (DL), Vincent Caruso (DL), Jonathon Simon (OL), (Freshman) Mitch Vidrine, Justin Ligon, and Ryan Tabb.

2024 Schedule

Sept. 9 Ruston

Sept. 13 ZACHARY

Sept. 20 St. Thomas More

Sept. 27 NEW IBERIA

Oct. 4 SULPHUR

Oct. 11 Barbe

Oct. 18 LAFAYETTE

Oct.25 SOUTHSIDE

Nov. 1 SAM HOUSTON

Nor. 8 Carencro

2023 Results

Lost Lafayette Christian 61-38

Beat Sulphur 35-7

Beat New Iberia 56-7

Beat Lafayette 63-12

Beat Comeaux 70-18

Beat Sam Houston 56-13

Lost John Curtis 28-0

Beat Southside 45-12

Beat Carencro 27-26

Beat Barbe 57-6

Playoffs

Beat Carencro 14-7

Beat Holy Cross 28-14

Beat Karr 30-24

Lost Catholic-BR 55-31 (State Finals)

Past 5 years

2023: 11-3 (state runner-up)

2022: 8-4

2021: 11-3

2020: 11-1 (state champions)

2019: 15-0 (state champions)