By Kyle Roberts
Food, fun and football.
And a state championship, to boot.
It was all about Ruston High School Monday night at the Ruston Civic Center as players, administration, coaches and faculty all celebrated the 2023 state championship football team.
“It’s a special night for these kids,” Bearcat football head coach Jerrod Baugh said. “You get listen to the coaches and the guys that played here years ago and that have an opportunity to talk and share the things that they went through here before I was ever here. And to me, that’s what this football program and this school is about: continuing all of those things that are very memorable for everybody that’s come through. We’re just a small part of that, and we want to be able to continue that.”
RHS media director Nick Brown served as master of ceremonies and gave introductions for Baugh, who then thanked the numerous contributors to the success of the football team.
Following a highlight video and a meal, the senior football players were honored, followed by the freshman team and the sophomores and juniors.
Various Bearcats were then given awards and scholarships. These included:
- Michael Parker Coaches Award – Senior defensive back Jacoryian Crowe
- Fred Dean Booster Club Scholarship – Senior offensive lineman Dutch Russell
- Greg “Big Coach” Williams Scholarship – Senior defensive lineman Geordan Guidry
- Bearcat Football Club Scholarship – Senior defensive back Semaj Jones
- Jack Lindsey Bearcat Memorial Scholarship – Senior defensive back Nate Johnson
- Chick Childress Award – Senior linebacker Jadon Mayfield
- Hoss Garrett Award – Junior quarterback Josh Brantley, Junior running back Jordan Hayes
- Special Teams MVP – Junior defensive back Aidan Anding
- Offensive Captain – Senior tight end Zhy Scott
- Defensive Captain – Senior defensive back Nate Johnson
- Special Teams Captain – Senior punter Will Fendley
- All-Lincoln Parish Journal – Head coach Jerrod Baugh, junior running back Jordan Hayes, senior linebacker Jadon Mayfield
- Scholastic Award – Senior defensive back Nate Johnson
The all-district and all-state teams were then honored with the 2024 Lettermen award winners followings.
Lastly, senior Avery Overstreet led the crowd in the Alma Mater.
For Baugh, the banquet is always the way to put the final seal on the previous season and usher in the next team. This year, with a state championship, there will still be a ring ceremony and more things to come, but he’s quick to note that the team needs to be getting ready for 2024.
“As far as we’re concerned for next year’s team, and we’ve already had that conversation, we’re going to need to move on pretty quickly,” Baugh said. “And I want the people to still enjoy everything, you know, but what comes with that is you can’t continue to wallow in it because you’re losing time for what it is you need to do for next year.
“We know we need to get back to work. And, now, making that we’re doing the things that we need to do to try to run it back another year.”
