Let’s be honest.
The paint hadn’t even dried on the print in the next day’s newspapers with the headlines of Ruston High’s state championship title last December, yet Bearcats fans (and even some media talking heads) were already asking THE question.
Could Ruston repeat in 2024?
Jerrod Baugh’s program graduated some big-time players off of last year’s team, especially on the defensive side of the football; difference makers like Jadon Mayfield, Ahmad Breaux, Nate Johnson, Geordan Guidry, and Jacoryian Crowe.
It was a defense that carried the Bearcats over the first half of last year before Josh Brantley and the Ruston offense began to find its rhythm. There was no way that unit could be as dominating, right?
Then there were question marks along the Ruston offensive line with some key losses to graduation. We all knew the skill position players were returning, names like Brantley, Jordan Hayes, Dylone Brooks, Ahmad Hudson and Joran Parker.
But could the O-line be as efficient as needed in order to allow those play-makers the necessary time and space needed to do their thing?
And then there was the schedule; the typical gauntlet of tough team after tough team that Baugh has become known for playing during his time in the 318.
So now five games into 2024 the question remains … can this Ruston team repeat?
The answer is unequivocally and emphatically, yes.
Due to my schedule, I’ve only been able to watch the Bearcats in person twice this year. It’s all I’ve needed to see.
Select School Division I state runner-up Acadiana in the opener and No. 1 ranked (Class 4A) Stephenville (Texas) this past Saturday were my two live eye tests with Ruston. And the Bearcats passed both with flying colors. No glasses or contacts needed.
The 2024 version of the Bearcats may … just may … be better than last year’s state championship version. Only the next few months will tell.
Offensively, Ruston is significantly better than last year’s team. Same skill position players, but all of them a year older and playing with a swag that only a state championship ring will bring.
Brantley had his proverbial coming out party in the state title win over Zachary last December. Last year, Brantley was a running quarterback that could throw a little. This year, he is a quarterback that can run when necessary. He just looks so much more complete as illustrated by throwing for a career-high 251 yards and three TDs.
Hudson and Parker are as tough a one-two punch down the field as any team in the state possesses (if there is a better duo I would like to see it). They both are home run threats as the Yellow Jackets of Stephenville found out Saturday when they combined for four catches for 179 yards and three scores.
And Brooks and Hayes continue to be thunder and lightning with more lightning than thunder really. Brooks has broken off long TD runs each of the past two games and Hayes, well, he broke a couple of ankles with his 20-yard scoring run on Saturday.
All of these skill guys are having outstanding years because of the big guys up front doing their job in the trenches. Jakaylen Blackmon, Cam Venzant, Brock Singley, Jake Tyler, Sam Nations, Ced Rhone, and Brooks Brown have done a workman-like job protecting Brantley and providing Hayes and Brooks (and Brantley) some space in which to operate.
Ruston is averaging 41 points per game and has posted impressive wins over Acadiana (4-1), Stephenville (5-1) and Longview (3-2) during its non-conference schedule. The Bearcats can beat you on the ground, and they can beat you through the air.
Defensively, Ruston may not be quite as dominate up front as last year, but these Bearcats under Kyle Williams have shown they can get the job done against some top-notch offenses.
Led by Aidan Anding and Zheric Hill and Payton Bell, all three levels of defense are playing at a very high level. Stephenville entered Saturday’s game averaging 46 points per game, scoring at least 38 points in every contest.
However, Ruston held the Yellow Jackets to just 17 with one of the two touchdowns set up by a special teams mistake that gave Stephenville a short field. The Bearcats took all the sting out of the Yellow Jackets offense.
Longview averaged over 31 points per game in its other five contests, but the Lobos were held to just 10 points on their home field in the 21-10 loss to Ruston a few weekends ago.
And don’t forget about the Bearcats special teams, which are dangerous and efficient as well. Anding returned a kickoff 86 yards for a score on Saturday and has struck paydirt on punt returns during his career. Jack Elliott is perfect on all kicks this year, whether extra points or a field goals.
Yes, these Bearcats have the ingredients needed to repeat as the Non-Select School state champions.
However, they have a long, long way to go.
The District 2-5A schedule starts this Friday when Ruston travels to Ouachita (4-1), a team that just handed previously undefeated and Top 10 (4A) Franklin Parish its first loss of season by a score of 51-47 on Friday.
Neville (5-0) and Alexandria (5-0) are both undefeated and ranked No. 5 and No. 6 respectfully in the Class 5A polls this past week. And then there is West Monroe. The Rebels (3-2) are still the Rebels and will give the Bearcats everything they want and more in the regular season finale on Nov 8 at Rebel Stadium. Even Pineville (3-2) has a winning record heading into district play.
Ruston’s 19-game winning streak — the longest active streak in the state of Louisiana — will be put to the test over the course of the District 2-5A race. In fact I would argue that even as challenging as the non-district slate was, the next five weeks will be even tougher.
But if the Bearcats bring their A-game every night over the next two months, Ruston may be writing their own headline come December in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
