Church Point earns All-District selections

CHURCH POINT – The Church Points Bears enjoyed one of their best regular-season football finishes ever in 2014, winning nine of 10 regular-season games and averaging 45 points per game in District 5-3A play while giving up just 15.3 points.
Their lone loss in the regular season was a 24-21 setback in Week 10 to eventual state champion Livonia.
For their efforts, the Bears were awarded 10 spots on the 5-3A All-District first-team that was recently announced by the league’s coaches.
Offensively, the Bears nailed down five first-team selections in offensive linemen Layne Matte and Trae Lavergne, running back Christian Veronie, return specialist Frederick Williams and kicker Kian Richard.
Matte, a 5-9, 260-pound center, and Lavergne, a 6-2, 210-pound left guard, helped pave the way for Church Point’s Wing T offense that produced nearly 3,500 yards rushing and 48 touchdowns on the year.
Veronie, a 5-9, 220-pound tailback, did most of the damage for the Bears by rushing for over 1,200 yards. He scored 17 touchdowns on the ground and also had three receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Williams, a 5-8, 165-pound junior, is the Bears’ most decorated player. He made the first unit as a return specialist as well as making the team at the athlete position. He is also a second-team defensive back.
Williams returned nine punts for an average of 29.67 yards, including two for touchdowns. He had nine kickoff returns for an average of 30.9 yards and had one returned for a touchdown.
Williams was also a threat in the Bears offense with 861 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing on just 67 carries. He also had eight receptions for 292 yards and three touchdowns.
Richard, a 5-10, 165-pound senior, connected on 47 extra point attempts and made four field goals with his longest being from 38 yards out. He also had 52 of his 67 kickoffs go for touchbacks.
The Bears also landed five players on the first-team defensive unit.
Jacob Fontenot, a 5-5, 230-pound senior, is one of four offensive linemen named to the team. He logged 58 tackles, four for a loss, and two sacks.
Logan Lavergne, a 5-9, 170-pound junior, made the team at linebacker after posting 109 tackles with three for a loss. He also caused two fumbles and had one interception.
Tyler Wheeler (5-6, 145, Sr.) and Trey Babineaux (5-11, 170, Fr.) made the unit at defensive back. Wheeler had 22 tackles, 11 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and one interception. Babineaux logged 78 tackles, one sack, seven pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one interception.
Trae Lavergne was tabbed as the punter for the second straight year after averaging 33.9 yards per punt.
Second-team members for the Bears on the offensive side of the ball include quarterback Troy Matte, running back Deion Monroe, receiver Jacque Wimberley, tight end John-Wyatt Treme and offensive lineman Tyler Elliott.
Church Point had three players earn spots on the second-team defense in defensive lineman Aaron Bergeron, linebacker Alex Higginbotham, and Williams at defensive back.
Honorable mentions for the Bears include Bailey Fontenot, Jaylan Kelly, Grant Sonnier, Jyron Citizen and Darrell Collins.
Livonia swept the team’s top honors by claiming the Coach of the Year in Guy Mistretta, Malcolm Dederick, Offensive MVP and Willie Baker, Defensive MVP.
Dederick, a 5-11, 185-pound senior running back, racked up 1,297 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground in leading the Wildcats to the district and state titles. He also had five receptions for 83 yards.
Baker, a 6-4, 225-pound junior defensive lineman who also spent time at safety, logged 78 tackles, 23 for a loss, and eight sacks. He also had five caused fumbles and two fumble recoveries.