Crowley High duo inks National Letters of Intent

Lewis signes with Arkansas Baptist

CROWLEY – Chris Lewis thought his football career had come to an end two years ago when his Crowley Gents ended their 2013-14 season with a 55-6 loss to Edna Karr in the regional round of the state playoffs.
Although he still had one more year at Crowley High, his football eligibility clock had run out.
Nonetheless, Lewis continued to work out, both physically as well as in the classroom, and all his hard work paid off this week.
In an unlikely turn of events, Lewis went from having not played football in over a year, to Wednesday signing a National Letter of Intent to resume his career on the collegiate stage.
Next fall, Lewis will suit up for Arkansas Baptist Community College, a school that recruited him after seeing him play in a postseason all-star game two months ago.
“Chris’ age caught up with him and he got caught up in the system,” said Crowley High coach Josh Fontenot. “Being a Katrina victim, he kind of lost years way back in the junior high.
“Unfortunately he was going to be a guy that kind of fell through the cracks - a great football player, but maybe one that would have never got a chance to do anything.”
That all changed last month when Matthew Joseph, director of Elite Prospect Scouting, picked up Lewis to play in a Louisiana - Texas All-Star game in Lake Charles.
Lewis made the most of his opportunity and scored the only touchdown for the Louisiana squad on a 14-yard run.
“Thanks to Coach Joseph,” said Fontenot. “He (Joseph) picked him up and put him in this All-Star game and Arkansas Baptist saw him and wanted him so they’re going to give him a chance to go and play.
“Chris pretty much thought football was done and now he has a chance to get an education and get it paid for.”
For Lewis, it was a dream come true.
“I am very thankful and blessed,” said Lewis. “It was hard for me due to my situation. And I thought that was it for me. But my coach stepped up and helped me and I’m just so thankful. A lot of people can’t say that they have reached this point and I am just so blessed to be where I am.”
Lewis was the featured back in his final season when he rushed for 988 yards and 11 touchdowns on 175 carries. He also had 16 receptions for 213 yards and one touchdown.
“Chris was a big part of that turnaround year, the 2-8 to 8-4 year, and we don’t do what we did that year without him,” said Fontenot. “He’s just a super athlete with a ton of upside. The only thing that got him was maybe a little bit of height.”
Whatever happens, Lewis’ story is a good one.
“Chris is a perfect example of what we tell kids: “if you work hard and do all the right things, you’re going to get an opportunity.’ He could have easily fallen off the map and not come to school as much after not having football. But he didn’t do that.
“God has a way finding out how to take care of people and he’s taking care of Chris.  Hopefully Chris can take advantage of it and go from there.”

Delco inks with Florida's Southeastern University

CROWLEY – A broken foot during his freshman season forced Ja’Juan Delco to watch his teammates from the sidelines for all but one game during his freshman season at Crowley High School.
That injury has long since healed and the senior nose guard made the best of his opportunities over the last three years, earning numerous postseason honors.
But the most important opportunity presented itself on Wednesday and Delco grabbed hold of it, much like he did opposing ball carriers.
With family and coaches looking on, Delco signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Southeastern (Fla.) University, a NAIA school, in Lakeland, Florida.
“I really didn’t think I was going to get an opportunity to go anywhere because I didn’t think I was that good,” said Delco. “This came as a real surprise and it’s a blessing; it just means so much.”
Delco may have not thought he was deserving of a college scholarship, but CHS coach Josh Fontenot knew otherwise.
“I think they (Southeastern) are getting a steal because I think Ja’Juan is a Division I football player,” said Fontenot of the 6-foot-0, 260 pounder. “I think they recognized it and made it hard for him to not want to go there.
“He’s two inches away from getting on an SEC roster and I think he’s going to do very, very well over there.”
Delco made an official visit to Southeastern recently and he was immediately hooked.
“The campus is beautiful and the coaches were real straightforward,” said Delco. “I met a few of the players and it just seemed like it was a real family oriented place and I knew that it was the place for me.”
Delco finished his prep career with a bang by racking up 33 tackles, 23 for a loss, and six sacks. He also forced four fumbles, had one fumble recovery and one interception.
He also played some at fullback for the Gents when they sent in their jumbo sets.
His fierceness was well noted outside CHS, including the coaches in his league. Despite placing second in a very competitive district, Delco was named the 2014-15 Defensive MVP by the leagues coaches. He was also a unanimous selection on the All-Acadia Parish team where he was edged out by Notre Dame’s Nate Link for MVP honors.
Delco was also named to the Class 4A All-State team as an honorable mention.
“Southeastern was excited about him,” said Fontenot. “In fact, when they saw the film on him they said he was No. 1 on their list.”
For Fontenot, the loss of Delco leaves a huge hole to fill not only on the defensive line, but also as a leader for the Gents.
“Once he came back from his injury his freshman year, Juan has kind of been the foundation for us to build around on defense,” said Fontenot. “And he’s been a leader on and off the field and he’s taken care of is business in the classroom.
“We give a Gent Pride award every year to the kid that you would put on a poster to represent your program; since I’ve been here, if I had to pick one (player) to represent all three years, as far as what you want as a student/athlete and what you want as a person, it’s JaJuan Delco.”