MaxPreps 2012 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 6 John Curtis

It’s difficult to identify weakness on the loaded 2012 Curtis (River Ridge, La.) Patriots squad.

Led by the legendary J.T. Curtis, the 2011 squad finished a sterling 14-0, demolishing every team it faced in the Class 2A playoffs.

Preseason Top 25 high school football early contenders

It returns two capable quarterbacks, a half-dozen running backs and more speed than the small private school that produced Joe McKnight is accustomed to having.



Sophomore quarterback Abby Touzet filled in for Patrick Morton, who suffered an injury last season. He led the team down the stretch. In 2012, both return, and Curtis figures to use both in tandem.

The offensive line boasts Anthony Taylor, Brandon Godfrey and Mason Kimbo, all of whom return from a year ago.

Sherman Badie, Tevin Horton, Raekwan James and Brandon Porter are just a sampling of players who will likely take handoffs for Curtis. According to assistant coach Jeff Curtis, it’s the most talent the program has accumulated at one position in a long time.

Rivaling the running backs in terms of depth are the team’s linebackers, which feature heavily recruited Duke Riley as well as Eric Thomas.

The secondary features Richard Allen, Jacolby Cooper and Terrence Alexander, all of whom should play at the next level.

The team sustained major losses up front in Torey Bell, Dillon Gordon and Christopher Lorden.



Local look: With over 500 wins and 24 state championships, J.T. Curtis is nowhere finished. Barring significant injuries, it is hard to fathom that anyone in 2A will be able to prevent the Patriots from No. 25.
- Ken Trahan, President, SportsNola.com {PAGEBREAK}

Size: Class 2A


Enrollment: 800 (approx.)


2011: 14-0, Class 2A state champion


Head coach: J.T. Curtis


Career record: 506-54-6


Years at school: 42




Notable players coached:
Joe McKnight (USC, NFL)
Reggie Dupard (SMU, NFL)
Chris Howard (Michigan, NFL)
Jonathan Wells (Ohio State){PAGEBREAK}


No. of returning starters: 8 (offense), 7 (defense)


Key losses:
TE/DL Dillon Gordon

DE Torrey Bell

DL Christopher Lorden

Key returners:
LB Duke Riley



RB Sherman Badie

RB Tevin Horton

QB Patrick Morton

QB Abby Touzet

OL Anthony Taylor

Key newcomers:
WR Malachi Dupre



DB Hunter Dale

TE Hunter Thibodeaux

RB Myles Washington {PAGEBREAK}


Toughest game: No. 14 Plant (Tampa, Fla.). Not only will Plant catch Curtis early in the season, but Plant’s strength will be up front on its massive, talented offensive line. That does not bode well for a Curtis team whose only ostensible weakness is up front on defense. The Curtis staff would never admit this, but this could be the only truly competitive game that Curtis will see this season. Not a knock on the Patriots’ in-state schedule, but a testament to this team’s potential.

Biggest question mark: The aforementioned defensive line jumps out. The other possible issue is how the team’s two-quarterback system plays out. It seems like a strength, but it’s possible it hinders the team’s offensive rhythm.

Local outlook: Curtis appears to be the class of Louisiana this year, at least entering the season. There are the traditional powers of West Monroe and Neville who should be very good, but watch out for St. Augustine, with new head coach Cyrus Crutchfield, and talent-laden Edna Karr. Both teams have very high ceilings.



Overall outlook: John Curtis has never shied away from playing with the big boys, either in its own state or across the country. This is most of the most talented, physically imposing teams that has walked the halls at Curtis, and it’s poised for great things. There’s no shortage of expectations for this squad, but it needs to deliver from day one to meet them.

Coach quote: “The difference between some of the guys we have this year versus in the past, it seems like all of our guys run exceptionally well. They’re not just big, don’t just fit that mold. They all run extremely well.”
- Jeff Curtis, assistant coach{PAGEBREAK}