The breakthrough season by the Natchitoches Central football team this fall has earned 13 Chiefs recognition on the All-District 1-5A team chosen by the head coaches around the district.
Safety Justin Aaron, running back Caylin Demars, offensive lineman Carey Johnson and defensive lineman James Jackson were named to the All-District first team.
Defensive lineman Tredarius Brown, cornerback Braylin Demars and linebacker Logan Saucier were picked on the second team.
Honorable mention all-district recognition went to cornerback Reggie Bolden, offensive lineman Tyler Johson, running back Jeremiah Miles, receiver Colby Raupp, linebacker Calvin Willis and quarterback Brian “B.J.” Young.
The 2021 Chiefs shocked all onlookers by not only ending an 11-game losing skid dating back to 2019, but winning their first six games and reaching the state Class 5A playoffs. NCHS finished 7-4, hampered at the end of the season by injuries that sidelined their explosive junior quarterback Young for the last three games, all defeats.
Caylin Demars finished the season with 1,432 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Offensive linemen Corey Johnson and Tyler Johnson helped pave the way for the Chiefs rushing attack which piled up 2,220 yards and 31 touchdowns.
Aaron, who has to be a serious contender for All-State honors, collected seven interceptions, two fumble recoveries, scored two defensive touchdowns, and made 93 tackles from his safety spot.
At linebacker for NCHS, Saucier finished with 89 tackles and two forced fumbles. Calvin Willis posted 68 tackles and a forced fumble.
Up front defensively, Jackson notched 69 tackles and three sacks while Brown finished with 26 tackles and four sacks.
Young earned his recognition after rushing for 435 yards and 10 touchdowns and throwing for 559 yards and four touchdowns. Raupp made 12 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns.
The Chiefs’ second-year head coach, James Wilkerson, would seem to be a strong candidate for district coach of the year, but none was listed on the All-1-5A roster.
All-district teams are not announced until all teams from the district are eliminated from the state playoffs. NCHS fell in the opening round at Woodlawn of Baton Rouge. Benton was blasted in the second round at Ruston. Captain Shreve was stunned in the second round by Parkway, which bowed out last week in the quarterfinals.
