(By Jerit Roser, Written for the LSWA)
Elijah Haven, a rare sophomore Outstanding Player selection in 2024, only surpassed that impressive performance with a record-breaking and championship-winning junior campaign.
The Dunham quarterback repeats as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A Offensive Outstanding Player, setting state single-season marks for passing touchdowns (62) and total touchdowns (73) and total touchdowns in a career (180).
Haven joins fellow Division III select state finalist Luke Miller of Calvary Baptist, and Mansfield coach Darrell Barbay, as this year’s Class 2A superlative award winners.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Haven was 240-for-331 (72.5%) with 3,929 yards and 62 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also rushed 127 times for another 847 yards and 11 scores.
His prolific effort helped lead his Tigers (13-1) to the program’s first title since 2004, defeating Calvary 34-17 in the Division III select state championship.
Miller led Calvary Baptist (12-2) to its second championship game in the past three years with his own standout performance in the middle of one of the state’s top defenses.
The 6-foot, 195-pound senior finished with 123 tackles, one of Louisiana’s top totals, including seven stops behind the line with three interceptions and 11 break ups.
Barbay led Mansfield (10-3) to its first 10-win season and first quarterfinal run since 1993 and an undefeated District 3-2A title. The Wolverines have improved their win total every season since Barbay’s hire in 2022, including three straight years with at least one playoff victory after a four-year drought.
Mansfield opened the season with a wild comeback from 35-0 deficit to beat Minden, 46-38, and rarely slowed down during a memorable run throughout the fall.
Class 2A All-State
Offense
WR Brayden Allen, Lafayette Christian, 6-2, 180, Sr.
WR Braylun Huglon, Calvary Baptist, 5-10, 175, Jr.
WR Jarvis Washington Jr., Dunham, 6-4, 185, Sr.
OL Christian Comeaux, Dunham, 6-2, 215, Sr.
OL Ron Griffing Jr., Mangham, 6-1, 265, Sr.
OL Torrey Landry, Lafayette Christian, 6-3, 245, Sr.
OL Micah Mosher, Ouachita Christian, 5-10, 225, Sr.
OL Cooper Thomas, Calvary Baptist, 6-0, 210, Sr.
QB Elijah Haven, Dunham, 6-5, 215, Jr.
RB Caiden Bellard, Lafayette Christian, 5-10, 190, So.
RB Joachim Bourgeois, Notre Dame, 5-8, 165, Sr.
RB Jaidon Briggs, Vinton, 5-10, 165, Sr.
PK Ty Knight, Calvary Baptist, 5-11, 155, Sr.
ATH Braylon Walker, Lafayette Christian, 5-11, 170, Sr.
Defense
DL Jayden Arceneaux, Lafayette Christian, 5-10, 220, Sr.
DL Marvin Davis, Ferriday, 6-3, 200, Sr.
DL Cullen McIntosh, Oak Grove, 6-4, 215, Sr.
DL Eliot Trahan, Dunham, 5-9, 195, Sr.
LB Dean Ancalade, South Plaquemines, 5-9, 185, Sr.
LB Luke Miller, Calvary Baptist, 6-0, 195, Sr.
LB Cade Poland, Mangham, 6-1, 218, Jr.
LB Kendrick Wyatt, Mansfield, 6-2, 200, Jr.
DB Sabryn Bartholomew, South Plaquemines, 5-9, 165, Jr.
DB Luke Green, Lafayette Christian, 6-1, 180, Sr.
DB Matthew Hicks, Holy Savior Menard, 6-2, 175, Sr.
DB Zavier Ledet, Catholic-N.I., 5-10, 150, Sr.
P Gavin Polk, Ouachita Christian, 6-2, 175, Sr.
ATH Devin Franklin, Oak Grove, 6-4, 215, Sr.
RS Owen Layton, Oak Grove, 5-8, 165, Sr.
OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Elijah Haven, Dunham
OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Luke Miller, Calvary Baptist
COACH OF THE YEAR: Darrell Barbay, Mansfield
Honorable Mention
Daltin Albritton, D’Arbonne Woods; Izaac Andre, Catholic-NI; Aderrion Baker, St. Helena; Sam Brocato, Holy Savios Menard; Taj Callahan, Episcopal-BR; Thomas Carter, Slaughter Community Charter; Colby Casey, Mangham; Kameron Casnave, Northlake Christian; Joshua Casugay, Avoyelles; Nigile Ceasar, DeQuincy; Paityn Collins, Ferriday; Javontaye Dean, Green Oaks; Terroni Dominick, West St. Mary;Griffin Doucet, Notre Dame; Ja’Courey Duhon, Lafayette Renaissance Charter; Justin Drago, Country Day; Wesley Duplechin, Notre Dame; Aiden Fairchild, Pope John Paul II; Charlie Gilmore, Northlake Christian; Trevon Haman, Dunham; Henry Jackson, Isidore Newman; Tylon Jackson, Oakdale; Jacob Jeanise, Holy Savior Menard; Christopher Jones, Loreauville; Kevin Jones, Avoyelles; Kortlin Kyle, Vinton; Geremy Lewis, Cohen; Brodie Lejeune, Notre Dame; Dashun Lightfoot, Franklin; George Loop, Newman; Jaimason Marzell, Lafayette Christian; Owen Morris, Catholic-NI; Ian O’Boyle, Newman; Terrell Pegues, Mansfield; Brandon Perkins, Kinder; Jake Poirier, Catholic-NI; Jake Randle, Isidore Newman; Carson Riser, D’Arbonne Woods; Jack Roniger, Pope John Paul II; Eli Self, Kinder; Kaycee Sellers, Lafayette Renaissance Charter; Kaleb Simon, Lafayette Christian; Dominik Smith, Pope John Paul II; Kobe Smith, Avoyelles; Craig St. Cyr, Winnfield; Eyan Taylor, South Plaquemines; Isaiah Thomas, Kinder; Jude Turner, Ouachita Christian; Patrick Turpin, Ouachita Christian; Luke Vidrine, Ouachita Christian; David Weeks, Calvary Baptist; Detavious Williams, Winnfield; Keshawn Williams, Green Oaks; Jordan Willis, Northlake Christian; Deverrick Winnfield, Oakdale; Ja’Kyrin Woodard, Welsh; Hudson Wright, Country Day; Tyler Yokum, Lafayette Renaissance Charter.