LAKE CHARLES — Three former Teche Area standouts, once bitter rivals, have put aside their differences and different uniforms to join together in wearing one uniform as they begin their college careers.

Former Catholic High quarterback Joe Lissard, former West St. Mary running back Jontrey Tillman and former Franklin lineman Allen Lockett all now wear the blue and gold of McNeese State University and all three are happy with where they are now.

“I had always planned on playing college football,” said Lissard. “I decided to come here and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. It’s a place that I wanted to come to. I’ve been here all summer and I love it here.”

Lissard is at McNeese as a preferred walk-on, which means he was invited to play for a position on the team rather than going to the coaching staff and asking to try-out.

The CHS grad will probably be red-shirted this year as he learns the offense and gets ready to compete for a chance to be a starter later on in his college career. But for right now, he’s happy doing what he can helping the team succeed this year.

“I’m doing whatever I can,” said Lissard. “I learned a lot this summer in camp. I’ve gotten a pretty good grasp of the offense and I’ve been improving as a quarterback.”

Lissard had his first taste of college football Saturday in McNeese’s scrimmage, where he ran the offense for a few plays.

“That was exciting being in my first college scrimmage,” he said. “I’m looking forward to doing better Wednesday (when the second scrimmage is to be played).”

Tillman’s route to McNeese is a little more circuitous.

Originally signed by the University of Houston, Tillman transferred to the Cowboys in the spring. Since he moved from a Football Bowl Subdivision school to a Football Championship Subdivision school, he doesn’t have to sit out a year and can immediately play at McNeese.

“I guess you can say it was a fortunate series of events that I ended up here,” said Tillman, who red-shirted last year at Houston before transferring. “I’m back home and my mom gets to come see me play every game now. I’m happy to be at McNeese.”

Tillman said he chose McNeese because of its winning tradition and the fact that he still had good relationships with the coaches since it was one of the schools that recruited him originally before he graduated from WSM in 2012.

“I’m just trying to be a part of the team this year and do whatever I need to do to help McNeese win,” said Tillman, who will play running back, his natural position, for the Cowboys.

Lockett also wanted to play college football but without a scholarship offer from anyone, he decided to take a chance as a walk-on at McNeese.

“I thought that I would just give it a chance and walk-on,” said Lockett, who was known more for playing defense in high school but was moved to offensive tackle this year. “It’s a blessing to be here.”

Lockett thinks he’ll be red-shirted this year but it’s something that will work in his favor.

“It gives me a chance to work hard and show what I can do,” said the Franklin grad. “Later on I can earn a scholarship and become a starter and help the team win a championship.”