Entering its third year under coach Carroll Olivier, Acadiana Christian School isn’t showing any signs of slowing down despite the graduation of their star quarterback.

Ty Olivier, a true freshman at Northwestern State, led the Lions to an appearance in the ACEL championship game, accumulating 2,300 yards and 40 TDs. He also led the team with 50 tackles and tied Noah Lanclos for the team lead in interceptions (four).

“We’ll have a new system,” coach Olivier said. “We rebuilt the offense and will have a physical style of play. The blocking scheme will have an emphasis on physicality.”

Landon Decuir and Brandon Judice are battling for the starting quarterback job. Olivier, who doesn’t expect to name a starter ahead of Thursday’s season opener vs. John Paul the Great, said a leader may not emerge before the second or third week of the season.

Judice, a senior, completed both his pass attempts for 74 yards in 2023. He was second on the team in receiving (15-299, 7 TDs).

“Brandon is a coach’s kid,” Olivier said. “He has a high QB and puts people in places to succeed. Landon gives us another gear when he runs the football. He’s shifty.”

The primary ballcarrier will be Malakai Coon, a 5-foot-10, 215-pound battering ram who began the 2023 season on the defensive line. In limited action on offense, Coon averaged 14.9 yards per carry, rushing for 149 yards on 11 attempts with two TDs.

Kaleb Broussard, who rushed for 125 yards on 23 carries with a TD, will play some fullback. Jude Wilder and Jonas Peltier will both carry the ball and catch passes at tight end and receiver.

Lanclos (23-755, 14 TDs), the leading receiver, graduated. Layne Hebert returns after finishing as the No. 3 receiver (10-264, three TDs). Peltier caught two passes for 22 yards and a score.

Broussard (5-10, 190) will also play some offensive guard, where Olivier says his “physicality coming off the ball is stunning.” Jackson Olivier (5-11, 235) is a transfer who was voted the team’s best lineman. Samuel Henry (6-3, 240), Gunner Robin (6-1, 250) and Braxton Foreman (5-9, 230) provide good size.

Peltier and Hebert combined to intercept three passes with 145 return yards. Wilder (6-3, 220) is the leading returning tackler with 33 stops. Broussard and Coon each had 28 tackles. Peltier had 19. Noah Odell (6-1, 170) and Landon Broussard (5-10, 190) are additional key players.

“It’s been a roller coaster at times with my coaching staff,” Olivier said. “I started by myself last year. Now we have offensive coordinator Sanford Edwards, Dre Lyons, Garrison Neff and our grad assistant Porter Mauney.

“I’m feeling great about the team. We have a lot of energy. We’re still building the culture here. Year 2 was like any other program in that we were working on consistency. Like every program, we have questions we need answered.”

Acadiana Christian School Lions 2024 Schedule

Week 1 – JPG, 8/9

Week 2 – Northshore, 8/15

Week 3 – SWLA, 8/24

Week 4 – Mt. Olive, 9/5

Week 5 – FBCS, 9/12

Week 6 – JPG, 9/19

Week 7 – Northshore, 9/26

Week 8 – Mt. Olive, 10/3

Week 9 – SWLA, 10/10

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