Over the last decade, the DeRidder Dragons have become a consistent playoff contender under Brad Parmley, who will be entering his 10th year as the team’s head coach. Posting a 52-43 record, Parmley has led the team to seven straight playoff seasons at the Class 4A level. Coming off another solid year in which the Dragons finished with a 7-5 record including a first round playoff win against Lakeshore before falling to the top seed North DeSoto Griffins in the second round of the Division II Non-Select Playoffs.
The second generation DeRidder head coach is feeling good about his team after spring and summer heading into the fall, especially after making a second round playoff appearance last season.
“It has been a good summer so far. We started early in June and go four days a week. We split it up between football skills and weights. We also got our 10 days in and scrimmaged Kinder in the spring. We got a lot of young guys reps and came out healthy.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
The biggest goal for the spring and summer was to develop the defensive front as they graduated four players including three on the defensive line.
“Last year, we graduated almost our entire defensive front so in the spring, our emphasis was on the defensive line and our linebackers. We had some guys step up in the spring and I was excited to see that. Amari Willis is a sophomore, but has developed into a 6’3, 230 pound defensive end. He has a chance to be a good player one day for us.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
“Defensively was the question mark going into the spring and we return some young guys that we weren’t sure of, but to be honest, you are not going to know until you get in the fire. We just have to keep playing and figure it out along the way. The goal is to be at your best when it matters the most and it matters the most at the end.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
The most notable loss is All-State linebacker Kenias St. Romain, who is now playing at Kilgore Junior College, but despite the loss of Romain, the Dragons return another veteran linebacker that is a two time All-District selection as well as a 1st Team All-District cornerback that is one of the best in CenLa to fill in the leadership roles on defense.
“Returning back from last year, I brought two of the major contributors on defense to Media Day. Dylon Rhodes is a middle linebacker and a three year starter. He has started since his sophomore year. He is an awesome kid and a hard working kid that has a 3.5 GPA. The same thing can be said about Jatari Harris. He is a three year starter at corner and had six interceptions last year. He is an instinctive ball player and had a really good spring and summer. He has developed and looking forward to him having a good senior year.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
With Harris leading the way, the secondary should be in good hands with experienced players Demarco Watts and Grant Cooper returning.
“Defensively, we are going to run a 4-2-5. We go into a 3-3 stack every now and then. In this day of age, it is hard enough to be one thing. We always try to stick to our guns in the 4-2-5, but it really depends on the personnel. If we are loaded at linebacker, it may be more of a 3-3 stack, but it also depends on what you are going against. If you are playing a heavy run team, sometimes a four man front is better and versus a spread team, a three man front gives you more flexibility.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
Now, flipping to the offensive side of the football, this should be one of the Dragons’ most balanced attacks. At running back, Reed Williams returns after rushing for nearly 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns despite only playing the last seven games of the season. Running behind an offensive line that returns big veteran pieces like Hunter Gill, Marcus Puckett, John LeSaux, and tight end Jacob Hernandez, expect the production to be even more for Williams.
The offense should also have one of their best years in throwing the football as they return their starting quarterback in Tanner Davis and he will have some weapons surrounding him.
“Offensively, we are going to be in split backs. We are going to pound the rock, but I would say this year, we have two receivers that we haven’t had in the past that we are going to try and get the ball to in Javaughn Fairley and Uriah Wade.“
“We are excited. We return a lot on the offensive side of the ball. I got my quarterback back, my running back back, and receivers coming back.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
The Dragons will also move Wade and Fairley around as Wade has played not only receiver, but running back and even quarterback while Fairley has also played some running back in the past as well.
There are high expectations and this is a talented team that can make some noise this year, but the schedule is no cake walk as they begin the season with a couple of non-district opponents including one of the best programs in the state of Texas.
“I am excited about our new schedule, but it is also pretty tough. We start off against South Beauregard. It’s an in-parish rival and they have always been a solid team. We play Many in week two and they have always been a solid team. In week three, we have Newton Texas right across the river. I think right now, Newton is the number three ranked team in Texas in 3A. They come to us this year and we come to them next year. We are looking forward to that game. They are a solid football team and it’s going to be a solid test for us, but it is going to be good for the community.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
When it comes to district play, it does not get any easier with teams like Iowa, Eunice, and of course, big rival Leesville.
“The DeRidder/Leesville game is always a big ball game. That’s one of the biggest rivalries in the state and has been going on for a long time with the Hooper Trophy being on the line. We have been involved with that for a very long time. It’s a fun one to be a part of.”
DeRidder head Coach Brad Parmley
Being the son of a former DeRidder coach and now running the program for 10 years, Coach Parmley has nothing but love for his school and community as it is a part of his identity.
“DeRidder is a great place. I call it the island of DeRidder because it’s not close to any big city. We have a small town feel for 4A football. If I need anything, I know who to call. It’s not just one person. There are about 10 guys that I can call for a meal, for a fundraiser, and we have a breakfast every morning before game day. Anytime that I need a meal for after a game or before a game, there’s a group of guys that support us tremendously.”
DeRidder Head Coach Brad Parmley
Heading into another year, Brad Parmley is hoping to bring the small city of DeRidder to some pretty big places by the end of the season.
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