Entering year two, head coach Byron Porter is looking to build on a solid first year campaign in which the Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Crusaders not only made the playoffs, but achieved a .500 season with a 6-6 overall record including a first round playoff win against St. Edmund High School before losing to Louisiana powerhouse Ouachita Christian in the second round of the LHSAA Division IV (Select) Playoffs.
“Everybody has been very supportive thus far coming in. They have been very helpful and they have done everything that we have asked for. The staff and the faculty has been engaged and has opened up. It allows us to have more of a family type atmosphere from our team. Last year, we have done something that hasn’t been done from our team. We went to the playoffs for the first time in quite some time and actually won a playoff game. Although we went 6-6 and that is something that we don’t want to celebrate in the future, it is progress and that is exciting about what’s to come.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
After a 2-8 season a year before, Coach Porter definitely did a great job of showing the program that they can win games. Now, for the Crusaders, the next step is to build on last year’s initial success and contend for district championships as well as a deep playoff run.
“Everybody loves a winner. We are not quite there yet, but like I said, everybody is excited about what we are doing so far and what we’ve accomplished. We don’t want to get where we are celebrating 6-6, but for the most part, everybody is excited and they’re welcoming. Whatever we need, they are getting it done and they are doing it. Anything that they need, they can help with and everybody just wants to be a part of it. That’s the most exciting part.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
What has helped the immediate change of success on the gridiron has been the success of the other athletic programs that the football players have been a part of.
“Everybody’s expectation is to be playing in the Dome. The district is tough. Winning a district championship would be great. The most intriguing thing about it is that we are from a 1A school and majority of our kids play multiple sports. Now, they understand the process of winning and what it takes to win through the success of our basketball program that made the Quarterfinals last year. Many of those kids play on the football team. When you look at our track program, we are district and regional champions. We sent the 4×2 relay team to the state championship in Baton Rouge and we sent a multitude of kids competing in individuals. They are starting to grasp what it takes to win and we are starting to see that come in fruition. Hopefully, this year, it will all come together and we will have some success.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
After tasting some success last season, the players have been fully invested with the message given by the coaching staff and have been putting in the work in order to achieve more success heading into the 2024 season.
“We have been doing good. The kids have been grinding and working hard. Since they came in, they believed in the message and they understand the process. They have been doing everything that we ask them to do. It’s been a summer grind like everybody else, but the kids have been working hard.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
“We have a multitude of guys that have stepped up, proven themselves through the process, and listen to what we are saying. They got bigger, faster, stronger, and if it has been workout activities, 7v7, they have been there making themselves better.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
The pieces are also there for the Crusaders to be a district and a playoff contender starting with the offensive side of the football as they return All-District quarterback Stephen George and 1st Team All-District running back Michael Cunningham to lead the way.
“We like to spread the field so we run from the spread. We are trying to put those guys in position where they are going to be successful. We can run the football and we have a quarterback that we are confident in and can throw it around a little bit. He is here today in Stephen George. We have a running back in Michael Cunningham that we are very confident as well. We are excited about our other playmakers as well.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
On the defensive side of the football, the Crusaders run a 4-2-5 defense to defend the offenses that they are used to running against in practice.
“From a defensive standpoint, we run a 4-2-5. We run the spread so we got to cover the spread. We play 1A so there are a lot of kids that are going both ways. We have a linebacker who is here today in Kyle Horde, but we are excited about his future. The thing about high school is that we are excited to see these kids evolve and become who they are going to become.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
In order for the Crusaders to accomplish their goals, they are going to have to go through a tough 1A schedule.
“Non-district, we open up with Pine Prairie. They were like us last year. They have a new coach and I am sure they are excited about that. They are going to be ready when the time comes. In Week 2, we have our hands full. Everybody knows about Harlem Berry and what he brings to the table. In Week 3, we will be playing our Lafayette campus in Westminster Lafayette. That’s the first time we are playing against them so that’s going to be interesting, and then we will get into district play. The other non-district game we play is Port Barre. They have a good coach, a good program, and that’s going to be another task for us.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
“The district mostly stays intact for the most part, but our district is very tough and we added two teams in Berchman, which is going to be their first year competing, and J.S. Clark, but they are going to be playing a JV schedule the next two years. They are going to be competitive as well. Our district is very tough. We have Opelousas Catholic, Catholic Pointe Coupee, Sacred Heart, St. Edmund’s, North Central so week in and week out, we are going to get a full showing of who we are playing against.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
Coach Porter surrounds himself with a coaching staff that knows what it takes to perform and play all the way to the Division I level and that includes his own son that is on his staff.
“The offensive coordinator is my son Brandon Porter. He played at John Curtis and played here locally at LC and coached at LC. He also coached at a couple of other places in high school. Jeremy Garrett played at Grambling and he is our offensive and defensive line coach. We have another guy in Marcus Wilridge. He played at UL and he is our wide receivers and defensive backs coach. I also coach linebackers and I am the defensive coordinator as well.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
With the Westminster Christian Academy Crusaders having one of their best years in school history, the optimism around the community is at an all-time high and Byron Porter is going to make sure that momentum continues into 2024 and beyond.
“I just want to add by telling them to come out and support our kids. They’re working hard during the summer. They’re preparing for the season just like everybody else. When you are coming to see us, you are going to get some impressive teams that are fast, smart, and physical.”
Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas) Head Coach Byron Porter
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