Heading into year two under head coach Ryan Cook, the Scotlandville Hornets are looking to sting the rest of the competition after a successful first season. In 2022, the Hornets finished with a 7-5 overall record, which includes a playoff victory against East Jefferson. Although Scotlandville would lose in the next round to perennial state championship powerhouse Edna Karr in the second round, they did so while pushing the Cougars to the brink only losing 34-26.
“A loss to Edna Karr is heartbreaking. Any loss is heartbreaking, but to be able to play them and improve from Week 2 to that last game was really big. We just want to continue the momentum and keep pushing. Just knowing that we can play regardless of the opponent, we can compete with them and we can beat some of the teams that they have out there. Again, Scotlandville is also a team that people respect as well.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
As Coach mentioned, even though it was a loss, the game showed that Coach Cook and his team mean business and that they are not going to back down from a challenge regardless of the opponent.
“Scotlandville is a notable school in the state of Louisiana definitely down south. We have been able to go up to West Monroe and play them pretty tough. Since football came back in 2006, Scotlandville has had a couple of pro athletes that are now in the NFL so I am trying to do my due diligence of keeping that tradition alive.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
Located in north Baton Rouge, Scotlandville has been known for producing plenty of athletes that have gone on to play in the NFL including current players like Brandon Bolden, Dontrell Hilliard, Tenzel Smart, and Kelvin Joseph. Talent has never lacked at Scotlandville and it certainly doesn’t heading into 2023 despite having to replace QB Zae Teasett (Southern) and OT Jamall Franklin Jr. (McNeese State).
“Jevonte Cossett was our backup quarterback last season pretty much and got reps when Teasett had to come out of the game. Also, he is a pretty good wide receiver Right now, it is a big deal for us to see if he is going to be at quarterback or wide receiver for us. We have to let things play out before we make that decision. His play will be really big. He is a two sport athlete and made All-District in baseball.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
“We have Tyler Knighten. He is a senior as well and is in his fourth year with the program. He is getting a lot of looks and has grown tremendously as a player and as a person the last couple of years. Look for him to do a lot of big things as colleges and universities are watching him as well.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
“Lonnie Brand is one of the most experienced players that we have. He is heading into his third year as a starter on the offensive line and will probably play some defense as well. He is an All-District player and is going to be critical for us on the interior.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
“Jayden Cook is a great student athlete that is in his second year at Scotlandville. He came from Woodlawn High School and is a safety that has been doing everything that we have been needing him to do. He is number five in the class and has grown tremendously on the football field.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
Those four set the tone for the Hornets this season including Brand and Knighten as they both have been invited to play in the 2023 Gridiron Football All-American Bowl Game, but the supporting cast is also talented enough to do big things.
“Kyree Langley is a two sport athlete and also a track guy. He will play running back and linebacker as well. Broderick Davis is another track guy that is a good kid and will be playing both sides of the ball as well. We have Ferzell Shepard Jr., who is also a wide receiver. Antonio Cooley is another All-District player from last year so those are just a few of the notable names that played last year. We have some more kids that have more to prove, but hopefully, we will see a lot of them this year.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
The Hornets will certainly be challenged because of a tough non-district schedule and just as tough of a district schedule. Scotlandville will kick off the season with four tough games on the road first against Ocean Springs (MS), then against the team that defeated them in the playoffs in Edna Karr, then Madison Prep, West Monroe, and finally, the team comes back home to Archbishop Rummel before starting district play against the likes of Central, Catholic High, Zachary, Liberty Magnet, and Woodlawn.
“It’s a great district. We just have to be prepared for it. I have respect for all of the teams and coaches within the district. There won’t be any easy games at all, but we will have a non-district schedule that will prepare us for it. We just want to use that schedule as best we can.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
In order to take the next step and improve on a great first season, Coach Cook is going to install a winning style of football that he helped build when he guided the Madison Prep Chargers to a state championship in 2020. In speaking of championships, the Hornets are looking to reach back to the state championship game for the first time since the 2016 season.
The former Glen Oaks and Belhaven linebacker has also learned under great Baton Rouge coaches such as Nolan Gill, Landry Williams, and other successful Scotlandville coaches such as Robert Valdez and LaVanta Davis that will help him try and guide the Hornets back to the promise land. Using what he learned at a place that is used to competing and winning is a perfect match.
“Scotlandville has its own rich traditions so we are going to try and keep those things intact. I’ve had some great student athletes that can get academic and athletic scholarships at the same time. This year, it is going to be a little different than it was last year. There were a lot of experienced players and a lot of two to three year starters going into the season. This year, not so much, but we want to try and get there to reestablish some things. These next few weeks are critical for us to try and get kids into solid positions. Unfortunately, we don’t have the experience that we had in the past, but we still have the athletes. Whatever lumps we have at the beginning of the season, we need to continue to grow from it.”
Scotlandville Magnet High School Head Coach Ryan Cook
The talent has always been there at Scotlandville Magnet High School and now, Ryan Cook is trying to combine that talent with the mental toughness necessary to compete for championships.
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