School Spotlight: Ouachita Christian School (Monroe, LA)

Ouachita Christian School is a private high school located in Monroe, LA. Ouachita Christian School was established in 1974 with a student body of approximately 642 students in grade K-12. OCS’s mascot is an Eagle and their school colors are Green and Gold. OCS plays in the 1A level of LHSAA sports and is located in District 2. The school is a powerhouse in its level of play with 8 State Championship Football Titles. 6 of those 8 State Tiles come after the year 2000 with the most recent coming this past season in 2022 in a 28-14 victory over Vermillion Catholic, capping off the season with a 14-1 record. Some notable alumni of the Ouachita Christian School Football Program include Rudy Niswanger who played center for the Kansas City Chiefs, Eric Edwards who played tight end for the Arizona Cardinals, and Jake Slaughter who is a former LSU Baseball Player who now plays infield in the Chicago Bears Minor League Team.

The Ouachita Christian Eagles are led by longtime Head Coach Steven Fitzhugh. Coach Fitzhugh has coached at OCS for 26 years and has an all-time record of 241 Wins and 8 Losses, thus making him the programs all-time winningest coach. He is also a big part in OCS’s 7 Championship Titles from 1997 to present day.

I had the opportunity to speak with Head Coach Steven Fitzhugh to find out more about his Eagles football team and how they achieve their success.

“Take every day that the lord gives you. Do everything you can that day to do your best. Helping your teammates, it’s all about the team. If you make your teammates better its gonna help you and if you push yourself to be better it helps you teammates. I think all of that goes hand in hand in our philosophy which is “seizing the day”.”

Head Coach Steven Fitzhugh

It all goes back to seizing the day for the OCS Eagles. This brought them great success this past season with their achievement of another Football State Championship. The Eagles ended the previous season with a large senior class leaving, including the entire offensive line unit, but had great production out of the guys that stepped up for them. Coach Fitzhugh pointed out that a lot of guys on that Championship team had waited their turn and really grew up.

“The guys just worked hard and got better each and everyday. They were a team, they really did everything together while playing. I continue to see them work hard as well. We won that championship game on a Thursday night down in New Orleans and they were back in the weight room that Friday night on their own to start lifting. They just really enjoy the work.””

Head Coach Steven Fitzhugh

The Eagles have a strong return after their championship run, on both sides of the ball. On offense the Tigers return 7 starters with 8 returning on the defensive side of the ball. LB Noah Lovelady, OL Ryder Bentley, DL Ben Devall and WR/DB Tate Hamby are impact players who were all selected for the LHSAA 1A All State Team. Running Back/ Strong Safety Zach White and Freshman Kicker Gavin Polk also stepped up as key players for the Eagles when the team needed them most.

The many accolades that this team has acquired create a perfect testimony to their success. It’s easy to see how their hard work and dedication to the game we all know and love has brought them together to create something really special that will live on with them for the rest of their lives.