Ruston High School is a public high school located just across the street from Louisiana Tech in Ruston, LA. Ruston High School was established in 1921 and has now grown to a student body of approximately 1,300 students. Ruston plays in the 5A LHSAA level of play where they reside in District 2. The school is also located in the Lincoln Parish School District. Ruston High Schools mascot is the Bearcat and the school colors are White and Red. Since its establishment, the Bearcats football team has won 8 State Championship titles in 12 trips. The most recent State Championship victory was won in 1990 in a victory over Catholic High. Ruston High school has produced a great volume of talent throughout the schools history with 18 NFL Players. The most notable alumni of the Bearcat football program include Bert Jones, Fred Dean, Kyle Williams and Isaiah Buggs. Bert Jones played 8 years at Quarterback with the Baltimore Ravens before retiring with the Rams. Fred Dean was monster 5-time pro bowl defensive end for the San Diego Chargers and the San Francisco 49ers. Kyle Williams was also a feature defensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills who was selected as a 6-time pro bowler and played 12 years in the NFL. The most recent Bearcat to reach the NFL is Defensive Lineman Isaiah Buggs who played for the University of Alabama and also has experience playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He currently plays on the Detroit Lions.
The Head Coach for Ruston’s football team is head coach Jerrod Baugh. Head Coach Baugh has been at the helm of the Bearcats football team since the 2017 season. Head Coach Baugh has accumulated an all-time record of 56-21 in his 6 years at head coach.
I had the opportunity to speak with Head Coach Baugh and gain more knowledge on his coaching value as well as the status of the 2023 Bearcats football team.
“At Ruston we try to develop our kids personally in order to give them some values and characteristics that will allow them to be successful later on in life, in whatever they decide to. If you put that in the forefront of the team’s goals the winning and the losing all takes care of itself.”
Head Coach Jarred Baugh
This past season Coach Baugh and the Bearcats proved this philosophy to be true as they made it all the way to the state champion to face off with Destrehan High School. The matchup was lost but the Bearcats look at this as a lesson to be mindful of in the future.
“I think in the future we can look to preparation. I don’t think we handled the environment of the superdome very well. Not to take anything away from Destrehan, they are a really good football team and we have had some trouble with them the past three years in the playoff so we have to be able to get over that hump as a team. Its just like I tell my team, I know they’ll be good again and we have get past them in order to win a state championship game. I think our kids will take that as a challenge personally. We have been watching that film as a team to see what went wrong on our end and hopefully use it as preparation in the future.”
Head Coach Jarred Baugh
The bearcats look to make a championship run and the experience this team has gives them an edge against their opponents. Returning players on offense include offensive lineman Kylon Bradley and Sam Nations, wide receiver Logan Malone and Lander Smith at full back. Running backs Jordan Hayes Jr. and Dylone Brooks as well as receiver Darius James look to make an impact this season as well. Stepping in under center for Ruston is class of 2025 Quarterback Josh Brantley, who Head Coach Baugh has great expectations for this season. On the defensive side of the ball the Bearcats look to their experience in the seven returning starters. On the line, defensive ends Ahmad Breaux and Geordan Guidry look to seal the edge with defensive tackle Payton Bell to swallow up the gaps. Linebackers Jadon Mayfield and Zheric Hill are in the midfield to make plays with free safety Jacoryian Crowe and strong safety Nate Johnson behind them. With the experience this team has accumulated, it’s no secret they’re a team for all opponents to keep notice of this season. Look out for this team Ruston High School football team to make great waves in the upcoming 2023 season.
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