Former Barbe High linebacker D.J. Prudhomme almost didn’t get to play football.
Prudhomme’s cousin first asked him to
play when he was 8 years old, but his mother didn’t want the young
Prudhomme in the
line of fire on the field. However, as Prudhomme recalled, his
father helped assuage her worry before he embarked on a football
journey that included a four-year stint with the Buccaneers.
Prudhomme’s high school career is
finished after a senior season that earned him a selection for the Bayou
Bowl, the Texas
vs. Louisiana High School Seniors All-Star Game, June 16 in
Baytown, Texas. He’s the only player from Lake Charles to receive
an invitation to the annual non-profit all-star game that raises
money for youth athletic scholarships.
“It means a lot to me to represent Lake Charles and the Barbe football team,” Prudhomme said. “I hope people see how much
of a hard worker I am and how aggressive I am.”
Prudhomme (6-foot, 215 pounds) garnered
District 3-5A Defensive MVP honors, all-state honorable mention and
All-Southwest
Louisiana recognition after recording 79 tackles, 10.5 tackles for
loss, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles
and a fumble recovery this past season. His next stop is Louisiana
College, where he’ll continue his football career in the
fall.
Barbe head coach Mike Cutrera said Prudhomme leaves some big shoes to fill after a breakout season, and his performance on
the field made his Bayou Bowl selection well-deserved.
“It’s a very big honor; not many people get selected to play in that game,” Cutrera said. “He played all out and did what
he was expected to do and did a great job for us. So we expect the best for him and from him.”
The Texas and Louisiana All-Star squads each consist of 40 graduating seniors. Prudhomme, who will wear No. 16, was one of
six Louisiana linebackers selected; the others were: Parkview Baptist’s Brody Burkhalter, Central Catholic’s Lloyd Grogan,
Franklinton’s Khalib Travis, Neville’s Ricky Wyatt and St. Thomas More’s Andrew Mahtook.
The Bucs will be in full swing of their
summer workouts when Prudhomme heads to Texas on Tuesday. Barbe’s first
official practice
is Aug. 6, and Cutrera said they will miss Prudhomme’s leadership.
“He just did a lot for us … he’s a hard worker,” Cutrera said. “He did a lot not only on the field but off the field; it’s
hard to replace leadership like that.”
Prudhomme has one more chance to highlight that strength and skill in a high school uniform next weekend. It’s a good thing
his mother let him play 10 years ago.