For the past few seasons the LaGrange Gators have wrestled with the elite of the state during the nondistrict portion of the slate.

This year, the schedule remains the same, but the Gators have a different mindset, viewing themselves as fellow members of the top tier of state teams rather than approaching games against Notre Dame, Barbe, University Lab and Calvary Baptist as underdogs.

“Their mindset is different from any other team I’ve had,” said head coach Jules Sullen. “In the past when we would play a St. Aug, O. Perry Walker (now Landry-Walker), they would get big-eyed. Now, this class, they feel like they are part of that upper echelon. There is no fear. It is like they have a better feel for the schedule, they understand the ups and downs of the schedule.”

The Gators will have plenty of experience on hand as they face a tough opening stretch of games this year. A trio of starters return at receiver and along the offensive line, and leading rusher Markell Hawthorne returns as well.

Jack-of-all-trades Alvinosky Lafleur, a starter at free safety, will also see time on offense this season after taking snaps at quarterback, receiver and running back last season.

Taking over under center will be Jeremiah West.

“We are going to go as far as our quarterback takes us,” said Sullen. “He is a tremendous baseball guy, we know he has the ability to throw the ball. We have done a lot of 7-on-7, that has helped. Now it is all about understanding the pass rush and putting it all together. We have confidence in him and I think he is going to do well for us.”

Hawthorne will be the lead back this season after sharing carries last year.

“That is a big plus for us,” said Sullen. “He is going to be the featured back. Instead of 12 or 13 carries for him, they are going to increase. Our wide receiver crew (Jaylun Myles, Dondal Lewis and Jalen Thomas) is pretty good. Three offensive linemen (center Wilson Lemelle, guards Casey Vincent and Keydrick Guillory ) are back, that is another plus.”

Defensively, the secondary returns three starters in free safety Lafleur and strong safeties Tarik Wellmaker and Michael Leday.

“We have two starters back on the defensive line, Kenneth Joubert and Marquise Talbert, who had been a starter on the offensive line. I like his girth on defense, he is hard to move and has good feet for a big man. We have a linebacker (Zavier Hall) back. We took a strong safety, Traelon Anderson, and moved him to the weak side. We are going to have speed. The objective is staying disciplined and making sure we don’t give up big plays.”

The Gators have made the playoffs five of the past six years and reached the regional round last year before losing to nemesis Landry-Walker.

“Every year we have lost in playoffs it has been to a New Orleans team,” said Sullen. “Those are different types of athletes and we are working to reach their skill set.”

LaGrange Gators

Sept. 5 — vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 — vs. Barbe, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 — vs. University Lab, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 — at Calvary Baptist, 7 p.m.

*Oct. 3 — at Rayne, 7 p.m.

*Oct. 10 — vs. Eunice, 7 p.m.

*Oct. 16 — at Crowley, 7 p.m.

*Oct. 24 — vs. Beau Chene, 7 p.m.

*Oct. 31 — at Opelousas, 7 p.m.

*Nov. 7 — vs. Washington-Marion, 7 p.m.

*District game(Rick Hickman/American Press)

Rick Hickman