Sports

MAURICE — The North Vermilion Patriots made a surprise run to the non-select Division II state quarterfinals in 2022, and senior Tucker Denais hopes to help the Patriots match or exceed that outcome in 2023.
Denais is moving from fullback to the wing in North Vermilion’s wing-T offense under first-year head coach Joe Heintz. That move brings a shift in his role with the offense, Denais said.
“Last year I played fullback, and my main role was to get three to four yards a play,” he said. “I was more of a power guy.

Senior safety Ethan Landry will take on a bigger role for the Vermilion Catholic Eagles this fall after VC graduated 1o of its 11 starters off one of the most stifling defenses in the state in 2022.
The Eagles allowed only 93 total points in 14 games, giving up more than 7 points only twice, in the season opener against Ascension Episcopal (24 points) and the championship game against Ouachita Christian (28 points). VC’s defense pitched six shutouts and allowed 6 points in one game and 7 points in five other games, including four of the team’s five playoff games.

KAPLAN — Dane Frick will move from middle linebacker to outside linebacker for the Kaplan Pirates this season after compiling 92 tackles and earning first-team All-District honors in 2022.
Kaplan head coach Cory Brodie said Frick, who will be a junior this season, accepted a leadership role this summer, becoming a more vocal leader, along with fellow junior Bradyn Bearb.