<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0sLLyO_0vDDySv000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0sLLyO_0vDDySv000" width="349" height="500" ><figcaption>Connor Stewart</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ejrS1_0vDDySv000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ejrS1_0vDDySv000" width="266" height="379" ><figcaption>Josh Lierman</figcaption></figure><h2>What we know</h2><p>Shanga Charles is back for his senior season. Charles rushed for more than 1000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season for the Jackets and head coach Josh Lierman is ready for a repeat performance, if not adding to the totals from his junior season.</p><p>"He is a big part of the offense and what we do," Lierman said. "The offensive line returns intact and Charles is bigger, stronger and a little quicker."</p><p>With Charles and the offensive line back, New Iberia will be run-oriented again.</p><p>"It's what we do," Lierman said. Last year's starting quarterback Allen Hamilton and a couple of receivers have to be replace but there is more than enough talent at New Iberia Senior High to find solid replacements at those positions.</p><p>Defensively, the Jackets return all four starting linebackers from last season and a couple of players ion the defensive line but Lierman last several starters in the defensive secondary that have to be replaced.</p><p>The kicking game has always been solid for NISH and should continue to be so this season.</p><h2>What we don't know</h2><p>The biggest question mark for NISH is going to be how fast the defense comes together because of all the new starters.</p><p>"I know that it's going to take time for the defense to learn to play together," Lierman said. "And the offense will be important to us in the beginning of the season.</p><p>"But we feel that have a good chance to be a solid team this year, especially if the offense plays the way we expect it to play."</p><p>The schedule changes a little bit for the Jackets as long-time District 3-5A rival Comeaux moves off the district schedule but New Iberia will continue to play them in non-district.</p><p>Also, longtime rival Westgate won't be played in the regular season for the first time in 20 years. The two city rivals will face off in the jamboree this year</p><h2>How we see it</h2><p>New Iberia should be better in Lierman's third year at the helm. The Jackets have taken their collective lumps over the past two seasons as Lierman had steadily implemented his stamp on the program.</p><p>With Shanga Charles running the behind a returning offensive line, NISH should be able to control the clock and stay in most games this season.</p><p>While the defense may need some time to gel, a favorable non-district schedule before heading into the always tough District 4-5A wars should give the Jackets a legitimate shot at a .500 or better record and a return to the playoffs for the first time since 2020.</p><h2>Five players to watch</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2GtaQJ_0vDDySv000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2GtaQJ_0vDDySv000" width="396" height="485" ><figcaption>Dakota Alexander</figcaption></figure><h2>Dakota Alexander</h2><h2>LB, 6-0, 180, Sr.</h2><p>"Dakota is one of our four returning linebacker starters," Lierman said. "HE is going to be a big part of how our defense operates."</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0T8xHb_0vDDySv000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0T8xHb_0vDDySv000" width="498" height="527" ><figcaption>Shanga Charles</figcaption></figure><h2>Shanga Charles</h2><h2>RB, 5-9, 190, Sr.</h2><p>"Shanga is one of the best running backs I've ever had," Lierman. "He is going to carry the ball. You can give him the ball 30 times and he seems to never get tackled for losses."</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2FmeEB_0vDDySv000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2FmeEB_0vDDySv000" width="433" height="572" ><figcaption>Landon Harmon</figcaption></figure><h2>Landon Harmon</h2><h2>OL, 6-2, 310, Sr.</h2><p>"One of our two returning guard," Lierman said/ "He, along with Xavieris going to be the heart and soul of the line and a big part of how we run the offense."</p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1mHVna_0vDDySv000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1mHVna_0vDDySv000" width="444" height="597" ><figcaption>Xavier Mogerman</figcaption></figure><h2>Xavier Mogerman</h2><h2>OL, 6-4, 300, Sr.</h2><p>"He is the other of our two returning guards on the offensive line," Lierman said. "He and Landon are two enormous guards that Shanga gets to run behind."</p><h2>Damien Polite</h2><h2>WR, 5-9, 155, Sr.</h2><p>"He is going to touch the ball for us a lot of times and is going to play in the defensive secondary for us as well," Lierman said. "He is, along with the other five seniors here, are going to be big leaders for us as well."</p><h2>Projected Starters</h2><p>WR Synjaya Hamilton (6-0, 175, Jr.)*</p><p>WR Dameon Polite (5-9, 155, Sr.)*</p><p>WR Cody Tyler (5-9, 165, Sr.)</p><p>TE Thomas Bacon (6-1, 190, Jr.)</p><p>OT Kordell Charles (6-0, 180, Jr.)*</p><p>OG Xavier Mogerman (6-4, 300, Sr.)*</p><p>C Kohen Bourque (5-10, 235, Jr.)*</p><p>OG Landon Harmon (6-2, 310, Sr.)*</p><p>OT Miles Theriot (5-10, 215, Sr.)*</p><p>QB Kaiden McGlasson (5-9, 175, Sr.)</p><p>RB Shanga Charles (5-9, 190, Sr.)*</p><p><b>Defense</b></p><p>DE Korde Charles (6-1, 185, Jr.)*</p><p>N Trysten Phillips (5-10, 185, Jr.)</p><p>DT Theacie Broussard (6-4, 185, Jr.)*</p><p>LB Connor Stewart (6-0, 185, Jr.)*</p><p>LB Dakota Alexandrer (6-0, 180, Sr.)*</p><p>LB Richard Taylor (5-9, 170, Soph.)*</p><p>LB Payton Spencer (6-1, 175, Jr.)*</p><p>CB Kayden St. Julien (5-9, 160, Jr.)</p><p>CB Greg Brooks (6-0, 185, Sr.)*</p><p>FS Jaden Joseph (5-9, 150, Soph.)</p><p>SS Dion Conley (5-8, 150, Soph.)</p><p>* - Returning starter</p><h2>Coaches</h2><p><b>Head coach:</b> Josh Lierman</p><p><b>Assistant coaches:</b> Chad Pourciau (OC), Brennan Robicheaux (OL), Peter Derouen (WR), Dwight Fage (RB), Casey Barras (TE), Caesar Trahan (Special Teams/LB), Jonah Broussard (DL), Greg Green (DL), Chris Landry (OL).</p><h2>2024 Schedule</h2><p>Sept. 6 Pineville</p><p>Sept. 13 CENTRAL LAFOURCHE</p><p>Sept. 20 Comeaux</p><p>Sept. 26 Acadiana</p><p>Oct. 4 CARENCRO</p><p>Oct. 11 SULPHUR</p><p>Oct. 18 BARBE</p><p>Oct. 25 Sam Houston</p><p>Oct. 31 Lafayette</p><p>Nov. 8 SOUTHSIDE</p><h2>2023 Results</h2><p>Lost Westgate 35-14</p><p>Lost Sam Houston 41-7</p><p>Lost Acadiana 56-7</p><p>Lost Southside 49-26</p><p>Lost Carencro 55-34</p><p>Lost Opelousas 42-13</p><p>Lost Barbe 35-17</p><p>Beat Comeaux 28-21</p><p>Lost Sulphur 45-34</p><p>Beat Lafayette 33-22</p><h2>Past 5 years</h2><p><b>2023:</b> 2-8</p><p><b>2022:</b> 3-7</p><p><b>2021:</b> 0-10</p><p><b>2020</b>: 7-3</p><p><b>2019:</b> 2-8</p></div></body>

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New Iberia plans on taking big step forward with seasoning and size in year three

Shanga Charles is back for his senior season. Charles rushed for more than 1000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season for the Jackets and head coach Josh Lierman is ready for a repeat performance, if not adding to the totals from his junior season. \"He is a big part...

Shanga Charles is back for his senior season. Charles rushed for more than 1000 yards and scored 11 touchdowns last season for the Jackets and head coach Josh Lierman is ready for a repeat performance, if not adding to the totals from his junior season. "He is a big part...

New Iberia plans on taking big step forward with seasoning and size in year three

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