The Louisiana Sports Writers Association released the Class 4A All-State team, capping a whirlwind season of action on the gridiron.
Much to the delight of Minden High fans, third-year Crimson Tide head coach Spencer Heard was chosen as the 4A State Coach of the Year by the LSWA.
“It’s something I definitely wasn’t expecting,” Heard said. “I’m very honored and humbled to receive it. It speaks to all the hard work our other coaches put in, and the players also. It’s a testament to how everyone has bought in and to the direction our program is moving.”
Heard led the Tide to a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 mark in district play, the lone loss coming to Benton in week six.
Heard, a state champion at Mansfield High School and former Louisiana Tech wide receiver, came to Minden in 2013 after coaching one season at Green Oaks. While there, Heard coached current LSU standout defensive back Tre’Davious White.
In 2012, the season before Heard arrived, Minden finished just 1-9. In Heard’s first season in charge of the Tide he posted a 4-6 campaign, then 7-4 a season ago and finally 9-3 in 2015.
Heard takes the honor over the likes of Neville’s Micky McCarty, Edna Karr’s Brice Brown and Bastrop’s Brad Bradshaw.
Sneed, Baker earn Honorable Mention
Minden also had two players named to the All State honorable mention team in senior L’Jarius Sneed and junior Zi’Kerrion Baker.
Sneed was a walking touchdown, averaging a score almost every three touches. Sneed caught 35 balls for 1,027 yards and 13 TD’s and added 303 yards rushing and six touchdowns on the ground.
Baker was arguably the area’s breakout player defensively. Saving his best for big games, but never taking a play off against any opponent, Baker was someone opposing coaches had to gameplan to stop. The 6-2, 220-pound defensive end/linebacker will return to lead what could be 4A’s best defense in 2016.
“It’s a big deal,” Heard said. “When you start talking about having multiple names on this list in an entire state where there’s so many good athletes out there; to have your name mentioned among those names it’s a very special deal. Both L’Jarius and Zi’Kerrion are very deserving of it for how hard they worked to get where they are. Hopefully this motivates some of the younger guys to aspire to that level.”