By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

East St. John’s D’haquille Williams and Hahnville linebacker Ben Taylor each saw an exclamation point on their prep careers over the weekend, earning spots on the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 5A All-State squad.

East St. John’s Darion Monroe, Hahnville’s Ahmad White and Destrehan’s Ethan Hutson all were named honorable mention.

For Williams, it is his second time selected to the team in what has been a remarkable two year career. The 6-foot-two, 195 pound wide receiver only began playing prep ball a year ago after transferring to East St. John from Liberty Christian Academy for his junior year. All he has done since is find himself among the state’s leaders in receiving each year, including 1,069 yards and 27 total touchdowns this season (includes three passing and five rushing).

“He doesn’t need anyone to promote him. His performance speaks loudly,” said East St. John coach Ronald Barrilleaux. “He comes to play every time on game day. You never have to worry about him showing up. And if we needed a big play, we went to him.”

Williams was a key cog in a Wildcats offense that was all but unstoppable in the regular season. East St. John averaged 42.7 points per game and went 9-1 prior to a playoff loss to eventual state champion Acadiana.

Hahnville finished its season 7-4, much of its success thanks to the Tigers’ Taylor-led defense. Six times did the Tigers hold foes to 14 points or less, including high-octane offenses like those of O. Perry Walker, Dutchtown and St. Amant.

Taylor, the team’s middle linebacker, was in the thick of it all.

“No doubt about it, he was the quarterback of our defense,” said Valdin. “We designed our defense to free him up to make plays and he came through big time.

“In my 12 years at Hahnville, he’s the best linebacker we’ve had. Some college that takes a chance on him is going to get a great football player.”

Valdin said Taylor could make the move to safety at the next level based on his skill set.

“He’s very fast and physical and does such a good job covering ground sideline to sideline,” said Valdin. “Then he also hits like a truck.”

Taylor finished the regular season with 92 solo tackles and 36 assists in nine games.