The last time VC played Kentwood was in 2003 in the Class A finals. VC head coach Broc Prejean was a player on that team. Also, Kentwood's head coach was a player in that 2003 state championship game.
VC, Kentwood head coaches played against one another in 2003 state final game
VC head football coach Broc Prejean and first-year Kentwood head football coach Corneloius Blount have something in common.
They both played against one another in the 2003 Class 1A state finals in the Louisiana Superdome.
Prejean was a senior on the VC football team in 2003, and Blount was a junior who earned all-state honors.
Prejean wore jersey No. 9 and played strong safety, and Blount played outside linebacker and wore No. 11.
Prejean and the Eagles beat Kentwood 10-6 to win VC’s first two state titles.
Now head coaches, the two men will face one another on the football field this Friday.
The No. 1 Eagles (12-0) battle No. 12 Kentwood in the semifinals of the Select Division IV playoffs.
Saturday morning, Coach Prejean learned that Coach Blount was a member of the 2003 team.
“If he coaches the way he played, we got our work cut out for us,” Coach Prejean said. “Twenty-plus years later, and I still have nothing but respect for who those guys were, and now even more respect knowing they are leading their alma maters.”
Coach Blount has not forgotten the loss.
“Oh, yeah, I remember losing to them (VC),” said Blount. “We did not give up a touchdown all year; we gave one up to VC. I will never forget that game.”
Before being named the head coach, Blount was the offensive coordinator at Kentwood.
He expressed excitement when the brackets were announced, noticing a chance to play VC.
“Playing VC is more personal to me and my assistant coach Jeremy Brown, who was also on the 2003 team,” said coach Blount. “But I am excited to play them. They have a great program. That No. 1 (Jonathan Dartez) is a beast.”
The winner of Friday’s game will play the winner of No. 2 Ascension Catholic/No. 11 Ouachita Christian winner on Thursday in the Superdome.
Last year, Kentwood reached the Division IV Non-Select semifinals and lost to Oak Grove 48-20 in overtime.
This season, Kentwood was put into Division IV Select by the LHSAA.
Coach Blount said has no clue as to why the LHSAA made Kentwood a select team.