​When Jeanerette football left Haynesville High School in the wake of a 47-6 defeat in the LHSAA Non-Select Division IV semifinals, the Tigers understood that another opportunity had slipped away. For years, they had hovered near the edge of the finals, and stepping onto the Caesar Superdome turf had become the dream fueling a program that first took root when the school opened in the early 1900s. As the 2026 season approaches, head coach Clifford Paul and his team are hoping to turn that dream into reality. “I think we have the potential to get there; the question is how we navigate the journey to reach that point,” Paul said. “Last season Haynesville wanted it more than we did, but I believe our players understand now the value of hard work and what it takes to get there.”
Last season, the Tigers faced early adversity when their three-star running back Devin Duhon suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener against Patterson. That injury thrust freshman Destin Smith into a starring role, and the youngster made the most of his opportunity. “It felt great to come in and show what I could do and to display my talent,” Smith said. “This year I’m trying to build on that, focusing on improving my speed and my catching. I want to do whatever I can to help send my seniors out with a ring on their fingers.” Smith rushed for more than 1,000 yards and led Jeanerette’s rushing attack last season. This fall, with a healthy Duhon returning and alongside junior quarterback Aaron Tillman and Smith, the Tigers will boast a three-headed backfield threat.
Duhon has made this season personal for him after spending most of his junior year on the sideline. “Not going to lie, it was frustrating and a learning experience to watch from the bench, because I’ve never done that before,” Duhon said. “Now that I’m back, all I’ve done is grind—grind, grind, and grind some more. I’ve stayed in the weight room just trying to get ready for a big season.” Clearing paths for that trio will be the Tigers’ substantial offensive line, a unit built with players predominantly at least 6-foot-2. The centerpiece of the line this fall will be Blair Lewis, a 6-foot-6, 320-pounder who is quickly establishing himself as one of the premier offensive linemen in the region. Lewis, who is set to be part of Jeanerette’s 2029 class, has already begun to turn heads with his play and his burgeoning reputation.
Lewis has already drawn interest from major programs, earning his first Division I offer from USC and soon after receiving an offer from LSU after his standout freshman year. “It means a lot,” Lewis said of his offers. “It shows all the hard work paying off, and it motivates me to push even harder.” As Jeanerette looks ahead to the 2026 season, the blend of experienced leadership, young talent, and a fan base hungry for a championship could finally lift the Tigers to the level they have long pursued. If they can translate hard work into results, the dream of stepping onto the big stage could become a reality for Jeanerette, just as it has for other programs that found their footing under the bright lights of the Superdome.