The Varnado Wildcats football team is preparing for a breakout season in Coach Vonta Owens' second full season as head coach of the Wildcats.
The Wildcats began the 2025 season with a three game losing skid but put up a good fight in their third game of the season as they fell to Abramson 32-22. Their improvement showed up the next week as well as they soundly defeated Thrive Academy 26-0. Week five saw them face off with their arch rival, the Pine Raiders, and fall hard to the Raiders 54-8. The dropped their next two games to West St John and Central Private before receiving a forfeit win from Crescent City Christian. The Wildcats fell to their final two regular season opponents before qualifying for the Division IV non select playoffs. The Wildcats faced off with Logansport, a perennial power, and fell to the Tigers 36-0.
With a talented group of returning starters and one of the area's most demanding schedules, the Varnado Wildcats believe they'll be battle-tested by the time the postseason arrives.
Coach Vonta Owens welcomes back several key contributors on both sides of the football, giving the Wildcats experience at every level of the field.
Defensively, linebacker Tylin McGowan headlines the unit after emerging as one of the team's top tacklers. He'll be joined by defensive end Treavor Smith, defensive back Byron Johnson, and defensive lineman Damarial Crain, giving Varnado a solid foundation on defense.
Offensively, quarterback Josh Fox returns to direct the Wildcats' attack. He'll have a talented supporting cast featuring running back Barry Thomas and wide receivers Jhyrin Piggot and Tayden Benne, providing Varnado with several explosive playmakers.
The Wildcats won't have much time to ease into the season. "We have a challenging schedule from start to finish," Owens said. "Our non-district games against Pine, Independence, Bogalusa, Benjamin Franklin and Abramson will be great tests and should help prepare us for district play."
Owens believes two of those contests, both against parish rivals, will provide an atmosphere similar to postseason football. "Those games will give our kids a chance to experience that level of intensity before the postseason," he said.
District play opens with a major challenge against perennial contender Kentwood.
"Our district opener against Kentwood is especially important because it can set the tone for the rest of district play, and we know we'll be facing a championship-caliber team," Owens said.
The Wildcats will also face difficult road tests at Catholic of Pointe Coupee and Central Private before closing the regular season at home against East Feliciana.
"Finishing the regular season at home against East Feliciana could have major playoff implications," Owens said. "We respect every opponent on the schedule. Our focus is on improving every week, taking it one game at a time and making sure we're playing our best football when November arrives."
If Varnado’s experienced core develops as expected and the demanding schedule accomplishes its purpose, the Wildcats could be a dangerous team when the playoffs begin.
