Dartez, outstanding offensive player of Class 1A, has Ville Platte roots

By News Staff on Monday, January 6, 2025
  • Jonathan Dartez holds his outstanding award trophy that he won after his Vermilion Catholic team won the LHSAA Football Division IV Select state championship. (Photo courtesy of Abbeville Meridional)
    Jonathan Dartez holds his outstanding award trophy that he won after his Vermilion Catholic team won the LHSAA Football Division IV Select state championship. (Photo courtesy of Abbeville Meridional)

    By: CHRIS SINGLETON
    Written for the LSWA

    (Editor’s Note: Jonathan Dartez, of Vermilion Catholic, is the son of Sacred Heart graduate Tobie Dartez and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Carol “Flea” Fontenot, of Ville Platte.)
    Vermilion Catholic and Kentwood enjoyed memorable runs through the LHSAA Division IV select playoff bracket this season.
    The two teams met in the semifinals with the winner advancing to Prep Classic championship game at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
    Although Vermilion Catholic rolled to a 33-0 win over Kentwood in the semifinals, both teams topped the 2024 Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 1A All-State team.
    Vermilion Catholic senior quarterback Jonathan Dartez earned Outstanding Offensive Player honors on the All-State team, while Kentwood senior defensive lineman La’Mikal Callahan took home Outstanding Defensive Player honors. The All-State teams were selected by sportswriters throughout the state.
    Dartez led Vermilion Catholic to a perfect 14-0 record and a Division IV select state championship. It was Vermilion Catholic’s third state title in school history and first since 2013.
    Dartez dominated throughout the season with 2,761 rushing yards and 44 touchdowns on 348 carries. He averaged 7.9 yards per carry. As a passer, he completed 92-of-146 passes for 1,638 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions. He finished with 177 career touchdowns (a state record) and 13,302 total yards for his career.
    Callahan played a key role in Kentwood’s run to the semifinals this season with 172 tackles, 76 tackles for a loss and 27 sacks. He also recorded 36 quarterback hurries for Kentwood, which finished the season with a 10-4 record.
    Covenant Christian Academy’s Jesse Turner received LSWA Coach of the Year honors in Class 1A. He helped CCA improve from a 4-8 record in 2023 to a 11-1 record in 2024. The Lions finished 10-0 in the regular season for the first time in school history, won their first district title since the 2016 season and advanced to the Division IV select quarterfinals for the second time in school history.
    Local players making the honorable mention list in Class 1A are the following: Alijah Hardy, Basile; Makelin Lemoine, Elton; Marcus LeBlanc, Elton; Jayden Bokemeyer, Oberlin; Kyle Horde, Westminster-Opelousas; Henry Summerlin, St. Edmund; Rowen Bergeron, Opelousas Catholic; Wyatt Dubois, St. Edmund; John Patrick Fruge, St. Edmund; and Brooks Capps, Catholic-Point Coupee.