Jeremiah Boudreaux Is Back And Ready To Lead Vikes Outdoors!

It's hard to keep a good man down.

Exhibit A is Airline's Jeremiah Boudreaux, who suffered a broken leg in the Vikings' 42-28 win over district 1-5A rival C.E. Byrd during the 2023 football season.

After a dynamic 2023 outdoor track and field campaign, which ended with a silver medal in the LHSAA Class 5A State Outdoor high jump (6-7.5), Boudreaux carried the momentum over into the football season where he began to collect more honors and accolades as a defensive back for the Vikings.

 Boudreaux was noticed by coaches on the West Squad for the LFCA/LHSCA I-20 Bowl and accepted an invitation to play in the all-star game before the injury on October 20th sidelined him from any post-season action. 

Always one to carry a smile on his face, Boudreaux simply went back to work. The rehabilitation wasn't easy, but Boudreaux pushed through the pain in order to get back on track.

Remarkably, Boudreaux made his return at the LSU Last Chance Qualifier. He competed in the high jump and jumped 6-5 finishing fourth. He followed that up with a podium finish at the LHSAA State Indoor Championships where he finished third with a jump of 6-6. 

"It's definitely been hard," Boudreaux said of the rehabilitation process after his opener. "Conditioning has been hard. My coach has been trying to ease me back into jumping. This week we only got my marks. She didn't want to push it and do too much."

His quick recovery did not surprise his football coach. 

"He's a very focused kid that is willing to do the little things to make sure that he is successful," Airline head football coach Justin Scogin said. "Whether it's in sports, school, or rehabbing from an injury, he is going to get the job done."

Boudreaux will open his outdoor season tomorrow at Benton High School's Shomocus Patton Memorial Relays. 

He will be one of the favorites in the 110m hurdles along with Haughton's Tyler Stewart in the 110m hurdles.  Boudreaux will also face a quality field in the high jump where he is scheduled to compete against Benton's Mark Perry and North DeSoto's Javonte Taylor. 

"I'm really excited for the upcoming outdoor season and the return of Jeremiah Boudreaux," Airline head coach Schirra Fields said. "A month ago, we really weren't sure how soon he would be back after his injury, but he has been working in rehab and slowly getting back to form. I think I knew he was ready when he cleared 6-5 at the Last Chance Qualifier."

But it hasn't been just his athletic prowess which has impressed Fields.

"Overall, I've seen more drive and focus in him as well as taking on more of a leadership role within the team," Fields said. "The guys really look up to him and he has embraced having that responsibility. I'm looking forward to a great season for Jeremiah and the Vikings."

College coaches who recruited Boudreaux saw the same thing during the recruiting process, which culminated with the two-sport star signing with the University of Central Arkansas for track and field. 

Other Vikings to watch at the Shamocus Patton Memorial Relays include LaDarius Epps, Jayden Williams, and LZion Smith. 

Epps (22.25) is favored to win the 200m with a seeded time of 22.25. Williams (4:40) is seeded No. 3 in the 1600m. Smith (15.35, 41.15) is seeded No. 3 in the 110h hurdles  and No. 2 in the 300m hurdles. 

As strong as the boys' team is, the Lady Vikings might be even stronger. 

Coach Angel Turnbow's team is favored to win in every event on the track from the 100m through the 800m. Jaycie Wallace (12.45) is the No. 2 seed in the girls' 100m. Kezyriah Sykes (25.85, 15.90) is the No. 1 seed in both the 200m and 100m hurdles. Elena Heng (1:01, 2:25) is favored to win both 400m and 800m. 

Here are a few other Athletes to Watch...

DEVON OLIVER (Parkway) - Coming off an impressive indoor season in the shot put where he finished No. 2 in the LHSAA State Indoor Championships in the shot put with a throw of 52-9.25. This will be his first meet of the year in his specialty--the discus-where he is defending LHSAA Class 5A state champion (163-2.25).

JEFFERY KING (Benton) - King, with a season best of 194-10 in 2023, is ranked No. 2 in the state among returners in the javelin. He only trails Catholic's Paul Catalanatto. King won his first eight meets in 2023 before finishing with a couple of runner-up finishes at the Region 1-5A Meet and the LHSAA Class 5A State Outdoor Championships. 

ANIYA HILL (Haughton) - The Haughton Lady Buc, who recently signed with the University of Louisiana Lafayette is scheduled to compete in the discus and shot put. Hill finished No. 13 in the nation at the USAT Junior Olympics in the discus. She had a season best of 147-0 at the Bossier Parish Championships in 2023. She is the No. 1 seed in both the discus and the shot put (36-7). 

SADIE HAMBY (Benton) - Hamby signed with the University of Central Arkasas during the early signing period. Hamby is the No. 1 seed in the javelin (123-9) and the No. 2 seed in both the discus and the shot put. 

SPENCER FRIERSON (C.E. Byrd) - Frierson is favored to win both the 1600m (5:29) and 3200m (11:49).