St. Thomas More Cougars
2017 Record: 11-2
How it Happened: Behind one of the top STM defenses in years, the Cougars charged into the state semifinals, where St. Thomas More fell 28-14 to De La Salle
In 2017 St. Thomas More’s defense allowed just 13-points-per-game. The best points against mark since 2013. But this is probably the end of our conversations on STM’s defense. It’s not because we expect regression, although the Cougars only return one defensive starter, but the offense might be bonkers (and I don’t throw that term around loosely.) Junior quarterback Caleb Holstein is a top-25 Louisiana prospect in the class of 2020. While he saw growing pains at times in 2017, he flourished into one of Acadiania’s top passers. This season STM added Carencro transfer Deion Senegal, a 6-fooot-3-inch star who will be Holstein’s top receiver. STM also returns a pair of running backs who combined for over 1,000 yards last year polishing off one of Division II’s top offenses.