LAFAYETTE — St. Thomas More's seniors sat inside the Super Dome in 2016, just freshman watching STM win a state title.
"I remember that day like it was yesterday. I think about it all the time," said senior defensive end Cameron Cannon.
Last season the Cougars returned to the dome, but didn't get to celebrate in a wild 55-46 loss to University High in the state championship. Plain and simple it's championship or bust for STM's seniors this time around.
The Cougars will be a favorite in Division II. Senior quarterback Caleb Holstein returns after smashing the school's passing records last season. The Harvard commit threw for nearly 3,800 yards and 47 touchdowns. The STM offense averaged nearly 60-points-per-game.
STM returns five starters on defense and could be the early rock for Jim Hightower's team. The offense brings back little experience and replaces a majority of Holestein's top targets.
"We lost two 1,000 yard receivers who were pretty good. Grant Arceneaux is as good as we've had the last decade," said Hightower. "I think the potential is there to have pretty good receivers, but right now it's just potential."
"We might even just as good or be better at the receiver position," said Holstein. "We have Jack Bech, Grant Arceneaux's little brother, who I think is even more athletic.... We throw all the time. We had a lot of 7-on-7s and that's all about developing chemistry and I think we've done a good job at that."
2018 Record: 11-2
District: 5-4A
Head Coach: Jim Hightower
Notes: Favored to win Division II