The Plain Dealing Lions advanced all the way to the state quarter finals last season, and head coach James Thurman thinks they could be right back there this year in November. 

The Lions return 13 starters from last years team that upset 4th ranked Oberlin in the 2nd round of the playoffs. 

They feel it’s that experience that could make them dangerous in 2017.

James Thurman said, “To go down and play Oberlin, and beat them, the number four team ranked in the state at the time. It really gives those guys a chance to know what it’s like to be in a big game, and when you’re facing the Haynesvilles and people like that, it’s not quite as big of a task because you’ve been battle tested a little bit.”

Shavolyea McKinney said, “We’ve got some pretty good receivers, and we’ve got some heavy runners. Me and Zamadre Oliver in the backfield, so, then we’ve got big Markel Henderson to run behind, so we’re ready for it.”

Plain Dealing opens the season next Friday when they play host to University Academy.