Kaplan seniors help make football history

KAPLAN - While there were a lot of tears flowing after the Kaplan Pirates lost to Amite, 20-12, in the Class 3A semifinals, there were a few smiles to be found.
In the center of the field after the game, head coach Stephen Lotief told his team how proud he was of their accomplishments.
When the crowd thinned out, and it was mainly the seniors still left on the field hugging and crying, one fan tried to put the season in perspective.
A lady walked up to a group of seniors and she told them how proud she was of this football team. They accomplished something that only one other Kaplan team has done in 31 years - reach the semifinals.
“Hold your heads up. Y’all made history at Kaplan. Ya’ll made me happy when I came to the game each Friday.”
Comforting words for 10 seniors to hear after the season had just ended.
Senior Victor Persilver, an offensive line and defensive line for KHS, has a lot to remember about the 13-1 year.
“I am going to remember all my brothers I fought with every game,” said Persilver. “I will never forget how made each other better, at the same time, kicking the heck out of each during practice.”
Kaplan head coach Stephen Lotief only wanted to talk positive about the historical year. He did not want to harp on the loss.
‘We had one heck of a run this season,” said Lotief, who just completed his best season ever as a head coach. “We played Amite close, but if we make a play here or there, we win.”
Lotief said he will remember his 10 seniors, who have been with the team for four years. In the last two years, the Kaplan seniors helped post a 22-5 record, along with a quarterfinal appearance and a semifinal appearance.
“These seniors stuck it out and brought the team with them. I am so proud of them,” Lotief added.
The seniors are Daniel Lotief (3), Julius Johnson (11), Ridge Herpin (30), Adam Gaspard (32), Payton Gaspard (90), Jerrick Romero (60), Hunter Vincent (72), Victor Stelly (66), Victor Persilver (69) and Gage Marceaux (84).