St. Augustine Is Ready To Kick Off Their First Campaign Under Head Coach Nick Foster

Written by Kyle Valdez

The Purple Knights have plenty of playmakers across the field and should be one of many competitive teams in District 9-5A's Catholic League.

Foster is entering his first season as a head coach after spending six seasons as an assistant to Brice Brown at Edna Karr. Foster, similar to his time at Karr, will have one of the most talented rosters in the state at his disposal.

"St. Aug has always had really good athletes over the years, but now it's just about taking my past experiences & utilizing it the right way to fit this program," Foster said. "I'm excited about the group I have over here & I'm confident we can win right now."

The Purple Knights will take on 5A powerhouse Zachary week one to kickoff the season & then they'll start catholic league play next week against John Curtis. 

"One thing I learned over the years is if you want your program to get to a certain standard, you can't shy away from the best teams in the state," Foster said. "I'll play anybody anywhere because that's what good programs believe in. Competing in the catholic league is going to be real competitive, but that's what we want.  As a competitor you shouldn't want things to be easy & that's something I've been instilling in my kids since I took this job."

​Byron Turner Jr. will play a huge role at defensive end. At 6-3, 235 pounds, Turner collected numerous offers from power five schools and committed to FSU in August.

Also on the defensive side of the ball, Edward Gilds and Lucius Tillery will play the secondary as the cornerbacks. Gilds is listed 5-10, 185 pounds, and has recently committed to McNeese State. Tillery has received college interest from Lamar University and New Mexico State.

Kendell Sampson Jr. will be under center for the Purple Knights again this season. The talented senior quarterback showed impressive arm strength at practice and has the weapons around him to compete for a win every week

Among those weapons, will be running back Shan Brooks Jr., receiver Tylie Keasley, and receiver Javen Nicholas.

​Despite experiencing a highly successful regular season and losing a heartbreaker by one point to Rummel last season, the Purple Knights have higher hopes than a first-round exit this year. Combine the coaching staff and the roster, the Purple Knights will certainly be in the mix come playoff time.