Zachary High School wide receiver Ethan Kimmie is a quarterback's best friend and a defensive back's worst nightmare.
The Broncos receiver enters his senior season as a four-star recruit on 247Sports and holds multiple Power Four offers from teams including Florida State, Texas A&M and Kentucky. It doesn't take long watching the 6-foot-4 receiver to understand the hype.
On Wednesday during a 7-on7 game at Zachary, Kimmie lined up at the Madison Prep 35-yard line and sprinted toward the Chargers' end zone. The Madison Prep defensive back assigned to Kimmie stuck to the receiver like glue in coverage, but was overmatched once the ball reached its target.
Kimmie leaped and snagged the ball over the head of the defensive back for a touchdown. The play was nothing new for Kimmie, who had seven receiving touchdowns last year.
Entering his senior season, Kimmie hopes to use his talent to help the team bring home a fifth state title.
Zachary coach David Brewerton sees a big senior season for his wide receiver.
"He's a super-talented kid," Brewerton said. "He's going to have to play a bunch on both sides of the ball for us to enjoy some of the success that we're chasing."
Brewerton said Kimmie's body control and explosiveness for a player his size is special.
"When you see him jump, it's quick, and it's off the ground quick, and his ball skills are good," Brewerton said. "When you pair those things with a 6-4 body and a kid who ran a 4.43 (seconds 40-yard dash), I think at the Under Armour Combine. He's got all the tools that you want there."
If Zachary wants to uphold its standard of contending for titles, Brewerton said Kimmie will have to play a big role.
The Broncos are currently hosting a quarterback position battle between three players. Kimmie is among the returning skill players who will look to make that transition under center smoother.
"I think it certainly takes off pressure of a new quarterback in a system," Brewerton said, "trying to get everything right."
Part of Kimmie's contributions this season will come at cornerback.
Kimmie is a receiver by trade, but he's determined to do whatever it takes to bring a fifth banner to the brick wall of the Bronco Corral.
"The main focus is to win state, and that's what I'm here to do," he said. "I'm just helping out where I can."
Kimmie also sees playing corner as a chance to help him improve as a wide receiver.
"I can learn coverages more," Kimmie said. "I can understand what a DB is looking for, so I wouldn't do that as a receiver."
At receiver, he's spent the offseason working polishing his route running. Brewerton said they've emphasized coming out at the top end of his breaks (and) at the top ends of his routes. He's also improved his route running in the red zone.
The biggest step for Kimmie, though, is his growth as a leader.
"The vocal leadership has got to get better," Brewerton said. "He's more comfortable now in this system and being in this program, so we're starting to see more of that right now."
That's one aspect Kimmie has found challenging, but he's not one to shy away from obstacles.
"Honestly, it's been a little hard because I'm a laid-back personality," he said. "I don't really talk that much; I'm kind of shy. I've just been asking God to give me the courage to speak up."
He's worked to speak up to hold his teammates accountable, but knows he has to hold himself to that same standard.
When Kimmie sees the many great receivers that have come from Louisiana, he hopes to add his name to a long list of legends.
That goal begins with faith and work.
"I see other receivers that are from Louisiana," he said. "I see a lot of them that are in the NFL, producing a lot. I just try to be the best version of myself, and I just hope that God puts me in the position to do that."
He also excels off the football field. In basketball, Kimmie was an LSWA All-State Class 5A honorable mention member, and he was a part of the Broncos squad that won a second straight state title.
Kimmie sees playing other sports as a way to refine his skills. Through it all, Kimmie looks to his faith as the anchor in his life and the key to his success.
"If you don't have faith, then you don't have sight," Kimmie said. "I just feel like I could be gone tomorrow and football can be taken away, so I just thank God for the time that I have."
He hopes hi hard work and faith fuel his goal of winning a state title.
"First teams, all that stuff is nice, but I don't really look at accolades for myself," Kimmie said. "I want to help my team. I want to be on the wall. That's the season that I want."