With so many local teams in St. Landry and Evangeline Parish, the talent never seems to end.

So where do all these players go after their four years in high school? Many have gone on to become college students without the "athlete" title attached to their name anymore.

However, some have captured that elusive "student-athlete" label, which is not an easy task to claim.

Port Barre High School graduate Dusty Mack is one of those high school athletes who made it to the college level. He walked on to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as a tightend. He played center and defensive end in high school though.

Mack is a 6-foot-3-inch, 215-pound junior at UL. He wears No. 80 and redshirted his first year.

Port Barre football coach Mac Mistric said he remembers Mack very well.

"Dusty is a fine kid," Mistrict remarked. "He was a straight-A student and very well mannered."

In fact, the high school coach said he is the kind of player you want 10 more like him on the field at all times.

"He's doing well (at UL.) I haven't spoken to him in a couple of weeks, but I was able to speak to his older brother and mom and they are very excited for him," Mistrict said.

Mack is the son of Craig and Stephanie Mack.

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By Chrissy Smith • csmith@dailyworld.com • September 7, 2008