Iberia Parish Council honors Catholic High Panthers after 2024 Division 3 state title

The Iberia Parish Council unanimously adopted a special agenda expansion on Dec. 18 to formally congratulate Catholic High School’s Panthers for winning the 2024 LHSAA Division 3 Select state championship. Coach Matt Desimo, introduced as assistant principal and head football coach, spoke to the council about the team’s dedication and sportsmanship, and introduced several senior players.

"These guys worked their butts off all year long representing us," Desimo said, thanking the New Iberia community for support and noting the players’ resilience through injuries and late-game comebacks. He named multiple senior players by number and position and emphasized the team’s daily commitment to practice and mutual support.

Council members across districts praised the team’s on-field performance and community representation. One council member called the Panthers "underdogs" who nevertheless "played as a team and got the job done," while others emphasized the coaches’ leadership and the lessons younger students can draw from the seniors’ example.

The council opened a public hearing for the expansion, played a video and then read and adopted the congratulatory resolution without objection. The action was procedural and ceremonial; no policy or budgetary changes were proposed as part of the resolution.

The council encouraged attendees to clear the chamber after the recognition and moved on to other agenda items.