Vermilion Catholic's Dartez finds new home: Nicholls State

Nicholls State football stadium in Thibodaux feels like home for Vermilion Catholic senior Jonathan “JonJon” Dartez. Because of that special feeling, he decided to spend the next four years playing football and getting an education.
Nicholls State offered Dartez a football scholarship and he accepted the offer. Today, (Wednesday), Dartez is expected to sign a letter of intent from Nicholls State.
Nicholls State felt at home because he had played two high school football games there; he practiced in the stadium before this year’s state championship game. He also went to the Manning football camp there a few years ago.
VC played former district foe Covenant Christian twice in Nicholls Stadium,.
So, when he and his father, Darrin, toured the stadium and the athletic facilities, they felt like they were “coming home.”
“I was not nervous at all,” said Dartez about touring the campus. “It was relaxing. It felt like home when I walked into the stadium.  The coaches also made me feel comfortable.”
The Colonels play in the Southland Conference and posted a 4-8 season in 2024.
On his visit, he met with new Nicholls head football coach Tommy Rybacki. Rybacki is starting his first year as the head coach. He was the defensive coordinator at Nicholls for 10 years. 
He replaces Tim Rebowe, who retired from coaching after 10 years at Nicholls State.
Dartez, who stands 5-9, led the Eagles to a perfect 14-0 season in 2024. He ended the season leading the team with 2,761 rushing yards on 348 carries and 44 touchdowns.   He threw for 1,638 yards and 23 touchdowns in the air with a 63% completion rate.
He has rushed for 7,018 yards and threw for 5,000 yards in four years. 
Despite accumulating more than 12,000 yards in the air and on the ground,  one stat never gets any attention.
He has 563 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
Look for Dartez to play a slot receiver in college. It is a position he has always dreamed of playing. He watched his older brother, Saul, play wide receiver at VC.
“I like the way a receiver runs the route. It could be a perfect route,” he said. “Plus, I always thought a receiver  was more fun to watch.”
Dartez is Nicholls State’s 11th committed player heading into the National Signing Day. All 11 are from Louisiana, and four of the 11 are wide receivers.