Newton’s Gabe Foster Commits To McNeese State

After a one-season hiatus, Newton's Foster brothers will be back together.

Senior Newton running back and defensive back Gabe Foster verbally committed to McNeese State on Thursday. He announced the news via Twitter.

Foster's decision will place him on a team alongside his big brother, Calum Foster, in Lake Charles, La.

Gabe Foster chose the Cowboys program in favor of offers from Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana-Monroe, Purdue, Texas State and others.

Newton wrapped up an 8-5 campaign with a third-round loss to Franklin in the Class 3A Division II state playoffs. Franklin went on to make a state championship game appearance.

Gabe Foster helped Newton to a state championship appearance of its own last season as a junior. He missed the latter six games of his senior year due to injury, but he put up 669 rushing yards on 93 carries and averaged 34.8 yards on four kickoff returns.

McNeese State enjoyed an excellent 2015 season. The program went 9-1 during the regular season, won the Southland Conference title and reached the FCS playoffs before bowing out to league rival Sam Houston State in the opening round.

But the Cowboys' sacrifice hasn't been for naught. Sam Houston State will play in the semifinal round Saturday.

Unfortunately, McNeese State's season was so successful that it allowed former head coach Matt Viator to land a job with Louisiana-Monroe. He finished his career in Lake Charles with a 77-33 record, a .570 winning percentage through 10 seasons.

Lance Guidry, formerly the team's defensive coordinator, was promoted to head coach on Wednesday. The new head coach also was a McNeese State defensive back in the early 1990s.

Gabe Foster, like all senior high school football players, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him on Feb. 3.