Select Division IV State Championship Preview: Vermilion Catholic vs. Ouachita Christian

December 7, 2022

by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner

No. 1 Vermilion Catholic (13-0) vs. No. 3 Ouachita Christian (12-1)

Thursday, Dec. 8 | 7 p.m. | Caesars Superdome | New Orleans, LA
Tickets | Watch – NFHS Network ($)

Distance To New Orleans: Ouachita Christian (287 miles), Vermilion Catholic (150 miles)

Vermilion Catholic Eagles

Head Coach: Broc Prejean (3rd year, 29-5)

State Finals History: 2 state titles – 2013 (1A), 2003 (1A)

Road To The Dome:

  • Regional: Beat No. 16 Cedar Creek, 31-7
  • Quarterfinals: Beat No. 9 Southern Lab, 17-7
  • Semi-Finals: Beat No. 4 St. Martin’s, 41-7

The Skinny:

• Vermilion Catholic is making its third state championship appearance and first since 2013. The Eagles have posted seven shutouts and have surrendered just 58 points this season.

Averages: Scoring 41.3 points per game, allowing 4.5 points per game

Signature wins: Erath (Sept. 23); Central Catholic (Oct. 28); Southern Lab (Nov. 25); St. Martin’s (Dec. 2)

Players to watch: RB Travin Moore (5-9, 170); QB Jonathan Dartez (5-8, 160); LB Ashton Belaire (5-11, 185); WR C.J. Briggs (5-8, 165); TE Jake Lege (6-1, 185)

Ouachita Christian Eagles

Head Coach: Steven Fitzhugh (24th season, 239-78)

State Finals History: 7 state titles – 2019 (DIV), 2014 (DIV), 2012 (1A), 2011 (1A), 2000 (2A), 1997 (2A), 1985 (1A); 4 runner-up finishes – 2021 (DIV), 2020 (DIV), 2010 (1A), 1987 (1A)

Road To The Dome:

  • Regional: Beat No. 14 Sacred Heart, 49-0
  • Quarterfinals: Beat No. 6 Glenbrook, 28-27
  • Semi-Finals: Beat No. 10 Ascension Catholic, 42-14

The Skinny:

• Ouachita Christian punched its ticket to the Prep Classic for a fourth consecutive year and is looking for its first title since 2019. The Eagles are one of seven north Louisiana schools participating in state championship weekend.

Averages: Scoring 42.2 points per game, allowing 14.2 points per game

Signature wins: Oak Grove (Sept. 9); St. Frederick (Oct. 6); Glenbrook (Nov. 25); Ascension Catholic (Dec. 2)

Players to watch: QB/DB Landon Graves (6-0, 180); WR/DB Tate Hamby (6-2, 180); RB/LB Noah Lovelady (6-1, 200); WR/DB Broc Hogan (6-2, 180); OL/DL Ben DeVall (6-3, 240)

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