The Extra Point: Louisiana High School Football Week In Review
by Hunter Bower, GeauxPreps.com Owner
FOOTBALL SCOREBOARD | POWER RATINGS | DISTRICT STANDINGS
LHSAA High School Football Season Kicks Off Hurricane Ravaged Schedule
The Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA) started its 2021 football season last Thursday night with teams across the state facing off in some big-time matchups.
Unfortunately, due to Hurricane Ida, which ravaged the southeast portion of Louisiana. Schools from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to Houma were unable to compete due to the damage sustained from the major storm.
There were close to 70 originally schedules games that were canceled due to the devastation while five games were forfeited due to COVID-19 related issues.
While crews are working night and day to restore power in the affected areas, most schools in the region will most likely have to wait at least another week before strapping the pads on and starting their season.
Champion vs. Champion
Several football programs did not wait long to prepare for the postseason as four games featured defending champions from 2020 facing off against each other.
In the battle of the night, defending Class 5A champion Acadiana slipped past last year’s Class 4A title winner Carencro in a 9-7 affair. Across the way, Madison Prep, the Class 3A champion, knocked off Division II champion St. Thomas More in a 38-35 barnburner.
Below are the season-opening results for last season’s champions:
Class 5A: Acadiana def. Carencro, 9-7
Class 4A: Carencro lost to Acadiana, 9-7
Class 3A: Madison Prep def. St. Thomas More, 38-35
Class 2A: Many lost to Union Parish, 42-32
Class 1A: Oak Grove lost to Mangham, 27-23
Division I: Catholic-BR def. Our Lady of Good Counsel, 38-10
Division II: St. Thomas More lost to Madison Prep, 38-35
Division III: Lafayette Christian def. Westgate, 19-7
Division IV: Calvary Baptist def. Logansport, 47-12
We’re Going Streaking!
Haughton High School extended its home winning streak to 18 games in a 55-49 thriller against Red River.
Richard Clark’s Pine Praire squad snapped a 17-game losing streak with its win over Merryville in the season opener Friday night.
Evangel Christian’s losing streak was extended to 10 games Friday night after the Eagles fell to Mansfield. The losing skid is the longest in the school’s history.
On The Road Again
Catholic of Baton Rouge had the longest road trip in the state last week as the Bears traveled over 1,100 miles to take on one of the top-ranked football teams in the country. Our Lady of Good Counsel, located in Olney, Maryland played host to the Louisiana squad and eventually fell to the Bears.
CHS took advantage of the long road trip and treated its students and staff to a trip into Washington, D.C. where the team toured several key monuments including the Lincoln Memorial.
Within the state, West Monroe took the trip down to Southwest Louisiana where the Rebels played at Sam Houston. The roundtrip totaled close to 400 miles and seven hours.
For The Very First Time
Eighteen newly hired head coaches got their first victories with their new schools last week. Two were especially notable. Richard Clark of Pine Prairie got his first victory in a 49-16 decision over Merryville. Pine Prairie entered the 2021 season riding a 17-game losing streak. At Bogalusa, Cyril Crutchfield led the Lumberjacks to a victory in a high-scoring affair at Franklinton. Crutchfield has now won a game as a head coach at five different Louisiana high schools (Port Sulphur/South Plaquemines, St. Augustine, West Jefferson and Broadmoor).
Beau Chene – Marcques Lewis
Bogalusa – Cyril Crutchfield
Bossier – Deaumonte Johnson
Breaux Bridge – Tank Lotief
Caldwell Parish – Jimmy Sampson
Catholic (BR) – David Simoneaux
Catholic (PC) – Vinnie Bullara
C.E. Byrd – Stacy Ballew
Comeaux – Eric Holden
Hanson Memorial – Ryan Stoute
Kaplan – Cory Brodie
Lafayette Christian – Trev Faulk
Northwood (Lena) – Tommy Moore
Ouachita – Todd Garvin
Pine Prairie – Richard Clark
St. Louis Catholic – Brock Matherne
West Ouachita – Mike Rainwater
Westminster Christian – Travis Blaize
GeauxPreps.com Top Football Performances – Week 1
Offense:
Abbeville running back Blake Saddler rushed for 182 yards and two touchdowns on just nine attempts in a win against St. Mary’s Catholic. Saddler also returned a kickoff 99 yards for paydirt to help extend the lead.
Dunham tailback Kalante returned from an injury sustained last season to rush for 1268 yards on 38 carries along with two touchdowns and helped lead his squad to a 28-14 over Class 3A Parkview Baptist
Hanson Memorial’s Ethan Judice served as a great utility player in Friday night’s victory against St. John. He scored twice on the ground and threw the air with a reception for paydirt. He also returned an interception for the Eagles during the game for a 25-yard return.
Haughton’s Colin Rains was 21-of-31 for 197 yards and four touchdowns in Friday’s 55-49 win at home over Red River. Rains also rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns and also caught one pass for a touchdown.
Highland Baptist’s Jarworski Joseph ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns on 17 attempts in a 21-12 win over Gueydan.
Homer’s Jamarquese Hampton caught 10 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns in Friday night’s exciting battle at North Caddo.
Lafayette Christian’s JuJuan Johnson was 12-of-19 passing for 165 yards and rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries in a 19-7 victory over Westgate.
Lincoln Prep quarterback Tyrell Simmons threw for over 200 yards along with four touchdowns as well as two touchdowns on the ground in a 44-6 victory over Beekman Charter.
Loreauville’s Calep Jacob threw for 80 yards and two touchdowns and ran the ball five times for 148 yards and two touchdowns to help carry his team to a 41-15 victory over Erath.
Parkway’s Jaylan White rushed for 176 yards and one touchdown while also catching a touchdown pass in a 45-14 victory over Minden.
Pine Prairie’s Branson Fontenot was 11-for-13 and passed for 314 yards and five touchdowns and also recorded two touchdowns on the ground to help lead his squad to a 39-16 win over Merryville.
Sterlington’s Trammell Colvin rushed for 310 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries Friday night in a home-opening victory against Loyola Prep.
St. Edmund’s Taylor Daire lit up the scoreboard twice Friday night after rushing for over 225 yards on 25 attempts as the Blue Jays took down Oakdale, 35-8.
Vidalia QB Sema’J Hayes threw for 275 yards on 12 completions for three touchdowns and also scored on the ground in the Viking’s 44-14 win over Sicily Island.
Defense:
Dunham defensive back Colin Boldt made two diving interceptions to help lead the defense in the Tigers’ victory over Parkview Baptist. Boldt saw his first action in a game after being cleared from an injury suffered in a scrimmage during the spring.
Lafayette Christian’s Masey Lewis had nine tackles, 3 tackles for losses and four sacks in a 19-7 victory over Westgate.
Lincoln Prep’s Imani Marcel recorded five tackles, two sacks and even forced two fumbles in the Panthers’ season-opening victory over Beekman Charter.
Four Downs With Bossier Football’s Deaumante Johnson
First Down: In your first game as a head coach, you picked up a convincing victory at Arcadia. Describe to us how it felt and has it all set in yet?
Johnson: It felt great to get that first victory under our best. Our guys prepared well all week for that game and it has all set in on me.
Second Down: What won the game for Bossier in Friday night’s season opener?
Johnson: Our defense played lights out against Arcadia. They forced 5 turnovers and Joesph Manning stepped up and did a great job at quarterback.
Third Down: You turn your attention towards a road trip to Opelousas. What do they bring to the table?
Johnson: Opelousas is bringing a lot to the table, this will be a great test for us. Well coached team with tons of athletes on both sides
Fourth Down: What is the best advice that you have received in your first season as head coach
Johnson: It was a very simple piece of advice… “Complete The Mission”.