History can be made more ways than one in this week’s Gametime Game of the Week on YurView Louisiana. It’s a Division III semifinal matchup as the second seeded Newman Greenies host the third seed Catholic High of New Iberia Panthers.
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A win for Newman and they are in the state championship game for the first time in school history. It will also mark win number 100 for their 12-year head coach Nelson Stewart.
Their highly accurate quarterback, Martin Butcher, is just 53 yards shy of breaking Peyton Manning’s school record for passing yards in a season. Butcher has thrown 2,652 yards, 29 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. He’s completed nearly 70% of his passes.
He has four receivers capable of having a big game. Speedy Murray Calhoun leads the team with 59 catches for 879 yards and 9 touchdowns.
On defense, Newman has a future SEC player in Brandon Williams, who has already set the school’s all-time sack record as a sophomore, with 16 sacks. The Greenies also have an experienced secondary led by cornerback William Reynoir, who has four interceptions.
But this Newman defense will have its hands full against this Catholic High Wing-T offense that’s averaging 51 points a game. They’ve scored 40 or more points in all but two games. Since losing to Notre Dame in week 4, Coach Brent Indest has simplified things on offense and it’s led to better results.
One of the state’s top prospects, Quarterback Diallo Landry, leads the Panthers attack. He’s thrown for 1,246 yards and 14 touchdowns and has rushed for 564 yards and 12 scores.
The speedy Jadan Stokes has rushed for 1,236 yards and 19 touchdowns as he’s averaging 12 yards a carry. Because Catholic blew out most of its competition, Stokes has fresh legs for this semifinal contest.
You also can’t forget about Ben Landry. He has 14 touchdowns rushing to go along with 691 yards on the ground. Peter LeBlanc is one of the best receivers in Acadiana and has caught 33 passes for 720 yards for 10 touchdowns.
Catholic New Iberia vs Isidore Newman: What You Need to Know
On defensive side of the ball, Catholic is allowing 15 points a game and four times this season, they’ve shutout their opponent.
Catholic has Newman’s number in the postseason. The Panthers beat the Greenies 49-21 in the quarterfinals last season and Catholic also a victory over Newman in 2014. That win propelled the Panthers into the 2014 state championship game where they lost to Calvary Baptist 27-24.
The Panthers have not won a state title since 1962, when they beat Ferriday 13-0 for the 1A Championship.
The two head coaches are also very good friends. Both are coaching at their alma maters and they talk frequently.
Expect a lot of points, big plays and momentum changing turnovers in this one. Join us on Friday night for the Louisiana Farm Bureau Insurance Companies Countdown to Gametime at 6:30. Kick-off from Newman High School in New Orleans is at 7 PM.
