The talent level in Louisiana, combined with the many college prospects will make it very special to watch 2018 GameTime on YurView.
Aug. 30: Landry Walker at John Curtis
Landry-Walker HS has one of the most exciting football players I saw in 2017 season returning in RB Chad Alexander– 4.3/40 speed and moves to make you just shake your head in excitement for a football player. Alexander will be the key in this matchup because Landry-Walker is rebuilding on the offensive & defensive lines and will face a daunting and improved John Curtis defense, led by one of the best defensive backfields in Louisiana- CB Donald Clay, SS Brenton Clofer and SS Dominic Brown, who will also return punts.
This should be a really great game- Landry-Walker’s speed against a more complete John Curtis team led by their defense.
Sept. 7: Southern Lab at University Lab
These are two of the most storied programs in Baton Rouge over the last 30 years. Each program has had their moments of winning state championships under several different coaches.
U-High might be one of the most talented football programs in the United States. The matchup I am most excited to seeis Southern Lab senior RB and LSU commit Tyrion Davis going up against U-High senior LB and Clemson commit Bryton Constantin, one of the top linebackers in the country.
Blessed to receive an invite and COMMIT to play in the Under Armour All-American Game‼️ #IWILL pic.twitter.com/TJdmIb4Eqk
— 🏴Bryton Constantin (@Kxng_Bryton) July 20, 2018
Constantin is 6-3, 230 pounds and runs a 4.65/40. Davis is the best running back to come out of Louisiana since Derrius Guice (Catholic High/LSU/Washington Redskins) and Leonard Fournette (St. Augustine/LSU/Jacksonville Jaguars). He runs with size, speed, and finishes runs like the top players in college football do. At 6-1, 220 pounds, Davis can run a 4.4/40. It’s like running a 4.2/40 at 190 pounds.
The matchup of the game will be linebackers Constantin, Leland Jones, (6-1, 210), and the rest of the U-High defensive front against Tyrion Davis and backup running back Charvis Thornton, who is arguably the best backup running back in the country. There are some great backup running backs in other states such as Florida, Texas, and California, but he is a big time back that has the ability to play at LSU. Thornton is 6-1, 205 pounds and runs a 4.5/40. Southern Lab’s offensive line goes 300 across the board led by LSU commit Kardell Thomas (6-3, 330) as well as U-High’s offensive and defensive line. It will be interesting to see how U-High senior QB John Gordon McKernan throws the ball against a talented cornerback in Kendarius Moses (6-3, 180), three talented linebackers led by Marlon Corey (6-1, 235), and the talented defensive line that features Tyler Guidry (6-5, 240), Tyshawn Howard (6-4, 290), and Christopher Welch (6-3, 290). The Kittens may have the best defensive line in the state. Don’t forget the skill position players from U-High, including Texas A&M commit Christian Harris (6-1, 225), Georgia commit Makiya Tongue (6-2, 210), and CB Jordan Clark (5-9, 170).
These are two of the best offensive lines, defensive lines, skill position groups, and defensive backfields in the Louisiana. You might see ten of the nation’s top 100 players in this game alone. U-High has the advantage as the better team, but if Southern Lab plays to their ability, this could go either way and not many teams can say that – especially after U-High defeated three state champions last year in Zachary High School, West Feliciana High School, and Catholic High School.
Sept. 8: Escambia at Rummel
This is a very evenly matched game between one of Florida’s most talent-rich schools and one of the best football programs in the New Orleans area for the last 15 years.
Escambia must overcome the loss of their star WR Jacob Copeland, (who signed with the Florida Gators) and several other star players, and Rummel also lost their star WR Jamarr Chase to LSU.
Rummel will be very exciting with the duo of junior WR Koy Moore, 6-1 180 4.45/40 and senior QB Chandler Fields, a current commitment to the ULL Ragin’ Cajuns. The Rummel defense is much improved, and I predict as many as six kids playing college football one day from this defense. The game will be a tough battle till the end.
This one for the city , only Kenner knows what this mean , this one for you @officialjoejet
✅USC
✅Earned
✅Offered#ripjoemcknight #fighton #trojans pic.twitter.com/5JTUAmK5gu— Koy Moore 🇲🇦 (@asap_koy) June 21, 2018
Sept. 14: West Feliciana at Live Oak
West Feliciana is coming off a brilliant season, winning their first state championship in school history in 2017, and Live Oak just keeps making the playoffs as one of the tougher programs in Baton Rouge.
This matchup will feature the speed of West Feliciana, which lost 4,500 yards of total offense and several players to college- but returns WR Khari Morrison (6-1 180) who has a chance to be a 1,000 yard wide receiver. Former DB/RB Clayton Howard moves to QB with 4.45/40 speed.
Live Oak counters with a big time power offense with RB Hagen Long, one of the toughest runners you will see in Louisiana along with power back Kee Hawkins (5-11 225) and QB Sal Palermo (6-2 210) also likes to run a lot.
This will be a tough challenge for a young but talented West Feliciana defense. Live Oak has the more complete team on paper, but West Feliciana will surprise a lot of people because they still have the talent to be very good.
Sept. 21: Notre Dame at Catholic of New Iberia
These two teams know each other very well- playing during the regular season in 2017, Notre Dame won and in the state championship game they met again with Catholic-New Iberia coming out on top.
Notre Dame lost 20 starters from 2017, and will have to grow up quickly – but they return some talent in RB Noah Bourgeois, one of the state’s best kickers John William Lamm (6-2 180) and one of the best safeties in Jacob Dore.
Catholic-N.I. will be rebuilding on offense, and look to be led by their strong defense. Look for LB Armon Leblanc, FS/LB Peter LeBlanc and MLB Marlon Brown to have a big game. This is one of the best units in Acadiana at LB.
These two teams will play at another level when they face each other, and Notre Dame will be looking for a chance to upset a more experienced Catholic-N.I. team. It should be a close game, with two young offenses and two proven defenses.
Oct. 5: St. Amant at Catholic of Baton Rouge
Catholic High School won the Class 5A State Title in 2017 and lost a lot of talent, but what people might not understand outside the program is that they are returning just as much talent.
Catholic will return the leader of the team in QB Cameron Dartez (6-0 195,) D-1 TE Brandon Hubicz (6-3 235), talented WR Forest Roy and a ton more with a big offensive line. The Catholic defense will have two potential All-State players back in FS Jonathan Mestayer (6-1 175 4.5/40, big time hitter) and DE Elijah Reames (6-3 245 with over 18 Sacks in 2017).
St. Amant will counter with a huge offensive line led by the biggest Center in Louisiana, 6-3, 340-pound Kenneth Beau Gremillion and a stout DE Johnny Johnson along with big strong DT Brandon Bell 6-3 290, one of the best in the state.
This game will be a tough, hard-hitting 60 minutes of football and what might be the difference is which team makes the fewest mistakes. Catholic has a better team on paper, but St. Amant always plays Catholic tough every year.
Oct. 12: Teurlings Catholic at St. Thomas More
These two teams know each other off the field as well as anyone in the state. Some of these kids live in the same neighborhoods, and grew up playing together pre-high school in organized football.
St. Thomas More, if healthy, has a chance to be a great team with no weaknesses. Teurlings will be rebuilding on offense and will be led by their tough defense.
St. Thomas More has one of the best offenses in the state led by young D-1 QB Caleb Holstein, WR Deon Senegal (4-45/40), RB Sidney London, and Athlete William Cryer (4.45/40). Teurlings will counter with a strong front seven lead by LB Garret Russo (5-10 210), DE Kameron Caillier (6-0, 245 ) and big time OT Thomas Perry (6-7 315). The key to this game is if a young new starting QB for Teurlings can have a decent game, and whether St. Thomas More can run the ball .
Excited to have received my first offer from Louisiana Tech University. Honored to be even mentioned with the list of great QB’s they’ve produced. Great school, great opportunity. @CoachTimRattay @CoachTFitch @LATechFB pic.twitter.com/nO0NwSTPmE
— Caleb Holstein (@caleb_holstein6) February 7, 2018
Oct. 19: Northeast at Dunham
One of the best kept secrets in Louisiana for a Class 2A program will be the offense of Northeast High School, led by three incredible players- WR Johnny Selders (4.45/40), WR Jascent Scott (6-2 180, 4.4/40) and QB Rystaun Steel a 6-2 210 specimen for a QB with 4.6/40 speed.
Dunham will counter with one of the most talented teams they have ever had, led by one of the best CB’s in the country who doubles as a WR -Derek Stingley (6-0 195 4.4/40), RB Traylan Mouton 5-8 200, WR/LB BJ Lewis and CB/WR Jordan Roberson. This could be a high scoring game among two really skilled programs.
Oct. 26: Central at Denham Springs
Central will be much improved in 2018, but still more of a skilled Class 5A team that is not very big for its Class 5A size. Denham Springs will be the opposite, very big in the offensive line averaging over 270 pounds per player, and returning a big time strong-armed QB in Luke Lansford.
Central counters with WR Le’Derrick Thomas (6-1 170 4.45/40), Athlete Parker Evans (6-3 215 4.5/40), and WR/RB Jacoby Putman (5-9 165 4.45/40).
Denham Springs has one of the best kickers in Louisiana, Jose Ortega (6-1 220). Central counters with two big time defensive players in LB Drew Lasseigne (6-3 220) who also won a state title as a pitcher in baseball for Central. Joining him is Southern Lab LB Transfer Anthony Shaffer (6-1 210).
This game should be like a heavyweight fight and I would not be shocked if there are a lot of points scored. Kicker Ortega could end up being the difference in the end.
Nov. 2: Kentwood at Southern Lab
What a matchup! Class 1A’s best skill team in the state in Kentwood, and the most talented Class 1A roster in Louisiana both in size and speed in Southern Lab.
Kentwood will feature the return of RB Larry Carter, (1,647 yards rushing with 25 TDS in 2017) and one of the best skill players in Louisiana- WR/CB Tre Palmer (6-1 185 4.40/40).
The difference in the game might be Southern Lab wearing down a much smaller team. Lab also has two huge defensive lineman D-1 players in Chris Welch (6-3 290) and Tyshawn Howard (6-4 282). The key here is for Kentwood to get big plays on this giant Lab team, and not to let RB Davis beat you. These programs will be big-time ready for the game, and it should be a great one.
Lee Brecheen is a Baton Rouge native covering High School & College Football since 1991. Owner of Louisiana Football Magazine since 1996. To find out more about these high school teams and more visit lafootballmagazine.com.
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