Our Week 7 matchup of GameTime features two Baton Rouge teams in the need of a victory as they seek a spot in the Division I playoffs. The Woodlawn Panthers are 2-and-4, while the Liberty Magnet Patriots are 1-and-4, but despite those records these two schools are very much alive for a playoff spot.
According to the LHSAA’s power point system, Woodlawn is ranked 19th in Division 1 select, while Liberty is 26th. The top 24 teams will make the playoffs, so the postseason is attainable for both.
Liberty reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4A playoffs last season, but the Patriots are not finding much success this year after winning nine games last season.
The Patriots have played nearly the entire season without LSU commitment and star running back Kaleb Jackson who injured his ankle in week one. There’s a chance Jackson returns this Friday against Woodlawn. That would be a big boost for a Liberty offense that already has several playmakers.
You alr know gang 💛💜 https://t.co/4gLetKniTq
— Kaleb Jackson (@Kaleb_TheGreat) August 22, 2022
Khylan Gross is a dynamic dual-threat QB who was a second-team All-state selection last season. He’s coming off a game in which he threw for 207 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Catholic last week.
Gross has some good athletes at wide receiver. Braylon Geurin is dangerous in the open field, while Javontez Colar and Cody Rucker are excellent track athletes who have big play potential on the football field.
With Jackson out, sophomore Tra’lan Sept has stepped up and is showing he’ll be a special player.
— Richard Mckneely (@RichardM_7) October 10, 2022
There’s also Richard McKneely, who is one of the best athletes in the capital city. He had a long touchdown run against Loranger this season and while he plays a ton on defense, he’ll come in on offense to give Sept a breather.
There are no seniors on Liberty’s offensive line, but sophomore Cayson Hill has really stepped up and junior Keydron Holliday is having a good season.
Liberty’s defense features two outstanding linebackers in Dylan Aubert and Jordan Okoye. Both average over ten solo tackles per game.
Liberty’s secondary also has standout players in Richard McKneely, who will line-up all over the field. Free safety Keelan Reason had seven interceptions last season. Cornerback Amare Bradley held up well last week as he went up against five-star wide receiver Shelton Sampson of the Catholic Bears.
Liberty’s defense will need to tackle well in space when they face Woodlawn, who has a talented group of skill position players led by LSU commit and quarterback Rickie Collins.
— Rickie J.Collins (@RickieJCollins1) October 6, 2022
Collins likes getting the ball to Clayton Adams who had ten catches in a tough-three-point loss to St. James two weeks ago.
Four-year starter Tramon Douglas brings speed to the wide receiver position, while running back Jay’veon Haynes also has plenty of speed as he’s committed to the Ragin Cajuns.
Collins not only throws a nice ball, but he’s a threat to run the ball and that’s been a big part of Woodlawn’s offense this year.
The Woodlawn defense features Tennessee commitment Jordan Matthews in the defensive secondary. But very few teams try to challenge Matthews who is ranked as the 7th best player in the state of Louisiana for the class of 2023 by on3.com.
Dezary Delmore is another savvy player in the secondary that’s headed to Southern Missouri.
It’s a game appears to be an even match-up and a victory will go a long way towards solidifying a playoff spot.
Join us for all of the action at 7 PM on Cox Cable 4 and yurview.com.
