CURTIS FALLS TO CATHOLIC IN FINAL SECONDS, 38-35
Da Boot Sports
11/25/2023
By: Terrill J. Weil
BATON ROUGE, LA - BATON ROUGE – Everyone knew this would be an epic contest between two high school football giants on Friday night and that's exactly what the quarterfinal contest turned out to be.
Catholic scored on the final play to take down the John Curtis Patriots in dramatic fashion, 38-35 when
Daniel Beale hit Brooks Wright with a 15-yard touchdown pass with two seconds remaining.
Daniel Beale, has an outstanding ball game, accounting for all six touchdowns for the Bears.
“This is what our program is about, getting over tough circumstances and we fight , scratch, and claw to do our part and our team showed it tonight,” Catholic coach Hudson Fuller said.
The Bears took the early lead, taking advantage of a Curtis fumble by driving 25 yards culminating with Beale hitting Brooks Wright on a 11-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 with 2:36 to play in the first quarter.
John Curtis quickly answered as Dagan Bruno hit Tyler Mitchell on a 34-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 by the end of the first quarter.
The Patriots took their first lead, 14-7 lead in the second quarter on an 8-yard run by Marlon Prout.
After a Catholic 25-yard field goal pulled the Bears to within14-10, Jason Gabriel scored on a one yard touchdown run to give the Patriots a 21-10 halftime lead.
Catholic scored in the 3rd quarter to pull to within 21-16 on a 2-yard run by Beale. The two point conversion attempt failed.
The Patriots extended their lead to 28-16 lead on a 22-yard pass from Bruno to Michael Turner.
Beale would then find Bradley Wright on an 18-yard touchdown pass to cut the Curtid lead to 28-23 in the 4th quarter.
Catholic then scored on a one yard touchdown run by Beale after recovering an onside kick to retain possession. A successful two point conversion gave Catholic a 31-28 lead with 3:51 to play in the contest.
The Patriots fought back, responding with an 85 yard, nine play drive, culminating with a one yard touchdown plunge by Bruno giving Curtis a 35-31 lead with just 41 seconds remaining on the clock.
Catholic now advances to the semifinals and will host host the Rummel Raiders.
With the loss, John Curtis finishes the 2023 season with a 8-3 record.
11/25/2023
By: Terrill J. Weil
BATON ROUGE, LA - BATON ROUGE – Everyone knew this would be an epic contest between two high school football giants on Friday night and that's exactly what the quarterfinal contest turned out to be.
Catholic scored on the final play to take down the John Curtis Patriots in dramatic fashion, 38-35 when
Daniel Beale hit Brooks Wright with a 15-yard touchdown pass with two seconds remaining.
Daniel Beale, has an outstanding ball game, accounting for all six touchdowns for the Bears.
“This is what our program is about, getting over tough circumstances and we fight , scratch, and claw to do our part and our team showed it tonight,” Catholic coach Hudson Fuller said.
The Bears took the early lead, taking advantage of a Curtis fumble by driving 25 yards culminating with Beale hitting Brooks Wright on a 11-yard touchdown pass to make it 7-0 with 2:36 to play in the first quarter.
John Curtis quickly answered as Dagan Bruno hit Tyler Mitchell on a 34-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 by the end of the first quarter.
The Patriots took their first lead, 14-7 lead in the second quarter on an 8-yard run by Marlon Prout.
After a Catholic 25-yard field goal pulled the Bears to within14-10, Jason Gabriel scored on a one yard touchdown run to give the Patriots a 21-10 halftime lead.
Catholic scored in the 3rd quarter to pull to within 21-16 on a 2-yard run by Beale. The two point conversion attempt failed.
The Patriots extended their lead to 28-16 lead on a 22-yard pass from Bruno to Michael Turner.
Beale would then find Bradley Wright on an 18-yard touchdown pass to cut the Curtid lead to 28-23 in the 4th quarter.
Catholic then scored on a one yard touchdown run by Beale after recovering an onside kick to retain possession. A successful two point conversion gave Catholic a 31-28 lead with 3:51 to play in the contest.
The Patriots fought back, responding with an 85 yard, nine play drive, culminating with a one yard touchdown plunge by Bruno giving Curtis a 35-31 lead with just 41 seconds remaining on the clock.
Catholic now advances to the semifinals and will host host the Rummel Raiders.
With the loss, John Curtis finishes the 2023 season with a 8-3 record.
*John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior)
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The company who cares for your heart and what your heart cares for!!
Cardio Health Solutions (CHS) utilizes PET and CPET technology to detect all forms of cardiovascular disease even in its earliest stage. We also provide financing, support, and management services to practices interested in exploring the functional capacity of their patients through detection and ancillary imaging.
GEAUX to https://www.cardiohealthsolutions.net/ for more information, or call 1-800-578-0654
DA BOOT SPORTS SUPPORTS AUTISM AWARENESS
Oak Grove continues dominance, downing Haynesville for fourth title in five years
Da Boot Sports
12/8/2023
Courtsey of crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trehan
NEW ORLEANS – The second verse was a virtual repeat of the first verse.
Third-seeded Oak Grove dominated from start to finish in a 62-36 victory over fourth-seeded Haynesville in the Non-Select Division I state championship game Thursday evening at the Caesars Superdome.
It is the fourth state championship in five seasons for Oak Grove and it was the third straight one-sided win over its north Louisiana rival.
Oak Grove hammered Haynesville 61-27 at home in the regular season on Oct. 6. The Tigers also drilled the Golden Tornado 48-7 in the 2022 semifinals.
Quarterback Jackson Bradley, a Louisiana Tech commit, and running back Jay Freeman each rushed for three touchdowns as the Tigers punished the Golden Tornado with 401 yards rushing. Bradley rushed 23 times for 211 yards, earning Most Outstanding Player honors while Freeman had 23 carries for 173 yards.
The Tigers also took advantage of three turnovers by Haynesville.
Oak Grove got a good kickoff return to start the game and took advantage of excellent field position, driving 47 yards in five plays with quarterback Jackson Bradley scoring on a 29-yard run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
Haynesville answered and it looked like it could be a good game as the Golden Tornado drove 80 yards in five plays with Isiah Washington connecting with JerMarquis Hampton on a 53-yard touchdown pass and it was 7-7 with 7:34 to play in the first quarter.
The optimism for Haynesville was short-lived.
Oak Grove ripped off the next 34 points to break the game open.
Termarques Pritchard returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.
Spencer Foster then forced and recovered a fumble by Alonzo Jackson at the Haynesville 39-yard line.
That led to a 6-yard touchdown run by Jay Freeman and it was 21-7 with 3:01 to play in the first quarter.
After getting a stop, Bradley raced 69 yards for a score on the first play of the next Oak Grove possession to make it 28-7 with 53 seconds to play in the first quarter.
The Tigers drove 54 yards in nine plays with Freeman scoring on a 2-yard run to give Oak Grove a 35-7 lead with 7:55 to play in the half.
James Harris intercepted a Washington pass to set Oak Grove up at the Haynesville 9-yard line and three plays later, Bradley scored from eight yards out and it was 41-7 after the extra point was blocked.
Haynesville ended the run when Byruss Burns broke a 68-yard touchdown run and Washington hit Jackson for the 2-point conversion to make it 41-15 by halftime.
The Golden Tornado pulled within 41-23 when Washington scored on a 12-yard run with 1:44 to play in the third quarter. Washington ran in the 2-point conversion.
Haynesville tried an onside kick, Oak Grove recovered, and the Tigers drove 49 yards in five plays with Freeman breaking free on a 31-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 48-23 with two seconds left in the third quarter.
Temarques Pritchard picked off a Washington pass and returned it to the Haynesville 22-yard line.
That led to another score as Freeman recovered a Bradley fumble in the end zone to give the Tigers a 55-23 lead with 10:04 to play in the game.
Haynesville answered with a 60-yard drive in five plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Washington to make it 55-29 with 8:08 to play in the game after a failed 2-point conversion attempt.
Oak Grove tacked another score on a 1-yard run by Madox Hurley to make it 62-29 with 6:45 to play in the game.
Tra Brooks hit Hampton on a 29-yard touchdown pass to make it 62-36 with 4:03 to play in the game.
Washington completed 6-of-19 passes for 113 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and he rushed eight times for 63 yards and two scores as he earned Most Outstanding Player for the Golden Tornado.
Haynesville (12-2) was once the dominant program among public schools, if not all schools, in the lower classifications in Louisiana, with 17 state championships, second most in Louisiana history.
That torch has been passed to Oak Grove, as the Tigers captured the eighth state championship in program history.
12/8/2023
Courtsey of crescent City Sports
By: Ken Trehan
NEW ORLEANS – The second verse was a virtual repeat of the first verse.
Third-seeded Oak Grove dominated from start to finish in a 62-36 victory over fourth-seeded Haynesville in the Non-Select Division I state championship game Thursday evening at the Caesars Superdome.
It is the fourth state championship in five seasons for Oak Grove and it was the third straight one-sided win over its north Louisiana rival.
Oak Grove hammered Haynesville 61-27 at home in the regular season on Oct. 6. The Tigers also drilled the Golden Tornado 48-7 in the 2022 semifinals.
Quarterback Jackson Bradley, a Louisiana Tech commit, and running back Jay Freeman each rushed for three touchdowns as the Tigers punished the Golden Tornado with 401 yards rushing. Bradley rushed 23 times for 211 yards, earning Most Outstanding Player honors while Freeman had 23 carries for 173 yards.
The Tigers also took advantage of three turnovers by Haynesville.
Oak Grove got a good kickoff return to start the game and took advantage of excellent field position, driving 47 yards in five plays with quarterback Jackson Bradley scoring on a 29-yard run to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead.
Haynesville answered and it looked like it could be a good game as the Golden Tornado drove 80 yards in five plays with Isiah Washington connecting with JerMarquis Hampton on a 53-yard touchdown pass and it was 7-7 with 7:34 to play in the first quarter.
The optimism for Haynesville was short-lived.
Oak Grove ripped off the next 34 points to break the game open.
Termarques Pritchard returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead.
Spencer Foster then forced and recovered a fumble by Alonzo Jackson at the Haynesville 39-yard line.
That led to a 6-yard touchdown run by Jay Freeman and it was 21-7 with 3:01 to play in the first quarter.
After getting a stop, Bradley raced 69 yards for a score on the first play of the next Oak Grove possession to make it 28-7 with 53 seconds to play in the first quarter.
The Tigers drove 54 yards in nine plays with Freeman scoring on a 2-yard run to give Oak Grove a 35-7 lead with 7:55 to play in the half.
James Harris intercepted a Washington pass to set Oak Grove up at the Haynesville 9-yard line and three plays later, Bradley scored from eight yards out and it was 41-7 after the extra point was blocked.
Haynesville ended the run when Byruss Burns broke a 68-yard touchdown run and Washington hit Jackson for the 2-point conversion to make it 41-15 by halftime.
The Golden Tornado pulled within 41-23 when Washington scored on a 12-yard run with 1:44 to play in the third quarter. Washington ran in the 2-point conversion.
Haynesville tried an onside kick, Oak Grove recovered, and the Tigers drove 49 yards in five plays with Freeman breaking free on a 31-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 48-23 with two seconds left in the third quarter.
Temarques Pritchard picked off a Washington pass and returned it to the Haynesville 22-yard line.
That led to another score as Freeman recovered a Bradley fumble in the end zone to give the Tigers a 55-23 lead with 10:04 to play in the game.
Haynesville answered with a 60-yard drive in five plays, capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Washington to make it 55-29 with 8:08 to play in the game after a failed 2-point conversion attempt.
Oak Grove tacked another score on a 1-yard run by Madox Hurley to make it 62-29 with 6:45 to play in the game.
Tra Brooks hit Hampton on a 29-yard touchdown pass to make it 62-36 with 4:03 to play in the game.
Washington completed 6-of-19 passes for 113 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions and he rushed eight times for 63 yards and two scores as he earned Most Outstanding Player for the Golden Tornado.
Haynesville (12-2) was once the dominant program among public schools, if not all schools, in the lower classifications in Louisiana, with 17 state championships, second most in Louisiana history.
That torch has been passed to Oak Grove, as the Tigers captured the eighth state championship in program history.
Southern Lab rallies in fourth quarter to defeat Riverside for Division IV select title
Da Boot Sports
12/7/2023
Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Lenny Vangilder
NEW ORLEANS – In a game filled with momentum swings, Southern Lab grabbed it last.
Jerome Harris’ 27-yard run with 2:44 remaining proved to be the difference as No. 2 seed Southern Lab defeated fifth-seeded Riverside Academy 42-35 in the Division IV select state championship game to open the Ochsner LHSAA Prep Classic Thursday at the Caesars Superdome.
The title is the sixth in school history and second in the last three years for the Kittens (12-1).
“We had a remarkable year,” said Southern Lab coach Darrell Asberry. “This is the best team I’ve had. These kids were resilient all year, two points away from being undefeated.”
The Rebels (12-2), under second-year head coach Lee Roussel, played in a state championship game for the first time since 2016.
“They’ve done something bigger than football,” said Roussel. “They may not realize now, but they will one day, what they’ve done not just for a football program, but for a school.”
Harris scored twice in the fourth quarter as the Kittens rallied from a 35-27 deficit. He capped a 71-yard, nine-play drives with a 1-yard plunge, and Asberry’s two-point run tied the game with 6:13 to play, then scored the game-winner after a short punt put the Kittens in business at the Rebel 43.
Riverside had one last chance and got into Southern Lab territory before Brock Bourgeois’ fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 29 seconds left. The Kittens kneeled out the victory.
Dedric Lastie, who rushed for three touchdowns in the second half in leading Riverside back from a 27-14 halftime deficit, had 227 all-purpose yards, including 107 rushing. He was voted the Rebels’ outstanding player. He finished his sensational sophomore season with 2,528 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns.
With Southern Lab’s defense stifling the run early, senior tight end Brennan Maus hauled in a pair of long touchdown passes as the Rebels jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first four minutes of the second quarter.
Much like the Kittens did late in their semifinal win over Ouachita Christian, they rallied, scoring early and often and in all phases.
Southern Lab outstanding player Armiryan Asberry, the coach’s son, rushed for a pair of touchdowns, Marlon Brown found Anthony Weatherspoon for a 58-yard touchdown pass and Ian James returned an interception 95 yards for a score just before halftime to send the Kittens to the locker room with a 27-14 lead.
Early in the third quarter, the Rebels took advantage of a muffed punt to flip the momentum again.
Lastie’s 23-yard run three minutes into the third quarter made it a 27-21 game, and after the Rebel defense forced a three-and-out, the offense went right back to work, capping a 62-yard drive with an 11-yard TD run to re-take the lead at 28-27.
Lastie’s third touchdown, a 42-yard run to cap a 10-play, 95-yard drive, made it 35-27 with 10:40 left.
The Kittens ran seven plays for zero yards with a pair of turnovers in the third quarter, but got the offense going in the final period.
12/7/2023
Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Lenny Vangilder
NEW ORLEANS – In a game filled with momentum swings, Southern Lab grabbed it last.
Jerome Harris’ 27-yard run with 2:44 remaining proved to be the difference as No. 2 seed Southern Lab defeated fifth-seeded Riverside Academy 42-35 in the Division IV select state championship game to open the Ochsner LHSAA Prep Classic Thursday at the Caesars Superdome.
The title is the sixth in school history and second in the last three years for the Kittens (12-1).
“We had a remarkable year,” said Southern Lab coach Darrell Asberry. “This is the best team I’ve had. These kids were resilient all year, two points away from being undefeated.”
The Rebels (12-2), under second-year head coach Lee Roussel, played in a state championship game for the first time since 2016.
“They’ve done something bigger than football,” said Roussel. “They may not realize now, but they will one day, what they’ve done not just for a football program, but for a school.”
Harris scored twice in the fourth quarter as the Kittens rallied from a 35-27 deficit. He capped a 71-yard, nine-play drives with a 1-yard plunge, and Asberry’s two-point run tied the game with 6:13 to play, then scored the game-winner after a short punt put the Kittens in business at the Rebel 43.
Riverside had one last chance and got into Southern Lab territory before Brock Bourgeois’ fourth-down pass fell incomplete with 29 seconds left. The Kittens kneeled out the victory.
Dedric Lastie, who rushed for three touchdowns in the second half in leading Riverside back from a 27-14 halftime deficit, had 227 all-purpose yards, including 107 rushing. He was voted the Rebels’ outstanding player. He finished his sensational sophomore season with 2,528 rushing yards and 41 touchdowns.
With Southern Lab’s defense stifling the run early, senior tight end Brennan Maus hauled in a pair of long touchdown passes as the Rebels jumped to a 14-0 lead in the first four minutes of the second quarter.
Much like the Kittens did late in their semifinal win over Ouachita Christian, they rallied, scoring early and often and in all phases.
Southern Lab outstanding player Armiryan Asberry, the coach’s son, rushed for a pair of touchdowns, Marlon Brown found Anthony Weatherspoon for a 58-yard touchdown pass and Ian James returned an interception 95 yards for a score just before halftime to send the Kittens to the locker room with a 27-14 lead.
Early in the third quarter, the Rebels took advantage of a muffed punt to flip the momentum again.
Lastie’s 23-yard run three minutes into the third quarter made it a 27-21 game, and after the Rebel defense forced a three-and-out, the offense went right back to work, capping a 62-yard drive with an 11-yard TD run to re-take the lead at 28-27.
Lastie’s third touchdown, a 42-yard run to cap a 10-play, 95-yard drive, made it 35-27 with 10:40 left.
The Kittens ran seven plays for zero yards with a pair of turnovers in the third quarter, but got the offense going in the final period.
Opelousas completes Cinderella run, tops Cecilia for Division II non-select title
Da Boot Sports
12/8/2023
Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Lenny Vangilder
NEW ORLEANS – For a school that last played for a state football championship when rock ‘n’ roll was a brand new term and needed to knock off four higher-seeded teams, all away from home, Cinderella might not be a good enough term to describe the Opelousas Tigers.
The Tigers completed a storybook run to their first-ever title Friday, defeating District 5-4A rival Cecilia 26-13 in the Division II non-select championship game at the Caesars Superdome.
No. 12 seed Opelousas (12-3), playing in its first state championship game since 1956, took out four of the top five seeds in a 22-day span en route to the title – fifth-seeded West Feliciana in the second round, No. 4 seed Lutcher in the quarterfinals, top-seeded North DeSoto in the semifinals and second-seeded Cecilia in the championship.
In doing so, they became the sixth double-digit seed in the 25-year era of power rankings to win a state football title.
“The expectation is to get to the Dome,” said Opelousas head coach Jimmy Zachery. “We wanted to make (Cecilia) earn everything … and it worked out in our favor.”
Zack Malveaux, who accounted for 204 total yards, engineered most of the offense and was voted Opelousas’ outstanding player, but it was 215-pound running back D’Shaun Ford who delivered on the game-clinching drive.
After Cecilia pulled within 18-13 with 5:02 left on a 6-yard Diesel Solari run, Ford gained 70 yards on six carries on the ensuing drive, capping the effort with a bruising 14-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left.
Ford finished with 146 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns, both in the second half. Malveaux rushed for 114 yards, including first-half touchdown runs of 32 and 66 yards, and completed four of seven passes for 90 yards.
The Tigers finished with 291 yards on the ground and 381 total yards.
“D’Shaun gets better as the game progresses,” Zachery said.
Opelousas’ defense held Cecilia (12-2) to 221 total yards.
“For the most part, the box played well and we didn’t let them get going,” Zachery said.
Solari accounted for both touchdowns, rushing for one score and passing for the other. Brent Gordon Jr., who had 16 tackles, was voted Cecilia’s outstanding player.
Opelousas lost to Cecilia 25-22 seven weeks ago. The Tigers would not smell defeat again.
“We had our chances; we didn’t capitalize on them,” said Cecilia coach Dennis Skains, who took his team to a state championship game for the first time in 28 years. “Hats off to Opelousas. They’re incredibly talented on both sides of the football.”
The Tigers are the first state champion seeded 10th or higher since No. 15 seed Acadiana won the 2014 Class 5A championship. The other double-digit seeds to win titles were Acadiana (No. 27 in 5A) and White Castle (No. 15 in 1A) in 2010, Belle Chasse (No. 12 in 4A) in 2008 and Lutcher (No. 15 in 3A) in 2003.
12/8/2023
Courtesy of Crescent City Sports
By: Lenny Vangilder
NEW ORLEANS – For a school that last played for a state football championship when rock ‘n’ roll was a brand new term and needed to knock off four higher-seeded teams, all away from home, Cinderella might not be a good enough term to describe the Opelousas Tigers.
The Tigers completed a storybook run to their first-ever title Friday, defeating District 5-4A rival Cecilia 26-13 in the Division II non-select championship game at the Caesars Superdome.
No. 12 seed Opelousas (12-3), playing in its first state championship game since 1956, took out four of the top five seeds in a 22-day span en route to the title – fifth-seeded West Feliciana in the second round, No. 4 seed Lutcher in the quarterfinals, top-seeded North DeSoto in the semifinals and second-seeded Cecilia in the championship.
In doing so, they became the sixth double-digit seed in the 25-year era of power rankings to win a state football title.
“The expectation is to get to the Dome,” said Opelousas head coach Jimmy Zachery. “We wanted to make (Cecilia) earn everything … and it worked out in our favor.”
Zack Malveaux, who accounted for 204 total yards, engineered most of the offense and was voted Opelousas’ outstanding player, but it was 215-pound running back D’Shaun Ford who delivered on the game-clinching drive.
After Cecilia pulled within 18-13 with 5:02 left on a 6-yard Diesel Solari run, Ford gained 70 yards on six carries on the ensuing drive, capping the effort with a bruising 14-yard touchdown run with 1:33 left.
Ford finished with 146 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns, both in the second half. Malveaux rushed for 114 yards, including first-half touchdown runs of 32 and 66 yards, and completed four of seven passes for 90 yards.
The Tigers finished with 291 yards on the ground and 381 total yards.
“D’Shaun gets better as the game progresses,” Zachery said.
Opelousas’ defense held Cecilia (12-2) to 221 total yards.
“For the most part, the box played well and we didn’t let them get going,” Zachery said.
Solari accounted for both touchdowns, rushing for one score and passing for the other. Brent Gordon Jr., who had 16 tackles, was voted Cecilia’s outstanding player.
Opelousas lost to Cecilia 25-22 seven weeks ago. The Tigers would not smell defeat again.
“We had our chances; we didn’t capitalize on them,” said Cecilia coach Dennis Skains, who took his team to a state championship game for the first time in 28 years. “Hats off to Opelousas. They’re incredibly talented on both sides of the football.”
The Tigers are the first state champion seeded 10th or higher since No. 15 seed Acadiana won the 2014 Class 5A championship. The other double-digit seeds to win titles were Acadiana (No. 27 in 5A) and White Castle (No. 15 in 1A) in 2010, Belle Chasse (No. 12 in 4A) in 2008 and Lutcher (No. 15 in 3A) in 2003.