Curtis vs. Landry-Walker highlights opening week Thursday night prep football schedule

What a way to start the 2017 prep football season!

A year ago, Landry-Walker captured the first state championship in the young school’s history, taking the Class 5A title behind Louisiana Player of the Year Keytaon Thompson.

A year later, Thompson is at Mississippi State but Emanuel Powell still has a bevy of outstanding players as the Charging Bucs look to repeat as champions.

The road to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome is paved with obstacles, and the one facing Landry-Walker to get things started may be the biggest obstacle of all.

Perennial power and 26-time state champion John Curtis Christian invades Behrman Stadium to take on the Charging Bucs tonight at 7 p.m.

Despite all of their success, the Patriots have not won a state championship since 2013, the longest drought in the storied program’s history since 1975. J.T. Curtis, the only head coach the program has ever had, is not focusing on the dry spell.

“We are very aware of the fact that we have not won a title since electing to move up to Division I but it is not something we are obsessed with,” Curtis said. “You can say it is motivation but our motivation is always to be the best team we can be and to try to win a state title. That begins with Landry-Walker, a very difficult opponent.”

A year ago, the Patriots downed the Charging Bucs 35-22 at Muss Bertolino Stadium in Kenner in a game that was delayed by lightning for two hours.

Landry-Walker was plagued by three key turnovers and by 15 penalties for 120 yards. Thompson completed 15-of-29 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown and rushed 20 times for 98 yards and a score. He also ran for a two-point conversion and passed for another.

Now seniors, running backs Darryan Washington and Marquese Albert came up big for Curtis against Landry-Walker a year ago. Washington rushed for 118 yards while Albert had a 34-yard touchdown run and a long kickoff return. Malik wells also ran for a touchdown and blue-chip tight end Glenn Beal caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Blaine Hebert. Senior defensive back Brandon Davis had a key interception for Curtis.

“When you play a team like Curtis, you have to minimize your mistakes and we did not do that last year,” Powell said. “We have to make sure we do not turn the ball over and we cannot handle too many penalties if we want to win. It is a good test for us and it will be good to be at home.”

The Charging Bucs are led by senior wide receiver Devonta Jason while defensive backs Corione Harris and Curry Benn are very good. Jason and Harris are committed to Kansas while Benn is a Southern Miss commitment.

Junior Da’Quan Dorsey takes over for Thompson at quarterback while sophomore Colin Guggenheim is back after starting several games a year ago for Curtis at quarterback.

Thursday Night Prep Football Schedule

Thomas Jefferson vs. Haynes, 6:30 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium

John Curtis vs. Landry-Walker, 7 p.m. at Behrman Stadium

Riverside vs. Southern Lab, 7 p.m. at Walker High

Salmen at Madison Prep, 7 p.m.

Broadmoor at Tara, 7 p.m.

False River at St. John-Plaquemine, 7 p.m.

Calvary Baptist at Byrd, 7 p.m.