Amite, Kentwood host big games Thursday night

The focus is on Tangipahoa Parish Thursday night for a pair of big games.

In a battle of state champion powers, Southern Lab plays at Kentwood. The Kangaroos (7-1) have won state titles, most recently winning in 2018. The Kittens (6-1) have won seven titles on the field, most recently winning in 2021.

Both teams reached the quarterfinals in their respective classes a year ago.

Kentwood beat Southern Lab 33-26 in Baton Rouge last season.

Coach Jonathan Foster loves where his team is.

“We knew once we beat Amite that we are a serious contender for state honors,” Foster said. “We believe that. With the heat wave we had in the summer, it slowed us down getting our timing but we are finding our niche. If we can avoid injuries, we can make a real run. The history of Southern Lab is clear. They are a talented, well coached team. We have split the last six games we have played and those games are always one-score games. It’s like Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier, 15-round battles. We have to battle to the end.”

The Kangaroos are led by a trio of excellent players.

“Ke’Vonte Carter has been dynamite running it and catching the ball and Edwin Wilson Jr. is an all-state player up front and LaMikal Callahan has been terrific up front defensively,” Foster said. “We count heavily on those guys. This close to the playoffs, you always want to build momentum. Beating a team like Southern Lab, it’s a rivalry game and it is the kind of game you play in the semifinals or final annually.”

The Southern Lab-Kentwood game is the debut broadcast for the new LHSAA Network.

Just up the road via I-55, Amite hosts Sterlington in a battle of south and north Louisiana powers.

The Warriors (5-2) have won six state championships, most recently winning in 2021. The Panthers (7-1) have won a pair of titles, most recently in 2021 as well.

Amite won 26-20 at Sterlington last season.

Warriors Coach Zephaniah Powell talked about how the two powers got together.

“The district we are in, we don’t have many teams in it,” Powell said. “We needed a week nine opponent. Coach Doty called and we felt it would be good for our kids getting used to traveling so we made the trip there. That’s how it panned out. We were fortunate enough to win there last year. They are a senior-laden team that is well coached. The quarterback is a senior and their offensive line is very good. Their defense is sound. It will be a challenge for us.”

Quarterback Jeremy Franklin has stepped up in recent weeks for the Warriors.

“He has found little rhythm with Braylon Jackson, Braden Taylor and Jack Johnson and Brandon Coleman in recent weeks who are all playing well,” Powell said. “We are still rotating offensive linemen, trying to find the right combination. We have played well all year defensively, led by Byron Jennings. We have been solid all year. This game will do nothing but help us down the road.”

Louisiana Prep Football Schedule for Thursday, October 26
(all games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

Basile at Merryville
Benton at Captain Shreve
Cohen at St. Martin’s Episcopal
Douglass vs. McDonogh 35 at Pan American Stadium
Fisher vs. Jefferson Rise, 6:30 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium
H.L. Bourgeois at South Terrebonne
Istrouma at St. Michael
Livingston Collegiate vs. Haynes Academy, 6:30 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium
Logansport at St. Mary’s
Northwood-Lena at LaSalle
Slaughter Community Charter at Thrive Academy
Southern Lab at Kentwood
Southside at Lafayette
Sterlington at Amite
Vermilion Catholic at Central Catholic
West Jefferson at Belle Chasse
Westminster Christian (Opelousas) at St. Edmund
West St. John vs. Crescent City Christian, 6:30 p.m. at Muss Bertolino Stadium