Amite-St. Helena, De La Salle-St. James showdowns highlight week eight schedule locally

It is that time of the year with district titles now in sight, in focus and on the line with late regular season showdowns.

A pair of showdowns highlight the week eight top 10 games for the metro New Orleans area:

1) Amite at St. Helena—Friday at 7 p.m.

The Warriors have to be considered the favorite to tin the Class 3A state championship this season. Their defense has allowed seven points or less four times en route to a 7-0 start.

Zephaniah Powell has a good offense as well and the Warriors came so close to winning it all a year ago, falling just short against Lutcher. Quarterback Cameron Henderson has been outstanding for the Warriors and Devonta Lee is superb on both sides of the ball and a big-time recruit. Defensive tackle Ismael Sopsher is perhaps the best defensive lineman in the state, one of the best in the south, and is just a junior while safety Tyrus Wheat is excellent.

The Hawks (6-1) have won four straight since falling to Varnado. They have scored 50 or more points twice this season and have posted three shutouts defensively. Quarterback Ricky Travis is the leader and is committed to Grambling. Troy Hurst is a Memphis commit

The two teams last met in 2015 with Amite winning 44-12. The Warriors have not lost to the Hawks in this century, dominating the series with convincing wins. This one figures to be much closer with the District 10-2A title on the line

2) De La Salle at St. James—Friday at 7 p.m.

The Cavaliers have been totally dominant, averaging 54 points per game in their last three wins.

Julien Gums is a Player of the Year candidate, the leader of the De La Salle offense. Running back Kendall Collins, Jr. is outstanding. Aaron Marquez is a good receiver. Wins over Karr, Riverside, St. Augustine and South Lafourche speak volumes about De La Salle’s power.

Shamar Smith has stepped in at quarterback and done a nice job while top runners include Sean Lebeouf and Dontaz Sterling.

The Cavaliers dominated the Wildcats 48-12 on the road a year ago and won 41-16 in New Orleans in 2015. Can St. James close the gap and have a shot to win? It will be tough but they are at home.

VIDEO: Head coaches Ryan Manale, Robert Valdez preview DLS-St. James game

3) John Curtis vs. Holy Cross—Friday at 7 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium

The Tigers lost a tough one to Brother Martin last Friday night as they played without some key players in Landen Bates, among others. Kym Wimberly has 18 catches for 226 yards and three touchdowns while Tyler Kirkwood has 14 catches for 296 yards and two scores.

The Patriots are now the only unbeaten team in 9-5A after a hard-earned 31-22 victory over St. Augustine. Despite losing the yardage battle, the Patriots came up with big special teams plays and did enough offensively. Collin Guggenheim has passed for four touchdowns and rushed for 522 yards and 11 scores. Darryan Washington has rushed for 462 yards and five touchdowns.

It will take a huge effort from the good Holy Cross defense to overcome injuries and distractions if the Tigers want to upset the Patriots.

4) Lakeshore at Franklinton—Thursday at 7 p.m.

If the Titans want to win 8-4A, they will have to go through Franklinton and Salmen.

While the Demons are just 2-5, they have tough losses, including 19-18 to Tylertown, MS, 34-33 to Salmen and 27-22 to Neville. Tahj Magee gives Franklinton a shot. He has thrown for 958 yards and 10 touchdowns and rushed 586 yards and seven scores. Trequan Charles has rushed for 535 yards and five touchdowns.

Lakeshore (7-0) is led by quarterback Chris Penton, who is having a great season. The Titans are averaging over 43 points per game. Senior tailback Joshua Hayes is outstanding. Jalen Willis has been Penton’s top receiver among many solid ones. While Lakeshore is the favorite, the Titans have to get over the hump against a team which has dominated the series.

5) Varnado at West St. John—Friday at 7 p.m.

This one will decide the District 8-1A title.

The Wildcats (4-2) have good wins over St. Helena and Covenant Christian. Armontee Kemp is an excellent two-way player, James Williams is solid at quarterback and JaDarrell Magee is a top rusher for Varnado.

After starting 2-2 against a very difficult schedule, the Rams (5-2) are rolling, averaging 59 points per game in its last three wins. Sophomore quarterback D’Andre Gaudia has passed for 10 scores while junior Kylan Duhe has rushed for 423 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Trenton Grow has four touchdown catches.

It is hard to pick against the Rams at Edgard anytime. They are certainly the favorite.

6) Covington at Northshore—Friday at 7 p.m.

Everyone knows the Lions are for real now. Can they remain unbeaten?

Senior Josh Alfaro continues to set school records at quarterback while senior Devin Brumfield continues to work on the rushing record book as well. Senior Kejohn Batiste is an outstanding receiver. Alfaro is 74-of-107 for 1,430 yards and 16 touchdowns while Brumfield has carried 129 times for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns. Batiste has eight touchdown receptions.

The Panthers have several college prospects and are dangerous. Quarterback Walter Harris has passed for four touchdowns and rushed for 420 yards and nine scores. Junior Dwayne Jones, Jr. has been solid in the running game. Senior Ethan Swann is the top receiver. Defensively, Jeremiah McDonald and Khalil Fleming are excellent while lineman Kemon Smith is outstanding.

Covington is a target now and must show up weekly. Northshore is capable of giving the Lions a good game.

7) Warren Easton vs. Helen Cox—Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium

It is obvious that Skip Lamothe has his Cougars on the upswing as a much improved team.

Three straight wins are a testament to the improvement. Is it enough to give Helen Cox (4-3) a shot at an elite team like Warren Easton? Davon Ward has been simply superb running the football for Lamothe. Jordan George has come on strong at quarterback. Miguel Bright is the top receiver.

The Eagles (5-1) have lost only to John Curtis. Jerry Phillips has one of the state’s best quarterbacks in junior Lance Legendre and outstanding receivers in Sheldon “Sticks” Jones and Yo’Heinz Tyler. Easton is regarded in many circles as the team to beat in the state in Class 4A.

It is a tall task for Helen Cox but it will provide a good measuring stick for how far Lamothe has taken his program in a rebuilding effort.

8) Slidell at St. Paul’s—Friday at 7 p.m.

The Tigers (5-2) have it going. They have now won three straight games, largely due to the brilliant effort of junior Tito Simmons, who has rushed for 600 yards, caught passes for 450 yards and accounted for nine touchdowns. Quarterback Jacob Guidry has passed for 10 touchdowns and senior Tirrell Sylvas is the top receiver.

The Wolves have played a brutal schedule and have survived. Johntae McDowell has accounted for 12 touchdowns running and passing while senior Corey Williamson has rushed for over 500 yards and six touchdowns. Jack Mashburn has been solid at quarterback and is a top receiver while Grant Grosch is the leading receiver.

St. Paul’s (4-3) has totally dominated the series, winning the last 12 meetings, with the last Slidell victory in the series coming in 2004.

9) Brother Martin at Rummel—Saturday at 7 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium, live on CrescentCitySports.com and WGSO 990 AM.

The Crusaders (3-4) are an improving team which has righted the ship with two straight wins. A huge 26-22 win over Holy Cross last week was big. Quarterback Jean-Paul Pierce hit tight end Michael Clapp with a big touchdown pass, igniting the passing game. Josh Smith is a fine running back while Brady Faust and Matthew Alfonso have played well. The Crusaders were missing five key players a week ago.

Rummel is missing several key players as well, having lost wide receiver Koy Moore, running back Dwan Trufant, tight end Jackson Dennies and top lineman Shawn Manning to injury. They will count on the combination of Chandler Fields to Ja’Marr Chase, who is arguably the best athlete in the entire area. Keirell Jackson must carry the running game while Aaron Brule’ is now playing some linebacker to get him more involved defensively.

Brother Martin rallied late to edge Rummel 27-22 a year ago. This one figures to be close. While the Raiders may be slipping a bit due to injury, the Crusaders are improving.

10) McDonogh 35 at Carver—Thursday at 7 p.m. at Joe Brown Park/Victory Field

The Roneagles (5-2) rebounded from a tough loss to Karr with a 43-13 win over Riverdale. Quarterback Lejohn Howard came up huge, completing 14-of-22 passes for 292 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for a fifth score in the win over the Rebels.

The Rams (4-2) bounced back from two consecutive losses with a 37-3 win over South Plaquemines. Quarterback Izea Hurst accounted for five touchdowns in the win over the Hurricanes, passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for 51 yards and two touchdowns.