Curtis-Easton, De La Salle-Riverside highlight metro Top 10 games this week

A pair of games featuring four teams that could very well end up playing for state championships in their respective classes highlight the area slate of top ten games for week five of the prep football season while another matchup in Vacherie pits a pair of unbeaten against one another in an intriguing matchup.

Here are your top ten matchups involving metro New Orleans teams for week five of the prep football season.

1) Warren Easton vs. John Curtis Christian—7 p.m. Friday at The Shrine on Airline

These are a pair of teams that could very well be playing in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in December.
The Eagles (3-0) have marched through Catholic League teams Brother Martin (29-0) and Jesuit (40-14). Easton has also edged Landry-Walker (14-12).

John Curtis has two common opponents, having beaten Landry-Walker (27-18) and shutout Brother Martin (34-0).
Junior quarterback Lance Legendre leads the way for the Eagles and he has a top runner in Larry Barabino and a pair of superb receivers in Yo’Heinz Tyler and Sheldon “Sticks” Jones.

The Patriots (3-1) have lost only to nationally ranked Grayson, GA (22-9). Curtis also dominated Parkview Baptist 66-28.
Sophomore Collin Gugenheim has come up with big plays at quarterback, passing for 381 yards with three touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 346 yards and four scores. Even without injured Marquese Albert at running back, the Patriots have talented runners in seniors Darryan Washington and Malik Wells.

This one will likely come down to turnovers.

2) De La Salle at Riverside—7 p.m. Friday at Mickey Roussel Field

The Cavaliers got a much needed week off after a bruising 28-26 win over defending 5A state champion Karr. De La Salle also whipped a good St. Augustine team 38-12.

Senior quarterback and Nicholls commit Julien Gums leads the attack, coming off of a game in which he was the CrescentCitySports.com Prep Player of the Week in the metro area. Junior Kendall Collins has been outstanding as well while Jamiran James, a Tulane commit, has been a force up front on defense.

The Rebels are perhaps the best 1-2 team in the state. Their losses have been to 5A powers Barbe and Rummel. Senior Jordan Loving has been the best throwing quarterback in Louisiana. He has brilliant receivers in Kash Foley, Jeremiah Bigham and Garland Robertson and an excellent runner in Arkansas commit in Jeremy Gibson. The Rebels could easily be 1-3 and still win a state title.

3) St. Amant at St. James—7 p.m. Friday

The Wildcats are 4-0 after shutting out Wossman 19-0 on the road. Shawn Preston had a pick six, quarterback Demarcus Williams has been solid and Sean Lebouef is the top runner for Robert Valdez. The Gators are also 4-0 and they whipped Lutcher 40-20 a a week ago. St. James beat the Bulldogs. St. Amant has scored 40 or more points in its last three games. Quarterback Miller Hagan runs the show for St. Amant while Nelson Cade is the top runner while Alexander Grant is the top receiver for the Gators. It is a step up in class to face a 5A team for St. James. Can the Wildcats handle it?

4) Slidell at Covington—7 p.m. Friday

The Tigers of Larry Favre have won three in a row. The Slidell defense has stiffened, allowing just 15 points in its last two games. Slidell forced three turnovers in last week’s 32-8 win over Hammond. Tito Simmons is a top runner while Jacob Guidry and Caleb Joseph are a good passing game combination.

5) St. Charles Catholic at East Ascension—7 p.m. Friday

The Comets have had to deal with an inordinate number of injuries, most recently to Narquez Jones. With a depleted skill set on offense, the Comets have done it on defense, allowing just 14 points in four games. Sophomore Justin Dumas is the third quarterback of the year for the Comets, with Lloyd Nash still out with a broken collarbone. Junior Joseph Chiarella rushed for 162 yards a week ago while sophomore Philip Tran is a solid runner as well.

East Ascension downed Cecilia 44-31 a week ago to move to 3-1. The Spartans have lost only to Parkview Baptist. Jimel London is a force for the Spartans. He rushed for 249 yards and four touchdowns a week ago. Quarterback Jason Wakefield provides balance with a solid passing game.

6) Lusher at Newman—7 p.m. Thursday at Lupin Field

The Lions (3-1) come in off of a 33-26 road win at White Castle. The Lions have scored 70 points in their last three games. Ari Broussard was a force on both sides of the ball against White Castle, rushing 12 times for 65 yards and a touchdown, catching two passes for 10 yards, recording 11 tackles which included three sacks, forced a fumble and had an interception return for a score.

The Newman offense has been solid, scoring 34 or more points or more in each of its four wins. Newman posted a solid 37-27 victory over previously unbeaten Berwick a year ago. Junior Martin Butcher has been outstanding. In the win over Berwick, he completed 20-of-34 passes for 312 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a score. Murray Calhoun had 11 catches for 231 yards and two scores. Senior James Poche’ has been a force in the running game.

7) Terrebonne at Hahnville—7 p.m. Friday

On an annual basis, Destrehan and Hahnville totally control District 7-5A. It does not appear that either of the traditional powers is unbeaten this season as both are 2-2 after four games.

That said, Hahnville is coming off of a huge win over Destrehan (20-13). Senior Anthony “Pooka” Williams, a Kansas commit, was sensational with rushed 26 times for 226 yards and two touchdowns and caught one pass for 45 yards. Quarterback Ja’Quan Jackson has been a good runner for the Tigers as well.

Terrebonne has been impressive, averaging 44.5 points per game in four contests. Sophomore Ja’khi Douglas has been superb at quarterback. Junior Keshawn James is the top rusher and senior Brennon Guidry is an outstanding receiver.

8) Archbishop Hannan at St. Michael—7 p.m. Friday

Are the Hawks for real? At 4-0, they have played very well, allowing just 36 points in four games. Senior linebacker Zachary Easterling returned a fumble for a touchdowns in last week’s 35-0 win over The Church Academy.

Offensively, Seth Caillouet and Dawson Millen has been an excellent runners while quarterback Chris Rabensteiner has been solid.

Quarterback Kade Stewart passed for three touchdowns and ran for a pair of scores in last week’s 48-0 win for the Warriors over Lakeview. Lance Robinson and Brandon Bourgeois are top runners for St. Michael.

It is a step up in class to face a 4A team for the Hawks.

9) John Ehret at Chalmette—7 p.m. Friday at Bobby Nuss Stadium

After losing their opener to St. Charles Catholic, the Owls have rebounded well, winning three straight games.

Quarterback Jason Roper has been outstanding for Chalmette while Gabriel Ernest has been a top receiver. Michaud Blaise is a top runner for the Owls. Chalmette cruised past Grace King last week but posted a huge win over Holy Cross the previous week.

The Patriots are led by junior quarterback Travis Mumphrey while wide receiver Lorinzo Pinn is outstanding. Terrell Brown is an outstanding running back. Rayshawn Jones and Shyheim Harris each had interception returns for touchdowns against West Jefferson in a 59-14 victory. Ehret is a clear favorite but the streaking Owls could prove their worth if they could pull an upset at home.

10) Jesuit vs. Holy Cross—7:15 p.m. Friday at Tad Gormley Stadium (live at CrescentCitySports.com)

This is the 98th meeting between the two rivals in the Great American Rivalry Series. Jesuit leads 56-39-1 (one matchup was ruled no contest). The Blue Jays dominated a year ago, winning 38-0.

Jesuit has struggled at 1-3 but has played a tough schedule. Holy Cross is 2-2, but the rivalry – the oldest in the state of Louisiana – makes this a top 10 game.

Jesuit gets plays from running backs Michael Torry and Willie Robinson. Jesuit still has a solid defensive front but needs more consistent quarterback play from Alex Watermeier.

Holy Cross is led by running back Landen Bates, who rushed 16 times for 145 yards in a 34-7 win over Shaw last week. The Tiger defense forced three turnovers and senior Mikey Ricks had three sacks against the Eagles. Kym Wimberly is a top receiver. You can watch the game live at CrescentCitySports.com.