John Curtis looks for revenge against Byrd

The memory lingers.

Two years ago, Byrd rallied in the fourth quarter, driving 69 yards in nine plays, scoring and making the decisive extra point as the Yellow Jackets edged John Curtis 14-13 in the Division I semifinals at Lee Hedges Stadium as the Patriots committed five turnovers and missed an extra point.

It was the first and only meeting between the two traditional powers.

This time around, Byrd must travel to Metairie to take on the Patriots at Joe Yenni Stadium Friday night in the Select Division I quarterfinals with the Patriots seeking revenge for a bitter loss.

Both the Patriots and Yellow Jackets were knocked out in the quarterfinal round a year ago.

John Curtis has won a Louisiana-best 26 state championships on the field and a 27th, which was stripped. The Patriots have been a runner-up 10 times with all 37 title game appearances coming under J.T. Curtis. The last title for the Patriots was in 2018, also the last time Curtis reached the state championship game.

John Curtis (9-2) lost only to Zachary and Karr.

The Patriots average 28.8 points per game and allow 17.1 points per game.

John Curtis is led offensively by junior running back Marlon Prout, who has rushed for 834 yards and 13 touchdowns and has eight catches for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Byrd has won eight state championships and finished as runner-up six times. The last state title for the Yellow Jackets was way back in 1949. Byrd most recently reached the state championship game in 2020 after beating Curtis in the semifinals.

Byrd (8-3) has won its last three games.

The Yellow Jackets average 33.5 points per game and allow 19.7 points per contest.

Quarterback Lake Lambert has rushed for 1,002 yards and 14 touchdowns and he has completed 33 of 55 passes for 659 yards and six touchdowns to pace the Byrd offense.

The winner advances to the semifinals to take on the winner of Friday night’s game pitting No. 7 Karr at defending state champion and No. 2 seed Catholic of Baton Rouge.