Karr-De La Salle, Riverside-Rummel matchups on Crescent City Sports highlight week three metro contests

While the week two card was special in the Greater New Orleans area, the week three schedule is enticing as well, with at least five games that feature potential state champions in Louisiana’s nine classifications.

Here is our list of the top 10 games to watch in the area this weekend, along with analysis:

1) Karr (2-0) vs. De La Salle (2-0)—7 p.m. Friday at Tad Gormley Stadium live at CrescentCitySports.com
This is the best game in Louisiana. Brice Brown’s defense has been smothering, forcing four turnovers in a very good road win against a good St. Paul’s team before shutting out Landry-Walker. Devin Bush is a ball-hawk, a superb player. The offense has run it well, with Ronnie Jackson scoring four rushing touchdowns in the win over the Chargin’ Bucs. The Cavaliers made a statement with a resounding 38-12 win over St. Augustine in the first-ever game played at Yulman Stadium. Quarterback Julien Gums leads a very physical running game while Tulane commit Jamiran James leads a stout defense for Ryan Manale’s Cavaliers. Both teams are physical at the point of attack. This will be a hard-hitting affair with no frills. Whoever wins up front should win the game. It is easy to envision each team playing in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in December.

2) Riverside (1-1) at Rummel (1-0)—7 p.m. Saturday at Joe Yenni Stadium live at CrescentCitySports.com/WGSO 990 AM
This may have been No. 1 if Riverside had not lost to 5A Barbe 45-28. What we discovered is that Barbe is a legitimate 5A contender for state honors. The Bucs are very good. So are the Rebels. Senior quarterback Jordan Loving may be the best senior quarterback, especially after the unfortunate injury to Parkway’s Justin Rogers. He has Jeremy Gibson, an Arkansas commit, to key the running game a slew of top receivers in Jalen Banks, Kash Foley and Jeremiah Bigham. Rummel had its game at Escambia, FL canceled due to Hurricane Irma, which hurt its ability to get work with its new spread offense, led by junior quarterback Chandler Fields and senior wide receiver and Florida commit Ja’Marr Chase. The Raider defense is fast, led by senior safety Aaron Brule’. You can watch this one live at CrescentCitySports.com and listen to it live on WGSO, 990 AM and at WGSO.com.

3) John Curtis (1-1) at Parkview Baptist (1-1)—7 p.m. Friday
Talk about a testosterone test! These are two teams who are old school, who lineup and hit you right in the mouth on virtually every play. The last man standing wins this one. A year ago, Curtis held off a late rally by the Eagles to win 34-31. Sophomore quarterback Collin Guggenheim has passed for one score and run for two thus far. Senior wide receiver Tyrone Legette has seven catches for 87 yards and a score. Senior linebacker Jay Curtis has 13 tackles, including a pair of sacks and an interception. Connor Joffrion leds the Parkview Baptist ground game, along with Parker Kirby while Mason McKey kicked three fields goals in a 29-7 win over East Ascension. The Eagles lost on the last play to Catholic of Baton Rouge 27-25 in week one.

4) Warren Easton (2-0) at Landry-Walker (0-2)—7 p.m. Friday at Behrman Stadium
The Eagles are for real, a definite contender to win the Class 4A state championship. Junior quarterback Lance Legendre has been tremendous, accounting for eight touchdowns in wins over Jesuit and Brother Martin. Damien Tate is a special talent while receivers Sticks Jones and Yo’Heinz Tyler have been very good. Landry-Walker is the best winless team in the state through two weeks after losing to powerful John Curtis and defending 4A state champion Karr. The Chargin’ Bucs will look to get a stalled offense going, trying to get the ball more to Devonta Jason while its defense has played well. It is hard to fathom the defending 5A state champion starting 0-3 but it is a distinct possibility with the talent that Jerry Phillips has at Easton.

5) John Ehret (1-1) at Destrehan (1-1)—7 p.m. Friday
Yes, both teams have a loss but both teams remain contenders to make deep runs in the Class 5A state playoffs. Ehret rebounded from a competitive loss to our top-ranked team in Louisiana at West Monroe with a thrilling win over Hahnville. Terrell “Smoke” Brown rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns for the Patriots in the win over the Tigers while Destrehan features its own top running back in John Emery. The Wildcats muffed three punts in their loss to St. Charles Catholic. That does not figure to happen again. Destrehan downed the Patriots 21-7 in the regular season before ending the Patriots’ season 21-14 in the 5A quarterfinals a year ago. The Patriots lost star Jammal Houston to a season ending knee injury in the game. He is back now. Ehret has revenge on its mind.

6) E.D. White Catholic (2-0) at St. James (2-0)—7 p.m. Friday
The Cardinals scored a good week one victory at 5A Central Lafourche before blanking Erath 31-0 in week two. The Cardinals forced five turnovers, including three interceptions by Connor Kleibert. Brandon Legendre is the top offensive player. He rushed 12 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Bulldogs. The Wildcats of Robert Valdez are 2-0, having scored wins over two rivals and good teams in West St. John and Lutcher. Cornerback Glen Brown returned a blocked field goal for a touchdown and came up with a huge interception to clinch the 13-7 win over Lutcher. Senior quarterback Demarcus Williams is a standout offensively for the Wildcats.

7) Holy Cross (1-1) at Chalmette (1-1)—7 p.m. Friday
The Owls rebounded from a season opening loss to St. Charles Catholic with a 51-20 win over Bogalusa. Jason Roper hit Michaud Blaise with a pair of touchdown passes for the Owls against the Lumberjacks. Holy Cross won by forfeit in week one and lost a tough 7-0 game to talented Covington last week. The Tiger defense was very good but its offense could not get on track. Senior running back Landon Bates and senior receiver Kym Wimberly are good players for Holy Cross, which has controlled the rivalry in recent years, winning the last five meetings. The last Chalmette win was 20-17 in 2011. This looks like an even matchup.

8) Archbishop Hannan (2-0) at Pope John Paul II (1-1)
The Hawks are off to a 2-0 start and scored a very solid 21-13 road win at Central Catholic a week ago. Senior quarterback Chris Rabensteiner accounted for two scores in the win at Central Catholic while Brendan David has been a solid runner for the Hawks. Rabensteiner has accounted for four touchdowns in two games. The Jaguars crushed Westminster Christian in week one before losing a very close game in Biloxi, MS against St. Patrick. Josh Phillips and Logan Klotz are top performers for the Hawks.

9) St. Charles Catholic (2-0) at Wilkinson County, MS (1-2)
While the Wildcats are 1-2, they are a dangerous home opponent for the Comets, who must travel following an emotionally draining, huge upset win over 5A Destrehan. Wilkinson County has been shutout in its two losses which should bode well for St. Charles Catholic, who got 28 carries for 180 yards and two touchdowns from Narquez Jones, who picked up the slack for injured quarterback Lloyd Nash. The Comet defense and special teams came up with five turnovers. Frank Monica has his team on guard against a letdown.

10) McMain (1-1) vs. Carver (2-0)—7 p.m. Thursday at Pan American Stadium
The Rams are potent offensively. Ask Central Lafourche. Carver went on the road and scored a 52-44 win at Central Lafourche after beating always tough Bastrop 20-12 in week one. Quarterback Izea Hurst leads the Carver attack, passing for three touchdowns and running for a pair in the victory. Gary Young, Keyon Clark and Justin London are top receivers. The Rams forced five Trojan turnovers. The Mustangs rebounded from a season opening loss to tough Newman with a solid win over a decent Lusher squad. Duntrell Quinn got his first start at quarterback and accounted for three scores. Matthew Payne is the top running back for McMain.