Wayne Reese Classic highlights Thursday football schedule

It was a great idea.

It is a great practice.

The practice continues Thursday night when McDonogh 35 battles Carver in the third annual Wayne Reese Football Classic at 7 p.m. at Pan American Stadium.

Thus far, Carver has had the upper hand in the classic.

Carver won the first meeting 23-21 in 2020 and the Rams won 19-0 in 2021.

Wayne Reese was a brilliant coach and person.

He was my friend.

Wayne Reese Sr. dead due to Coronavirus complications

It has been over two years since we lost Wayne.

It was both sobering and an honor to speak at his memorial service.

Wayne has a wonderful family.

Wife Stella is a special person, a wonderful partner in life for Wayne.

Children Kimberry, Wayne Jr., Myla and Alfred continue the family legacy, as do six grandchildren.

Reese Jr. continues in his father’s tradition and legacy as an outstanding head football coach at Booker T. Washington, one of the schools his father served at as head coach.

The other two local schools will battle to honor the legacy of Reese in what should be a good game.

Carver (3-4) is coming off a 62-0 win over Abramson.

The Rams are clearly better than their record, having lost by a point at St. Amant and having lost to good teams in Woodlawn of Baton Rouge, Dutchtown and, most recently, Warren Easton.

The latter was a 34-28 overtime loss.

While it was a loss, it was perhaps the best performance of the season by the Rams, who were the equal of the powerful Eagles.

Jaden Varrett has been solid at quarterback for the Rams.

Torron Alexis and Eric Horn have been outstanding on both sides of the ball and Francisco Pierre Jr. is a top receiver. Savon Jefferson and Lawrence Nathan have been key at running back. Linebacker Marquis Tabb is a top defensive player.

“Easton was our best performance,” Addison said. “Our young players are starting to peak at the right time. That’s what we were missing in the first couple of games. Our offense is coming together. Horn and Varrett have great chemistry. Tabb has been excellent. We lost nine starters on defense from last year. We are growing up.”

McDonogh 35 (5-2) has played well but the Roneagles are coming off a 29-12 loss at Kentwood.

Quarterback Santana Price leads the offense while Roosevelt Mollet has been good in run game. Charles Barbarin is a top receiver for the Roneagles. Alex Sumler and Lyndon Vallery are solid up front on defense while Peyton McFarland has been good as well.

Frank Daggs is in his third season since taking over the program from his mentor in Reese, whom he served with as a top assistant for 18 seasons at McDonogh 35.

“It continues to be a great honor,” Daggs said. “I love playing this game. It is our Homecoming, too! It is wonderful with the scholarship fund, the game and everything to keep the legacy rolling.”

Daggs likes what his team has done thus far but knows they must be better against Carver.

“We have huge room for improvement and we need to clean up a few things,” Daggs said. “Carver is a really good team. I like their offense. They have two good receivers and their running back is good. They are good on defense. They have played a tough schedule so do not pay attention to their record. They are road warriors.”

Addison knows his team must also raise its level of play to be successful.

“We have to play four quarters to beat 35,” Addison said. “We have played good quarters but we haven’t put together four quarters. We have to do that.”

Addison played under Reese at Carver from 1993-96.

“It is great to be playing in honor of Coach Reese,” Addison said. “He meant so much to football and the city of New Orleans. I use his lessons and his values to this day.”

Daggs is certain of one thing.

“I know Wayne is watching and he is proud of both schools and what he helped build at both,” Daggs said.

Louisiana Prep Football Schedule for Thursday, October 20

(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)

Airline vs. Byrd at Lee Hedges Stadium

Ascension Episcopal at Loreauville

Avoyelles at Southern Lab

Barbe at Lafayette

Belle Chasse vs. Higgins, 6:30 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium

Booker T. Washington vs. Jesuit at Tad Gormley Stadium

Capitol at Baker

Carver vs. McDonogh 35 at Pan American Stadium

Crescent City Christian at Varnado

East Beauregard at Merryville

East St. John at Terrebonne

Hahnville at H.L. Bourgeois

Hanson Memorial at Central Catholic

Lafayette Renaissance at Westminster Christian

Livonia at Crowley

Loganport at LaSalle

Madison Prep vs. Warren Easton at Joe Brown Stadium

Rayne at Washington-Marion

South Beauregard at Kinder

South Lafourche at St. Louis Catholic

Ville Platte at Church Point

West Jefferson at East Jefferson, 6:30 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium on NASH ICON 106.1 FM