Top Performers: Catholic (B.R.) vs. Woodlawn (B.R.)

Even with dozens of teams home because of COVID-19 quarantines, the final week of Louisiana high school football’s regular season provided several entertaining matchups. And the headliner in Baton Rouge was actually a rescheduling of a previously cancelled District 5-5A matchup that resurrected when two other league members had to shut down because of the virus. Catholic (Baton Rouge) has dominated the series with Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) for years and appeared poised to do so again as the Bears pulled out to a 27-7 lead after the first drive of the third quarter. But the Panthers came alive after halftime, shook of the rust from their own two-week hiatus and battled back to with 34-27 in the final minutes before running out of time. The final margin was the teams’ closest since 2008. And the resilience of Woodlawn’s talented junior and sophomore classes gives reason for optimism the coming years could provide further entertainment in a cross-town series not typically known for it. Here were several of the key performers from each side as the teams transition to the postseason. &nbsp; <strong>2021 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63625" first="George" last="Hart III"] — 5-11, 205 RB — Catholic</strong> The senior running back would not be denied from the end zone on the night’s first touchdown run, powering through and over would-be tacklers, keeping his legs moving and dragging defenders to the goal line. He added another pair to complete the first three-touchdown performance of his career and finished the night with a game-high 84 yards on 13 carries (6.5 yards/carry) to lead the Bears’ stable of backs. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iwzn8sDoU0Q" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63706" first="Jackson" last="Demouy"] — 6-2, 190 DB — Catholic</strong> With fellow senior safety [player_tooltip player_id="63608" first="Michael" last="Cerniauskas"] out, Demouy stepped up again with a four-tackle night and a beautiful read on a middle screen that he jumped for a key interception to help Catholic build its early momentum. The transfer from the Dallas area has more than found a home at the alma mater of his father, former Catholic and LSU baseball player Chris Demouy — and in a Bears’ secondary, where his continued emergence and Cerniauskas’s return for the playoffs is an exciting combination. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sXtITPv1SLg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63630" first="Christian" last="Mannino"] — 6-2, 290 DL — Catholic</strong> Another strong performance for the underrated defensive tackle with seven tackles, including a huge bear-hug of a stuff in the backfield on a late Woodlawn drive to help slow the Panthers’ comeback push. Whichever college program makes the late move on Mannino that earns his signature will get a steal for its defensive line and locker room. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="63630" first="Christian" last="Mannino"] (<a href="https://twitter.com/C_Mannino65?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@C_Mannino65</a>) with the sack + big teddybear hug. Is it the defensive play Catholic needed to stall this Woodlawn drive? <a href="https://t.co/PVrOUpXg3y">pic.twitter.com/PVrOUpXg3y</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329991043379499009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63632" first="Lanard" last="Harris"] — 5-11, 180 DB — Woodlawn</strong> Speaking of underrated seniors, few fit that distinction more statewide than Harris. The athletic, physical safety has given opponents fits every Friday night Woodlawn has taken the field this season, with coach Marcus Randall, the former LSU quarterback, not shy about saying he thinks his standout has been the best player on the field in each matchup. Harris had nine solo tackles, including two sacks and another tackle for loss, against the Bears, with two forced fumbles and another quarterback hurry. He also caught a 42-yard touchdown pass. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="63632" first="Lanard" last="Harris"] (<a href="https://twitter.com/HarrisLanard?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HarrisLanard</a>). Big sack on third down for Woodlawn. <a href="https://t.co/WcyZrOA4rS">pic.twitter.com/WcyZrOA4rS</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329963764465225735?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63584" first="Eric" last="Randall III"] — 6-1, 185 DB — Woodlawn</strong> The Panthers’ other senior safety had a nice night of his own with nine solo tackles and a pass breakup. The son of former Southern quarterback Eric Randall Jr. and nephew of Marcus spent much of his night in the box, particularly once Catholic built its early lead. And "E3" was right at home with the big boys, showing the physicality that has always been a part of his game. Because of injuries and transfers, Randall didn’t play much football as an underclassman before bursting onto the radar with his raw talent as a junior and now starting to pick up more finer points of his defensive role with Woodlawn coordinator Brent Broussard. The Memphis commitment is already one of Louisiana’s top 2021 prospects, but probably has more ceiling for greater further strides ahead than many realize. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">[player_tooltip player_id="63584" first="Eric" last="Randall III"] (<a href="https://twitter.com/turnupe3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@turnupe3</a>) is the first tackler there for Woodlawn. <a href="https://t.co/1g6U3uqJtb">pic.twitter.com/1g6U3uqJtb</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329982803136696325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <strong>2022 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Lloyd "Tre" Benson — 5-10, 170 WR — Catholic</strong> The junior wide receiver caught the go-ahead touchdown <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2020/11/top-performers-catholic-baton-rouge-vs-acadiana/">the previous week against powerhouse Acadiana</a> and followed up with a four-catch, 52-yard performance against the Panthers in which he appeared on his way to becoming freshman quarterback Daniel Beale’s go-to in key situations, such as pivotal third downs. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I think Catholic freshman QB Daniel Beale has a favorite receiver. And his name is Tre’ Benson. <a href="https://t.co/AN0V0l2G61">pic.twitter.com/AN0V0l2G61</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329977517483184130?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Joshua Wax — 5-10, 160 DB — Catholic</strong> The junior safety is often less-heralded than his senior counterparts in Cerniauskas and Demouy, but has been huge for Catholic this season. Wax has looked like the fastest player on the field on multiple occasions when opponents break a long run that seems destined for the end zone only to be caught from behind by the Bears’ defensive back. His biggest play in this one came on a first-half interception that helped fuel the Bears’ early momentum. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Joshua Wax has made tons of big plays of late... and this one could be up there. Nice interception for the Catholic junior DB... gives the Bears a huge opportunity early. <a href="https://t.co/Enu3A2Zayl">pic.twitter.com/Enu3A2Zayl</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329960163068026880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Matthew Reinholtz — 5-7, 150 WR— Catholic</strong> Coach Gabriel Fertitta and his staff love their undersized speedster, and fans saw a couple of glimpses why on his two catches for 28 yards and particularly on a long kickoff return on which he found a seam and was off to the races for a would-be touchdown before the old Memorial Stadium turf got the best of him near midfield. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Catholic sets up a beautiful screen to junior speedster Matthew Reinholtz. <a href="https://t.co/ycfPg5Nh8H">pic.twitter.com/ycfPg5Nh8H</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329959029368639488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Amani Givens — 5-9, 195 RB — Woodlawn</strong> The junior was one of the Panthers’ top offensive players, running tough all night for 79 yards on 15 carries against a good Catholic defensive front and catching five passes for another 50 yards. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Catholic brings a blitz of the edge, and Amani Givens runs right past it for a nice Woodlawn gain to start possession No. 2. <a href="https://t.co/ebvv485TRx">pic.twitter.com/ebvv485TRx</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329957133157273600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Kyles Jones — 6-2, 172 WR — Woodlawn</strong> Woodlawn’s junior receiver was sophomore quarterback Rickie Collins Jr.’s favorite target early on, including a short pass he would through defenders and reached the goal line on a leaping-and-diving effort. Jones added a second score late on a 43-yard strike from Collins to finished with eight catches for 122 yards. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rickie Collins Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/RickieJCollins1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickieJCollins1</a>) secures the snap, finds Kyle Jones... And Woodlawn is a cut and a dive into the end zone. Panthers halve the Catholic lead to 14-7 with 4:42 left in the second quarter. <a href="https://t.co/8VsvHkVGdN">pic.twitter.com/8VsvHkVGdN</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329965227870449665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Marcus Stewart — 5-9, 170 DB — Woodlawn</strong> Another Woodlawn junior provided some pivotal plays on the defensive side of the ball, including four tackles and an interception in the end zone as the third quarter ended. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Woodlawn junior Marcus Stewart with the interception in the end zone as the third quarter ends. <a href="https://t.co/VTYaXdQTJp">pic.twitter.com/VTYaXdQTJp</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329985223644286977?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <strong>2023 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Daniel Harden — 6-1, 180 WR — Catholic</strong> As big as Benson’s performance has been in recent weeks, a younger receiver actually led the Bears statistically against Woodlawn thanks to a 35-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Harden finished with five catches overall for 66 yards. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Catholic coach Gabe Fertitta loves taking shots after takeaways. And freshman QB Daniel Beale has sophomore receiver Daniel Harden deep so quickly on first down here I missed the snap. Bears lead, 14-0, in the last minute of the opening quarter. <a href="https://t.co/SyVVUyRQFC">pic.twitter.com/SyVVUyRQFC</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329960525229383686?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Rickie Collins Jr. — 6-3, 175 QB — Woodlawn</strong> Newman’s Arch Manning and Zachary’s Eli Holstein have been the early faces of Louisiana’s talented 2023 quarterback class, but Woodlawn’s young passer is among the next names on the list for colleges to know. Collins completed 32 of 50 passes (64 percent) for 446 yards and four touchdowns in the regular-season finale. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rickie Collins Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/RickieJCollins1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickieJCollins1</a>) to Clayton Adams again. <a href="https://t.co/9oShrYxlgW">pic.twitter.com/9oShrYxlgW</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329989930001571840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Clayton Adams — 5-9, 170 WR — Woodlawn</strong> Collins’ fellow sophomore exploded in the second half en route to game highs of 11 receptions and 142 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown catch. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rickie Collins Jr. (<a href="https://twitter.com/RickieJCollins1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RickieJCollins1</a>) to Clayton Adams in the corner of the end zone. Woodlawn trims Catholic lead to 27-13 mid-third. <a href="https://t.co/x8WnCPJ8Hv">pic.twitter.com/x8WnCPJ8Hv</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329980277695844352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Jordan Matthews — 6-1, 170 DB — Woodlawn</strong> The younger brother of McNeese State wide receiver Joshua Matthews, who transferred from Louisiana Tech, already looks the part of a college cornerback prospect as a sophomore. The long, rangy athlete came up with a pair of big breakups to help slow Catholic’s offense when the Bears looked his way. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jordan Matthews (<a href="https://twitter.com/JMatthews_07?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JMatthews_07</a>) with a third-down PBU. <a href="https://t.co/zyfAmEe6Ld">pic.twitter.com/zyfAmEe6Ld</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329969243908091904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <strong>2024 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Daniel Beale — 6-0, 170 QB — Catholic</strong> "Baby Beale" made enough plays the previous week to help the Bears survive Acadiana when senior Landon O’Connor left with an ankle injury. And, a week later against Woodlawn, he improved his numbers to 17-for-27 (63 percent) for 222 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the program’s first-ever start by a freshman quarterback. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Freshman QB Daniel Beale improvising and turning nothing into a little something for Catholic. <a href="https://t.co/ZtnjK6Mwwg">pic.twitter.com/ZtnjK6Mwwg</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1329962939512741895?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 21, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>