Louisiana Championships: Uncommitted Prospects in Division II
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A Louisiana high school football season once uncertain to even occur will close this week with nine final intriguing matchups. Northwestern State in Natchitoches will host the LHSAA’s Prep Classic event — as opposed to its usual home at the…
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Continue ReadingA Louisiana high school football season once uncertain to even occur will close this week with nine final intriguing matchups.
Northwestern State in Natchitoches will host the LHSAA’s Prep Classic event — as opposed to its usual home at the Superdome in New Orleans — because of concerns related to COVID-19.
But, for all the abnormalities and adjustments, the significance, excitement and levels of talent remain high as ever.
Prep Redzone Louisiana will look at three to seven of each matchup’s remaining unsigned and uncommitted prospects.
Division II
No. 1 De La Salle vs. No. 2 St. Thomas More
Monday, 7:30 p.m.
The second day of the Louisiana high school state championships event will close with a second straight rematch of a champion from Lafayette and its challenger from the New Orleans area.
In the Division II night cap, St. Thomas More and De La Salle will follow the footsteps of Lafayette Christian and St. Charles Catholic in Division III.
The Cougars, this year’s No. 2 seed, beat the Cavaliers, this year’s No. 1, in Lafayette last December, 58-10.
Much of the top talent from both teams returns, with junior quarterback Walker Howard, an LSU commitment, succeeding the graduated Caleb Holstein to keep the high-power St. Thomas More passing attack humming with LSU signee Jack Bech Jack Bech 6'3" | 215 lbs | WR St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA and company.
But recent decommitments from Arizonas by De La Salle stars Montrell Johnson Montrell Johnson 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB De La Salle | 2021 State LA and Ja’Marian Peterson Ja’Marian Peterson 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2021 State LA give the Cavaliers the highest-profile uncommitted prospects.
2021 Recruiting Class
Carter Arceneaux — 5-11, 175 WR — St. Thomas More
When the Howard-to-Bech connection forces defenses to focus too much attention in the direction of the LSU signee, another senior receiver is quick to cut them up over the middle. Howard’s got plenty of veteran options around him, and Arceneaux has proven a great one with 45 catches for 672 yards and nine touchdowns in just nine games. Louisiana College is his only listed offer thus far.
Bryce Boullion Bryce Boullion 6'1" | 220 lbs | LB St. Thomas More | 2021 State LA — 6-1, 220 LB — St. Thomas More
Another Louisiana College target, the senior linebacker is a key piece in the center of the Cougars’ defense with a team-high 78 tackles in eight games, including three for loss. He also holds an offer from Sterling.
Carter Domingue — 6-3, 205 WR — St. Thomas More
This senior pass-catcher is known more for his talent on the basketball court, under coach Danny Broussard, but his height and athleticism have translated well to the football field when given the opportunity. He has caught 29 passes this season for 327 yards and five touchdowns.
Montrell Johnson Montrell Johnson 5'11" | 200 lbs | RB De La Salle | 2021 State LA — 6-1, 205 RB — De La Salle
As the early signing period came and went, the majority of Louisiana’s top seniors have already locked into their college plans. But the losing season and coaching change at Arizona led to Johnson and Peterson taking a step back to reconsider — and coincidentally becoming two of the state’s top remaining commodities for the 2021 recruiting class. Johnson has been a workhorse for the Cavaliers his entire high school career. And his ability to have one more big game on the ground would be integral to De La Salle potentially avenging last season’s loss.
In addition to Arizona, he holds offers from Tennessee, Colorado, Tulane, Louisiana Tech, Virginia, Duke, Louisiana (Lafayette), ULM, North Texas, Arkansas State, Nicholls State, McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana among others.
John Martin John Martin 6'3" | 335 lbs | OL De La Salle | 2021 State LA — 6-5, 360 OL — De La Salle
In front of maybe any running back, you’ll find an effective offensive line. And, when you look in front of Johnson, you’ll have a difficult time missing the mammoth Martin. The senior doesn’t often get the attention of his fellow seniors at more often highlighted positions, but has been a major part of the Cavaliers’ success in recent years.
His current offers include ULM, South Alabama, Penn, Dartmouth, Columbia, Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana and Alcorn State.
Ja’Marian Peterson Ja’Marian Peterson 6'3" | 245 lbs | DL De La Salle | 2021 State LA — 6-4, 240 DL — De La Salle
Peterson’s story on the recruiting trail is similar to Johnson’s in their recent decommitments from Arizona. He holds offers from Mississippi State, Purdue, Indiana, Washington State, Boston College, Tulane, Memphis, Hawaii, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana (Lafayette), ULM, Nicholls State, Grambling State, Lamar and several others. And, also similarly to Johnson, his performance will be necessary to have success against St. Thomas More. The Cougars can get up and down the field as well as anyone in the state, but potentially slowing that attack down would start with Peterson and company up front.