Louisiana State Championships: Uncommitted Prospects in Class 1A
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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.
Class 1A
No. 1 Oak Grove vs. No. 3 Grand Lake
Monday, 11 a.m.
Oak Grove returns to its third straight state championship game after a 14-year hiatus and now seeks its first repeat in program history.
Grand Lake meanwhile continues somewhat of a Cinderella run through the unusual COVID-19 season and the hurricanes to hit southwest Louisiana to its first state championship game.
Southern Miss tight end commit Dalton Allen Dalton Allen 6'4" | 235 lbs | TE Oak Grove | 2021 State LA of the Tigers is the biggest recruiting name in the title game for the nonselect schools’ smallest classification.
But several others warrant other college looks.
2021 Recruiting Class
Deuce Clement Deuce Clement 5'11" | 180 lbs | ATH Oak Grove | 2021 State LA — 6-0, 180 ATH — Oak Grove
The senior athlete, who joined Allen in the preseason Prep Redzone prospect rankings, is one of the Tigers’ top players with decent size, a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and constant instincts and toughness to make plays for his team as a defensive back, wide receiver, running back or now at quarterback.
Ron Craten — 5-10, 230 — Oak Grove
Last year’s Most Outstanding Player is one of the Tigers’ many key veterans from that 2019 championship run. The then-junior led Oak Grove with 159 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in that game and figures to be a big part of the recipe for success again this time around. His only offer thus far is from Louisiana College.
Elijah Fountain — 6-3, 185 ATH — Grand Lake
The transfer from Barbe following this fall’s hurricanes that hit Lake Charles has proven a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball for Grand Lake this year. The wide receiver or defensive back prospect is a headache for opposing defenses at his quarterback spot for the Hornets with quickness and athleticism to make plays with his legs, size to be a tough tackle and an arm capable of burning you if you don’t respect the passing game.
Kelvin Holloway — 5-10, 150 — Oak Grove
The 2019 all-district defensive back, nicknamed “Bud,” is one of the top Class 1A athletes in the state. The Louisiana College target, in addition to his defensive work, is a threat to take any rush or reception to the house on offense.
2022 Recruiting Class
Bryant Williams — 6-8, 325 OL — Grand Lake
The Hornets’ junior left tackle and nose guard will be the biggest player on the field Monday, and no one else will be particularly close. You can’t coach size, and he’s got plenty of it and uses it to his advantage protecting his quarterback, opening running lanes for his teammates and getting into opposing backfields on the other side of the ball.