Louisiana State Championships: Uncommitted Prospects in Class 5A

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 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. &nbsp; <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PK6h2rflrGg" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" data-mce-fragment="1"></iframe> &nbsp; <strong>Class 3A</strong> <strong>No. 1 Acadiana vs. No. 6 Alexandria</strong> <strong>Wednesday, 6 p.m.</strong> Acadiana seeks its first repeat as state champions since 2013 and 2014, as well as the final trophy in the Lafayette area’s "four-for-four" push after Lafayette Christian, St. Thomas More and Carencro claimed titles this week. Alexandria arrives to its first state championship battle-tested, including quarterfinal and semifinal victories against perennial powers Zachary and West Monroe, respectively. Wreckin’ Rams defensive end [player_tooltip player_id="63579" first="Cameron" last="George"], a Louisiana-Lafayette commitment, and Trojans tight end [player_tooltip player_id="63562" first="Shield" last="Taylor"], a Stanford signee, are among the leaders on each side. But here are half a dozen of the top uncommitted names to know. &nbsp; <strong>2021 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63685" first="Caleb" last="Arceneaux"] — 5-11, 206 LB — Acadiana</strong> One of the Wreckin’ Rams’ undersized, but talented linebackers who fill the state sheet every Friday night, Arceneaux figures to bring the same type of a performance into Wednesday. He makes plays in the backfield, back in coverage and everywhere in between. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63637" first="Judd" last="Barton"] — 6-2, 185 QB — Alexandria</strong> Nicholls State and Louisiana College have extended scholarship offers to the senior quarterback, one of the top passers ranked in Prep Redzone Louisiana’s preseason 2021 rankings. His ability to distribute the ball to Taylor and his wide receivers could be a difference maker in a matchup against an Acadiana time that tries to throw the ball as little as possible. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63747" first="Derreck" last="Bercier"] Jr. — 5-11, 184 LB — Acadiana</strong> Another of the Wreckin’ Rams’ undersized, but tremendously productive tackle machines, Bercier will play the final game of his impressive high school career as a key piece of the program’s recent success. <strong>C.J. Kittling — 6-1, 180 DB — Alexandria</strong> The senior safety may be the Trojans’ most athletic playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, playing all over the secondary, but particularly on the back end. He figures to have to use his good instincts and closing speed predominantly in the box in support against the run-heavy Wreckin’ Rams. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63678" first="Jermaine" last="McNeal"] — 5-11, 190 LB — Alexandria</strong> Linebacker play will be crucial in filling gaps and containing Acadiana’s well-known veery. And McNeal is the best of Alexandria’s bunch and an athlete capable of playing somewhere at the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63623" first="Ian" last="Montz"] — 6-3, 175 DB — Acadiana</strong> A long, rangy safety with football offers from Nicholls State, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese State, Southern Lamar and Prairie View A&amp;M, as well as several Division-I baseball offers. Montz is among the top leaders and playmakers on a veteran, athletic and stingy defense. <strong>2022 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Latterance Welch — 6-2, 165 DB — Acadiana</strong> One of Louisiana’s top 2022 prospects finally returned from injury in the semifinals and now will have the opportunity to play in a second straight state championship — a big stage on which he excelled as a junior. His offers include Alabama, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Michigan State, Nebraska, Virginia, Georgia Tech and South Alabama.