Top Performers: Lafayette Christian vs. Newman state semifinal

A potential postseason matchup between Newman and Lafayette Christian had been in the back of many minds before the playoff brackets had even come into focus. The two ultra-talented teams boast several high-profile prospects from the present class on through those for years to come. And the opportunity finally presented itself in the Division-III semifinals as the top-seeded Greenies welcomed the three-time champion Knights to New Orleans. LCA arrived without the services of LSU signee [player_tooltip player_id="63550" first="Sage" last="Ryan"], who was sidelined by a slight hamstring injury, but managed still to stifle sophomore quarterback Arch Manning and its high-powered hosts, 21-7. Here are a few of the standouts from that evening. &nbsp; <strong>2021 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Trent Hypolite — 5-11, 185 LB — Lafayette Christian</strong> A star-studded secondary headlines the Knights, and a big defensive line can often rise to the occasion and dominate a given contest. But senior middle linebacker Trent Hypolite may have been involved in as many plays as anyone against the Greenies. Lafayette Christian clearly entered the matchup with a focus on disrupting Manning and company with pressure. And Hypolite repeatedly burst through gaps into the young quarterback’s face, but also showed the ability to contain the perimeter or come up with a breakup in coverage when necessary to provide some different looks. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">LCA bringing guys from different directions just about every play to try to make Arch Manning uncomfortable.</p> Trent Hypolite up the middle this time. <a href="https://t.co/ib98e6573S">pic.twitter.com/ib98e6573S</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337571583536324610?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Caemon Scott — 5-8, 150 ATH — Lafayette Christian</strong> "Speedy" has made his biggest impact this season as an offensive weapon capable of blowing the top off of opposing defenses. And Scott did that in the semifinals with a 67-yard touchdown before halftime to answer Newman’s first — and, ultimately, only — score. But he also played extensively on defense as the Ryan-less Knights tried to have as much speed on the field as possible to contain the Greenies’ explosive receiving corps. And the senior filled in well with a couple of key breakups, including helping disrupt a pass to the end zone just before halftime. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I’m used to seeing Caemon Scott make big plays on offense.</p> “Speedy” coming up big in coverage tonight for LCA. <a href="https://t.co/hOauSBB0aA">pic.twitter.com/hOauSBB0aA</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337588708002947075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="63646" first="Sterling" last="Scott"] — 5-10, 175 DB — Newman</strong> The Harvard commit doesn’t draw the same recruiting attention as his younger teammates, but has been a critical leader for the program and versatile playmaker on the field. Lafayette Christian found little to no success in the Newman senior’s direction in the secondary, having to find all their points and big plays in other areas of the field. And the Greenies’ Scott served as a security valve out of the backfield for Manning against a Knights defense that took away his primary passing options and his time in the pocket. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Arch Manning to [player_tooltip player_id="63646" first="Sterling" last="Scott"].</p> Clock under 20 seconds in the half. <a href="https://t.co/5XKnNhL75Q">pic.twitter.com/5XKnNhL75Q</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337583148532699136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Joshua Koeppel — DL — Newman Several of the Greenies’ seniors stepped up in the postseason to give the team a chance, and their defensive tackle used his quickness to be in that mix by getting into the backfield in pursuit of the Knights’ quarterbacks on a few occasions and also by diving on a loose ball for a fumble recovery near midfield in the second quarter. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Joshua Koeppel in the backfield with pressure on third.</p> Newman keeps backing LCA up and forces a punt. <a href="https://t.co/Ktu4PrMDGt">pic.twitter.com/Ktu4PrMDGt</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337567189340205061?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Brandon McGowan — LB — Newman</strong> Similar to Koeppel’s work up front, Brandon McGowan used his quickness against a bigger Lafayette Christian front to come with a handful of timely plays, including a sack, another tackle for a loss and another tackle near the line to clean up a potentially dangerous quarterback scramble. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A false start, a TFL and now a sack by Brandon McGowan.</p> The Newman defense coming up HUGE at a potentially pivotal moment early. <a href="https://t.co/gy7yEvESya">pic.twitter.com/gy7yEvESya</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337566864327708677?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <strong>2022 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Jordan Allen — 5-11, 180 DB — Lafayette Christian</strong> Many of the Knights’ marquee matchups this seasons had come against run-heavy opponents who remained inclined to avoid Jordan Allen in the few opportunities in which they did take to the air. Newman didn’t shy away with wunderkind quarterback Arch Manning at the helm and 2022 LSU target A.J. Johnson lined up in front of Allen most of the night. And Lafayette Christian’s talented junior cornerback dominated the high-profile matchup with not even one completion allowed in the 15 attempts his way. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DaUD_3cTKBQ" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>B[player_tooltip player_id="63612" first="Rylan" last="Green"] — 5-9, 160 DB — Lafayette Christian</strong> The other of the Knights’ dynamic junior defensive back duo was his usual productive, disruptive self flying all over the field and seeming to be around the ball at almost every blink for a breakup, tackle for loss or, notably in the semifinals, a forced fumble at the end of the third quarter with his team backed against its own goal line to end a Newman scoring threat. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Newman second&amp;goal with two seconds left in the third.</p> Ball pops loose. And big Fitzgerald West is there for the recovery as time expires. Huge play. <a href="https://t.co/2ZecVl7lJZ">pic.twitter.com/2ZecVl7lJZ</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337595466259832833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Fitzgerald West Jr. — 6-2, 320 DL — Lafayette Christian</strong> Allen’s and Green’s big classmate on the defensive front, Fitzgerald West Jr., was the Knights’ standout to dive on the aforementioned fumble as the third quarter expired. The Colorado and Tulane target, also on the radar of bigger programs such as LSU and Alabama, has played some of the best ball of his career during the back half of his junior season and has also proven himself a capable and potentially intriguing blocker on the offensive line, as well. <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pR2J1FII3Hk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>Darian Riggs — 5-9, 170 ATH — Lafayette Christian</strong> Another of the Knights’ talented juniors, the always-underrated Darian Riggs, continued to be one of the team’s top weapons as a rusher, a receiver and a returner. A few of his top plays in the semifinal included a quick screen pass in the second quarter, with which he then out-ran everyone to the goal line for Lafayette Christian’s second touchdown; a stretching grab over the middle in the third quarter on which he extended fully and snatched a dart from freshman quarterback Ju’Juan Johnson for a completion; and a fourth-quarter punt return on which he took the Greenies’ best kick of the game, found a seam and flipped the field back in his team’s favor. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Payton Janise &amp; co. blocking well on the perimeter.</p> And Darian Riggs (<a href="https://twitter.com/DarianRiggs1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DarianRiggs1</a>) is GONE for an LCA touchdown. Knights double the lead to 14-0 midway through the second quarter at Newman. <a href="https://t.co/TMaVp5U40H">pic.twitter.com/TMaVp5U40H</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337575994908155911?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>Will Randle —6-3, 220 DL/TE— Newman</strong> With Lafayette Christian locking down Johnson, sophomore Kai Donaldson and the Greenies’ perimeter weapons, tight end Will Randle became Manning’s most consistent target, showing off his sure hands as well as his ability to run after the catch when given a little room. The junior played his typical two-way role, with a second-quarter strip to force the fumble recovered by Koeppel among his defensive highlights. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Arch Manning.</p> Will Randle. Newman with a first&amp;goal. <a href="https://t.co/aDksOZ4OSk">pic.twitter.com/aDksOZ4OSk</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337594660093632517?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> &nbsp; <strong>2023 Recruiting Class</strong> <strong>Arch Manning — 6-3, 190 QB — Newman</strong> The matchup with Lafayette Christian’s dominant defense won’t go down as one of Newman’s sophomore star’s most prolific performances. He completed only 17 of his 36 attempts for just 151 yards. But he did manage to show off his athleticism — extending plays with his legs — and poise — keeping his team working and communicating — against elite competition in a deep-playoff setting. The experience is one Manning and his fellow returners could look back to as a motivation and springboard for the next season or two to come. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">ARCH MANNING showing the mobility. <a href="https://t.co/6EqvjgD5ky">pic.twitter.com/6EqvjgD5ky</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1337590713966530562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>