Top Performers: Lafayette Christian vs. St. Charles | Div. III
In this article:
Lafayette Christian stung St. Charles on the first play from scrimmage before settling into a defensive slugfest for most of the teams’ four quarters. The Comets made the Knights sweat this rematch of last year’s title game quite a bit…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingLafayette Christian stung St. Charles on the first play from scrimmage before settling into a defensive slugfest for most of the teams’ four quarters.
The Comets made the Knights sweat this rematch of last year’s title game quite a bit more than the lopsided previous meeting.
But, when the dust settled, LCA survived again to etch its name into elite Louisiana high school football history with a 12-7 victory for a fourth straight state championship.
Only five other teams in LHSAA history had ever enjoyed such a string of title success, and coach Jacarde Carter and company were already smiling both at the impressive new company and the opportunity to push the streak even farther in 2021.
2021 Recruiting Class
Caemon Scott — 5-8, 160 WR — Lafayette Christian
St. Charles coach Frank Monica said his team was expecting Lafayette Christian to try a deep shot right away, but the Comets still couldn’t contain Scott flying upfield for the long reception and run for an 80-yard touchdown. The track standout’s lead-off home run was easily the biggest offensive play in a contest with few highlights on that side of the ball. The Knights went just 8-for-18 for 68 yards and an interception in the passing game after that initial jab. “Speedy” finished with two catches for 97 yards and one score of his team’s nine completions for 148 yards total.
Trent Hypolite — 5-11, 190 LB — Lafayette Christian
Hypolite capped a productive senior campaign with a nine-tackle state championship game, including one for loss for a safety to help seal away the victory.
Brayden Zeigler — 5-11, 215 LB — Lafayette Christian
The senior linebacker was one of the most frequent names called throughout Monday’s matchup as he made tackles all over the field to finish with seven total.
Kamren Campbell Kamren Campbell 5'10" | 180 lbs | DB St. Charles Catholic | 2021 State LA — 6-0, 190 DB — St. Charles
As noted, Monday was a slow offensive night for both teams against one another’s stout defensive efforts. The Knights rolled past the Comets, 41-14, in the 2019 state championship. But, even in a disappointing overall outcome, credit to St. Charles for holding LCA to just one score. Their standout defensive back finished with three tackles and half a tackle for loss as he helped in run support.
Mandel Eugene Mandel Eugene 6'1" | 190 lbs | LB St. Charles Catholic | 2021 State LA — 6-1, 205 LB — St. Charles
The Tulane signee may have had the play of the game with an interception from his Comets’ 17-yard line and subsequent 83-yard run back up the sideline to the other end zone. A former running back showed off that skillset with his speed and balance through broken tackles to record the longest interception return in the LHSAA’s history of Class 2A or Division III state championships — and one of the handful of longest at any level. Eugene finished with three tackles, including one sack.
2022 Recruiting Class
Jordan Allen — 5-10, 180 DB — Lafayette Christian
The junior cornerback followed up an excellent coverage performance in the semifinals with another stout showing of his willingness to tackle and help in run support against a team that rarely takes to the air. Allen finished with four tackles, including three hard-hitting solo stops and helped ensure St. Charles Catholic quarterback Zack Vicknair had few good options downfield when pass plays did occur. The Comets completed four of 10 attempts and had many others turn into coverage sacks or scrambles for little to no gain.
B Rylan Green Rylan Green 6'3" | 245 lbs | TE West Monroe | 2021 State LA — 5-10, 165 DB — Lafayette Christian
Whether in his typical No. 19 or in No. 47 after halftime because of a jersey issue, Green was unmistakable with his play. The junior safety flew all over the field, as always, for the Knights and finished with seven tackles, including 2.5 for loss, and a pass breakup.
Masey Lewis — 6-4, 240 DL — Lafayette Christian
An intriguing prospect already with Kansas and South Alabama offers, Lewis still managed arguably his most productive performance when the stage was its largest. The junior defensive end earned Most Outstanding Player honors for his afternoon of 10 tackles, including 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Kaiden Jones — 5-11, 230 DL — St. Charles
Success up front set the table for the Comets’ efforts to limit Lafayette Christian so heavily, and their athletic junior defensive end was as active near and behind the line of scrimmage as anyone. Jones finished with eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss and one sack.