Lafayette Christian hopes to keep climbing historic ladder

The graduation of star [player_tooltip player_id="63550" first="Sage" last="Ryan"] and the 2021 class marked a bittersweet moment for Lafayette Christian’s rapidly ascendant football program. The LSU signee and his classmates helped lead the Knights to four straight state championships, starting with their first-ever in 2017. But, if there was any question about the hands into which they pass the torch, three straight Saturdays in July should provide some indication of the talent in place for "drive for five." Rising seniors [player_tooltip player_id="136581" first="Fitzgerald" last="West"] Jr., [player_tooltip player_id="136630" first="Jordan" last="Allen"] and [player_tooltip player_id="136632" first="Brylan" last="Green"] announced their respective commitments to LSU, Penn State and Liberty. The trio represents the tip of the iceberg of a still-loaded roster capable of competing for that lofty goal, which if accomplished would mark just the second instance in Louisiana high school football history. Perennial powerhouse John Curtis won five straight from 2004 to 2008. Here are a few of the biggest names to know as LCA attempts to defend its Division-III crown and chase history. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136630" first="Jordan" last="Allen"] — 6-0, 180 DB — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> The physical defensive back garnered a long list of scholarship offers this spring after his major role in the Knights’ most recent title run before ultimately committing to Penn State over Louisville on July 17. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9OGZLeOs3Q" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136632" first="Brylan" last="Green"] — 5-9, 265 DB — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> Green’s smaller stature slowed his recruitment from exploding at quite the same pace as Allen’s, or as Ryan’s had previously, but his constant impact on the field — or, for that matter, "fields," as a standout baseball player, too — was impossible to ignore each Friday and ultimately on the recruiting trail. He chose Liberty over Washington State and Tulane from an impressive list of his own July 24. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iRxkJ_HqZ-w" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136536" first="Cowinn" last="Helaire"] — 5-10, 150 WR — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> The crafty route-runner enters his senior year among the less-known names Lafayette Christian expects to step into a much more prominent role as a perimeter weapon with Ryan and the aptly nicknamed Caemon "Speedy" Scott off to the next level. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139261" first="Ju’Juan" last="Johnson"] — 5-10, 175 QB — Lafayette Christian (2024)</strong> The freshman quarterback was thrown into an intense situation ahead of schedule when senior Ryan Roberts was knocked out the opener against Class 5A powerhouse Acadiana and helped keep the offense moving with a second-team all-district performance. Johnson was active in the 7-on-7 and camp circuit this spring and summer to continue perfecting his craft. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138320" first="Jaylen" last="Lawrence"] — 6-1, 185 DB — Lafayette Christian (2023)</strong> Whether at safety, linebacker or likely somewhat of a hybrid role, the versatile athlete will be among the potential breakout candidates to watch on the defensive side. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145325" first="Ty" last="Lee"] — 6-0, 165 DB — Lafayette Christian (2024)</strong> Another of the Knights’ up-and-coming young defensive players who could be poised for a breakout fall. The graduation of Anthony Richard Jr. leaves an opening on the opposite corner from Allen, where Lee could start proving himself among the leaders of the next generation of talented prospects continuing the tradition. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136610" first="Masey" last="Lewis"] — 6-4, 240 LB — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> The big edge rusher started this past fall as a fresh face, but finished as the team’s Outstanding Player in the defensive battle of Division III championship in which he kept the St. Charles offense contained on the edge from start to finish to survive, 12-7. Lewis led all players with 10 tackles, including three for loss and 2.5 sacks, and forced and recovered a fumble in a stingy effort in which the Comets’ only points came on an interception return touchdown. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vLTEV1DvqPA" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136494" first="Darian" last="Riggs"] — 5-10, 170 ATH — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> The versatile offensive weapon was an often underrated playmaker for Roberts, Johnson and the offense. Riggs was a go-to as both a receiver and a rusher, and his role only figures to grow with Ryan’s departure. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZC7Iw2Vhxe8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136581" first="Fitzgerald" last="West"] Jr. — 6-2, 300 DL — Lafayette Christian (2022)</strong> West has started at defensive tackle since his eighth-grade year and isn’t shy about how much he values the significance of an opportunity to play that role for five straight championships. And during the course of his junior season, West also proved himself an increasingly formidable offensive lineman, too, where top programs such as LSU and Alabama were eventually intrigued enough to extend offers this summer. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t-fOrhfcHnc" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>