Lafayette Christian hopes to keep climbing historic ladder
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The graduation of star Sage Ryan Sage Ryan 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2021 State LA and the 2021 class marked a bittersweet moment for Lafayette Christian’s rapidly ascendant football program. The LSU signee and his…
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Continue ReadingThe graduation of star Sage Ryan Sage Ryan 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2021 State LA 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 Fitzgerald West Fitzgerald West 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA Jr., Jordan Allen Jordan Allen 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA and Brylan Green Brylan Green 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA 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.
Jordan Allen Jordan Allen 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA — 6-0, 180 DB — Lafayette Christian (2022)
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.
Brylan Green Brylan Green 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA — 5-9, 265 DB — Lafayette Christian (2022)
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.
Cowinn Helaire Cowinn Helaire 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA — 5-10, 150 WR — Lafayette Christian (2022)
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.
Ju’Juan Johnson Ju’Juan Johnson 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA — 5-10, 175 QB — Lafayette Christian (2024)
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.
Jaylen Lawrence Jaylen Lawrence 6'1" | 205 lbs | LB Acadiana | 2023 LA — 6-1, 185 DB — Lafayette Christian (2023)
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.
Ty Lee Ty Lee 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA — 6-0, 165 DB — Lafayette Christian (2024)
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.
Masey Lewis Masey Lewis 6'4" | 230 lbs | LB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA — 6-4, 240 LB — Lafayette Christian (2022)
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.
Darian Riggs Darian Riggs 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA — 5-10, 170 ATH — Lafayette Christian (2022)
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.
Fitzgerald West Fitzgerald West 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA Jr. — 6-2, 300 DL — Lafayette Christian (2022)
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.