Top Performers: Edna Karr vs. John Curtis

Two of Louisiana’s most prominent programs helped bring high school football back to New Orleans three weeks after Hurricane Ida. And, with even a national ESPN2 audience watching the occasion, one of the state’s brightest stars exploded in game-breaking fashion to left Edna Karr past John Curtis, 33-19. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3zRdel__aAk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="128242" first="Aaron" last="Anderson"] — 5-10, 180 WR — Edna Karr (2022)</strong> The LSU commit would be the best place to start, alphabetical or not. The electric receiver returned not one, not two, but three separate kicks — two punts and a free kick — about 250 yards for three touchdowns. Anderson caught everyone’s attention as a speedy freshman in the return game three years ago and has continually developed into a more complete player every step of the way since then and garnered increasing praise from coach Brice Brown as a leader. <iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jlgl_Sg_5Hw" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138390" first="Jonathan" last="Bax"] — 6-3, 220 DL — Edna Karr (2023)</strong> The athletic edge rusher had his moments as a sophomore and could be one of the biggest breakout candidates for the perennial Class 4A powerhouse with the graduations of defensive ends [player_tooltip player_id="63669" first="Cahn" last="Meads"] and Karl Odrick Jr. from last year’s roster. Bax helped bring pressure throughout the night, but particularly once Anderson’s returns provided the Cougars a lead and forced John Curtis to the air. Bax forced a hurried throw and near-interception on one play, then corralled a sack for a safety to help stop some second-half Patriots momentum. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136577" first="Tygee" last="Hill"] — 6-3, 260 DL — Edna Karr (2022)</strong> Another LSU commit, defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id="136577" first="Tygee" last="Hill"], and his fellow interior linemen helped stuff and almost entirely shut down the John Curtis rushing attack save for a handful of plays. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136730" first="Skylon" last="Jean-Louis"] — 5-11, 200 LB — Edna Karr (2022)</strong> Another notable piece of the Cougars’ 2020 defense who figures to play an even bigger role this fall and potentially earn himself some college opportunities along the way, the linebacker/safety is active all over the field and was so again in his team’s opener, including helping rush the backfield and create the disruption that became Bax’s safety. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138286" first="Patrick" last="LeBranch"] III — 5-8, 180 ATH — John Curtis (2023)</strong> The junior speedster was the Patriots’ biggest home-run threat during the first half with a 50-yard kickoff return into Karr territory and few runs on which he showed his explosiveness and acceleration, but was caught up by a final defender before hitting open field. He also hauled in a third-down catch for a third-quarter conversion. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Patrick “PatPat” LeBranch III (<a href="https://twitter.com/patricklebranch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@patricklebranch</a>) damn near houses the ensuing kickoff.</p> Underrated 2023 speedster for John Curtis. <a href="https://t.co/SrS6zDmbAi">pic.twitter.com/SrS6zDmbAi</a> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1439010017642942468?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136467" first="Buddy" last="Taylor"] — 5-11, 160 QB — John Curtis (2022)</strong> The speedy quarterback was the weapon who finally broke through for Curtis after a scoreless first half. Taylor rushed 18 times for 181 yards, including long touchdowns of 59 and 41 yards, and threw another touchdown deep downfield to a young receiver in stride. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="139627" first="Michael" last="Turner"] Jr. — 6-1, 145 ATH — John Curtis (2024)</strong> The sophomore caught three passes for 87 yards in the run-heavy veer offense, including Taylor’s lone touchdown throw. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138475" first="Chris" last="Vasquez"] — 5-9, 195 RB — Edna Karr (2023)</strong> The junior running back provided a nice compliment to the talented wide receiver corps, including a couple key short conversions, and also hauled in a leaping, one-handed catch late to show his ability to help quarterbacks A.J. Samuel and [player_tooltip player_id="136528" first="Khamani" last="Simmons"] in that capacity. <strong>Blake Wibel — 5-10, 165 DB — John Curtis</strong> The Patriots’ strong safety snatched a first-half interception and ran 17 yards back on the return. Wibel also finished with five tackles. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Blake Wibel coming back the other way with a John Curtis interception. <a href="https://t.co/0IbGhrmP2s">pic.twitter.com/0IbGhrmP2s</a></p> — Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeritRoser/status/1439007943312150528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>