Top Performers: Zachary vs. Lafayette Christian
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A pair of Louisiana’s top teams didn’t score an offensive touchdown until the last 25 seconds of their final preseason tune-up. But a late strike from junior quarterback Eli Holstein Eli Holstein 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Zachary |…
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Continue ReadingA pair of Louisiana’s top teams didn’t score an offensive touchdown until the last 25 seconds of their final preseason tune-up.
But a late strike from junior quarterback Eli Holstein Eli Holstein 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Zachary | 2023 State LA to senior wide receiver Kameran Senegal Kameran Senegal 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Zachary | 2022 State LA provided the late fireworks necessary to left Zachary past host Lafayette Christian, 12-6.
And the Broncos and Knights’ jamboree matchup didn’t lack for notable standout performers kicking off their fall campaigns on a positive note.
Holstein, the Texas A&M commitment, found top target Charles Robertson Charles Robertson 6'3" | 180 lbs | WR Zachary | 2022 State LA , a Louisiana (Lafayette) commitment, early and often, and junior safety Kylin Jackson Kylin Jackson 6'3" | 195 lbs | DB Zachary | 2023 State LA made plays on both defense and special teams for Zachary.
Meanwhile Tulane and Louisiana (Lafayette) target Masey Lewis Masey Lewis 6'4" | 230 lbs | LB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA was the biggest name on the field for the Knights with Jordan Allen Jordan Allen 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA , Brylan Green Brylan Green 5'9" | 165 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA and Fitzgerald West Fitzgerald West 6'2" | 300 lbs | OL Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA Jr. all sidelined.
But here are a few of the other players who showed they could have big falls and careers ahead.
Melvin Hills — 6-4, 260 DL — Lafayette Christian (2024)
One of the Knights’ younger athletes stepped up alongside Lewis to help lead the team’s defensive push up front. Hills is already one of LCA’s biggest bodies and showed good quickness off the line and shedding blockers for his age and size. He looks to be one of the perennial power’s key players to watch when the talented senior class graduates.
More of Melvin Hills in the middle of LCA’s defensive front. pic.twitter.com/fQLmoJ9xpJ
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) August 28, 2021
Tai’Shon Nelson — 6-0, 245 DL — Zachary (2022)
The strong, stout defensive lineman with a high motor generated consistent push in the middle of the Broncos’ defensive front for a sack and another couple hurries.
Alonzo Ryes — 5-9, 165 — Lafayette Christian (2023)
The junior wide receiver and returner looks to be another emerging weapon for the Knights alongside Darian Riggs Darian Riggs 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA and Cowinn Helaire Cowinn Helaire 5'10" | 150 lbs | WR Lafayette Christian | 2022 State LA to help fill the big shoes left by the graduations of Sage Ryan Sage Ryan 5'11" | 190 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2021 State LA and Caemon “Speedy” Scott.
Kam Senegal — 5-9, 160 WR — Zachary (2022)
The senior, who broke free to haul in the game-winning touchdown from Holstein, is probably a more well-known name than the rest of this list after his strong spring and summer. But the smaller, quicker counterpart to Robertson remains relatively under-the-radar entering a season in which he figures to be a consistent weapon for a high-powered attack.
Eli Holstein Eli Holstein 6'3" | 215 lbs | QB Zachary | 2023 State LA .
Kameran Senegal Kameran Senegal 5'9" | 160 lbs | WR Zachary | 2022 State LA .Zachary back ahead, 11-6, with 25 seconds left in the jamboree. pic.twitter.com/yrU3k5ovRT
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) August 28, 2021
Emauri Sibley — 6-0, 190 LB — Zachary (2022)
Another senior standout on the Broncos’ defense, who helped bring pressure from the linebacking corps, including one particularly ferocious sack in the second half of the low-scoring battle in which Zachary didn’t allow an offensive touchdown.
6-0, 190 senior Emauri Sibley 😳😳 pic.twitter.com/z96MaSDneP
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) August 28, 2021
Kameran Thomas — RB — Zachary (2025)
Even before the varsity teams squared off, the freshman running back rattled off a slew of impressive runs in the junior varsity game that had his older teammates impressed on the sideline. Thomas hit holes with purpose, smoothly navigated traffic and made defenders miss.
Brayden Zeigler — 5-11, 215 LB — Lafayette Christian (2022)
The linebacker was an underrated, hard-hitting leader on last year’s state championship team and looked to come back bigger and faster to start his senior season. Zeigler picked up a drag route across the middle of the field, stayed in stride with the receiver and jumped the pass, then darted about 45 yards to the end zone for the Knights’ only points.
So… Lafayette Christian is on the board.
Brayden Zeigler pick-six.
Knights take a 6-5 lead with 2:44 remaining. pic.twitter.com/fbPDx1R4Bd
— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) August 28, 2021