Top Performers: Madison Prep vs. U-High

Even down 24 points in the fourth quarter, previously undefeated Madison Prep showed no quit. The reigning Class 3A champs lived up to their Chargers’ name with 16 quick points to slash the deficit to one possession and another big defensive stop to seemingly set the stage for a dramatic finish. But, instead, a controversial call of a roughing the punter penalty deflated the rally and provided district rival University Lab another opportunity to seal away the 37-29 victory. One familiar face was the clear catalyst for Madison Prep, but with the help of other rising stars as well as intriguing peeks as some of the program’s up-and-coming next generation of playmakers. Check out more details below on some of the top performers. And <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2021/10/top-performers-u-high-vs-madison-prep/">click here for more from the U-High side</a> of the Baton Rouge showdown of state championship hopefuls. &nbsp; <strong>THE STAR</strong> Even in the loss, senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="127757" first="Zeon" last="Chriss"] (6-2, 205)</strong> looked every bit the part of his résumé and hype, including his Division-I scholarship offer list and Louisiana (Lafayette) commitment. U-High’s defensive front was too much for Madison Prep’s line to consistently keep from its aggressive pursuit of its star. But even scrambling for his life at times, Chriss was more often than night able to make impressive plays with his legs to either buy more time to get the ball to his weapons downfield or to frustrated the Cubs for big gains on the ground. He finished with 324 yards and one touchdown through the air and another 87 yards and three scores rushing. &nbsp; <strong>RISING STARS</strong> Two of the Chargers that veterans like Chriss and defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id="136573" first="Quency" last="Wiggins"] or even departed star [player_tooltip player_id="63566" first="Tyrell" last="Raby"], now a freshman at Memphis, had tabbed as "next up" both made big plays in the team’s biggest game of the season thus far. Two-way junior standouts <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138318" first="David" last="Jones"] (6-0, 190)</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="188945" first="Treylan" last="James"] (6-1, 200)</strong> both more likely project as defensive backs at the next level. And Jones had a couple of highlights on that side of the ball: a big pressure of U-High quarterback Blake Abney, a strong third-down tackle in space to force a punt and a pass breakup downfield. But they also each showed their offensive skillset as key receivers for Chriss, including a pass to Jones into the red zone to set up Madison Prep’s first score and a touchdown and another long pass to James. &nbsp; <strong>THE NEXT GENERATION</strong> Jones and James weren’t the only targets — or the youngest — to make big plays against the Cubs. Chriss found freshman <strong>Andre Gipson Jr. (5-9, 165)</strong> and sophomore <strong>Keilan Sherman (5-11, 190)</strong> for two of Madison Prep’s longest gains of the game to set up a pair of his touchdown runs. And speedy freshman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="145331" first="Semaj" last="Pierre"] (5-6, 160)</strong>, an intriguing 2025 prospect as he continues to develop, was a consistent target. Sophomore running back <strong>Tony Lewis Jr. (5-9, 175)</strong> was the primary rushing complement to Chriss, and sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="144876" first="Hezekiah" last="Dantzler"] (6-0, 175)</strong>. Suffice it to say that the skill-position cupboard will remain well-stocked when Chriss passes the offense to junior <strong>Tariq McKnight (6-0, 175)</strong> and freshman <strong>Tylan Johnson (5-10, 190)</strong>.