Baton Rouge Players Playoff Spotlight (1A & 3A)

[player_tooltip player_id="136482" first="Herman" last="Brister"], Sr. #3 Southern Lab S / CB 6’2”, 220 lbs. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11256090/Herman-Brister">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11256090/Herman-Brister</a> When asked the senior safety how special it is to practice and play the week of Thanksgiving. Brister stated they are “Locked In”, the team is focused and the focus is to finish. Spoken like a true veteran leader. With his answer you could hear the intensity in his tone, yet humble and respectful but also intense. Listed as a 3-star recruit prospect and carrying 18 offers, the Navy Football commit tailor’s his on the field play after the play of South Louisiana native and football legend Ed Reed. Brister is smart, big, fast, instinctive, and has a nose for the ball. He stated that he and teammate Shane Forman are a duo like Ray Lewis and Ed Reed when they are on the field together and they are clicking. Together they make the engine of the Southern Lab defense run without missing a gear. Brister compared football to the game chess and highlighted the importance of being mentally tough. It is important how you respond to adversity and how to respond to it while playing this game is something that is fun to him and he enjoys it. He takes playing football just as important as he takes his classes or academic career, even comparing his approach to football as the same approach he takes for his classes. Highlighting the importance being an all-around student of the game, paying attention to the details, and not taking any shortcuts. Brister closed by saying playing at Southern Lab every game is a big game but they take all games one game at a time and has the utmost respect for each opponent week in and week out. Shawn Bates, Sr. #5 Southern Lab RB / S 5’11”, 175 lbs. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/11900178/Shawn-Bates">https://www.hudl.com/profile/11900178/Shawn-Bates</a> Shawn Bates, Kitten teammate of [player_tooltip player_id="136482" first="Herman" last="Brister"] III also echoed some other the same things when speaking to him. He and his teammates are locked in and focused on the tasks and opponent for this week. Also one of the keys for success is to execute and stay disciplined. Bates stated that this year ultimately they want to win a ring, but they as a team also understands that they need to be discipline and play with discipline to accomplish that goal. Bates mentioned his love for the game and how football reflects life, it opens your eyes, teaches you discipline but also makes you appreciate things. Especially during this time, it feels good to practice with the team and continue to build togetherness as a team and it’s is also helping us to continue to get better as a team. The senior tailback who plays CB, S and sometimes in the box as a LB is versatile, quick/agile and explosive with the ball in his hand. Also, Bates has piled up over 500 yards rushing, 8 TD’s and on defense he snagged 6 INT’s as well. [player_tooltip player_id="145331" first="Semaj" last="Pierre"], Fresh. #14 Madison Prep WR / CB 5’7”, 165 lbs. <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/16016898/Semaj-Pierre">https://www.hudl.com/profile/16016898/Semaj-Pierre</a> Madison Prep [player_tooltip player_id="145331" first="Semaj" last="Pierre"], Freshman WR has had a phenomenal freshman campaign this year for the Chargers. Pierre has hauled in 43 catches for 763 yards with 7 TD’s. Pierre is absolutely electric with the ball in his hands, he’s quick, explosive, a good route runner, and has the unique ability to adjust mid-air when catching the football. Pierre has racked up some amazing stats for his first-year varsity season. But he credits his accomplishments to his teammates but also was humble and thankful for the coaching staff for giving him the opportunity to see the field this early in his career. And as the Chargers play this week Pierre added that they are focused and know the importance of executing this week, staying together as a team, and being disciplined. Not only have these young men been amazing players on the football field, they are also examples of amazing student-athletes within the classroom and local community. [player_tooltip player_id="136482" first="Herman" last="Brister"] carries a 4.2 GPA with a 23 ACT score, Shawn Bates has a GPA of 3.0 and [player_tooltip player_id="145331" first="Semaj" last="Pierre"] has a 4.5 GPA and a 20 ACT score. While talking to these young men they only spoke about team/teammates, the coaches, being disciplined, and being focused on getting better for the overall goal of the team. The Chargers are on the road this week traveling to North Louisiana for a face-off against Sterlington High School for their Quarterfinals matchup. And the Kittens are home this week as they host St. Fredrick’s High School from North Louisiana for their Semifinal match-up.