Championship Top Performers: Catholic (BR) vs. Jesuit

Catholic (Baton Rouge) clung to a four-point lead Saturday in its lowest-scoring contest all season. But the Bears’ defense matched Jesuit stop for stop all second half of the Division-I state championship game at Tulane's Yulman Stadium. And with 9:02 remaining, their offense finally strung together one first down after another to run out the clock on a 14-10 victory. Here were a few of the top performers from each team: <strong>CATHOLIC (BATON ROUGE)</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="137116" first="Kylan" last="Dupre"] (2022)</strong> <strong>5-11, 185 P/K</strong> The senior specialist punted four times for an average of 37.2 yards, including a 49-yarder and three downed inside the 20, to help Catholic in the battle of field position. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138449" first="Daniel" last="Harden"] (2023)</strong> <strong>6-1, 180 WR</strong> The passing game was inconsistent most of the contest. But when quarterback [player_tooltip player_id="139258" first="Daniel" last="Beale"] needed key completions, his fellow sophomore was a key target with four receptions for 28 yards and the Bears’ lone offensive touchdown, a 6-yard catch for one of that duo’s third-yard conversions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136547" first="Emery" last="Jones"] (2022)</strong> <strong>6-4, 295 OL</strong> The offensive line, led by the LSU-committed left tackle, gained strength as the game continued building up to the dominant final drive. Jones has developed into one of Louisiana’s top prospects, an impressive combination of size and strength on quick feet. And he and his teammates up front were explosive in paving space to keep the chains moving. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="138357" first="Harold" last="Lawson"] (2023)</strong> <strong>6-0, 205 LB</strong> A long list of defensive players on either side of the matchup played well as pieces of a pair of well-disciplined units. Lawson was one of a few Bears with five or six tackles, including his 1.5 tackles for loss and a key fourth-down stop. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136661" first="Taelon" last="Nicholas"] (2022)</strong> <strong>5-10, 190 RB</strong> The senior running back capped a breakout postseason with an Outstanding Player performance in the state championship game. Nicholas was the Bears’ most consistent offensive weapon with 106 yards on 27 carries, including several key conversions. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136644" first="Josh" last="Robertson"] (2022)</strong> <strong>5-9, 165 DB</strong> Each offense only managed one first-half touchdown before the defenses clamped down even further in a scoreless second half. But the Bears capitalized on an early special teams opportunity when a snap sailed over Jesuit’s punter’s head and toward the end zone. Catholic’s senior cornerback darted and dove for the loose ball for the game’s first score, a touchdown that held up as pivotal in the low-scoring affair. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136619" first="Jermaine" last="Vessell"] (2022)</strong> <strong>6-1, 215 LB/DL</strong> The senior edge rusher was in the mix with Lawson, Jack Massey, [player_tooltip player_id="136598" first="Wesley" last="Woodward"], [player_tooltip player_id="187030" first="Joshua" last="Wax"], Brooks Wright and company who made life difficult on the Jesuit offense. Vessel finished with five tackles, including three for loss and a sack on a flea flicker that epitomized the disciplined, team defense. &nbsp; <strong>JESUIT</strong> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136618" first="Dennis" last="Dougherty"] (2022)</strong> <strong>6-1, 220 LB</strong> As mentioned for Catholic, the Blue Jays’ entire defense played well together to hold their opponent to a season-low scoring output. Dougherty and junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="138365" first="Dominic" last="Logiudice"] and senior defensive tackle Joseph Barnett were among the leaders. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="136463" first="Jack" last="Larriviere"] (2022)</strong> <strong>6-2, 210 QB</strong> The Blue Jays’ Outstanding Player completed seven of 15 passes for 137 yards, scrambled his way through the Bears’ stout defensive front for another 22 yards and the team’s lone touchdown and caught another 20-yard pass on a misdirection play. <strong>Jace Larsen (2023)</strong> <strong>6-2, 170 WR</strong> The top weapon for Larriviere and the offense hauled in five of his quarterback’s seven completions for 109 yards, including a 56-yarder downfield for the longest play of the day for either team.