Week 3 Preview: LCA vs Jesuit

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 4-Time LHSAA State Champion LCA Knights travel to New Orleans' Tad Gormley Stadium today to meet a solid Jesuit Blue Jay ball club. The Knights come in at 2-0 and have big wins vs 5A juggernauts Acadiana and Woodlawn (BR). The Blue Jays look to bounce back from a tough road lost to Ruston High School last week after getting wins vs Hahnville and Slidell. A win for Jesuit could prop up the Blue Jays as a legit contender for the Catholic League title but could also help with confidence in making a run at a state title. For the Knights, Championships are the standard and playing against top tier competition prepares their players to compete at a high level and be ready for those tough battles come playoff time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LCA</strong> <strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2024) ATH <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='139261' first='Ju'Juan' last='Johnson']</strong>- The Knights go as JuJu goes and this kid is one of the most dynamic football players with the ball in his hands in the country. College coaches are wishing this prospect can be on campus right now instead of having to wait for the 2024 recruiting cycle. This 4-Star prospect shouldn't leave the state when its time for a choice to go to school, but will have every big program in the country coming after him. Last week vs Woodlawn the Panthers had momentum after a score and JuJu marched his team down field and on a huge 3rd down, ran in for a score after making a defender miss and I was like wow. You can see how explosive track has made this kid. Ju'Juan accounted for almost 400 yards of total offense for the Knights vs Woodlawn last week. What intrigues me the most about this prospect is his competitiveness and confidence.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2023) WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='276373' first='Alonzo' last='Ryes']</strong>- Zo is having a big season following his best off season. This kid tore it up on the camp circuit this summer and that momentum continues to roll on. Against Woodlawn (BR) last week, Ryes accounted for 169 receiving yards and a touchdown. Ryes doesn't have a scholarship offer to date, but he is one of those Senior Eval kids that programs will keep their eyes on and could turn into a big time college football player. Zo is silky smooth and can run away from defenders with his long speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2024) CB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145325' first='Ty' last='Lee']</strong>- In my opinion, hands down the best man to man cover guy in his class in the state. he proves it week in and out vs high level wideouts. Will be another test for him tonight vs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275580' first='Jace' last='Larsen']</strong>. Everyone is always raving about how well-mannered [player_tooltip player_id='145325' first='Ty' last='Lee'] is. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2024) DT <strong>Melvin Hills</strong> <strong>III</strong> - It's no secret why Coach Saban extended an offer to this prospect and has made him a priority get for the 2024 class. Hills is very disruptive at the line of scrimmage and every team he faces better have him labeled as a Game Wrecker. We all know how special Rickey Collins is and Hills was able to chase him down quite a few times last week to the tune of 5 sacks. Under the tutelage of Top Flight D-Line Coach Reginald Willliams, this 2024 prospect has blossomed into one of the top defensive lineman not only in the state but the country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2023) WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275592' first='Alex' last='Beard']</strong>- Silent but deadly is what some call him. Do not fall asleep on defense with this kid on the field. This kid is one of the best route runners there is out there and can be tough to handle even if you put an elite defender on him. Projected as a slot WR on the next level, Beard holds offers from Grambling State and Graceland University.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2024) Edge <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='421516' first='Sandy' last='Lewis']</strong>- This kid is a problem coming off the edge and holds offers from Texas A&amp;M and Alabama. Do not try and block this kid 1on1 on the edge.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>JESUIT</strong> <strong>PLAYERS TO WATCH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2023) WR <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='275580' first='Jace' last='Larsen']</strong>- Long, athletic receiver that can create separation. Has A+ skills tracking the ball and possesses the intangible of football toughness that is needed to have a successful career. A few Southland Conference schools are contenders for this prospect but with a big senior year, could bring some group of 5 schools into the recruiting picture. Kid is a flat out dog.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2023) DB <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='405721' first='Nick' last='Jacobs']</strong>- Tulane commit with elite size at 6'2, 190. Tulane DB Coach J.J. McCleskey always knows how to pick them in the secondary.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2024) QB <strong>Beau Perez</strong>- Will have to play well tonight for the Blue Jays to have a chance at victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>(2023) DE <strong>Joshua Washington</strong>- At 6'5, 230 he could cause problems off the edge in tonight's matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Special Teams could be the deciding factor in tonight's matchup and we know both teams have emphasized playing well in all 3 phases of the game. The superstars have to be superstars and the role players have to step up when their numbers are called. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->