Lafayette Christian vs. Acadiana eye-catchers
In this article:
A pair of Lafayette powerhouses with a combined six state championships the past six seasons helped kick off the season with one of the marquee matchups of Week 1. Lafayette Christian and Acadiana traded scores early, but the Knights capitalized…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingA pair of Lafayette powerhouses with a combined six state championships the past six seasons helped kick off the season with one of the marquee matchups of Week 1.
Lafayette Christian and Acadiana traded scores early, but the Knights capitalized on a series of turnovers and an electric performance by star quarterback Ju’Juan Johnson Ju’Juan Johnson 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA to roll away, 61-38.
Here were (more than) eight of the standouts for the teams’ Week 1 matchup.
Ju’Juan Johnson Ju’Juan Johnson 6'0" | 195 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA | 5-11, 180 QB/ATH | Lafayette Christian (2024)
The LSU commit made a few solid plays early, including a fourth-down completion for his Knights’ first touchdown and another fourth-down conversion and another passing touchdown. But when Acadiana took a second quarter lead, Johnson completely took over with rushing touchdowns on three straight possessions to end the half, then a 78-yard dash to open the third quarter and a pair of deep scoring strikes through the air. Johnson finished with more than 450 yards and eight touchdowns in all.
Ty Lee Ty Lee 6'0" | 180 lbs | DB Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 180 DB | Lafayette Christian (2024)
The Knights’ standout defensive back was on the Prep Redzone Louisiana radar as a freshman cornerback and has continued to develop into a bigger playmaker every step of his high school career, earning an all-state junior campaign transitioning into more snaps as a free safety and kicking off his senior season Friday in fantastic fashion. Lee snatched an interception of a deflection and also played huge in the box, including back-to-back stuffs on the third and fourth downs of a goal-line stand.
Trae Grogan Trae Grogan 6'1" | 180 lbs | WR Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA | 6-1, 180 WR | Lafayette Christian (2024)
The Knights’ most established returning weapon for Johnson on offense after his hyper-productive playoff run kicked off the new season in stride as well with the two long catches-and-runs in the second half for 154 yards and the two scores.
Brennan Walker Brennan Walker 5'10" | 170 lbs | ATH Lafayette Christian | 2025 State LA | 5-10, 170 WR/ATH | Lafayette Christian (2025)
Johnson is working in a largely new set of weapons around Grogan, and Walker came up huge in his growing role with five catches for 106 yards, the early fourth-down touchdown and another red zone catch he nearly took to the end zone before being forced out of bounds just shy.
Brice George | 5-11, 185 LB/DB | Lafayette Christian (2024)
Lee and other well-known veteran leaders such as Melvin Hills III Melvin Hills III 6'4" | 265 lbs | DL Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA , Sandy Lewis Sandy Lewis 6'2" | 235 lbs | LB Lafayette Christian | 2024 State LA , Jon Moore-Leday Jon Moore-Leday 5'4" | 230 lbs | DL Lafayette Christian | 2024 LA and Sam Taylor made their share of plays. George, a senior linebacker, was one of the new starters who made his presence felt with an explosive sack-fumble.
Ezekiel Hypolite Ezekiel Hypolite 5'9" | 175 lbs | RB Acadiana | 2024 State LA | 5-9, 175 RB | Acadiana (2024)
and Cameron Monette Cameron Monette 5'7" | 160 lbs | RB Acadiana | 2024 LA | 5-7, 150 RB | Acadiana (2024)
The junior running back duo of Tayden Collins and Jonah Gauthier Jonah Gauthier 5'7" | 170 lbs | RB Acadiana | 2025 LA that had stood out more during the preseason scrimmage each reached the end zone: Collins on an early goal-line fourth down, and Gauthier on a reception as time expired in the first half. But their senior teammates took the lead this week with Monette racking up 98 yards and two scores and Hypolite adding a touchdown and the group’s best per-carry average.
Dalyn Lewis Dalyn Lewis 5'10" | 155 lbs | DB Acadiana | 2025 State LA | 5-10, 155 DB | Acadiana (2025)
One of the few times the Wreckin’ Rams found an answer for Johnson’s huge performance came when the junior cornerback jumped a sideline pass and took off to the races the other direction, cutting across the field and nearly finding the end zone.