Ruston vs. Jesuit eye-catchers

<p>Ruston found itself in a low-scoring battle of stout defenses — and costly offensive miscues — deeper into its New Orleans trip than it would have liked.</p>   <p>But the Bearcats came out clicking on all cylinders in the second half with scores in all three phases to help open up and punctuate an eventual 35-7 defeat of Jesuit. </p>   <p>Here were (more than) eight of the standouts for the teams' Week 1 matchup.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKJxGyLYp8c </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='421520' first='Ahmad' last='Breaux'] | 6-4, 250 DL | Ruston (2024)</strong></p>   <p>The LSU commit is among the headliners of the Bearcats' loaded defense that has the program considered among the top contenders in Class 5A, and he helped set the tone early with a quick explosion into the backfield for a tackle for loss. Breaux is a strong, physical playmaker in the box, but also athletic in space to provide some nice versatility to the defense — including a nearly-intercepted pass breakup dropping back.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDrq_Kw2Ygo </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='675892' first='Geordan' last='Guidry'] | 6-3, 240 DL | Ruston (2024) </strong></p>   <p>The big Tulane-committed defensive lineman was a consistent disrupter up front for Ruston with Green Wave defensive staffers Gerald Chatman and J.J. McCleskey in attendance. Guidry, who paired with junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='710083' first='Zheric' last='Hill'] among the team's leading tacklers, consistently won his battles, quickly pushing blockers backward or aside, and pursued with a high motor.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68s3RK5B5qY </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710271' first='Jordan' last='Hayes'] | 5-9, 190 RB | Ruston (2025)</strong></p>   <p>The junior running back, taking on the lead role after the graduation of Dyson Fields, helped provide much of the Bearcats' offensive spark, including their first two offensive touchdowns. Hayes lived up to his "Jet" nickname with his speedy breaks into the open field — including what would have been an additional score if not called back on a penalty — but also showing some power to keep his legs moving through contact for tougher yards.</p>   <p><strong>Will Homes | 6-0, 175 DB | Jesuit (2024)</strong></p>   <p>The Blue Jays came up with a few big takeaways to keep even in the low-scoring battle until late. Senior defensive back Joseph Barber and junior defensive back [player_tooltip player_id='1336886' first='Darrick' last='LeBeouf'] each recovered fumbles, and Homes snatched arguably the most memorable of the bunch with a diving interception in the red zone early in the third quarter on which he kept tight coverage on his receiver, saw and quickly reacted to the throw and made an impressive athletic play jumping in front for the pick.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LAvsAllYall/status/1700321831616418252?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='469439' first='Ahmad' last='Hudson'] | 6-5, 190 WR/ATH | Ruston (2027)</strong></p>   <p>The Bearcats' running game did the heavy lifting offensively. But, from an "eye-catchers" standpoint, the tall, athletic freshman receiver certainly stood out in Prep Redzone Louisiana's first opportunity to see him in person. Hudson was one better-tied shoe away from likely hauling in his first career touchdown, but will have to wait at least another week into his bright future. </p>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='902067' first='Semaj' last='Jones'] | 5-9, 160 DB | Ruston (2024)</strong></p>   <p>Jones helped provide bookend highlights to the Bearcats' defensive efforts, a diving red zone interception in the second quarter to keep Jesuit from taking the lead and then a fourth-quarter interception in the end zone that he returned 101 yards to the other end to put an exclamation mark on the victory.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uieJSOu-w0 </div></figure>   <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='285613' first='Jadon' last='Mayfield'] | 6-1, 220 LB | Ruston (2024)</strong></p>   <p>The Louisiana Tech-committed linebacker patrolled the middle of the field with good lateral quickness and an explosive closing speed that showed up particularly in the third quarter — first on a blocked punt that 2025 cornerback [player_tooltip player_id='914207' first='Aidan' last='Anding'] eventually corralled for a touchdown that opened the game up notably, then a fourth-down stuff behind the line to help the Bearcats continue to take more control of the game.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/LAvsAllYall/status/1700328146807988690?s=20 </div></figure>   <p><strong>Beau Perez | 6-5, 225 QB | Jesuit (2024)</strong></p>   <p>The senior quarterback had an up-and-down night against the loaded Ruston defense with the biggest highlights coming on a second-quarter touchdown drive on which he made great decisions on both his read-options and passes and eventually capped the march by keeping and running for the Blue Jays' only touchdown of the night.</p>

Ruston found itself in a low-scoring battle of stout defenses — and costly offensive miscues — deeper into its New Orleans trip than it would have liked.