University Lab vs. Woodlawn (Baton Rouge) eye-catchers
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University Lab opened the season as the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A and looked the part in its first game. The Cubs (1-0) paired a dominant defense, powerful rushing attack and a few big plays in the passing…
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Continue ReadingUniversity Lab opened the season as the unanimous No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A and looked the part in its first game.
The Cubs (1-0) paired a dominant defense, powerful rushing attack and a few big plays in the passing game and on special teams to roll past Woodlawn (Baton Rouge), 40-6.
Here were more than 10 of the standouts for the teams’ Week 1 matchup.
Keylan Moses Keylan Moses 6'2" | 215 lbs | ATH University Lab | 2025 State LA | 6-2, 215 LB/ATH | University Lab (2025)
The Cubs’ defense was the biggest standout of the night, and the highly touted junior linebacker highlighted that effort as much as anyone with his quick moves into the Woodlawn background for several disruptive plays behind the line and hard-hitting tackles. Moses was also highly effective running the ball not only as a powerful short-yardage option, but bursting through to the second level and some larger gains in the open field.
Riley Small Riley Small 6'0" | 190 lbs | RB University Lab | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 190 RB/LB | University Lab (2024)
The senior running back led the Cubs’ offense with a four-touchdown evening. Small is a solidly built, physical runner who keeps his strong legs churning through contact. Coach Andy Martin praised Small’s work and progress this offseason showing some early dividends already this fall.
Harry Beacham Harry Beacham 6'0" | 200 lbs | LB University Lab | 2024 State LA | 6-0, 200 LB | University Lab (2024)
The Navy commit racked up several physical tackles in both traffic and space, including showing good closing speed and angles chasing down running backs trying to bounce their way outside. He also deflected and nearly intercepted a pass that junior safety Caden Connor then snatched off the ricochet. That play was just one highlight in the stingy pass defense led by Jayden Gloston Jayden Gloston 5'11" | 175 lbs | DB University Lab | 2025 State LA , Marcus Dawson Jr. Marcus Dawson Jr. 6'3" | 190 lbs | DB University Lab | 2024 State LA and Tony Burns Tony Burns 6'1" | 180 lbs | DB University Lab | 2024 State LA II.
Alec Haynes Alec Haynes 6'2" | 210 lbs | LB University Lab | 2025 State LA | 6-2, 210 LB | University Lab (2025)
Another of the Cubs’ talented linebackers helped provide one of the highest-impact highlights to the aforementioned strong nights from Moses and Beacham. Haynes snatched a first-quarter interception and returned it to the end zone to help U-High continue snowballing momentum and taking an early stranglehold on the contest.
Seth Gale Seth Gale 5'10" | 160 lbs | WR University Lab | 2024 State LA | 5-10, 160 WR | University Lab (2024)
The Cubs returned a pair of senior standouts at the top of their receiving corps. Both had their moments in Week 1, with Gale providing the big explosive highlights on a big punt return nearly to the end zone and then a deep route free-running down the middle of the field for a long touchdown.
Zay Martin Zay Martin 5'9" | 150 lbs | WR University Lab | 2025 State LA | 5-9, 150 WR | University Lab (2025)
In addition to Gale and Granville Anderson II Granville Anderson II 5'10" | 180 lbs | ATH University Lab | 2024 State LA , their junior teammate appeared to continued his emergence as a potentially dangerous third option in the passing game. The Cubs got the ball to Martin — the younger of brother of former A.J. Ellender, Washington State and Oklahoma State star Davontavean Martin — on some quick screen looks and a couple looks further down the sideline on which he showed his ability to make tough, contested catches.
Emile Picarella Emile Picarella 6'2" | 215 lbs | QB University Lab | 2025 State LA | 6-2, 215 QB | University Lab (2025)
Both senior Garrett Graves Garrett Graves 6'2" | 185 lbs | QB University Lab | 2024 LA and the new junior addition, who moved in this summer from Mississippi, had their reps and their moments. But the latter accounted for more of the notable plays with the strike to Gale, the connection with Martin and a couple of nice plays with his legs on which he was able to evade the rush, extend plays and create positive gains out of nothing.
Lamar Brown Lamar Brown 6'4" | 260 lbs | OL University Lab | 2026 State LA | 6-4, 260 OL/DL | University Lab (2026)
The Cubs are strong in the trenches on both sides of the ball, and the promising sophomore is a big part of that equation on both sides, explosive to help lead the defensive push shut down the Panthers’ offense — with the debut of Dunham transfer Laramie Guidry Laramie Guidry 6'6" | 230 lbs | DL University Lab | 2024 State LA on the end also notable — and to help pave the running lanes — along with Jarvis Brookshire Jarvis Brookshire 6'2" | 270 lbs | OL University Lab | 2025 State LA , Tucker LaTour, John Hebert John Hebert 6'3" | 265 lbs | OL University Lab | 2025 State LA , Lawson Guidry Lawson Guidry 6'2" | 250 lbs | DL University Lab | 2026 State LA and company — for Small, Moses and company when U-High had the ball.
Alex Collins | 6-1, 200 LB | Woodlawn (2024)
The evening was rough for the Panthers from the outset, but perhaps the brightest spots came in the pressure an active defensive line and linebacker group was able to create at times even against a strong U-High line. The senior linebacker, and intelligent and hard-working leader at Woodlawn, made multiple tackles behind the line and chased the Cubs’ quarterback out of bounds on another disruptive play.
Cortland Brownfield Cortland Brownfield 5'11" | 175 lbs | QB University Lab | 2025 State LA | 5-11, 175 QB | Woodlawn (2025)
The Panthers couldn’t get much going against the Cubs’ defense much of the night, but found the success they did manage when Brownfield — a transfer from U-High — entered the contest, found senior receiver Justycya Turner for a few connections and eventually mounted a late scoring drive that included a nice gain with his legs to set up the touchdown run by senior back William “J.R.” Jackson.