12 eye-catchers from Central (BR) vs. De La Salle season opener

Central (Baton Rouge) opened its season on a rainy Thursday evening just over 26 hours after a car accident sent three senior starters on offense to the hospital.   And while the Wildcats struggled to get going on that side of the ball early against a host De La Salle that had won the matchup last year, they showed enough grit, determination and balance to finish strong with a second-half shutout of the Cavaliers and two late touchdowns in a 14-3 win.   Fittingly, many of the biggest plays came from seniors, including those playing both ways and even wearing their injured teammates' jerseys to help represent them and rise to the occasion in the face of adversity.   Here are notes on 12 of the eye-catchers from a memorable Week 1 battle highlighted by by defenses and ground games.   <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=beH8EIT64h0 </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1214139' first='KD' last='Mays'] — 5-11, 210 LB/DB — Central (2025)   The hard-hitting senior linebacker/safety seemed to be everywhere on the field much of the night — not only flying around and making plays both in coverage and behind the line of scrimmage on defense, but shouldering a notable load as a ball-carrier on offense while wearing injured teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1336756' first='Emmanuel' last='Williams']' No. 5 jersey. On his natural side of the ball, Mays is an active, disruptive playmaker whose game is bigger than his measureables. And his leadership was on full display Thursday.   Blaysen Stokan — 6-0, 165 DB — Central (2025)   Another senior standout who made several of the night's biggest plays while wearing his injured teammate's jersey number, the defensive back broke through early and blocked a punt and then snatched an interception of a bobbled and ricocheting pass late while wearing quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='426968' first='Jackson' last='Firmin']'s No. 3 jersey.   [player_tooltip player_id='710078' first='Steven' last='Ranel'] — 6-1, 170 DB — Central (2025)   A longtime Prep Redzone Louisiana favorite as a top-100 prospect in the 2025 class, Ranel looked noticeably bigger on the field to start his senior season and played physically helping contain the Cavaliers' run-heavy offense. He also broke up a goal-line pass just before halftime on one of the few, if not the only, look his way in limited attempts through the air and converted a fourth-quarter fourth down on offense running through contact and slicing upfield for additional yards and an eventual go-ahead touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='1356113' first='Marvin' last='Joseph'] — 6-0, 170 DB — Central (2027)   and [player_tooltip player_id='942208' first='Mason' last='Moore'] — 5-9, 160 DB — Central (2027)   The Wildcats' dynamic duo of 2027 safety prospects kicked off their sophomore season in notable fashion. Moore was involved on three straight plays early as the Central defense set its stingy tone that would last all night. The transfer from Parkview Baptist did not shy away from the traffic of physicality near the line of scrimmage. Nor did Joseph, who proved among the stars of the game on both sides of the ball with the ground he covered on defense and the role he took on and (no punt intended) ran with as a running back and wildcat quarterback on offense, including his barrel across the end zone late to ice away the victory.   [player_tooltip player_id='1644710' first='Nathan' last='Zimmer'] — 6-2, 200 P/K — Central (2025)   The Wildcats' senior specialist played a big role in the low-scoring defensive battle sending each of the team's kickoffs well into the end zone, swinging field position with his punting and connecting confidently on both of his extra-point opportunities. Central has a challenging district ahead and big postseason goals as well, and Zimmer has the potential to be a difference-maker in tight matchups.   [player_tooltip player_id='1602018' first='Scott' last='Smith Jr.'] — 6-6, 230 DL — Central (2026)   With so much attention on the Wildcats' front this season centered on Houston commit DK Mays, his junior teammate stood out Thursday as another playmaker to watch this season and beyond. Smith did a nice job generating pressure off the edge as well as helping contain the run game, including a second-half highlight on which he shed a block for a timely solo stop at the line of scrimmage.   [player_tooltip player_id='1644707' first='Deshad' last='Sheridan'] — 6-0, 210 LB/DL — Central (2025)   The versatile senior defender was another standout in the box for the Wildcats with highlights early on a pressure and deflected pass and late on a diving interception of a pass swatted down by DK Mays. Sheridan appears to be a more natural edge rusher or linebacker, but was effective working inside as an active, disruptive force between Mays and Smith.   Ronyell Elzie — LB — (2026)   and Jackson Perdue — LB — (2025)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1603206' first='Jayden' last='Pollard'] — 6-0, 190 LB/DL — (2026)   The De La Salle defense compounded Central's challenges on the night with its own solid performance highlighted by its linebackers flying around throughout the night and making plays at and behind the line, including multiple hard-hitting stops by Perdue and a fumble forced by Pollard and recovered by Elzie.   Malik Cornelius — DB — (2026)   The long, speedy defensive back was another of the Cavaliers' defensive standouts both with his work in coverage as well as a third-quarter blitz on which he chased the Wildcats' passer down on the far side of the field and knocked the ball loose.

Central (Baton Rouge) opened its season on a rainy Thursday evening just over 26 hours after a car accident sent three senior starters on offense to the hospital.