6 on-field prospect matchups in LA’s top Week 1 games | 1A-3A

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Louisiana's high school football season kicks off this weekend with a loaded schedule of high-profile openers across the state.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone Louisiana will look at 12 of the best games that include some particularly intriguing on-field matchups between standout players on either side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out the six below featuring small schools (1A/2A/3A) teams, including some matchups against bigger schools, and <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/09/6-on-field-prospect-matchups-in-top-week-1-games-4a-5a/">check out six more of all large-schools (4A/5A vs. 4A/5A) action here</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Oak Grove at Calvary Baptist</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For all the monster matchups across the board in terms of geography and classification, the battle between Class 2A powers from opposite corners of north Louisiana is the state's only game between two reigning state champions. Similarly to Acadiana-Ruston, we'll try to stick to just a couple dynamics.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Though Calvary Baptist brings plenty of balance to the field with Texas-committed running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710073' first='James' last='Simon']</strong> leading the ground game, the the Cavs are the first particularly high-level passing attack on the list — if not the best outright from top to bottom. Hyper-efficient senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='144901' first='Abram' last='Wardell']</strong> will have a largely new cast of targets with which to work, but with Louisiana Tech-committed receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291081' first='Kolby' last='Thomas']</strong> as the most familiar face and Texas State commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='144900' first='Kaleb' last='Tucker']</strong> as a notable addition in his reunion with his middle-school teammates after transferring from Huntington. In the Oak Grove secondary, defensive back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221030' first='TaMarques' last='Pritchard']</strong> is a Prep Redzone Louisiana-ranked prospect as an intriguing sleeper in the 2025 class to headline a group in which the Tigers feel confident with fellow senior <strong>George Spencer</strong>, junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348534' first='Tyde' last='Hurley']</strong> and promising sophomore <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356148' first='Eli' last='Burrell']</strong> among other notable names.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Charles Catholic at Isidore Newman</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The anticipated, district-deciding battle the past couple of years in Class 2A now opens the season with the Comets' move up to Class 4A. Both teams open the season ranked in the top 10 by the LSWA of their respective classification polls with big goals. St. Charles Catholic has been as consistent a contender as any program in the state in recent years, but are growing and maturing through as much turnover this offseason as any before. Several of their most talented and experienced players will have their opportunities to lead the Comets' efforts to slow down Isidore Newman senior quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914014' first='Eli' last='Friend']</strong> and the Greenies' offense, though. The Princeton commit is dangerous with his arm and his legs with big LSU commit <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291165' first='Brett' last='Bordelon']</strong> anchoring the line up front and a cast of options around him that includes running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920625' first='Jake' last='Randle']</strong> and and athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934574' first='Hendrix' last='Hill']</strong>, expected to play more receiver this year after starting his career in the backfield as well. Defensive back <strong>Reshawn Helaire</strong> is among the Comets' top senior playmakers, and junior corner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348475' first='Prystyn' last='Cambre']</strong> is a promising breakout candidate to watch. Meanwhile the senior defensive end duo of<strong> Shane Zimmerman </strong>and <strong>Kenneth Hall</strong> is expected to be another strength. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Union Parish at North DeSoto</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A clash of styles is set for Friday evening in Stonewall with the physical, ball-control Farmers, the reigning Division-III Non-Select champs, visiting the more downfield- and aerial-minded Griffins, one of the top programs in Class 4A in recent years. When the home team has the ball, one of the state's top junior quarterbacks and most productive passer-receiver connections in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401978' first='Luke' last='Delafield']</strong> and senior standout<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='710281' first='Cole' last='Cory']</strong> will lead the charge for North DeSoto. For the Union Parish defense, versatile senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710084' first='Tyquereis' last='Wilson']</strong> has been a standout his entire prep career in Farmerville and, while known for his tackle numbers and work in the box, will have the challenge and opportunity against the Griffins to show his play in space where he is committed to Mississippi Valley State as a nickel/safety. And the Farmers' defense also features one of the school's top athletes in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221195' first='Chase' last='Meeking']</strong>, a multisport and two-way standout to watch as a sleeper prospect this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wossman at Bastrop</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another former district rivalry opening the season with the Wildcats now in 4A and Rams in 3A, and another class of strengths and styles with a home team ready to air the ball out and the visitors highlighted by college-bound standouts on defense eager to reprise their efforts as one of Louisiana's stingiest units in 2023. The Bastrop attack is led by senior quarterback<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1221240' first='Dylan' last='Downs']</strong>, the transfer from Sterlington, and a deep receiving corps including younger brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='465348' first='Devyn' last='Downs']</strong>, Wossman transfer <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710772' first='Antron' last='Mason II']</strong>, <strong>Austin Davenport </strong>and <strong>Christian Winzer</strong>. The Wossman defense features three Prep Redzone Louisiana preseason all-state selections in edge rushers<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1214138' first='Fred' last='Clark']</strong> and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1214143' first='Kesean' last='Hines'] </strong>and defensive back and return man <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710771' first='Richard' last='Wilson Jr.']</strong> as returning leaders of a once-again talented crew with speedy senior corner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1644731' first='Prestavion' last='Washington']</strong> another player on the radar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Central (Baton Rouge) at De La Salle</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The home-standing Cavaliers are known to "Run. The. Damn. Ball." And while they boast a senior quarterback and an intriguing downfield weapon or two, their bread and butter this season will still be winning the line of scrimmage with a strong, veteran line that includes returning all-district performers in senior <strong>Ian Fields</strong> and junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1345245' first='Cedric' last='McDonald Jr.']</strong> and a backfield that includes quick junior running back <strong>Robert Lewis</strong> as the lead ball-carrier. On the opposite sideline, the Wildcats' most prominent prospect is big, disruptive, Houston-committed defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914090' first='D.K.' last='Mays']</strong>. And the athletes flying around behind D.K. and company up front is quick and hard-hitting, led by brother <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214139' first='KD' last='Mays']</strong>, fellow senior nickel/safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336724' first='Keon' last='Coverson']</strong>, a pair of ranked 2027 safeties in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356113' first='Marvin' last='Joseph']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942208' first='Mason' last='Moore']</strong> and a stout cast of linebackers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lafayette Christian at Archbishop Rummel</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A new era for the Knights — back in Class 2A with a new coach and big shoes to fill following the graduation of a great 2024 senior group, including a state record-setting quarterback — begins on the road in Metairie against a Raiders program returning lots of standouts hoping to build upon a 2023 semifinal run. Dynamic junior athlete <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601816' first='Braylon' last='Walker']</strong> takes the reins of the LCA offense with <strong>Brennon Walker</strong>,<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='924621' first='Brayden' last='Allen'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348446' first='Draylon' last='August']</strong> on the outside and and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914215' first='Jalen' last='Noel']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1224578' first='Calvin' last='Parker III']</strong> as versatile weapons as running backs with strong receiving skill sets. Rummel has Prep Redzone Louisiana-ranked prospects at every level of the defense, headlined by corner <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='145357' first='Lennis' last='Finister Jr.']</strong>, linebacker<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='401942' first='Carlin' last='Kinchen Jr.']</strong> and lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914029' first='Fred' last='Banks Jr.']</strong>, with plenty of other playmakers around them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->