10 eye-catchers from Mandeville vs. Covington

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A District 6-5A showdown of undefeated rivals lived up to its billing Friday as Mandeville and Covington traded blows deep into the fourth quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But officials ruled a late, potentially game-tying two-point conversion by the Lions (5-1, 0-1) incomplete on the sideline, and the Skippers recovered the ensuing onside kick and moved the chains to wind down the clock on a 35-33 victory led by their senior playmakers on each side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at notes on 10 of the top standouts from the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710077' first='Nate' last='Sheppard'] — 5-11, 185 RB — Mandeville (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Duke commit added another huge Friday to his prolific senior season with 257 yards and two touchdowns, including the 59-yard go-ahead score in the third quarter, to help lead the Skippers' offense with his combination of power through contact, shiftiness to shake past defenders and get to the outside and breakaway speed up the sideline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1214140' first='Michael' last='White'] — 6-0, 175 DB — Mandeville (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Skippers' top senior playmaker on the other side of the ball had a similarly explosive performance in his own role with three interceptions that showcased his high-level combination of instincts and ball skills — plus his speed on a 97-yard return up the sideline on a pick-six before a penalty called the play back and left the ball to Sheppard to finish that task. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603261' first='Ben' last='Hendricks'] — 5-10, 170 QB — Mandeville (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speedy junior quarterback showed the threat he posed when the attention commanded by Sheppard draws the opposing defense just a bit off-balance as he pulled the ball a few times on his way to 48 yards and his team's first and last touchdowns. He also connected with sophomore receiver Jake Jacketti for a late fourth-down conversion to allow Mandeville to kneel out the remaining clock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1644681' first='Isaiah' last='Baham'] — 5-9, 170 RB — Mandeville (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheppard's running mate in the backfield, his fellow senior running back, put together his own highlight reel with five carries for 62 yards, the bulk of which came on the team's third drive on which he was heavily featured all the way to the end zone as he brushed off attempted tackles and reversed field and out-ran other defenders until he saw his lane to slice upfield and across the goal line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='423247' first='Dylan' last='Henry'] — 5-11, 155 DB/ATH — Mandeville (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore defensive back already gaining recruiting steam has also already earned the respect of his coaches and teammates to be named a captain for the game and followed through with some critical plays in key moments, highlighted by a tackle on the perimeter to stop a fourth-down run in the fourth quarter and then an onside kick recovery to help the Skippers maintain control down the stretch.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Juan Canales — 5-10, 240 DL — Mandeville (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The stout, strong senior defensive tackle may have had his name called more frequently than any other defensive player with his disruptive play up front as he seemed to consistent create push in the middle of the Skippers' line and punctuated several plays at or behind the line of scrimmage with strong, sure tackling of any ball-carrier he got his hands on. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710082' first='Jeremie' last='Elzy'] — 5-11, 175 DB — Covington (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lions' star continued his own great senior season with another showcasing of his versatility highlighted by a reception for a third-down conversion and a 43-yard touchdown run on a fourth down on offense and both tight coverage and disciplined and quick containment in the run game throughout the night on defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Caden Heck — 6-0, 150 QB — Covington (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior quarterback was another of the team's top playmakers with both his arm on 15-for-30 passes for 278 yards and a touchdown and his legs on 19 carries on which he slipped and sliced through running lanes to a team-high 127 yards and two scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1414464' first='Jiwaun' last='Brock'] — 5-11, 165 WR — Covington (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior was Heck's most consistent weapon in the passing game with eight catches for 163 yards and a score on which he showed some speed after the catch to go with the vertical athleticism associated with his "Headtap" nickname.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bobby Barkley — 5-10, 185 LB — Covington (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In addition to his activity in the box, the Lions' hard-hitting linebacker added his latest coverage highlight as he jumped a late route out toward the sideline to snatch an interception and burst about 45 yards up the sideline for a touchdown that pulled Covington right back on Mandeville's heels late.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->