Eye-catchers from Istrouma vs. Haynes Academy

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Istrouma exploded past Haynes Academy with one big offensive plays and fourth-down defensive stop after another to end a two-decade quarterfinal drought.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 13 Indians (9-3) were in control by halftime against No. 4 Haynes Academy (9-1) with a four-score second quarter on their way to a 42-16 victory in the Division-II Select bracket and their first quarterfinal appearance since 2003.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few notes on some of the top eye-catchers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1221023' first='Kyree' last='Paul'] — 5-10, 175 ATH — Istrouma (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Even working through a groin injury and playing less than half the game, the Southeastern Louisiana commit looked the part as one of the state's most explosive players. Paul surpassed the 100-yard mark and scored two touchdowns — including a 52-yard dash up the sideline — and two two-point conversions in the first quarter and a half before playing just one snap the rest of the way. Coach Sid Edwards said he was available in the second half and will be this week against Madison Prep, but that the Indians </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602085' first='David' last='Johnson'] — ATH — Istrouma (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"D.J." was a versatile playmaker anywhere he was called upon throughout the contest. Johnson was a sure tackler near the line of scrimmage as part of the Indians' stout defensive performance, showed his speed on a quick catch and breakaway touchdown run after the catch and even flashed his arm on a long scoring throw to Dyion Chavers on a double-pass play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dyion Chavers — 6-1, 190 WR/ATH — Istrouma (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Nick'zavier Johnson — 6-3, 175 WR — Istrouma (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The two tall, athletic targets to the outside were favorite targets for quarterback <strong>Frank Alexander</strong>, providing big-play balance to the run game and each hauling in long touchdown passes in the first half. Johnson caught a fourth-down pass the put the Indians on the board early, and Chavers helped punctuate a double-pass play before halftime to help blow the lead open. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carmelo Daigre — 6-0, 200 LB — Istrouma </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When Paul headed to the sideline in discomfort following his long touchdown, Istrouma turned to the powerful Daigre to tote the ball between the tackles. Daigre scored a goal-line touchdown and two-point conversion to help highlight the performance. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Darryon Simmons — 6-3, 300 DL — Istrouma (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Jordan Otis — 6-4, 250 DL — Istrouma (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>Victor Young — 6-0, 250 DL — Istrouma (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>D'Anthony Juge — 6-0, 320 DL — Istrouma (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Indians received timely plays from every direction on defense, including big hits from Johnson, linebackers <strong>Eric Knox</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1336888' first='Jeremiah' last='Coleman']</strong> and defensive back <strong>Treyvon Davis</strong> and a late interception by <strong>Justin Williams</strong>. But their stout play up front with their big-bodied defensive tackles plugging the interior running lanes helped anchor the entire performance as the Yellow Jackets found a brick wall between the tackles to match Istrouma's outside speed. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1596771' first='Lochlen' last='Claverie'] — 6-1, 200 RB/LB — Haynes Academy (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Yellow Jackets' prolific senior running back didn't have one of his typical monster nights, but still couldn't be entirely contained. Claverie managed a few bigger runs, highlighted by a 49-yard touchdown run up the sideline in the second quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Carter Sternberger — 5-9, 160 LB/RB — Haynes Academy (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore linebacker scored Haynes' second touchdown, rushing forward into Istrouma's right tackle and quickly bouncing outside and in front of an attempted swing pass out to the running back for the pick-six just before halftime. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->