Eye-catchers from the Division-I Non-Select state championship

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Central (Baton Rouge) was considered an underdog entering its Division-I Non-Select title bout with reigning champ Ruston.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But the Wildcats had thrived in that role before and not only did so once again, but flat-out dominated from start to finish in a 42-0 rout to claim their first state championship since 1966.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at a few of the eye-catchers from the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF65nhVIWaI","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=SF65nhVIWaI </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='426968' first='Jackson' last='Firmin'] — 6-3, 200 QB — Central (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior quarterback earned Outstanding Player honors with a stellar final high school game before heading to Nicholls State. Firmin completed 17 of 28 passes for 233 yards and five touchdowns and rushed seven times for 30 yards. He and the Wildcats were particularly effective on fourth downs early, keeping drives alive and keeping Ruston's offense off the field. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710977' first='Keithon' last='Womack'] — 6-1, 175 WR — Central (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The speedy junior receiver was Firmin's top target from a 59-yard strike early to a 15-yard back-shoulder catch as the two touchdowns to highlight his six-catch, 113-yard performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='914090' first='D.K.' last='Mays'] — 6-4, 250 DL — Central (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Moments after Firmin and Womack's first touchdown, Mays quickly scooped up a fumble and burst past and away from the Bearcats to double the Wildcats' early lead and continue </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='942208' first='Mason' last='Moore'] — 5-10, 165 DB — Central (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356113' first='Marvin' last='Joseph'] Jr. — 6-0, 170 DB/ATH — Central (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Wildcats' standout sophomore safeties combined for three takeaways with an interception each and a fumble recovery by Moore. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710078' first='Steven' last='Ranel'] — 6-1, 180 DB — Central (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Louisiana (Lafayette) signee played lockdown defense throughout the afternoon, including a pass breakup, and caught a 40-yard touchdown strike from Firmin on offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:embed {"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bD8b4rsCp0","type":"video","providerNameSlug":"youtube","responsive":true,"className":"wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"} --> <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=4bD8b4rsCp0 </div></figure> <!-- /wp:embed --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356159' first='Jayden' last='Anding'] — 6-0, 265 DB — Ruston (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bearcats' sophomore defensive back earned Outstanding Player honors for his team with a game-high 11 tackles, including 2.5 for loss. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598277' first='Zander' last='Hayes'] — 6-0, 200 LB/DB — Ruston (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior linebacker/safety provided Ruston's biggest highlight of the game as he jumped in front of a receiver, snatched an interception and returned it 42 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->