Eye-catchers from Edna Karr vs. Catholic (BR) semifinal

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Edna Karr's wait for a return trip to the Caesars Superdome is officially over.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The No. 1 Cougars (12-0) halted No. 4 Catholic (Baton Rouge) on a fourth down early in the third quarter, took control on a pair of touchdown runs by junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='920629' first='John' last='Johnson'] and then held off the Bears' comeback attempts late, 21-19.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the win in the slug fest between two of Louisiana's top programs, coach Brice Brown's squad heads to its first state championship game since 2020 — a runner-up finish that wrapped up six straight years of reaching the title game, including four straight wins from 2016-2019.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here are a few notes on some of the top eye-catchers from the contest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920629' first='John' last='Johnson'] — 6-0, 170 QB — Edna Karr (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The second-year starter continued his huge junior season —&nbsp;with maybe not his biggest stat line of the season, but arguably one of his highest-impact and most critical performances. Johnson had a hand in all three touchdowns, a 52-yard bomb early to put the Cougars on the board and a pair of third-quarter runs that helped lift them back ahead and stretch the lead. He finished 10-for-19 for 146 yards and spent a good chunk of the evening making plays with his legs, whether buying time against the rush to set up throws or escaping for first downs and scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710768' first='Daejawn' last='Smith'] — 5-11, 170 WR/ATH — Edna Karr (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The new Louisiana Tech signee was once again Johnson's top target with nine receptions for 126 yards and the early 52-yard touchdown. Smith also had a second potential score on a leaping catch in the end zone come back on a holding call. The speedy weapon, who moved from running back to receiver this year, consistently creates separation and has also shown the reliable ability to make well-timed, high-point plays on the ball in tighter coverage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710991' first='Richard' last='Anderson'] — 6-4, 280 DL — Edna Karr (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='913897' first='Corey' last='Adams Jr.'] — 6-4, 240 DL — Edna Karr (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Cougars' defensive front, anchored by two future SEC players inside, helped set the table for a stout performance overall against Catholic (Baton Rouge) and its loaded backfield. Both Anderson and Adams not only played well against the run, forcing the Bears to stretch outside much of the night, but also got to the quarterback on quick moves past blockers and explosive closes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401932' first='Aiden' last='Hall'] — 6-2, 185 DB — Edna Karr (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Anderson's fellow top-10 teammate in Louisiana' 2026 class was among the Cougars' stars on the back end of the defense flying his hard-hitting tackling from sideline to sideline, matching up against receivers in the slot and playing physically in the box. On the occasions when running backs could get past the defensive front, Hall and senior linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291158' first='Arsenio' last='Bolds Jr.']</strong> were consistently there for big stops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1598152' first='Tyrik' last='Brigalia'] —&nbsp;5-11, 185 DB — Edna Karr (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior was once again a versatile and high-impact performer for the Cougars' defense, highlighted by an early interception of a promising first Catholic possession and his willing and strong tackling near the line of scrimmage.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='710970' first='Hayward' last='Howard Jr.'] —&nbsp;—&nbsp;Edna Karr (2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This Cougars' secondary is never at a shortage of playmakers just as comfortable playing the ball in the air and wrapping up tackles after the catch or in run support, and the long, rangy corner helped quickly shut apparent passing windows and also continues to look more and more physical in his play on the perimeter — even against one of the state's toughest and best perimeter-blocking teams. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710081' first='Jacob' last='Bradford'] — 6-0, 190 DB — Catholic (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740987' first='Cayden' last='Jones'] — 6-0, 185 DB — Catholic (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For all the explosive weapons all over the Edna Karr offense, Catholic managed to hold the Cougars to a season-low 21 points — matching Jesuit's effort nearly two months ago — and one of their less-efficient or prolific passing showings of the season. The senior cornerback duo on the outside helped lead an effort with juniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='401737' first='Blaine' last='Bradford']</strong> and <strong>Ian Locklar</strong> and senior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291166' first='Sam' last='Norman']</strong> among others in the mix. The older Bradford brother, who signed with LSU this week, deflected multiple passes and was also active in the return game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710770' first='Cohen' last='LeBlanc'] — 5-10, 160 WR — Catholic (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='291082' first='Amari' last='Clayton'] — 6-2, 185 WR — Catholic (2025)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LeBlanc caught a 67-yard strike in the final minute of the first half, making multiple defenders miss with quick cuts in the open field and setting up a go-ahead touchdown near the goal-line to his fellow senior. LeBlanc then found the end zone himself on a quick 9-yarder to the outside, dodging one defender and scooting around a nice block by Clayton. The duo will now stick together at the next level at Nicholls State following Clayton's signing Wednesday and LeBlanc's commitment Sunday. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1356164' first='Jayden' last='Vessell'] — 6-2, 200 DL — Catholic (2027)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The young defensive end broke out this season as a disruptive force off the edge and was once again Friday against the Cougars' often longer-developing, deep-shot passing attack. Vessell wrapped up at least a couple stops behind the line and helped chase Johnson around on others plays.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1602040' first='Turner' last='Goldsmith'] — 5-10, 170 QB — Catholic (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The junior quarterback stepped up and played efficiently in some of his most extensive playing time and against arguably Louisiana's top teams, including its star-studded defense. Goldsmith completed 14 of his 17 passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns, taking what the defense gave him in a particularly active quick screen game and hitting the deep ball to LeBlanc in stride late in the half. He also made a few plays with his legs in spots to complement the running backs in the ground game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->