10 eye-catchers from Lafayette Christian vs. Evangel Christian

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of Louisiana's most high-powered teams met up Thursday and boiled down to a defensive slugfest right down to the game-deciding play in the final seconds.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Star quarterback Peyton "Pop" Houston led Evangel Christian down the field in the final minutes and appeared to be barreling his way toward the end zone for a final go-ahead score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>But Lafayette Christian safety [player_tooltip player_id='1345269' first='Luke' last='Green'] managed to beat him to the spot, unloading a tackle just shy of the goal line that helped force a fumble and preserve a 24-22 win. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a look at 10 of the eye-catching standouts from the matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1601816' first='Braylon' last='Walker'] — 6-0, 155 QB/ATH — Lafayette Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The matchup proved more of a defensive battle than many anticipated with the two typically high-powered offenses squaring off. But three quick scores helped the Knights play from ahead for much of the night, and the Louisiana (Lafayette) commit accounted for each with a 48-yard dash, a tough goal-line and then a dart into the end zone to Jace Babineaux. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1345269' first='Luke' last='Green'] — 6-1, 180 DB — Lafayette Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior safety, another commitment to the hometown Ragin' Cajuns, led the LCA defense with 12 tackles, but saved his best for last closing on an explosive tackle and forced fumble just shy of the goal line to preserve the 24-22 victory by a razor-thin margin as teammate Davion Batiste pounced on the recovery. . In Prep Redzone Louisiana's two opportunities thus far to see the Knights this season, Green has produced some of the Knights' biggest defensive and special teams highlights, but none bigger than his latest snap. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1348446' first='Draylon' last='August'] — 6-1, 155 WR — Lafayette Christian</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Week 9 wasn't a big volume night for August, but he certainly left his impression from a highlight-reel leaping, turning, one-handed catch in the first quarter to help set up a Lafayette Christian touchdown to running in and assisting on Green's final tackle from the back side.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1999638' first='Jayden' last='Arceneaux'] — 5-10, 205 EDGE/LB — Lafayette Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1537169' first='Jaimason' last='Marzell'] — 6-2, 195 EDGE/LB — Lafayette Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another two of the Knights' defensive leaders, Arceneaux and Marzell each racked up 10 tackles and helped in the effort to disrupt the high-powered Evangel Christian offense and its star quarterback. Houston still made plays, but Lafayette Christian got after him with Arceneaux and Marzell among the standouts who consistently won matchups to get into the backfield and get the quarterback on the move, while avoiding letting him get loose for more than two or three longer runs. Arceneaux also provided a special-teams highlights with an early blocked punt to set up a short field and an eventual touchdown. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='261907' first='Peyton' last='Houston'] — — Evangel Christian (2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Lafayette Christian did a better job challenging Houston than any other opponent this season. But, even still, the LSU-committed junior had his moments of showing why the home-state Tigers and most other programs around the country have been so high on his potential. Even against a disruptive and disciplined defensive effort, Houston accounted for more than 250 total yards and very nearly helped the Eagles come back and steal the win late. Among his biggest highlights: a wild, winding 61-yard touchdown run and a poised and on-target final drive late until Green's game-saving play. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='740992' first='Johnny' last='Casey Jr.'] — 5-9, 155 WR/DB — Evangel Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Louisiana Tech commit put the Eagles on the board early with 51-yard quick catch and run on jet sweep on which he cut back past one defender and then opened up his track speed off to the races and the end zone. On the other side of the ball, Casey also came up with a fumble recovery to help stop a promising LCA drive and keep Evangel Christian within striking distance in the second half. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237612' first='Damari' last='Drake'] — 6-0, 215 LB/RB — Evangel Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The fast, physical thumper of a linebacker was among the hard-hitting tone-setters for an Evangel Christian defense that deserves credit in its own right for allowing the Knights just a field goal after their first three drives. The Grambling State commit also provided a few key runs, particularly down in the red zone, including a touchdown and a two-point conversion.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Demarkus Evans — 5-8, 150 WR/ATH — Evangel Christian (2026)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Casey's fellow senior joined him over the 60-yard mark on the night as one of Houston's go-to targets, particularly on in crunch time as he freed himself up for critical plays to move the chains, including highlight-reel plays along the sideline. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seth Collins — 6-1, 175 DB — Evangel Christian (2028)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The sophomore defensive back made a leaping interception to start the third quarter, stepping in front of a receiver and snatching a much-needed takeaway to set up a short field and touchdown as the Eagles began to work their way back. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->