12 eye-catchers from the Alexandria vs. St. Augustine spring game

The past two Division-I Select runners-up met in central Louisiana this weekend in the state's marquee scrimmage matchup of this spring.   And host Alexandria and St. Augustine, which made the three-hour trek to the showdown, did not disappoint in terms of both their highlight-reel flashes of major potential to contend again this fall and their dramatic finish.   The visiting Purple Knights started particularly fast with a rapid-fire array of explosive plays in the scripted plays segment and led for much of the live quarters portion.   But the Trojans came back behind some huge runs by their rising junior duo, a late interception and then immediate go-ahead strike through the air.   Here's a look at a dozen of the biggest eye-catchers from the matchup.     [player_tooltip player_id='1801050' first='Jaden' last='Bayonne'] — 6-5, 280 DL — Alexandria (2027)   and [player_tooltip player_id='934571' first='Bryson' last='Phoenix'] — 6-2, 235 EDGE/LB — Alexandria (2027)   The Trojans' two most highly ranked and recruited defenders looked the part Saturday, helping collapse the pocket at times on Noble and make rushing yards extra tough to come by for a St. Augustine offense still missing multiple of its top backs. Bayonne's combination of power and mobility at his size stood out as he consistently drove blockers backward and disrupted plays, while Phoenix showed some versatility with his run defense, pass rush and coverage. Phoenix set the edge well whether setting up plays for teammates or shedding blocks to make tackles, looked comfortable working out over slot receivers and covering and made a late play behind the line of scrimmage to help wrap up the win.   Derrick Bennett Jr. — 5-10, 165 WR — St. Augustine (2027)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1851150' first='Lucas' last='Jefferson'] — 5-11, 170 WR — St. Augustine (2028)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1323402' first='Miguel' last='Whitley'] — 6-0, 180 WR — St. Augustine (2027)   Even with one of its future Power-Four receivers still working back from injury, the Purple Knights' loaded cast of targets was among the biggest highlights of the day with one big play after another. Bennett torched his way to the end zone a few times. Whitley did so once, got loose over the top of the defense a couple other times St. Augustine wasn't able to get he ball to him and had at least a couple other more moderate gains on which he was able to quickly create separation on shorter routes. And Jefferson made some strong possession catches through contact and then eventually busted a long touchdown of his own.   [player_tooltip player_id='1618856' first='Darren' last='Coates Jr.'] — 6-1, 205 LB/EDGE — St. Augustine (2028)   The Purple Knights return a good core on the defensive side as well, and the highly ranked rising junior edge rusher stood out at much as anyone as a reliable tackler who was able to get behind the line on a few occasions for some disruptive highlight plays generating pressure and at one point diving in for quick recovery of a loose fumble about as quickly as the ball hit the turf.   Eli Fung — 6-0, 180 K — Alexandria (2027)   The Trojans took the opportunity with a slew of college coaches on hand to allow their star specialist to put on a showcase a few times throughout the afternoon, and he did not disappoint as he drilled field goals through the uprights from as far out as 62 yards and consistently put his kickoffs into the end zone.   [player_tooltip player_id='1618849' first='Jaelle' last='Noble'] — 6-1, 190 QB — St. Augustine (2028)   The heir to the helm of the Purple Knights' offense had some teachable, lesson-learning moments — particularly late — but also show flashes of the major potential that has had him a highly ranked Prep Redzone Louisiana prospects for a couple years now and has St. Augustine excited them running the show the next two years and colleges already intrigued and offering opportunities for the next level. Noble hit several really nice throws downfield, giving his weapons opportunities to make plays in stride for big gains after the catch and also showed his athleticism to elude the pass-rush and make plays with his legs.   [player_tooltip player_id='1250281' first='Karsen' last='Sellers'] — 6-2, 185 QB — Alexandria (2027)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1250291' first='Alex' last='Fontenot'] — 6-3, 180 WR — Alexandria (2027)   The returning star quarterback-receiver tandem linked up for a pair of touchdowns, including the game-winner, on which Fontenot blew right by defenders and Sellers hit him with perfect strikes — the first up the sideline with room to run and the last strolling right into the end zone. Sellers had another touchdown throw on which he did a nice job spinning away from pressure rolling back across the field, flipping his hips and firing to a target near the sideline in the end zone.   [player_tooltip player_id='1263234' first='Kason' last='Williams'] — 6-0, 195 RB — Alexandria (2028)   and [player_tooltip player_id='1375178' first='Noble' last='Williams'] — 6-0, 205 RB — Alexandria (2028)   Two of Louisiana's top running backs reside in the same backfield at 800 Ola St., and both had eye-catching spring scrimmage performances. [player_tooltip player_id='1263234' first='Kason' last='Williams'] showcased his versatility early getting motioned or swung out to the perimeter to get the ball in his reliable pass-catching hands with space to turn upfield. And as the afternoon wore on, both Williamses found more and more success between the tackles with each showing the ability to power through contact for tough yards and the speed to break away for longer, home-run gains — including a nice cut back in the open field by [player_tooltip player_id='1375178' first='Noble' last='Williams'].

The past two Division-I Select runners-up met in central Louisiana this weekend in the state's marquee scrimmage matchup of this spring.