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

Another promising Cecilia quest for its first state championship since 1995 appeared to be slipping away into heartbreak as the final minutes ticked Friday in the Caesars Superdome.   But top-seeded Franklinton left the door open just enough with a few costly turnovers, and the No. 18 Bulldogs busted through with a wild, highlight-reel comeback in the final minutes to win the Division-II Non-Select title, 35-32.   Here's a look at some of the eye-catchers from the contest.   <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=nIs9T-xeQeQ </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='145333' first='Diesel' last='Solari'] — 5-7, 175 ATH — Cecilia (2025)   The explosive and versatile playmaking of the Bulldogs' senior quarterback was on display on Louisiana high school's biggest stage and left fans, coaches and media asking as loudly as ever how colleges haven't given the dynamic athlete a more serious look for the next level. Even with 22 yards of sacks tempering his total, Solari led all players with 148 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries — an average of 8.2 yards per attempt — and threw the late, game-winning score 39 yards to his senior running mate [player_tooltip player_id='913920' first='Ellis' last='Stewart'] in the final minutes. He also added a 19-yard kick return and a tackle on the night.   [player_tooltip player_id='934555' first='Braylon' last='Calais'] — 6-2, 190 ATH — Cecilia (2027)   The sophomore star returned a kickoff 88 yards in the first quarter to put Cecilia on the scoreboard before taking an offensive snap as he wound through, blew by and pulled away from the Demons' coverage team. Like Solari, Calais was a versatile leader for the team in all three phases with nine rushes for 52 yards and a goal-line touchdown, three catches for 36 yards, two kick returns for 102 yards, six tackles and a forced fumble. His impressive combination of athletic traits and skills in his big, physical frame will make him one of the top prospects in Louisiana's 2027 class.   [player_tooltip player_id='406748' first='Franky' last='Frank Jr.'] — 5-10, 160 DB — Cecilia (2027)   Getting stronger to help improve his physicality and tackling was a focal point for the young cornerback's offseason following his freshman season. Frank showcased his strides in that area all sophomore season, all building toward a state championship game in which he was among the team leaders with seven stops — including a couple particularly explosive solo hits — and a late thievery of a fumble, ripping the ball away from a Franklinton player and giving Cecilia sudden new life to set up the go-ahead touchdown.   [player_tooltip player_id='1598269' first='Gavin' last='Solomon'] — 5-10, 160 DB — Cecilia (2025)   Solari, Stewart and Louisiana (Lafayette) signee [player_tooltip player_id='913904' first='Brent' last='Gordon Jr.'] have been the leading faces of the Bulldogs' senior class, but not alone in the group's critical leadership of the team's historic title chase. And when the Demons tried for a stretch in the third quarter to avoid those players and attack Solomon in the secondary, the cornerback stepped up to provide a few of the defense's biggest plays in his final high school game. Solomon made a diving interception, ripping the ball away from a receiver as they met almost simultaneously, and then swatting away another pair of targets his way.   <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=n1tN7LdYBCA </div></figure>     [player_tooltip player_id='1415002' first='Sy' last='Austin'] — 5-10, 180 RB — Franklinton (2025)   The senior running back scored three of Franklinton's four touchdowns, including the opening possession of the game and the go-ahead in the fourth quarter, to earn Outstanding Player honors. Austin was fast and elusive in the open field, even against a speedy Cecilia defense, and also showed the vertical athleticism to leap over a defender near the goal line. He racked up 147 yards on 30 carries, while also catches two passes for 19 yards and a two-point conversion and providing sparks on special teams with 71 yards on four kick returns. Similar to the questions regarding Solari, the performance left coach Dominic "Nick" Saltaformaggio asking how Austin could be overlooked by college.   [player_tooltip player_id='1601758' first='Jacob' last='Crain'] — 6-1, 170 QB — Franklinton (2026)   The Demons' junior passer led an efficient offensive performance for much of the night of more than 400 yards as a team. Crain completed 21 of his 29 throws for 224 yards and rushed for a 5-yard touchdown.   Damikies McClain — 5-11, 140 WR — Franklinton (2026)   McClain was the top target for his fellow junior Crain in the passing game with 10 catches for 125 yards — both game-highs — as a quick receiver capable of creating separation all over the field.   Skylar Williams — 5-9, 160 DB — Franklinton (2025)   The senior defensive back highlighted the Demons' defense with one of the team's higher tackle totals with six stops in all and several of its highest-impact plays: an interception for the lone takeaway and two tackles for a combined 22 yard of loss, including a 15-yard sack.

Another promising Cecilia quest for its first state championship since 1995 appeared to be slipping away into heartbreak as the final minutes ticked Friday in the Caesars Superdome.