Louisiana Football Preview: Calvary Baptist Cavaliers at C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Louisiana high school football kicks off this weekend with exciting games all over the state. One of the best rivalry games in Shreveport will happen this Thursday as Byrd hosts Calvary Baptist. In 2019, Calvary Baptist finished 11-1 and were upset 49-47 by Ouachita Christian in the quarterfinals of the Division IV playoffs. On the other hand, Byrd had some struggles last season finishing 4-7 and were bounced 45-40 by St. Augustine in the first round of the Division I playoffs. Calvary Baptist won this rivalry game 37-25 last year and is looking to take down Byrd again starting 2020 with a victory. Byrd wants to get off to a hot start this season as they have a loaded roster that is ready to make a deep postseason run and contend for their first state title since 1949.
Calvary Baptist Cavaliers
The new quarterback under center for the Cavaliers will be junior Landry Lyddy, who threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns in a backup role in 2019 but is already garnering interest from different colleges. Lyddy has been working hard throughout the offseason and is ready to lead Calvary Baptist in 2020.
Calvary Baptist QB Landry Lyddy
Two other weapons on offense include seniors Joseph Wilson (5’10”, 175) and Jordan Wallace. Wilson, and Air Force commit, caught 26 passes for 575 yards and seven touchdowns while having additional 151 yards and two scores on the ground. Wallace chipped in with 467 receiving and six touchdowns on 28 catches last season. Another player to watch on the offense is junior tight end and receiver Miles Williams (6’3”, 220).
Calvary’s defensive line is led by junior Denham Smith (6’1”, 230). Smith racked up 47 total tackles including 21 for a loss and eight sacks in 2019. Senior linebacker Dustin Lang (6’1”, 185) is a player to watch in the middle of the defense as he had 50 total tackles including 11 for a loss and two sacks in 2019. Senior free safety Jeremiah Brown (5’9”, 170) led the team with five interceptions and had 32 total tackles last year and is looking to have another big season in 2020.
C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets also have a new quarterback as junior Logan Pons (5’11”, 180) is leading the charge in 2020. Two weapons for Byrd in their run-heavy offense will be senior running back Venzell Thompson and senior athlete William Berry. Thompson, an Air Force commit, led the team with 705 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2019 while Berry chipped in with 306 rushing yards, 214 receiving yards and four total touchdowns. An up and coming star is junior running back Mitchell Ramsey (5’11”, 170). Ramsey had 254 rushing yards, 142 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Senior offensive guard Josh Courtney (6’0”, 235) is one of the leaders of this experienced line up front.
Senior defensive tackle Carson Bruno (6’5”, 290) is currently committed to Louisiana Tech and is one of the best defensive linemen in the state. The big man racked up 39 total tackles including two for a loss in 2019. The star in the middle of the defense is senior linebacker Makarios “Junior” Brown (6’1”, 205). Brown had 64 total tackles including 13 for a loss, two sacks and two fumble recoveries during his very impressive junior season. Senior safety Luke Miletello (6’2”, 185) is another leader on this Purple Swarm defense as he had 49 total tackles including seven for a loss and four pass deflections in 2019.
Overview
Both of these storied programs are looking for bragging rights in this 2020 edition of their rivalry and know that each win means more than ever in a shortened regular season.
Photo credit: Twitter.com; Calvary Baptist QB Landry Lyddy
Photo credit: The Shreveport Times; Byrd RB Mitchell Ramsey