Louisiana High School Football Week 5 Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

 

Week 5 Highlighted Match-Ups

Captain Shreve Gators (3-1) at C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets (2-2)

In one of the oldest rivalries in Shreveport, Captain Shreve will battle their arch nemesis C.E. Byrd at Lee Hedges Stadium in south Shreveport. Both teams are looking to grab their first district win as Byrd fell to district foe Haughton, 44-19, while Captain Shreve lost a non-district game against Westgate, 27-22, last time out.

Captain Shreve’s offense is led by senior running back James Ivory who is one of the best running backs in the Shreveport/Bossier area. Ivory has rushed for at least 155 yards in every game this year and on two of the occasions he eclipsed the 200-yard mark. Another weapon in the Gator’s offense is wide receiver Stephen Smith who can also make big plays in the return game.

The Yellow Jackets have a stout rushing attack led by senior Jalin Thomas (302 yards and four touchdowns) and junior Charlie Barham (298 yards and three touchdowns) as Byrd averages 268.2 rushing yards per game. Thomas also makes big plays in the return game which included a 99-yard kickoff return for a score last week against Haughton.

Northwood Falcons (3-1) at Benton Tigers (4-0)

In one of the early season “must-see” games in District 1-4A, the Falcons of Northwood will travel to face the undefeated Benton Tigers. This will be a battle between two of the top quarterbacks, Luke Bogan of Northwood and Garret Hable of Benton, in the Shreveport/Bossier area.

Bogan is having a solid sophomore season thus far as he has thrown for 1,016 yards and 17 touchdowns through the first four games of the season. Two other weapons in the Falcons’ offense is senior running back Malik Wilson, who has 281 rushing yards, and sophomore wide receiver Detraveon Brown, who has 442 receiving yards.

Hable, who is the general of the Tigers offense, is having a monster senior campaign as he has 904 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions. The senior quarterback’s favorite targets include Doyle Adams Jr. and Legend Denler, both caught a receiving touchdown last week.

Green Oaks Giants (1-3) at Plain Dealing Lions (3-1)

Last week, Green Oaks lost a heartbreaker to Mansfield, 42-20, while Plain Dealing shutout Ringgold, 31-0. Green Oaks has already equaled their win total from last year and is looking to profit on their recent momentum.

The Giants are led by freshman quarterback Keith Baker who has thrown for 792 yards and five touchdowns while completing 64 percent of his passes. Two offensive weapons include senior wide receivers Kenric Jackson and Lexington Simon. Jackson has 281 receiving yards and two touchdowns while Simon has 430 yards and one touchdown.

Plain Dealing is led Shavolyea McKinney and Samadre Oliver. McKinney leads the Lions with 452 rushing yards and three touchdowns while Oliver has chipped in with 147 rushing yards and two touchdowns. One player to watch on the defensive side of the ball is Derreon Washington. Washington has 14 total tackles including six for a loss, three sacks and one interception.

Top Games from Around the State

Sterlington at Calvary Baptist

Ponchatoula at Mandeville

Parkway at Airline

North DeSoto at Woodlawn-SHV

North Webster at Southwood

Loyola College Prep at North Caddo

Haughton at Evangel Christian Academy

Minden at Booker T. Washington

Natchitoches Central at Breaux Bridge

Huntington at Bossier

Arcadia at Haynesville

Union Parish at Franklin Parish

Franklinton at St. Thomas More

Warren Easton at John Curtis

Barbe at Acadiana

Zachary at University Lab

West Monroe at Neville

Hahnville at Thibodaux

Red River at Richwood

Pineville at Tioga

Jesuit at Holy Cross

 

Photo Credit: Kevin Pickens Photography; Captain Shreve RB James Ivory III