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by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
There were plenty of Tigers or Tiger commits in action this past weekend, & now that the dust has cleared from LSU's recent game and fallout dramatics, LSU Odyssey are diving in head first into the deep end of 2022's best high school performances, as well as keeping a general watch on favored Tiger targets:
WALKER HOWARD
(ST THOMAS MORE)
VS ALEXANDRIA SENIOR
422
23/40
3 TDs
2 INTs
1 RUSHING TD
2021 OVERALL
748
46/79
6 TDs
2 INTs
Though St Thomas More succumbed to their 2nd consecutive defeat of the season during a 59-35 track meet vs Alexandria Senior, their talisman Walker Howard continues to prove exactly why he's the best quarterback in America.
Polishing off 3 passing touchdowns, rushing for another score, before tossing 422 yards, Walker's output barely trails his career high of 446 from 2020 (vs Teurlings Catholic).
Yes, after a showdown vs Quency Wiggins & Madison Prep that didn't go their way in the final seconds, and now a lopsided loss where detractors have pointed out the lack of defensive effort, or even took shots at the 2 interceptions, St Thomas More won't like how the last two weeks played out.
But with Coach Jim Hightower's 2x defending champs looking for a three-peat, a few early tests may be exactly what the doctor ordered to wake up this crew.
HAROLD PERKINS
(CY PARK)
VS LAMAR
2 RUSHING TDs
95 YARDS
2021 OVERALL
345 RUSHING YARDS
16 RUSHES
6 RUSHING TOUCHDOWNS
21.6 YARDS PER CARRY
4 RECEIVING YARDS
1 RECEIVING TD
1 CATCH
-1 DEFENSIVE OUTING:
3 TACKLES
1 SACK
1 TFL
1 QB HURRY
Revealing himself to be an absolute surgeon on both sides of the ball, 2022's #1 linebacking talent Harold Perkins has only featured regularly at running back in 2 of Cy Park's opening 3 games.
He did take the field at linebacker for one game, downing the QB for a sack, another QB hurry, a tackle for loss and 3 solo stops.
Yet, the thing that stuns all who watch him?
Harold's offensive abilities may usurp his defensive virtuosity:
Averaging 21.6 yards per carry, Harold has taken 16 attempts for 345 total yards and 6 touchdowns....an absolutely maniacal stat line which will actually make him a better linebacker in the end.
Being able to think, move and look like a top running back, Harold Perkins is setting himself up for the same type of success which followed "running back-turned-linebacker" Tigers such as Devin White and Patrick Queen, two of the NFL's premier linebackers.
LSU's LB Coach Blake Baker must do everything possible to grab Harold Perkins during the 2022 cycle....because if not, their depleted LB corps may suffer within the middle of the field for some time....
Cy Park's Louisiana native linebacker isn't just the #1 LB of 2022, he's one of the best overall athletes of the class...a juggernaut of his own making.
QUENCY WIGGINS
(MADISON PREP)
VS WOODLAWN
WAITING ON GAME FILM & STATISTICS
KENDRICK LAW
(CAPTAIN SHREVE)
VS LEESVILLE
1 PD
1 SOLO TACKLE
46 YARD KICKOFF RETURN
16 RUSHING YARDS
4 CARRIES
21 RECEIVING YARDS
5 CATCHES
2021 OVERALL
2 PDs
1 SOLO TACKLE
66 ALL PURPOSE YARDS
Dominating Leesville in a 54-0 shutout, heavy LSU favorite Kendrick Law's Captain Shreve stayed unblemished at 2-0, the team now focused on a bout vs fellow undefeated Union Parish.
A future engineering major & 4.1 GPA brainiac off the field, Kendrick Law is a versatile talent on the field as well: capable of playing receiver, traditional running back, cornerback on the outside, he can be deployed as a safety, he has the right hips and turn of motion to master the nickel position, and he's of course a menacing return-man.
Racking up 100+ all purpose yards through 4 of his 8 appearances last season, Law continues to deliver in any phase in which he's given reps....all while continuing to be a steadfast DB.
Knowing his full range of powers after 3 magical seasons, you can't blame Captain Shreve for starting the season a little carefully when it comes to managing Law's reps; Against Union Parish this coming Friday, I expect to see the young man unleashed, his numbers rise, his name hit the headlines far more, and the spotlight hit the back of his jersey....the blinding light catching the highly promising juggernaut racing for his first touchdown of 2021.
JAKE JOHNSON
(OCONEE)
BYE THIS LAST FRIDAY
2021 OVERALL
132 YARDS
10 CATCHES
1 TD
Averaging a first down per catch, bringing down long passes over the top of defenders, pulling off his marvelous "tip toe" sideline acrobatics, and selflessly blocking for his teammates, Jake Johnson is leading Oconee to an undefeated 3-0 record thus far.
Enjoying a bye this past week, Johnson isn't resting on his laurels.....in fact, he's more motivated and ready than he was at the start of the season.
Though his targets and receptions dipped after Week 1's long headline-grabbing touchdown, Jake hasn't had it easy at all:
There are no free releases anymore....no gimme routes....every ball that comes his way is being contested as if it were made of hundred dollar bills; these Georgia high school opponents are sick and tired of being the victims of Jake Johnson's highlight reel shenanigans....
Because of Oconee's conservative-leaning offensive philosophy, Johnson has been forced to help his team out in more down and dirty ways, like forcing flags from opponents (forced 3 flags vs Clark Central alone, including 1 taunting and 2 pass interference penalties...all resulting in Oconee points).
All he cares about is the W's....and his actions have spoken louder than anything he's ever said...but if you want to hear his words, you can read three different interviews with LSU Odyssey & Jake Johnson just below:
SHAZZ PRESTON
(ST JAMES)
VS ARCHBISHOP SHAW
1 RECEIVING TD
1 RUSHING TD
60 TOTAL YARDS
-2 TOUCHES:
-2 YD RECEIVING TD
-58 YARD RUSHING TD
2021 OVERALL
SEE ABOVE
Showcasing his dual threat abilities, in the backfield, in the slot or out wide, St James wide receiver Shazz Preston's 2 touchdowns provided the separation during a topsy turvy 37-27 victory over Archbishop Shaw.
Becoming the favored National Signing Day target of both LSU and Alabama, Shazz Preston seems to be continuing his rise from high 4 star to a 5 star elite level....all as increased offers blow up his phone by the day.
To back up the offers, prestige & services rankings, Shazz made sure he lived up to the hype against Archbishop Shaw:
Taking an end around 58 yards to the house & catching a red zone score, the St James #7 went off throughout his senior debut.
"This game was for the community," Shazz said after the game, referencing Hurricane Ida's devastation upon Vacherie and St James Parish. “This game was to show that we are still standing strong. Even though we are facing adversity right now, we are still putting the work in and finding ways to get things done. It was a good showing."
Catching a 2 yard red zone touchdown with 16 seconds left before halftime, Preston's first score of the season sent St James up 14-7 at the perfect time; To start the second half, Shazz made another back-breaking play against Archbishop Shaw, flying down the field for 58 yards on an end around and taking the first 3rd quarter snap for a touchdown,
We've asked his Head Coach Robert Valdez for full detailed statistics on Shazz's outing vs Shaw, although from what we have gathered thus far, his touches were limited....and still so damn effective.
WILL CAMPBELL
(NEVILLE)
VS OUACHITA
4 PANCAKE BLOCKS
-BLOCKED FOR A 200+ YARD RUSHER
2021 OVERALL
2-0 RECORD
-BLOCKED FOR A.J ALLEN'S 355 RUSHING YARDS OVER 2 GAMES
Despite a few early mistakes, LSU commit & 5 star offensive tackle Will Campbell remained stout along the line of scrimmage, punishing Ouachita's defensive linemen for most of the night during Neville High's 28-6 win.
Making it all possible was running back A.J Allen, following Big Willy Style's blocks and cutting back with distinctive brilliance to grab 218 rushing yards and all 4 touchdowns for Jeff Tannehill's club.
This follows Neville's opening Friday night victory over Ruston, a close 27-24 affair where once again A.J Allen rattled off 137 yards, 12 carries & 2 touchdowns behind Will Campbell's medieval blocking.
Medieval....
Primal...
Vicious...
Brutal...
Violent...
Omnipotent....Punishing...Bruising...
Hardnosed...
Tough....however you wish to call his all-encompassing trench habits, just make sure it fits the man's adventurist, badass personality:
Against Ouachita, there was even an exchange where Campbell pancake blocked an Ouachita defender into the ground and stood over him shouting "All night long, baby!"
When watching Neville's first two games of the year, it is obviously apparent how talented running back A.J Allen is....
But there's also one factor you catch: even as a heralded 5 star, you start to realize just how underrated Will Campbell is.....he's just thaaaaat good.
MASON TAYLOR
(ST THOMAS AQUINAS)
VS AMERICAN HERITAGE
31 YARDS
4 RECEPTIONS
2021 OVERALL
175 YARDS
16 RECEPTIONS
Following a 3 point shock defeat in week 2, St Thomas Aquinas righted the ship vs American Heritage to go 2-1 on the season, although LSU fans will be paying attention and asking about both TE Mason Taylor and LT Julian Armella specifically.
Since STA throttled St Frances Academy on national television, with Mason hauling in 12 catches for 132 yards, Taylor has seen his targets & receptions both go down. Every defensive coordinator out there is keying on his multi-faceted powers, understanding the danger of allowing him any momentum.
Just like fellow 2022 LSU commit Jake Johnson, Mason won't be finding any free releases coming his way anytime soon. Regardless, he's found another familiar way to help St Thomas Aquinas win football games:
Using every bit of his 6'5 frame, Mason Taylor is starting to imitate his NFL Hall of Fame father Jason's defensive end moves, shattering opponents off the edge with unlimited brutality, unerring aggression & calculated, NFL-trained leverage.
Not only will Mason be assisting his running game and offense by playing the role of "unselfish superstar", his humility & willingness to learn or help the team will help him to become the complete player.
TRE'VONTE CITIZEN
(LAKE CHARLES COLLEGE PREP)
VS FRANKLIN PARISH
125 YARDS
4 RUSHES
2 TDs
-95 Yard Touchdown Run
2021 OVERALL
292 RUSHING YARDS
17 RUSHES
3 TDs
Is he a machine or what?
Put a coin in, get a touchdown?
Every time the ball is in Tre'vonte Citizen's hands, the Lake Charles College Prep phenom takes it to the limit, burning and burying defenders on his way to the end zone....however, these never-ending long gains have become so routine for the young man, he's become used to conjuring magic each fall weekend:
Totaling 1,121 yards from 135 carries and 14 touchdowns since he first appeared for LCCP, Citizen also split time at linebacker, excelling at both positions.
However, his 8.3 yards per carry tally and constant big-play desire made him one of LSU RB Coach Kevin Faulk's highest priority targets of the 2022 cycle.
Understanding how much the Tigers are in need at the running back spot, Citizen arrives just in time, committing during LSU's high octane July......2023 or 2024 ironed out as his future breakout / "should be starting" campaign.
by LONN PHILLIPS SULLIVAN
@LonnPhillips
Copyright 2021 Uninterrupted Writings Inc
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