New Orleans area Capital One High Yield Student Athlete of the Week award

Each week this fall sports season, be sure to nominate the New Orleans area player you think deserves the Capital One High Yield Student Athlete of the Week award.

What makes someone a "High Yield Student Athlete," you might ask. Well, it's anybody whose hard work, effort and skill produces a high yield of positives for their team and school. It can even be just one play in a game. Or overcoming an obstacle to inspire the team and student body.

Anything that brings success, inspiration or joy is eligible.

Send us an email at Playeroftheweek@maxpreps.com and explain why you think somebody you know is worthy of the New Orleans area Capital One High Yield Student Athlete of the Week award.



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Choosing the player who best personifies the excellence of Curtis (River Ridge, La.) is somewhat like finding the sturdiest stalk in a stack of hay or the sharpest point in a pile of needles.

Or so it would seem, given the wealth of athletes on the team that topped the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings.

Then you examine the exploits of senior linebacker Duke Riley, and hear Coach J.T. Curtis' words of praise, and it's easy to see why Riley was named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Year.

"He's a great athlete who has a great understanding of the game," said Curtis, who led the Patriots to their 25th state championship in the 50th anniversary year of the school his father founded. "He led the defense in terms of setting the tempo and with the kind of attitude he brought to the field."

This was no ordinary defense, either. Through 14 games of an undefeated season that included seven shutouts, it held opponents to a combined 60 points while the offense amassed a total of 667.



In what seemingly should have been two of the most challenging games of the season, John Curtis rolled to victory in the Class 2A semifinals and final. Riley was at his best in both games.

He recorded 15 tackles and recovered a fumble in a 55-0 semifinal victory over Springfield, and then made 8.5 tackles and returned a fumble for an 80-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the 35-13 title victory over arch-rival Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.). He was selected John Curtis' most outstanding player of the game in the championship showdown.

For the third consecutive year, Riley was John Curtis' leading tackler. He finished with 124 total tackles, including 93 individual stops, and two quarterback sacks among his 19 tackles for loss. He also intercepted a pass and had a quarterback hurry while often giving way to backups when games quickly got out of hand.

"He's got as much potential as anybody I've ever had at linebacker," said Curtis, whose overall record of 520-54-6 in 44 years features 13 undefeated seasons, including back-to-back 14-0 campaigns. After a runner-up finish, the Patriots have won two consecutive state titles.

Understandably, numerous college coaches have come calling. Among other things, Curtis said they are attracted by Riley's speed, athleticism and intelligence. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Riley ran hurdles for the Patriots' track team last spring, Curtis said.

"He's a physical player who runs extremely well," Curtis said.



Riley showcased those qualities throughout a season that culminated with the state championship and his selection as Defensive Player of the Year on the Class 2A All-State Team as chosen by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association.

"Louisiana high school football is as good as any in the country," Curtis said.

That being said, Riley was at the forefront of the state's premier team that drew national acclaim thanks in large measure to his efforts. {PAGEBREAK}


It is fitting that Archbishop Rummel (Metairie, La.) quarterback Damian Williams should be the only double winner of the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week award.

After all, it was Williams' senior leadership and astute field presence that helped Rummel beat Barbe (Lake Charles), 35-14, in last week's Class 5A state championship game.

Not only did it represent the first state football title in school history, but it capped a remarkable 14-0 season. It also came three years after Rummel made its first-ever championship game appearance.



Rummel, and Williams as an over-matched starting freshman quarterback, fell to West Monroe in that game, 30-0.
Their return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans gave the Raiders and Williams an opportunity to show just how far they've come.

Williams accumulated 245 all-purpose yards while rushing for 52 yards and completing 11 of 13 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the game's Outstanding Player.

Williams engineered three fourth-quarter scoring drives that allowed the Raiders to overcome a 14-13 deficit. Keith Fulton provided the short touchdown bursts with Williams tossing a two-point conversion pass after the first one.

"On Monday (before the game), I told him he would have to play like an MVP, and he did," said Rummel veteran coach Jay Roth, who played on the Raiders' first regular-season undefeated team in 1980. "Every time we had play-action, he was on the money."

Williams' performance earned him his second SAOW honor despite state championships for two other New Orleans-area teams that also finished 14-0.

Karr (New Orleans), playing in its its third consecutive Class 4A title game, finally won after two runner-up finishes with a 29-22 victory over Neville (Monroe, La.). It was the second state title in school history and the first since 1993.



John Curtis (River Ridge, La.) upended rival Evangel (Shreveport, La.), 35-13, for the Class 2A title and the 25th state championship in school history.

Yet, there was no one more appreciative of his team's accomplishment than Roth, whose players were quick to congratulate their coach after delighting many in the crowd of 32,740.

"One of the former Rummel players spoke to the team before the game and said, ‘You have a chance to become the first great team in Rummel history,'" Roth said. "That meant a lot to them''

Williams was quick to make an impact by directing a 13-play, 99-yard drive that ended with his 12-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steven Dunbar at 1:04 of the first quarter.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Williams completed all four of his passes for 61 yards during the march that opened the game's scoring. He also gained the necessary yard on fourth-and-1 from the Barbe 13-yard line.

Barbe answered with a touchdown of its own, but Williams wasted no time in putting Rummel on the move again Another 12-yard touchdown pass, this time to tight end Cethan Carter, completed a 10-play, 82-yard drive in 5:59.



Barbe grabbed a short-lived, second-half lead, but Williams responded as the award-winning player he is.{PAGEBREAK}


If the third time is to be the charm for Karr (New Orleans), junior quarterback Devante Noil may well be the Cougars' rabbit's foot and four-leaf clover wrapped into one.

Noil was all that and more for Karr last week in its 28-16 Class 4A state playoff semifinal victory over Holy Cross (New Orleans) that propelled the Cougars into their third consecutive state championship game.

Second-seeded Karr will face top-seeded Neville (Monroe, La.) in a rematch between a pair of 13-0 teams for the state title in New Orleans' Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Friday.

With Noil hobbled by two sore ankles, Neville beat Karr in last year's final, 27-6.

Karr kept its current record unblemished as the mercurial Noil completed 17-of-24 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Holy Cross.



He also rushed for 92 yards and a score in being named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

For all Noil's accomplishments, perhaps his most important feat was driving Karr 97 yards in 12 plays to give the Cougars a 13-0 lead four seconds before halftime.

"That was the turning point of the game," Karr veteran coach Jabbar Juluke was quoted as saying afterward. "Our defensive line stepped up once again, and for the offense to put together that drive was huge."

Holy Cross had reached the Karr 1-yard line only to be driven back. After its fourth-down pass fell incomplete, Noil quickly put the Cougars on the move in living up to his nickname of "Speedy."

He galloped 31 yards on first down in displaying the running ability that resulted in a 15-yard, first-quarter touchdown run to begin the scoring and give Karr a lead it never relinquished.

Noil apparently had capped Karr's lengthy scoring drive with a 5-yard touchdown run only to have a holding penalty negate what would have been Noil's second score.



Undaunted, Noil threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Blake Horton on the next play. Noil added an 8-yard touchdown pass to Glenn Irons in the fourth quarter.

Noil also threw a two-point conversion pass to Standish Dobard in the fourth quarter after Jeremy Jamison's 1-yard touchdown run.

"He's a phenomenal athlete," Juluke said of Noil. "He's one of those kids that actually comes around every 10 years or so. He can do it all … He's a great young man as well."

Coveted as a wide receiver by numerous colleges, the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Noil has five touchdown receptions this season. That pales in comparison to what he's accomplished as a quarterback.

Noil has thrown for 1,826 yards and 24 touchdowns while rushing for 1,322 yards and 19 scores. He recently was named October Amateur Athlete of the Month for Greater New Orleans in voting sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

For all that, a state title has remained beyond Noil's reach. At full strength, and with his sights set on the elusive prize, Noil is primed to place an exclamation mark on his charmed season.{PAGEBREAK}




Time has been on Glen Cuiellette's side since last spring when he convinced the Mandeville coaching staff that he should be the Skippers' starting quarterback.

"We were kind of undecided as to who our quarterback would be," coach Guy LeCompte said. "We had two that were in the same grade."

Cuiellette, a junior, soon distinguished himself both with his performances in practice and his work ethic afterward.

"He would stay an hour or two after practice and work with the receivers," LeCompte said.

Cuiellette's preparation, which LeCompte said is "second to none," has paid handsome dividends this season. That was no more evident than in Mandeville's 28-21 victory over Catholic (Baton Rouge) in a Class 5A state quarterfinal playoff game last week.

Cuiellette threw two touchdowns passes and rushed for two more. He scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard sneak with 6:45 remaining and then tacked on a two-point conversion pass.



Cuiellette's effort earned him New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week honors and 13th-seeded Mandeville (10-2) a spot in the state semifinals against top-seeded Archbishop Rummel (Metairie) on Friday.

Undefeated Rummel (12-0) features quarterback Damian Williams, a previous AOW winner this season.

"They're the No. 1 team and undefeated for a reason," LeCompte said. "It's going to be a big challenge."

At least going on the road won't be as daunting as last season when Mandeville drove five hours for its semifinal game at West Monroe only to lose to the eventual state champions, 26-14.

Crossing the nearly 24-mile-long Lake Ponchartrain Causeway won't be nearly as difficult, but the Skippers will be met with another treacherous assignment.

Much of their offensive hopes will center on Cuiellette, who has become adept at running Mandeville's spread offense.
He didn't waste any time in showing his versatility against Catholic, which had beaten Mandeville during the regular season, 26-14.



Cuiellette began the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. With the score tied 7-7, he connected with Zach Boudreaux for a 69-yard touchdown pass three plays into the third quarter.

Catholic fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, and on fourth down Cuiellette found Boudreaux again with a 24-yard touchdown pass. Cuiellette finished 18 of 33 for 322 yards, while Boudreaux caught eight passes for 190 yards.

Four of Cuiellete's most critical completions came during the game-winning drive after Catholic had rallied and taken a one-point lead, 21-20, on a 48-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The 6-foot-1, 204-pound Cuiellette moved Mandeville into Catholic territory with a fourth-and-9 completion that proved to be a harbinger of the Skippers' impending good fortune.

"Glen's been steady for us all year," LeCompte said. "I'm not surprised by anything he does."{PAGEBREAK}


For all the national attention Leonard Fournette has generated among college coaches and fans, there is no greater interest in the junior running back than at St. Augustine (New Orleans), which Fournette has led into the Class 4A quarterfinals of the state playoffs.



Fournette was as captivating as ever last week in the 10th-seeded Purple Knights' 40-14 victory over seventh-seeded St. Thomas More (Lafayette). Fournette quieted a hostile road crowd and thrilled his supporters in rushing 28 times for 354 yards and three touchdowns in the Purple Knights' regional — second-round — victory.

He punctuated his performance with an 18-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run in which he fought off several defenders, including one who had a hand on his facemask

"I've seen an awful lot of great running backs in my years, and I'll tell you he's as good as any of them," St. Thomas More coach Jim Hightower said after the game. "A lot of times we were hitting him with two, three and four guys and he didn't go down. He's got drive. He's just a monster. He's really special."

St. Augustine (9-3) jumped to a 21-7 halftime lead thanks in part to Fournette, who generated eight first-quarter points. He scored on a two-point conversion run after Ashton Hilliard returned an interception on the first play from scrimmage for a 36-yard touchdown. Fournette later scored on a 5-yard run.

The third quarter featured Fournette running for a 40-yard touchdown. That paved the way for his dramatic 18-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Fournette said the contest was "a revenge game," given that St. Augustine lost to St. Thomas More in Fournette's freshman season. The Purple Knights were eliminated in the regionals last year.



"We had an ‘X' on our chests," he said in response to the Purple Knights' underdog status. "We had to prove everybody wrong."

Those who know Fournette best didn't doubt him, and the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder reaffirmed their belief in him.

He increased his season rushing total to better than 2,000 yards after having finished the regular season as the New Orleans Metro Area rushing leader with 141 carries for 1,553 yards and 24 touchdowns. This, too, despite sitting out the regular-season finale.

Among the elite in a talent-rich region, Fournette was named the New Orleans Metro Area Prep Player of the Week by various organizations. He will also be among those honored at the Greater New Orleans Quarterback Club year-end luncheon on Dec. 10.

Until then, there are much more pressing matters such as St. Augustine's stern quarterfinal test against second-seeded Karr (New Orleans) on Friday.

As usual, much of the focus will center on Fournette, as others wait and watch in anticipation of what he will do next. {PAGEBREAK}




If Carver (New Orleans, La.) almost literally came "off the bus throwing the ball" as Coach Bryon Addison had wanted, than senior wide receiver Raheem Falkins must have been catching passes on the vehicle as it rolled to the Rams' first-round playoff game at South Plaquemines last week.

That's as good an explanation as any to explain Falkins' performance in Carver's 36-12 victory over South Plaquemines that atoned for a 36-34 District 9-2A regular-season loss to the same team two weeks earlier.

In the playoff game's first 14 minutes, Falkins caught four passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns in not only make short work of South Plaquemines but bringing a smile to the faces of Alabama fans giddy over Falkins' commitment to the Crimson Tide.

Falkins' showing also earned him selection as the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week and advanced Carver to the second round against Catholic of New Iberia on Friday.

"He's real humble," Addison said of Falkins. "Wide receivers are known to want the ball all the time. "This kid is just the opposite. He wants the young guys to have the ball. That's what I like about him."

Falkins figured into three of Carver's first five scores. After running back Eugene Brazley produced the game's first points on a 1-yard touchdown run, Falkins caught a two-point conversion pass.



Falkins followed that with a 99-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Joey Louis. Carver notched a safety in between that and Falkins' next touchdown catch, which covered 37 yards.

Falkins didn't have another catch the rest of the game, which is indicative of how he's been used this season and also a testament to the talent on Carver's roster. Brazley, an Ole Miss commitment, scored on a two-point conversion run after Falkins' 99-yard catch and run.

"He's a very unselfish kid," Addison said. "I know he could have had impressive numbers, but he's willing to let others do whatever is working best for us."

In this case, throwing to Falkins early and often made the difference.

After having "broken down film" from Carver's first game against South Plaquemines, Addison said "the plan was to come out throwing the ball. It just happened to be that Raheem was the guy who popped open."

Carver exploited the South Plaquemines defense just as it had in the fourth-quarter of their regular-season game in case of too little, too late. Despite a 22-point final-period explosion, Carver couldn't catch the Hurricanes.



Falkins made certain the Rams didn't dig themselves into a deep hole again, as he made to critical third-down catches on the Rams' first drive. He came up with an 8-yard grab that gave Carver a new set of downs and later hauled in a 54-yard pass that put Carver on the 1-yard line. Brazley scored two plays later.

Addison said Falkins' reaps dividends from his hard work of practice during the week.

"He has a good attitude about him," Addison said. "He's very detailed oriented. He takes pride in his craft."{PAGEBREAK}



Tucker Herzog may not start at quarterback for Holy Cross (New Orleans) any more, but the unflappable senior is still winning games for the Tigers.

His latest rescuing act came last week against East Jefferson (Metairie) when he replaced injured James Tabary early in the fourth quarter with Holy Cross trailing 14-7. Undaunted, Herzog drove Holy Cross 49 yards with time running out and capped the 14-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown sneak. Todd Spriggins followed with the 2-point conversion run.

Not only did that give Holy Cross a 15-14 victory and the Class 10-4A district title, but it earned Herzog recognition as the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.



"He came in and did a heck of a job," said Holy Cross coach Barry Wilson. "That's two games he's done that now."

Herzog replaced Tabary against Warren Easton (New Orleans) last month and rushed for three touchdowns, including two in overtime, to give Holy Cross a 35-34 double-overtime victory. The sixth-seeded Tigers, 7-2 overall and 4-0 in district, will face 27th-seeded Archbishop Shaw (Marrero) in the first round of the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs Friday.

Tabary will start again after having wrestled the job from Herzog last spring after he had to sit out with an injury sustained while playing basketball. If need be, Herzog will be prepared to replace Tabary and display the skills that allowed Herzog to rally Holy Cross twice this season and earned him the starter's role as a junior.

"Tucker's a very good quarterback," said Wilson, in his 11th year as head coach at his alma mater after 32 years as a college coach. "Thank God we have two good quarterbacks."

After Holy Cross failed to score on the previous drive that reached East Jefferson's 3-yard line, Herzog immediately went to work in putting the Tigers in position to end the regular season with a five-game winning streak.

Faced with fourth-and-10 from the East Jefferson 23-yard line with 53 seconds left, Herzog found wide receiver Kevin Spears with a 13-yard completion. Two plays before the Tigers scored, East Jefferson interfered with Spears to move the ball even closer.



With the football on the 1, Wilson said Holy Cross intended to run a "clock play" with Herzog instructed to spike the ball to stop the clock. Instead, Wilson said when Herzog noticed the East Jefferson defenders "standing up and standing around," Herzog took it upon himself to find his way into the end zone.

"He did a good job," said an appreciative Wilson.

In a limited role, Herzog has done well all season. He's rushed 17 times for 108 yards and five touchdowns and completed 22 of 37 passes (59.5 percent) for 327 yards and two scores. Against East Jefferson, he was 5 of 9 for 92 yards, with his longest completion covering 53 yards.

Wilson said Herzog has adapted extremely well to being a backup.

"He's helped the younger players learn what to do," Wilson said. "He's an unbelievable leader." {PAGEBREAK}


There was no shortage of superlatives for Bonnabel (Kenner) in its 22-21 victory over Destrehan last week.



Sophomore Daniel Velasquez kicked his game-winning 39-yard field goal with 4:03 left to play after having missed a field goal and extra point in the first half.

"He has to trust himself," Bonnabel coach Reggie Rogers said of Velasquez. "I trust him completely."

All-purpose senior Joe Este delivered a jarring hit that resulted in a fumble which Kyle Evans returned for a 40-yard touchdown. Este also fielded kicks, played cornerback and caught four passes for 69 yards.

And then there was senior lineman Daquan Frazier, the anchor of Bonnabel's success and the latest New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

Aside from defensive statistics, which included 10 tackles with five for losses against Destrehan, Frazier might lack for the recognition afforded more visible "skill" players. Those close to Frazier know his true worth, though.

"Besides being a great football player, he's a great leader in the locker room," Rogers said. "Coaches wish they had a kid like him on their team. He's that kind of guy."



Frazier remained calm but focused when Bonnabel fell behind, 21-12, late in the third quarter, Rogers said. Rallying those around him, Frazier ignited a defensive lockdown from his tackle spot. He contributed to a quarterback sack that prevented Destrehan from seizing late-game momentum.

Offensively, the 6-foot-1, 255-pound Frazier stepped up and made plays at left tackle, Rogers said.

Frazier has become a two-way performer the last few games, Rogers said, in a bid to "put the best players out there."

Frazier certainly rates as one of the best, too, with 70 total tackles for the season, including 25 assists. He's recorded two quarterback sacks, deflected nine passes and has 12 tackles for loss.

The move to play Frazier more often has paid dividends with Bonnabel riding a two-game winning streak into its regular-season finale at District 8-5A foe East St. John (Reserve). A win will earn Bonnabel a long-awaited return to the state playoffs, Rogers said. The Bruins, 5-3 overall and 2-2 in district, can still advance with a loss but must await the results of other games.

"We control our own destiny," Rogers said.



Destiny, in this case, bears the name of Daquan Frazier, who has captured the attention of numerous college coaches, including those from Nicholls State and Southeastern Louisiana, Rogers said.

Of immediate concern, though, is another victory and a playoff berth. Should those happen, Frazier might well continue to grow in stature and reap the benefits that come with it. {PAGEBREAK}


"You can't do any better than that," Detillier said.

Neither can you get much better than Matherne, at least not as far as the Bulldogs are concerned.

"As Ruston goes, we go," Detillier said. "He's our offensive leader. He makes all the calls. He gets us out of bad plays."



So far, so good, with Matherne having helped lead Lutcher to a record of 7-0 overall, including 5-0 in District 6-4A. Lutcher has outscored its district competition 207-6 thanks in large measure to Matherne and a defense that has pitched four shutouts. The Bulldogs will play their final non-district game Friday when they entertain Assumption (Napoleonville).

For his latest performance, that included a second touchdown pass of 54 yards, Matherne has been named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

"You could pick him as player of the week every week," Detillier said.

It doesn't take honors and awards for Detillier to recognize the talent he has in the 6-foot, 175-pound Matherne. His rise to prominence began in the sixth or seventh week last season, Detillier said, when something changed.

"The light bulb went off. He gained the confidence he lacked and he understood the (spread) offense. He took over. This year, from the start, he's picked up where he left off."

He blistered Belaire by "making all the right reads," Detillier said. Matherne's two touchdown passes went to Spencer Roussel, who is one of three receivers with at least 300 receiving yards and four touchdown catches.



Matherne is quick to spread the wealth and doesn't need to post gaudy numbers for Lutcher to excel. A case in point was the rout of Belaire. Matherne completed 8 of 13 passes for 200 yards with an interception, but a 21-point first-quarter barrage began with Roussel's touchdown catches and left Belaire in a hole from which it could never escape.

Matherne rushed only three times for 4 yards, but it wasn't necessary for him to tuck the ball and run. His latest figures belie the numbers he's produced in the past. For the season, Matherne has completed 117 of 168 passes for 1,334 yards and 15 touchdowns. He's added 420 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 70 carries.

His career statistics are even more impressive — Matherne has completed 310 of 458 passes for 3,830 yards and 56 touchdowns. He's rushed 283 times for 1,490 yards and 27 touchdowns. Under Matherne's guidance, Lutcher reached the Class 4A semifinals last season.

"He's like having a coach on the field," Detillier said. "You know the old adage, ‘Take what the defense gives you.' He makes sure we take advantage of what we can."{PAGEBREAK}


South Lafourche (Galliano) coach Dennis Strains took exception to the suggestion that senior Braxton Acosta gave a rare performance in the first quarter of the Tarpons' 24-7 victory over Westgate last week.

"You say it's highly unusual," Strains said, "but I don't think it is. Braxton plays like that every week. Braxton is a major part of our defense … He's relentless."



Acosta was that, and more, in the first quarter against Westgate (New Iberia) when his eye-opening accomplishments helped the unbeaten Tarpons to their fifth overall victory and second in District 7-5A.

In the span of less than eight minutes, Acosta recovered two fumbles and blocked a punt that South Lafourche parlayed into a 10-point advantage.

For his efforts, the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Acosta has been named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Athlete of the Week.

"The big thing about Westgate is they're a team with a lot of good athletes so it was important that we get an early lead," Strains said.

Acosta made certain that happened from the opening kickoff, which he recovered on Westgate's 31-yard line after the pooch kick was mishandled. The Tarpons subsequently embarked on a seven-play touchdown drive.

When the Tigers finally gained possession, they were forced to punt from deep in their territory. Acosta broke through to block the attempt with Vince Liner recovering the football on Westgate's 10-yard line.



South Lafourche couldn't convert the opportunity into points when it was stopped short on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, but Acosta wasn't finished.

On the next play, Westgate fumbled and Acosta recovered at its 4-yard line. The Tarpons had to settle for Taylor Keller's 23-yard field goal, but that provided South Lafourche with more than enough points to finish off the Tigers.

"Brandon's hard to take off the field," Strains said. "We use him as much as we can on special teams. He could play offense, but we're greedy. We want to keep him for us."

Beyond special teams, Acosta makes a major defensive influence as what Strains called "a hybrid outside backer." Acosta also contributes as a defensive back.

Acosta's one constant is his overwhelming contribution. Of his 36 overall tackles, seven came against Westgate, including two for losses. He's recovered four fumbles for the season, caused two fumbles, registered a quarterback sack, intercepted a pass and broken up four more.

"One of the reasons we've gotten off to such a great start is the opportunities he's given us," Strains said of Acosta. "He plays hard all night long. He does what he does every game."



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For an institution with impeccable bloodlines running through its football program, Newman (New Orleans) experienced what its coach called "possibly the greatest game in the history of the school" when it outlasted Carver (New Orleans) last week, 72-68.

Sophomore quarterback Jabiari Tyler spearheaded the Greenies' offensive explosion with a school-record six touchdown passes for the second time in three games. The 5-foot-9, 155-pound son of former LSU quarterback Herb Tyler also rushed for three touchdowns in accounting for nine of Newman's 11 touchdowns.

Jabiari Tyler tossed the winning touchdown pass of 9 yards to Russell Gardner with 3:33 remaining. According to statistics provided by the school, Tyler completed 32 of 41 passes for 457 yards and threw one of only two interceptions he has thrown all season. He also rushed 18 times for 135 yards.

For his latest performance, Tyler was named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Athlete of the Week.
Newman coach Nelson Stewart described it as "the game of a lifetime" and gave Tyler much of the credit for the Greenies' success in the District 9-2A opener that left them 3-1 overall.

"Our quarterback makes us go," Stewart said. "He understands how to distribute the ball and read defenses."

Tyler's latest effort isn't likely to make people forget Newman's most famous sons, NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, who preceded Tyler at the Catholic–based school. But it is apt to make others take notice of Tyler, who learned many of the same principles from his father as the Mannings did from their father, Archie, who starred at Ole Miss and in the NFL.



Both the elder Tyler and Manning taught their sons the nuances of the game, Stewart said, along with how to remain humble and work hard. Stewart said he grew up with Peyton and was Newman's team captain in 1995, the year after Manning held the same honor.

Stewart played at Tulane before becoming Newman's head coach seven years ago. After his team's latest victory, Stewart said many of those with whom he played and worked texted or called.

"It really was a great game," he said. "It left you breathless."

Just tracking Tyler's production can do the same. He contributed to the game's first score when he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Gilly Andry. The duo later combined for a 30-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter.

Tyler also had a pair of 15-yard touchdown passes to Reggie Alex and Justin Harrell, respectively. Harrell caught an 18-yarder as well, and scored on an 80-yard kickoff return.

Tyler rushed for three touchdowns, one of 4 yards and two of 5 yards, the second of which came in the fourth quarter when Newman scored the game's final three touchdowns.



For all that's been made of the game, the Greenies have another stern district test Thursday in South Plaquemines (Port Sulphur, La.).

Yet if anyone can produce a suitable encore to last week's fireworks, Stewart figures Tyler is the one to do it.

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More than the numbers themselves, Curtis (River Ridge, La.) High School senior running back Sherman Badie's performance against Plant (Tampa, Fla.) High School typified the Patriots' domination of their opponent.

It wasn't enough that Badie rushed 10 times for 94 yards. He did that all in the first half when he scored three times, including once on a 40-yard run off a fake punt.

Along the way, he dodged two would-be tacklers inside the 15-yard line.

In what was billed as a marquee matchup between nationally ranked teams in the All-State Sugar Bowl Prep Football Classic, Badie helped the Patriots take total control before an enthusiastic Louisiana Superdome crowd.



Badie also caught a 26-yard pass and returned a punt 14 yards to finish with 132 all-purpose yards according to John Curtis' statistics.

What's more, Badie's output didn't come against just another team from Class 2A, which the Patriots lead in the latest Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll. Instead, Bade made future opponents take notice with his spellbinding effort against Florida's defending Class 8A state champion.

For it he was named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

A perennial powerhouse, John Curtis already has made a strong case for securing its 25th state title in its 50th year of existence. It has done so thanks in large measure to the 5-foot-10, 190-pound Badie, who helped the Patriots score on their first four possessions against Plant.

Badie scored the game's first touchdown on a 3-yard run that followed Richard Allen's 38-yard punt return. Badie added a 7-yard touchdown run that capped a nine-play, 73-yard drive that doubled the Patriots' lead.

John Curtis finally appeared to be stopped when it sent its punting team on the field only to have Badie cross up Plant with his 40-yard touchdown run off a fake. That cemented the Patriots' rout of their Sunshine State visitors.



With its stunning effort, John Curtis took over the Southwest top spot in the latest MaxPreps Regional Football Ratings and they are No. 3 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings. John Curtis will return to Louisiana competition Friday when it faces East St. John (Edgard) High School.

It's a safe bet that with Badie leading the way, the Patriots will again unleash a powerful ground game that amassed 220 rushing yards against Plant, including an average of 5.6 yards per carry.
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Of all the touchdown passes Ellender (Houma, La.) junior quarterback Dustin Creppel will throw this season, none figure to be more significant than the three he tossed this past Sunday, including the two just before halftime that propelled the Patriots to a 26-7 victory over Houma Terrebonne High School.

Not only did they help to snap Ellender's 32-game losing streak dating back to Oct. 28, 2008, but they ignited a spark that the program had lacked all these years. For it, he was selected as the initial New Orleans area Capital One High Yield Student Athlete of the Week.

"This is the start of something new right now," said assistant coach John Haslitt, an 11-year veteran. "We've worked hard and gotten close in the past, but we couldn't get over the hump."

Ellender finally did so thanks in large measure to Creppel, who completed 19 of 26 passes for 227 yards with one interception. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Creppel started as a sophomore last season but was limited to five games because of a shoulder injury sustained in midyear. A healthy Creppel threw for 370 yards in the season finale.

"One good thing about playing young kids is they grow up," said second-year coach Terry Washington. "It's not like he (Creppel) just jumped onto the scene."



Creppel threw for 1,299 yards last season, Washington said, and his hope is that Creppel will average 200 passing yards per game this season while leading the Patriots to the playoffs.

That may seem like a tall order, but Washington said Ellender has the skilled players to do it beginning with Creppel, who is vital to the Patriots' spread offense.

"We throw first and run second," Washington said. "When he got hurt last year, we were forced to run the football. That's not our makeup."

Ellender displayed its quick-strike capability against Terrebonne, which led 7-0 with less than a minute left in the first half.

Two plays after Ellender gained possession with an interception, Creppel threw a strike down the right sideline to Dan Mitchell, who carried the football in for a 74-yard touchdown. A failed two-point conversion left Ellender trailing 7-6 with 20 seconds left.

That quickly changed after Terrebonne muffed a short, high kickoff and Ellender recovered. Creppel responded on the next play by rolling to his right and lofting a pass toward the front right pylon of the end zone.



Thomas Johnson hauled in the ball for a 35-yard touchdown reception. A two-point conversion run gave Ellneder a 14-7 halftime lead and the momentum needed to win on its opponent's field in a season opener postponed two days by the disruptive force of Hurricane Isaac earlier in the week.

Creppel added an 8-yard touchdown pass to Mitchell in the third quarter.

"He has a D-1 arm," Washington said of Creppel, who uses his mobility to his advantage. "He throws a nice ball. He can put mustard on it or take something off it ... He can play at the next level."

Not so fast, though. Ellender is only too happy to be basking in the glow of a much-needed win that has prompted high hopes for a brighter future with Creppel at the helm.