Jabiari Tyler: New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Athlete of the Week

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 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 Friday at home.

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