Takeaways from the weekend

Football season is in full swing. Week 6’s slate was headlined by a primetime showdown between Baton Rouge-area heavyweights in Zachary (La.) and Baton Rouge (La.) Woodlawn followed by two of the state’s best running backs squaring off as Metairie (La.) Saint Martin’s traveled down the river to Reserve (La.) Riverside Academy.

On3 National Recruiting Analyst Sam Spiegelman was on hand for both games. Here are some takeaways from the action and around the area:

Holstein makes seamlessly, speedy recovery

After sustaining an injury to his non-throwing shoulder on Sept. 16, doctors told On3 Consensus top-100 QB Eli Holstein that he’d be sidelined at least a month and up to six weeks. On the 20-day mark, Holstein suited up and started for defending Louisiana 5A champion Zachary and didn’t skip a beat.

With a heavy emphasis on running the ball and getting it out of Holstein’s hands quickly, the Alabama commit completed 15-of-18 passes with 2 touchdowns and took some massive hits from a smothering Woodlawn defensive front four that brought pressure throughout. Holstein was efficient and connected on two touchdowns and converted several first-downs with his legs. The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder was not at 100 percent, but didn’t blink orchestrating the gameplan after absorbing hits in and outside the pocket. He plays with a different sort of demeanor.

LSU commit Jackson plays like Delpit

There have been few defensive stalwarts on Zachary over the years that have had the same sort of continued impact of On300 safety Kylin Jackson, who as a senior is leading not only on the field but in the locker room. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Jackson roams for the Broncos as a freelancer and effectively patrols a ton of ground on the back end. He flies to the football and is one of the most hard-hitting safeties I’ve seen in several years.

The LSU commit blends a physical playstyle with great length in coverage and reminds me a ton of another former Tiger Grant Delpit with his size and versatile skill set.

Williams just scratching the surface

On300 EDGE Ashley Williams Jr. continues to assert himself as one of the ascending stars on the defensive line in the state and around the country. On3’s No. 31-rated EDGE, the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was prolific pressuring QB Rickie Collins, who is a threat to escape the pocket on any given snap. Williams flew around the edge and collapsed the pocket on multiple occasions, and was equally as impactful in pursuit to the sideline to cut off rushing lanes.

Williams’ high motor was on display and was a key part of Zachary’s second-half shutout on defense. The Auburn commit is able to outmaneuver opposing linemen and breeze around them, and he’s really just beginning to scratch the surface.

Berry is an offensive Jenga piece

Harlem Berry is the early No. 1 player in The Boot for the 2025 class, which is beginning to take shape as pass by the midway point of the regular season. Berry, a lanky 5-foot-11, 170-pounder for St. Martin’s, is the focal point of the offense as a running back, receiver and even quarterback. While the explosive RB was largely held in check by a sound Riverside defense that flew to the football, Berry still managed 109 yards on 24 touches. The sophomore just eclipsed the Century mark rushing in the loss on Friday night.

Berry had a strong showing at LSU camp this summer when he clocked a 4.4-second 40 and showed his elusiveness as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Against one of the state’s best 2A defenses, Berry was forced to create much of his yardage on his own; he has exceptional short-area quickness and acceleration to pick up chunk yardage consistently and can cut on a dime as good as any back in the state right now — if not better.

LSU leads on On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine in what is a coast-to-coast recruitment for Berry, who early is showing elements of Joe McKnight in his game.

Quick-hitters on SEC commits

LSU commit Rickie Collins was under duress for much of the game, as expected, and was able to consistently generate offense for Woodlawn with quick decisions and playmaking ability on the fly. With attention being paid to Collins as a runner, the Consensus four-star evaded pressure, made split decisions and took whatever the defense gave him.

Collins’ ability to improvise seamlessly with a natural feel for the game and game-managing experience should translate well with a better surrounding cast of linemen and skill players.

On300 CB Jordan Matthews wasn’t tested, but managed a few tackles in the run game and after the catch. The Tennessee commit made an open-field tackle on the perimeter and was a contributor on special teams, too.

Make way for 2024 OT Broussard

2024 Zachary (La.) OT Kavion Broussard has gained traction with a strong start to his junior season and at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds, the converted tight end is quickly tackling to offensive tackle. Broussard, who has a massive frame and long arms for the position, is a high-motor blocker that’s been a massive asset in pass pro right away as gets up to speed as a run-blocker. TCU, Mississippi State and Texas Tech have all offered Broussard, who will continue to develop along the offensive line and build out his frame. The Bulldogs lead early on the RPM.

Davis packs Power 5 punch

Talented Louisiana three-star RB commit Elijah Davis churned out 203 yards and four touchdowns in Riverside’s win Friday. Davis had long runs of 51 and 53 yards, and at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds is a downhill runner that can absorb and play through contact and is also a factor as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He’s averaging 229.5 YPG and is one of the better bruisers between the tackles.

Davis entered the game fifth in rushing in Louisiana and sits with 1,350 yards entering Week 7. Power 5 schools are keeping tabs on Davis, whose initial burst and physical running style is a problem for opposing defensive coordinators. He’s hard to tackle — a lot like former Cajun Montrell Johnson, now toting the rock for Billy Napier’s Gators.

On3 is higher on Davis than the rest of the industry.

Additional notes

• Former Arkansas State commit Landen Thomas was another contributor up front for Zachary. The 6-foot-3, 260-pounder is a force that generates pressure and makes plays behind the line of scrimmage without it showing up in the box score. He has great athleticism for his size and races to the ball.
• 2024 Zachary (La.) ATH Luke Wisham is playing all three phases for the Broncos as a receiver, safety and special teams ace. The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder is the younger brother of TJ Wisham (Louisiana) and Connor Wisham (Prairie View A&M), both major contributors for this program in the past. Don’t be surprised to hear his name deeper into the season.
• Notre Dame commit Jaden Greathouse continues to etch his name in Austin (Texas) Westlake history scoring his 28th career receiving touchdown and passing the 200-reception mark. Greathouse made history with a 29-yard touchdown catch in the Chaps’ victory on Friday. Greathouse has been an impact playmaker for one of Texas’ most storied programs as a freshman, an absolute rarity, and has a compelling case as the state’s best pass-catcher in the cycle.
• Five-star QB Arch Manning helped New Orleans (La.) Isidore Newman come away with a late victory on the road Friday at Belle Chasse (La.) as the Texas commit completed 18-of-27 yards for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns, both of which came in the second half of action. Manning connected on a 24-yard TD in the third quarter, then delivered the timely 43-yard catch-and-run from Saint Villere with 2:21 to play to walk away with a 23-20 victory. Newman has a bye week, then returns Uptown in Week 8 to face rival Country Day. Manning is one touchdown shy of matching Jay Tyler as Newman’s all-time leading touchdown scorer. With two, he’ll continue to rewrite the record books.
• Oregon commit Dante Dowdell has had a brilliant season for Picayume (Miss.) Memorial. Dowdell continued his torrent pace this fall with another 60-yard TD. The On300 RB is up to 1,100-plus yards with 14 TD and averaging north of 10 YPC. Last season, Dowdell amassed 2,555 yards rushing and he could challenge that the longer his season goes on. He’s piled up 760 yards over the past four games with 10 touchdowns in that span — largely sitting in the second halves of action.
• Three-star Ponchatoula (La.) DL Tyler Bailey found the end zone thrice on Friday as the 6-foot-2, 290-pound tackle pummeled showed off not only the power, but the quick feet on touchdown runs. More importantly, Bailey continued to make plays on the defensive front with several sacks and TFL, and is disrupting plays on the inside and off the end for the Green Wave. Several Power 5 teams are keeping Bailey on their radars.