Louisiana vs. All Y'all: Jerit's Takes from the Road

Thanksgiving weekend was full, as always, of memorable football around the state.

And some talented prospects with notable LSU ties helped headline some of the top performances in the LHSAA’s quarterfinals.

Here were some of the biggest tidbits and takeaways this week.

2027 LSU QB target finds a way — again

Dunham’s undefeated season was on the ropes heading into the fourth quarter trailing, 30-13, after Lafayette Christian appeared to take full control.

The Tigers had struggled to get into a rhythm against the visiting Knights’ pressure, just missed on a couple of their bigger downfield opportunities and come up on the wrong end of more pivotal third and fourth downs than not.

But sophomore quarterback Elijah Haven and his teammates turned the mantra “Not Dead, Can’t Quit” into action throughout a dominant fourth quarter en route to a 34-30 victory to earn their second semifinal berth in three years.

“We just had the grit,” he said. “I mean, we’ve been through this. It wasn’t a surprise for us. Coach always talks about, ‘Not Dead, Can’t Quit,’ and we showed that tonight.”

The 2027 LSU target hit three different receivers — Jarvis Washington Jr., Trevor Haman and Eason Jarreau — for deep touchdown strikes.

And the defense followed with one quick stop after another, disrupting Lafayette Christian throughout the entire shutout quarter.

“Early on, we just missed by inches on some big plays,” coach Neil Weiner said. “We had the opportunities. We’re a big-play offense. That’s how we thrive. We take pride in that. And we just barely missed. So credit to Elijah, a 16-year-old sophomore, not getting down by missing out on those plays and coming through in the clutch.”

For all Haven’s potential as one of the nation’s highest-ranked prospects in his class, the attribute that arguably stood out most in two games watching him live this fall was his poise through adversity and ability to find ways late to turn challenging games against good opponents into victories.

His long touchdown run helped lift the Tigers past Ascension Catholic, 21-18, in late September. And this time around, with the season on the line against Lafayette Christian, riding the deep passing game to three scores in about six minutes to survive and advance.

Senior RBs rack up monster nights

A few well-known senior running backs, including LSU commit J.T. Lindsey, helped lead their teams to quarterfinal victories with huge performances.

Lindsey’s first-career five-touchdown night helped lead No. 2 Alexandria (12-0) past No. 10 C.E. Byrd (9-4) in Division-I Select, 43-32.

He rushed 25 times for 167 yards and four scores and caught a 42-yard pass for another, as the Trojans marched back to the semifinals for the first time since 2020.

Leesville star Xavier Ford, the nephew of former LSU standout Michael Ford, racked up 308 yards and five touchdown on 24 carries to pace the No. 7 Wampus Cats’ 50-12 roll past No. 18 Booker T. Washington (New Orleans) in Division-II Select.

Ford’s big night marked his fifth game of 300-plus yards this season. The program will make its first semifinal appearance since 2018.

Chad Elzy Jr. needed just 18 carries to pile up 344 yards and five touchdowns, plus another receiving score, to lead No. 2 Ascension Catholic past No. 7 Riverside Academy, 40-35, in Division-IV Select.

The Bulldogs head to their second semifinal in three years.

And Plaquemine workhorse Tyrese Mosby carried 34 times for 268 yards and three touchdowns to help the Green Devils knock off defending Division-II Non-Select champion Opelousas on their way to their first semifinal since 2014.

John Curtis makes history — as underdog

John Curtis has enjoyed such long-standing and consistent success that uncharted territory is a rarity for the powerhouse football program.

But this year’s Patriots have managed to find a new twist on an old classic, making their 29th semifinal trip in the past 32 years — but doing so as the lowest remaining seed in any bracket.

No. 19 John Curtis is the lowest seed ever to reach the Division-I Select semifinals.

The Patriots entered the postseason with a 4-5 record, their first losing regular-season mark since 1969, and would not have made the 32-team cut in the old combined playoff format.

Now they’ll head to No. 2 Alexandria with a surging playoff momentum and confidence and an opportunity to play spoiler to the undefeated Trojans’ dream season.

Bunkie continues magical season

Bunkie is in the midst of one of its best seasons in school history, with an opportunity this week to cement itself atop that list.

Houston defensive back commit Kyle Johnson and star quarterback Dillon Compton are among a senior class leading a talented Panthers squad that is seemingly still underrated around the state.

No. 5 Bunkie (12-0) completed its first undefeated regular season since 2003 and is now in its first semifinals since 1988, the longest drought ended this week by any semifinalist.

The Panthers will visit top-seeded Dunham in Division-III Select action Friday. With a win, they would advance to the program’s first-ever state championship game.