Blazing a new trail
LCCP poses threat to Iowa, Jennings
<p class="indent">For the past two seasons, Iowa versus Jennings has decided the District 4-3A football race. Those two teams meet Friday in the district opener for both teams, but there are many more challengers for the title this season.</p><p class="indent">Leading the way is Lake Charles College Prep (3-0), the lone unbeaten team in the district. The Trail Blazers have beaten a pair of Class 4A opponents over the last two weeks, using a balanced offensive attack and talented defensive line. The Blazers open district play at Westlake (1-2).</p><p class="indent">Prep is on the longest winning streak in its four-year history but will be looking to improve on a serious of blowout losses in district play last season. Prep went 1-5 in district games, with each of the losses by 21 points or more.</p><p class="indent">Head coach Erick Franklin said his players have put in the effort to reverse those results. The Blazers average 37 points per game and allow nine. Running back Orenthal Lewis (284 yds., 4 TDs), quarterback Dillon Simon (460 yds., 6 TDs) and wide receiver Glynn Johnson (302 yds., 5 TDs) lead the offense.</p><p class="indent">“One year later this is always going to be a big difference and the kids worked hard and put together a good offseason to get ready for this,” Franklin said. “We have three wins and have confidence going into district.”</p><p class="indent">Last week Prep beat Northside 47-12.</p><p class="indent">“The defense had to play a lot of snaps last week but they never let up,” Franklin said. “That is what I learned about this group, they will not give up; they will play a full game. Offensively we ran and threw it well last week. The concern is still the discipline with all the penalties.”</p><p class="indent">Franklin said his defense will have to focus on assignment football this week.</p><p class="indent">“Westlake has big athletes all over the field. They are a double-wing team and you have to stay disciplined against them,” he said.</p><p class="indent"><strong class="tag TTL">Elsewhere</strong></p><p class="indent">Iowa (0-3) visits Jennings (1-2), with each team still looking to establish a winning formula. The Bulldogs picked up their first win last week, beating DeRidder 42-21.</p><p class="indent">Jennings ran for more than 400 yards with Darrian Achane and Brandon Jones having big games.</p><p class="indent">South Beauregard (1-2) is at St. Louis (0-3) in the third district game. The Golden Knights broke a 12-game losing streak last week after making a few changes on offense, including moving Colby Hollier from quarterback to slotback. He responded with 140 rushing yards and a touchdown. Jayden Derouen ran for 200 yards and a touchdown.</p><p class="indent">St. Louis has lost games to 5A teams Barbe and Sam Houston and Division II Catholic-New Iberia. Quarterback Jaleel Goodwin has run for 195 yards, thrown for 265 and accounted for six touchdowns.</p><p class="indent">Washington-Marion (1-2) visits Beau Chene (0-3) in a nondistrict game. Charging Indians running back Carrington McClinton has run for more than 100 yards in every game this season.</p><p class="indent">Iota (3-0) opens District 5-3A play by hosting Northwest (3-0), which reached the quarterfinals last season. Bulldogs quarterback Trae Rambin has thrown for 343 yards and six touchdowns. Iota has outscored its opponents 114-38.</p>