What is the most interesting matchup involving a small school?

 WA: Welsh vs. Washington-Marion. The defending state champion Greyhounds lost QB Zach Hayes, the state’s 2A offensive MVP last season, as well as leading rusher Charlie Watkins and TE Pearse Migl, who filled a variety of roles. It will be interesting to see who steps up in those roles. W-M also has a lot of unknowns due to transfers and a late coaching change. There is plenty of talent on both sides with Welsh returning Da’Ren Zeno, the area’s leading receiver last season, and a trio of outstanding defenders in end John Daigle, LB Alec Iguess and DB Austyn Benoit. W-M has a trio of college prospects on its defense with DL Jaylen Ned, LB Christian Guillory and SS/RB Carrington McClinton.

RA: Basile vs. Sacred Heart at Evangeline Parish Jamboree. Both teams return seasoned teams after a solid 2017 season. Basile went 9-4 last year, reaching the 1A quarterfinals for the fifth time in six seasons and returns its entire backfield in quarterback Dawson Ashford (66-120-7, 1,147 yards, 9 TDs) and running backs Andre Reed (1,108 yards, 13 TDs) and Logan David (854 yards, 4 TDs). Sacred Heart went 8-2 in the regular season last year and lost in the first round of the Division V playoffs, but had only four seniors. The Trojans bring back running back J.T. Harper, who rushed for 1,500 yards and 23 touchdowns, plus a three-year starter at quarterback in Wesley Launey.

What is the best matchup in a jamboree game?

WA: Iguess vs. McClinton. Iguess had 170 tackles last season while helping Welsh to a state championship. W-M’s season turned around when McClinton became the lead RB. He ran for over 1,300 yards in only seven starts. 

RA: DeQuincy’s defensive line vs. Grand Lake’s backfield. DeQuincy’s defensive line is loaded with three senior returning starters in Charles Montgomery, Ethan Armistead and Jereme Walters. The Tigers will have to stop Grand Lake’s experienced running backs in Kris Reina and Aaron Young, who combined for 1,214 yards and 10 TDs last year, and watch out for athletic quarterback Jaren Sonnier.

Who is a small school player to watch?

WA: Oberlin RB Colin Chatman ran for 1,000 yards and 12 TDs last season. He should get a heavier workload this season and gets a good test right away, taking on Class 2A teams Kinder and Oakdale at the Allen Parish Jamboree.

RA: Elton RB Darnell Robinson. The Indians are breaking in a new quarterback in Gavin Courville, so the one to watch will be 1,000 yard rusher Darnell Robinson. He he was able to split the ball carrying duties last year with quarterback Keyshawn Lyons, but will hear number called a lot more this season.

Three-point Stance