Iowa, Prep showdown, battle for 4-3A title

Iowa hasn’t lost to anyone all season.

Lake Charles College Prep hasn’t lost to a district opponent in the past three high school football seasons.

Someone’s zero is going to go tonight when the teams play in Iowa for what amounts to a championship game.

However, Prep confirmed on Wednesday that it was penalized by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association for rules violations and will not be eligible for the playoffs.

The Yellow Jackets (8-0, 3-0 District 4-3A) showed last week they could handle the pressure of a close game, squeaking past Westlake 31-28 on the road.

Prep (5-3, 3-0) rolled past Jennings 60-35. Running backs Devonte Guidroz and JaRell Joseph each had more than 100 yards rushing for a second consecutive week.

Iowa’s Curtis Deville had more than 120 yards of offense, a touchdown reception, three 2-point conversion runs and a victory-sealing interception against Westlake.

Prep has won 12 consecutive games against district opponents, including two wins over Iowa. Those wins have been by a combined 12 points, including a narrow 20-18 win in Iowa in Week 9 of the 2019 season.

Head coach Erick Franklin said his team will approach the game like any other.

“I know our guys are going to play fast and physical and we will give ourselves a chance,” he said.

“Iowa plays hard and does a lot of things well. They understand how to get their athletes the ball in space. That is one thing that impressed me about them.”

Since becoming the featured back three weeks ago, Guidroz has run for 537 yards and six touchdowns. Joseph has 319 yards and five touchdowns on 14 carries over the past two weeks.

Iowa’s leading rusher Ronald Young returned from injury last week and scored twice in the win over Westlake. He has 683 yards and 12 touchdowns. Deville has 732 yards and 10 touchdowns on 35 carries and has caught 19 passes for 494 yards and four touchdowns.

Jackets head coach Tommy Johns said the Trailblazers have talent all over the field.

“They have speed all over the place, offense and defense,” he said. “(Guidroz and Joseph) have done a great job with (TreVonte) Citizen out. They have three receivers that cal all go. Keshlon (Jackson) is scary. The QB (Josiah Bushnell) throws a good ball.

“Defensively they fly to the ball, have guys in the secondary who can tackle and have good size.”

Johns said he wants his team to avoid emotional swings.

“I told them we can’t get caught up in the hype, we can’t get too high of too low,” he said. “We have to keep an even keel and avoid turnovers that give them extra possessions.”

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