Separating contenders from pretenders

<p class="indent">In this edition of the Three Point Stance, staff writers Rodrick Anderson and Warren Arceneaux preview Week 6 of the high school football season.</p><p class="indent"><strong>What is the most interesting game involving large schools?</strong></p><p class="indent"><span><strong>RA</strong>:</span> Barbe at Sulphur. Never mind that Barbe has won the last 10 games in the series. The big thing riding on this game is the winner stays in the District 3-5A title race. Both teams finished in a three-way tie with Acadiana last year, but that will not be the case this season. Both have lost a running back to injury — Barbe’s Dylan Lewis (Week 5) and Sulphur’s Javien Creary (Week 2). But don’t expect a lack of offense. Last year’s game went into overtime with Barbe winning 45-38.</p><p class="indent"><span><strong>WA</strong>:</span> Iowa at St. Louis. Both teams enter 1-1 in District 4-3A play so the loser is likely out of title contention. The Saints have gotten a spark from RB Evan Joubert, who has run for 289 yards and four touchdowns over the past two weeks. Iowa has kept most games close but have been haunted by late defensive lapses. Keeping the Saints behind the chains, forcing them to pass, could help the Iowa defense avoid long drives and stay fresh late in the game.</p><p class="indent"><strong>What is the best game involving area small schools?</strong></p><p class="indent"><span><strong>RA</strong>:</span> Welsh at Jennings. The rivalry had been one-sided until last year when Welsh beat the Greyhounds for the first time ever, 21-13. Jennings is on a hot streak, winning three straight since opening the season 0-2. Welsh has also won three straight while its defense allowed just six points a game during that stretch, which will come in handy against the Bulldogs’ split-back veer offense.</p><p class="indent"><span><strong>WA</strong>:</span> Kinder at Notre Dame. District 6-2A play opens with a bang, as the Yellow Jackets will be out for a little revenge after letting big lead against the Pioneers slip away last season in a 38-37 Notre Dame win. Notre Dame is the state’s top-ranked team in Class 2A and has won each game by double digits.</p><p class="indent"><strong>Name a player to watch:</strong></p><p class="indent"><span><strong>RA</strong>:</span> South Beauregard running back Colby Hollier. The Golden Knights have won two of their last three game after starting the season 0-2 and Hollier has had a big hand in that. In his last three games Hollier has rushed for 541 yards and seven TDs. The Golden Knights will need all the offense they can muster when they take on District 4-3A-leading Lake Charles College Prep on Friday. The Trailblazers have allowed 11.6 points per game.</p><p class="indent"><span><strong>WA</strong>:</span> Hamilton Christian linebacker/fullback Brandon Malbrough, who was impressive in last week’s loss to Elton. The Warriors face undefeated Oberlin this week. Malbrough will be tasked with slowing down Oberlin RB Collin Chatman and creating holes for Warriors RB Reggie Jackson, the area’s leading rusher. If Malbrough succeeds, the Warriors could spring the upset. They have been competitive in all but one game and Oberlin may be looking ahead to next week, when the Tigers face undefeated St. Edmund.</p>””Three-point Stance

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