2016 Louisiana High School Football Division I Championship Game Preview and Prediction

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

Scotlandville Hornets (12-0) vs Evangel Christian Eagles (11-2)

Overview

Scotlandville is having one of their best seasons in school history working to cap their magical season by winning their first state title since 1969. In the semifinals, Scotlandville squeaked past Brother Martin 18-16. The Hornets are the first East Baton Rouge Parish school system member to play for the state championship since 2001. However, in order to finish an undefeated season in style Scotlandville must defeat perennial powerhouse, Evangel Christian Academy.

Evangel started 2016 by losing to Allen (TX), one of the best programs in the country, and Neville (LA), who are back-to-back 4A state champions, but have dominated every opponent in their 11-game winning streak including dominating John Curtis 27-6 in the semifinals. The Eagles are 13-time state champs with their last title coming in 2010. Their last championship game appearance came in 2012.

The Offenses

Evangel is averaging a whopping 44.5 points per game. The Eagles have been led on offense all year by senior Connor Curry (6’3”, 200 pounds) who had a two-yard rushing touchdown and an 80-yard touchdown pass to Josh Walker in the semifinal win.

Two other offensive stars include senior wide receiver Tanner Ash (6’2”, 205 pounds) and sophomore running back Tamauge Sloan (5’10”, 190 pounds). Sloan has been making big plays all year including having a 15-yard touchdown run in the semifinals and racking up 150-plus yards in several games this season. One of the leaders of Evangel’s tough offensive line is Ethan Harvey (6’4”, 286 pounds).

Scotlandville is averaging 34.91 points a game and is led on offense by senior quarterback Levi Lewis (5’10”, 185 pounds). Lewis, a Louisiana-Lafayette commit, threw for 219 yards and two touchdowns by completing 19-of-35 passes in the semifinal win against Brother Martin.

Another offensive weapon for the Hornets is junior wide receiver Vernon Powell who caught nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the semifinal round. The Hornets offensive line is anchored by seniors Richard Bates Jr. (6’3”, 300 pounds) and Jhaelyn West (6’3”, 315 pounds).

The Defenses

The Hornets have given up just 18.75 points a game on average throughout their undefeated season. Two players that have been making big plays all season are senior linebacker Triston Brown (6’2”, 210 pounds) and senior defensive back Dervon Campbell (6’1”, 164 pounds). Brown had a fumble recovery and Campbell had an interception in the semifinals. The defensive unit also performed great collectively as they shut down Brother Martin star Bruce Jordan-Swilling who was limited to 96 yards on 21 carries.

Evangel is only giving up 11.4 points a game including limiting an explosive John Curtis offense to just six points in the semifinals. Through six district games, the Eagles only gave up 15 points. Two leaders of the defensive unit are senior defensive backs Orlando Puryear (5’10”, 170 pounds), who had two interceptions in their semifinal win, and Ardarius Washington (5’10”, 175 pounds). Washington has three interceptions in the last two games. Another star on defense is junior defensive tackle Davin Cotton (6’3”, 290 pounds) who is already gathering Division-I college offers.

Final Analysis

Both teams have explosive offenses but Evangel has the edge defensively. The Eagles have the athletes and experience to lock down any offense. It will be interesting to see if the Hornets can figure out Evangel’s lockdown defense. However, Scotlandville has the travel advantage as the Hornets only have to travel 80 miles from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and the Eagles have to make the near six hour drive from Shreveport to New Orleans for the third straight week.

Who will walk out of the Superdome as the 2016 Division I State Champion? Give us your thoughts and predictions below.

Prediction: Evangel 27, Scotlandville 14

Photo credit: The Shreveport Times; Evangel QB Connor Curry hands the ball off to RB Tamauge Sloan