Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Overall Record 40-13 Last Week's Record 14-1

Featured Games: 1-1 (3-2)

Week 4

Game of the week

#1 Neville Tigers (3-0) vs St. Thomas More Cougars (1-2)

Coming into the 2021 football season Coach Jeff Tannehill knew that if he wanted to get his team back to the championship pedigree of the 2010's he'd have to do it the hard way. With early games against rivals, Ruston and Ouachita the thoughts of starting the season with a losing record were very possible. However, the tigers have stood up to every challenge so far and now sit at 3-0 as they face perhaps their toughest opponent of the season. Neville will host St. Thomas at Bill Ruple Stadium in Monroe LA, for the first time in school history this Friday and it will be epic. The tigers dismantled Jena a week ago 28-8 in a somewhat awkward game that was interrupted by lightning. AJ Allen was business as usual as he gained 200 yards on just 12 carries with 2 TDs. The tiger's defense was also all systems go on Friday night. Senior safety Griffin McGee chipped in on the scoring when he picked of a pass and race 40 yards for a tiger's touchdown.

After winning the title in 2019 and 2020, St. Thomas More has stumbled out of the gates with 2 early losses in 2021. The cougars are expected to make a strong run for a 3-peat and with top-ranked QB Walker Howard taking the snaps, even with 2 losses they should be the front-runners. Last week versus Plaquemines the cougars utilized Howard's arms and legs on the way to a 63-0 drubbing of the Green Devils. Howard's 155 yards, 3td through the air combined with 85 rushing yards and another score paced the cougars to a 28-0 lead at the half. The defensive shutout was a timely confidence builder heading into their battle vs Neville. In their first 2 losses, the cougars failed to make any stops on defense, allowing 97 points to perennial powers, Madison Prep and Alexandria combined.

This will be the third time the teams have met with the last one going in favor of St. Thomas More. In 2019, the cougars destroyed the tigers in Lafayette 35-6, while Neville took the win in the 2002 Lhsaa quarterfinals 21-17. The tigers won't be fooled by the 1-2 record of the cougars and after an intense week of practice, Coach Tannehill's bunch will have their eyes set on staying undefeated. This game was originally scheduled for last season, but due to covid-19 restrictions it had to be moved to this season and even though it's not as fresh, the sour taste of the blowout loss in 2019 still sits in some of these tiger's mouths and nothing would taste better than to return the favor. Defensive coordinator, Mike Collins has put his footprints into this aggressive, revitalized Neville Defense. Aside from a week one slugfest, the tigers defense has completely halted any ball movement by their opponents, allowing just 12ppg on the year, yet somehow I don't think this game will be won on the defensive side of the ball. Even in defeat, St. Thomas more's vaunted offense has been able to score frequently as they average 44ppg on the year. There will be a ton of division 1 caliber talent on the field and I'm also expecting a ton of division 1 coaches as well which sets the tempo for an epic battle of powerhouses. I've mentioned it in the past and I'll mention it now, "the ghosts of bill Ruple" are real and Friday night St. Thomas more will get their first dose of the spirits. Neville will get threatened but a late field goal by Breard Inabnett bangs in off of the upright and breaks a tie giving Neville the win. Tigers improve to 4-0

Neville 37 St Thomas More 34

Player of the Game:

A.J. Allen – 25 Carries, 225 Yards, 3 Tds – 3 Catches, 75 Yards, 1TD

5A

#5 Ruston 28 Carencro 18

#6 West Monroe 49 Woodlawn (Br) 14

#8 Ouachita 21 #7 Union Parish 20

4A

Walker 30 Bastrop 15

3A

#3 Sterlington 35 North Desoto 20

Carroll 26 Franklin Parish 14

Wossman 27 Booker T Washington 16

Richwood 26 Caldwell 18

2A

#2 General Trass 55 Madison 13

#10 Mangham 48 Delhi Charter 16

Ferriday 18 Rayville 16

Vidalia 24 Lasalle 23

1A

#4 Ocs 38 Cedar Creek 14

#8 St Fred 24 Delhi 6

Oak Grove 26 Delta Charter 16

Mr. Pickem's Football Top 10

Week 4

1. Neville (3-0) Def. Jena 26-6

Up Next: Vs St Thomas More

2. General Trass (3-0) Def Bastrop 26-6

Next: Vs Madison Parish

3. Sterlington (3-0) Def. Oak Grove 34-16

Next: @ North Desoto

4. OCS (3-0) Def. Sicily Island 47-12

Next: @ Cedar Creek

5. Ruston (2-1) Def. Airline 50-0

Next: Vs Carencro

6. West Monroe (1-1) Lost To Catholic 30-19

Next: Vs Woodlawn (Br)

7. Union Parish (2-1) Lost To Capt Shreve 22-21

Next: Vs #8 Ouachita

8. Ouachita (2-1) Def. Carroll 15-12

Next: @ #7 Union Parish

9. St Fred (3-0) Def. Tensas 28-0

Next: @ Delhi

10. Mangham (2-1) Def. Caldwell 35-7

Next: Vs Delhi Charter

Just Missed It: Wossman, Rayville, Carroll, Cedar Creek, Bastrop, Richwood, Oak Grove,

MR. PICKEM'S TOP 10

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

WEEK 3

MANGHAM JALEN WILLIAMS – RB

Dispatch

Carroll O Line Blocking Battle

24 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs

4 catches, 138 yards, 1 TD

Mr. Pickem's Football Top 10

Defensive Player of The Week

Week 3

General Trass Kameron Williams - Lb

- 12 Tackles, 2 Tfl, 1 Ff

1 Interception (98 Yd – Td Return