Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

Week 2 Friday Sept. 8, 2023

#1 Neville Tigers Vs #4 Ouachita Lions

It is week 2 of the LHSAA football schedule and that obviously means it’s time for an old-fashioned Lions vs Tigers affair. This year’s rendition will have somewhat of a twist as Ouachita will come into Ruple Stadium with a new general at the helm. Benjy Lewis will now the man the ship for the Lions after a brief 2-year stint as the Lions defensive coordinator under former Head Coach Todd Garvin. Another unique twist to this game is that Lewis was also the Neville Defensive Coordinator for 7 years before being relieved of his duties in 2021. The Lewis-era on Milhaven Rd. began with a bang last week as the Lions staved off a pesky Rummel squad down the stretch to give Lewis his first win as a head coach.

Neville was also able to get by in week 1 with an overtime squeaker over Evangel 30-29. The contest appeared to all Neville for a majority of the game until an early 4th quarter bomb kept the pulse of the Eagles pounding. Running backs Ja’Chione White and Jalen Nichols combined for over 200 yards on the ground for the Tigers while QB Aman Fuller tossed a 3rd qtr. score of his own the junior wideout, Trendan Dumas. Although the Tigers displayed a strong rushing attack in last week’s game, I think they’ll look to be more balanced offensively in 2023. A couple of TD drops by usually sure-handed receivers could’ve put the game out of reach earlier for Neville.

On paper this match-up looks about as even as it gets but with the sub-plot of Lewis heading back to Tiger land for his first battle as head coach, I can see how the average fan could see the Lions being motivated enough to come away victorious. Last week, senior RB Kylan Bell (152 yards) looked great in the backfield taking over for former Lion, Carldell Sirmons, who transferred to Carroll in the fall and veteran QB Zac Jackson has bulked up to lead an offense that wants to ground and pound. While both Neville and Ouachita rushed for over 250 yards in week 1, the Tigers appeared to be the more balanced of the 2 offenses with a concerted effort to sling it around some as well. Both defenses were pretty solid as well coming away with some clutch stops and timely takeaways. Neville has gone to a non-traditional 3-man front and has looked somewhat impressive doing so and if their inexperienced guys can grasp the concept quickly, it could work wonders for the Tigers heading into the post-season. Lewis will utilize his speedy linebackers (Wilson and Kris Doyle) to set the tone for his defense and with mammoth-sized sophomore Dylan Berymon occupying double-teams up front, the opportunity for some stuffs in the backfield will come often.

Another sub-plot is that the Lions’ Jackson and LB/RB Jakobie Wilson will also have some added motivation as the former Neville-products want to go out with a win in perhaps their final showdown with the Tigers. Last season, the Lions defeated Neville for the first time in over a decade, however a majority of that offense left when Sirmons left. Although there’s no doubt Lewis will have his squad ready to go, I just can’t see the Lions generating enough points to come into Neville and winning. In a somewhat sluggish showdown, the Tigers capitalize in the return game and holds off a pesky Lions rally.

Neville 24 Ouachita 13

PLAYER OF THE GAME: KALEB VAUGHN 3 REC. 75 YARDS, 5 CARRIES, 55 YARDS, TD – 1 RETURN TD

Mr. Pickem’s Top 10

1. Neville Tigers

2. Oak Grove Tiger

3. West Monroe Rebs

4. Ouachita Lions

5. Ruston Bearcats

6. Carroll Bulldogs

7. OCS Eagles

8. Union Parish Farmers

9. Wossman Wildcats

10. Franklin Parish

Mr Pickem’s G.O.At. of the Week

Jackson Bradley, QB Oak Grove

10/13 PASSING, 201 YARDS, 4 TDS

6 RUSHES, 105 YARDS, 1 TD

AREA SCORES:

TOP TEN

#2 OAK GROVE 34 #7 OCS 28

EAST ASCENSION 17 #3 WEST MONROE 16

#5 RUSTON 28 JESUIT 7

#6 CARROLL FORFEIT WIN OVER GREEN OAKS

AIRLINE 44 #8 UNION PARISH 24

NORTHWOOD-SHREV 32 #9 WOSSMAN 20

#10 FRANKLIN PARISH 27 ST FRED 20

5A

WEST OUACHITA 35 JONESBORO-HODGE 28

3A

STERLINGTON 26 MANGHAM 16

RICHWOOD 28 RAYVILLE 21

BASTROP 26 DELHI CHARTER

WINNFIELD 14 CALDWELL 13

2A

GENERAL TRASS 56 MAGNOLIA SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE 12

MADISON PARISH 22 NORTHEAST 14

PEABODY 20 FERRIDAY 12

DELHI CHARTER 23 RAYVILLE 13

1A

ST FRED 38 MENARD 8