By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/YouTubeTV
First of all, let me say this: Alexandria Senior High School beating Brother Martin last week was not a surprise. What really surprised me was ASH shutting out Brother Martin 23-0.
It was a big statement win that opened eyes all around the state, especially in the Catholic League circles of New Orleans. Safe to say the biggest win of the season came at the right time for Trojans’ coach Thomas Bachman, his staff and his players. I have watched Brother Martin for over 30 years and I don’t ever remember them being shut out in the playoffs – or for that matter, in any game.
But that was then, and this is now. Game day, again down in the Crescent City, for ASH.
Tonight the Trojans take on another gold-standard state high school football program, Edna Karr. I see the Cougars play at least twice a year. Every season they lose 30 to 35 players to graduation and bring another 30 to 35 players up like they lost no one. It never fails to impress.
Neither does the way they take the field. Combine all the flair of the Grambling and Southern bands with a unique dose of fierce intensity, and it is one of the most memorable runouts you’ll ever see. If you’re not in the stadium tonight, go to YouTube and see some of their trademark entrances through the years.
Let me say this for ASH fans: don’t get caught up in focusing on certain Karr players to stop, because this team has 13 kids in its starting 24 (counting kicker and punter), who can run the forty in legit times of 4.5 or better. This will be the most talented team ASH plays in 2023.
Edna Karr is 9-1, losing only its regular-season finale to John Curtis – no disgrace. But the Cougars did get drilled, 41-7. So there’s a blueprint for ASH. The best way to beat Edna Karr is create or harvest turnovers, slow down the Cougars’ offense and get some stops, and sustain some long drives, milk clock and play keep away while putting points up when you can.
Remember I said the Cougars have 13 players who run 4.5 or better in the forty? They are RB Dezemen Favorite (5-9, 180), RB Daejawn Smith (5-10, 175), RB Tyron Francis (6-1, 200, commited to LSU), WR Rahji Dennis (6-0, 175, committed to Ole Miss), FS Aidan Hall (6-1, 165), CB Levi Darensbourg (5-10, 175), CB Cody Morris (5-10, 165), CB Maurice Williams (5-9, 160), CB/SS Chavez Morris (5-11, 180), RB/WR Bryant Sanchez (5-9, 165), WR Tyrone Wilson (5-10, 170), WR Oliver Mitchell (6-1, 170), and RB Kentez Lewis (5-10, 185). A 14th player runs a 4.6 forty — QB John Johnson , who has a cannon arm.
But this is not a race. It’s a football game, and the reason I like ASH is because the Trojans are very good in the trenches.
ASH has the offensive and defensive linemen to slow down this Karr offense, control the ball and score with it. The Trojans have plenty of very good athletes who can score points and their two cornerbacks are lockdown guys.
I am taking ASH in an upset, in a close game. If you can beat a talented Brother Martin team in a shutout, then you can beat Edna Karr on any given night.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com