Gridiron Football POTW (Week 12 Edition): C.E. Byrd High School Senior Quarterback Lake Lambert

Gridiron Football Louisiana Player of the Week Previous Winners:

1.C.E. Byrd High School senior QB Lake Lambert:

In order to top a guy like PJ Martin, one must put on a show, especially in the playoffs and senior quarterback Lake Lambert certainly did that for the C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets. Every time the senior quarterback kept the football on a run in the team’s 49-10 Division I (Select) second round playoff win over Alexandria, it produced a big play. In the win, Lambert had an incredible 8 carries for 267 yards and 5 TDs. It was the sixth best rushing performance in the historic 118-year history of Yellow Jackets football. He also had a 97-yard touchdown run in the ball game too, which is the second longest touchdown run in the school’s history and surpasses his 95-yard touchdown run that he had earlier this season. Finally, this was the first 5 TD performance by a Byrd football player since Xavier Long did so back in 2011. With all of this being said, it was a historic performance that came at the right time as it has helped his team reach the Quarterfinals. It was also a great way to wrap up his last home game at Lee Hedges Stadium.

Once again, we appreciate every coach for sending in your player nomination. All of the players that were sent by coaches were talked about in the article or on the show. To check out this week’s Gridiron Football Player of the Week show, click below as Jace and intern Lucas Berger breakdown the standout performances in Louisiana from this week below.

2. De La Salle High School senior RB PJ Martin:

What does De La Salle High School senior running back PJ Martin need to do to top the list because every single week, he is right there in the running, and he was this week. In the 53-7 Division II (Select) second round playoff victory over Vandebilt Catholic, it was another day in the office for the workhorse running back as he had 11 carries for 165 yards and 4 TDs. In the game, he also set records for most rushing yards in a season (2,043), rushing yards in a career (3,516), TD runs in a season (29), and TD runs in a career (52). He has led the Cavaliers to an undefeated season and if he has a big showing in a huge matchup against LCA, most likely he would breakthrough and finally take our number one spot.

3. Carencro High School junior safety Joni Martin:

The saying goes defenses win championships and this defensive performance has helped propel the Carencro Golden Bears over their rivals in the Acadiana Rams to reach the Division I (Non-Select) Quarterfinals. Junior safety Joni Martin was all over the field making plays. He filled the stat sheet with 12 tackles (7 solo/5 assisted), 2 INTs, and even a fumble recovery returned for a 44-yard TD.

4. Breaux Bridge High School junior QB Kelby Hypolite:

Out of nowhere, the Breaux Bridge Tigers are on a Cinderella run in the Division II (Non-Select) Bracket making the Quarterfinals as a number 28 seed. Their junior quarterback Kelby Hypolite has helped get them there. In the team’s 33-18 win over Iota, Hypolite scored all 5 TDs (4 Rushing/1 Passing) plus 312 total yards of offense. The dual threat made his biggest impact running the football as he carried the ball 24 times for 249 yards (10.38 yards per rush) including his longest rush, which came from 64 yards. Throwing the football, he was efficient throwing the ball completing 5 of 7 passes for 79 yards.

5. St. Mary’s High School junior WR Ethan Busby:

St. Mary’s High School junior wide receiver Ethan Busby was Adam Parker’s top receiver in the Tigers’ 45-0 Division IV (Select) second round playoff victory over Hanson Memorial. Busby made play after play after play in the passing game with 5 catches for 223 yards and 3 TDs.

6. Denham Springs High School senior WR CamRon Eirick:

Everybody is talking about what happened in the closing moments in Denham Springs’ dramatic 29-28 Division I (Non-Select) second round win over Benton, but the Yellow Jackets would not even be in position to even win the game in the first place if it wasn’t for the performance of their senior wide receiver CamRon Eirick as he had 6 catches for 158 yards and 3 TDs.

***Denham Springs High School senior WR Cameron Eirick***

7. North Vermilion High School senior RB Kiaron Rudd:

North Vermilion High School senior running back Kiaron Rudd has been a major key to the Patriots’ Cinderella run as a #23 seed in the Division II (Non-Select) Bracket. Rudd used his 4.49/40 speed to his advantage in a 41-30 upset second round victory over Church Point as he had 14 carries for 198 yards and 3 TDs. The explosive running back helped his team make the Quarterfinals by not only scoring on 3 occasions, but also averaging 14 yards per carry.

8. Parkview Baptist High School junior RB Kayden Tureaud:

Parkview Baptist High School junior running back Kayden Tureaud showed up big in the Eagles’ 28-24 Division III (Select) second round playoff win over North Caddo. On the road, the Eagles turned to the ground game as he ran the ball 24 times for 258 yards and 3 TDs.

9. Avoyelles High School senior RB Carlos Bazert Jr:

Avoyelles High School senior running back Carlos Bazert Jr. is one of three Mustangs running backs that had big nights on the ground in a 52-8 Division III (Non-Select) second round playoff win over St. Helena. Of the three players, Bazert was the team’s workhorse as he had 31 carries for 192 yards and 2 TDs plus 3 two-point conversions on offense. Coach Andy Boone has stated that Bazert will most likely play on the defensive line in college. He made an impact on that side of the ball on Friday night as well with 6 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 TFLs.

10. North DeSoto High School freshman QB Luke Delafield:

North DeSoto High School freshman quarterback Luke Delafield has really emerged on the scene in varsity action leading the Griffins to the Quarterfinals for the third time in the program’s history. Learning under one of the best quarterback coaches in the state in Dennis Dunn, Delafield has thrived in the system and has played well in some of the team’s biggest games including this past week when he completed 21 of 34 passes for 288 yards and 4 TDs in the team’s Division II (Non-Select) second round 33-14 playoff win over Cecilia.

Honorable Mentions: (No Particular Order):

East Feliciana High School senior RB Chandler Wilson: 15 carries for 197 yards and 1 TD on offense plus 10 solo tackles on defense in 46-16 loss to Logansport
Glenbrook High School senior RB DJ Carter: 13 carries for 176 yards and 1 TD plus 25 yards receiving in 42-21 win over Catholic Pointe Coupee
Lutcher High School sophomore RB Trenton Chaney: 10 carries for 230 yards and 1 TD plus 2 kick returns for 75 yards in 49-33 win over St. Martinville
Avoyelles High School junior RB Decareyn Sampson: 16 carries for 190 yards and 2 TDs in 52-8 win over St. Helena
Rosepine High School senior RB Grant Ducote: 20 carries for 121 yards and 1 TD; Also threw a 29-yard TD pass in 20-13 win over Westlake
Scotlandville High School senior RB Covanta Milligan: 16 carries for 183 yards and 2 TDs in 34-26 loss to Edna Karr
Avoyelles High School RB Josh Williams: 16 carries for 145 yards and 3 TDs plus 1 2 point conversion in 52-8 win over St. Helena