After opening their season with a 25-0 loss against University Lab, the Woodlawn Panthers are looking to bounce back this week against the Lafayette Christian Academy Knights. Lafayette Christian may be a 4A school smaller than the Panthers, but that did not stop the Knights from being the giant slayer and taking down a top 5A school in Acadiana High School last week by a final score of 38-21. After a disappointing start to the season, Woodlawn head coach Marcus Randall had this to say about their preparations.
“We had a great week of practice. This was out first real week of practice where we got to go out three days straight. We got a lot of things on tape from last game that gave something for our guys to look at and see areas they could improve.”
Woodlawn HC, Marcus Randall
This matchup looks great on paper, but it gets even better when you dig deeper. This is shaping up to be a battle between two elite quarterbacks in Woodlawn’s Rickie Collins (#12 Player in LA, C/O 2023) and Lafayette Christian’s Ju’Juan Johnson (#6 Player in LA, C/O 2024). Coach Randall understands the threat that any playmaker, including Johnson, can make when they’re on the field. He also realizes how good these teams on the schedule early in the season are. Randall had this to say when asked about how these games impact the season down the road, and how good the Knights are.
“Theses games help us get better each week and help us get ready for district and the playoffs. Lafayette Christian just beat a good 5A team. They may be a lower classification, but they can play with anyone. They have a good secondary. We will have to challenge our receivers to win their 1-on-1s. We have to challenge our offensive line to battle. Playing teams like this is good for us to see how we are measuring up.”
Woodlawn HC, Marcus Randall
While the Panthers look to bounce back this week and begin their run to the playoffs, the Knights are once again looking to bring down the giant as they have multiple times before. Look for this to be a battle, with two teams willing to fight until the very end.
WOODLAWN (0-1) AT LAFAYETTE CHRISTIAN (1-0)
When/Where: Friday, September 9th @ 7 PM/ Lafayette Christian Academy
Players to Watch: Woodlawn, Rickie Collins (QB, Sr.), Jayveon Haynes (RB, Sr.), Clayton Adams (WR, Sr.); Lafayette Christian, Ju’Juan Johnson (QB, Jr.), Alonzo Ryes (WR, Sr.), Cooper Martin (LB, Jr.)
