Pads were popping, footballs were flying, and running backs were running – 5A Woodlawn Baton Rouge takes down #1 5A Catholic Baton Rouge
Jo Eddlemon – Writer/Contributor Recruit Louisiana
Game Highlights:
There was no limit on suspense and exciting plays when the Panthers came to Memorial Stadium Friday night to take on the number one team in Louisiana 5A, The Catholic High Bears.
Everyone knew it would be an interesting game given the ability for the Panthers to be a very explosive offensive team. Purdue Commit and Woodlawn’s junior quarterback, Rickie Collins has been in the top of the passing statistical charts in the Baton Rouge area as well as the state all season long.
What many didn’t expect is the Panthers would answer on every Catholic score and defensively would create enough havoc to disrupt the Bears passing game. The Bear’s relied heavily on their run game, which Woodlawn answered by making enough timely plays to prevent long yardage gains. Senior running back and Army commit Corey Singleton rushed for 82 yards on 17 carries and a touchdown. Three of the Bears touchdowns came from senior running back Taelon Nicholas who accounted for 55 yards rushing on 9 carries ( touchdowns of 10 yds., 2 yds., and 26 yds. respectfully)
The Woodlawn Panthers offensive line took care of business as they executed their blocking schemes that opened holes for the Panther running backs and provided good pass protection for Collins all night. They allowed no sacks on the evening.
Woodlawn’s roster is full of very talented players. Junior cornerback Jordan Matthews is listed as a 4 Star by 247Sports. Matthews will float from a corner, to moving inside on a slot receiver and can also drop back if necessary to cover deep in the secondary depending on the needs of the team and the play that is called defensively.
A game that was back and forth the entire first half was tied at 21 at the halftime break. The start of the second half continued to be neck and neck until Woodlawn had a botched kickoff, which appeared to be an onside kick. The kick would go off the side of the Woodlawn kicker’s foot and the Panthers would fall on the ball.
Woodlawn’s quarterback Rickie Collins would then lead the Panthers down the field to score the go ahead touchdown from the one yard line to put Woodlawn up 35-28. The key play of the drive came from Amari Givens as he would take the handoff and go 26 yards using sharp cuts to avoid tacklers and his explosive speed. Givens accounted for 161 yards of rushing offense on 22 carries and 3 touchdowns on the night for the Panthers.
Check Out 2022 RB Amani Givens Game Highlights:
It was the first loss of the season for Catholic. “They just made the plays when they (Woodlawn) needed to. We will bounce back,” stated senior offensive line and LSU Commit Emery Jones.
Top Players For The Game:
Catholic:
Tae Nicholas 9 Car, 56 yds 3 TOUCHDOWNS
Corey Singleton 17 Car, 84 yds, 1 TD
Daniel Harden 2 Catches, 64 Yds
Jermaine Vessel 8 Tkls, 2 TFL
Benji Gordon 7 Tkls
Woodlawn:
RB Amani Givens 22 Carries, 161 yds., 3 TOUCHDOWNS
Clayton Adams 6 Catches 75 yds., 1 TD
WR Kyle Jones 4 Catches, 80 yds.
WR Jaylon Henry 3 Catches, 72 yds.
QB Rickie Collins 14/20 198 yds passing, 1 TD, 1 Rushing TD on 35 yds. rushing
#24 CB Marcus Stewart Jr.
#6 CB/S Jordan Matthews
Scoring Summary:
1st – 08:29 Woodlawn – Clayton Adams 27 yd pass from Rickie Collins (Jacob Jolla Kick) 10 Plays 80 Yards 3:31 Time 7-0 Woodlawn
04:43 Catholic – Tae Nicholas 10 yd run (Landon Carter kick), 8 Plays 72 Yards 3:40 Time 7-7 Tie
02:52 Catholic – Tae Nicholas 2 yd run (Landon Carter kick), 2 Plays 40 Yards 19 seconds off the clock 7-14 Catholic
2nd – 09:49 Woodlawn – Amani Givens 4 yard run (Jacob Jolla kick), 11 Plays 79 Yards 4:53 Time 14-14 Tie
05:14 Catholic – Corey Singleton 2 yd run (Landon Carter kick), 9 Plays 72 Yards 4:25 Time 14-21 Catholic
02:41 Woodlawn – Amani Givens 9 yd run (Jacob Jolia kick), 7 Plays 80 Yards 2:33 Time 21 – 21 Tie
3rd – 8:30 Catholic – Tae Nicholas 26 yd run (Landon Carter kick), 7 Plays 59 Yards 3:20 Time 21-28 Catholic
4th – 11:26 Woodlawn – Amani Givens 53 yd run (Jacob Jolla kick), 4 Plays 80 Yards :39 Seconds 28-28 Tie
09:09 Woodlawn – Rickie Collins 1 yd run (Jacob Jolla kick), 7 Plays 42 Yards 2:11 Time 35-28 Woodlawn
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