Louisiana’s high school football season is over, but talented players will still be representing the state at the college and professional levels for another month (and then some).
Louisiana vs. All Y’all will continue spotlighting top performers in all three phases throughout the NCAA postseason and NFL stretch run and playoffs.
This week’s six winners include three former LHSAA stars from the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas, along with a pair of current Ragin’ Cajuns, a pair of former LSU Tigers and a former Tulane specialist.
Congratulations to the latest players of the week.
COLLEGE
Offense — Alred “Dash” Luke, Missouri State WR: The former Warren Easton star, who began his college career at ULM, has had a strong senior season overall for Missouri State and saved his best for last with career-highs across the board in seven catches, 169 yards and a pair of explosive touchdowns of 39 and 47 yards in a 34-28 XBox Bowl loss to Arkansas State.
Defense — Brent Gordon Jr., Louisiana (Lafayette) DB: The former Cecilia star wrapped up a great freshman campaign with his highest-graded performance to date, according to PFF (Pro Football Focus), and one of the country’s highest-graded during the early portion of bowl season. Gordon kept plays in front of him, allowing just 31 total yards on eight targets and six completions and wrapping up five tackles in the Cajuns’ 20-13 loss to Delaware in the 68 Ventures Bowl.
Special Teams — Jordan Lawson, Louisiana (Lafayette): The senior defensive lineman was among the Cajuns’ top performers in the 68 Ventures Bowl last Wednesday in Mobile, Ala., and helped keep his team alive late with a blocked field goal. Louisiana (Lafayette) ultimately fell just a few yards shy of a valiant comeback to cap the season, but Lawson’s block held Delaware’s advantage close enough to give his team the chance.
PROFESSIONAL
Offense — Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB: In his fourth week back from his injury that cost him more than half the season, LSU’s former Heisman-winning quarterback had his best game yet with 309 yards and four touchdowns on 25-for-32 passing (78.1%). Burrow’s yardage and touchdown totals, completion percentage and yards-per-attempt all marked season-highs and helped lead Cincinnati to a 45-21 road win in Miami.
Defense — Derek Stingley Jr., Houston Texans DB: The former Dunham and LSU star was the league’s highest-graded cornerback and one of its top-graded players overall by PFF (Pro Football Focus) in Week 16 with his highest overall grade of the season. Stingley intercepted an early pass and housed it 31 yards to an early lead, allowed two catches for 45 yards on three targets his way and wrapped up two tackles in the 23-21 defeat of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Special Teams — Cairo Santos, Chicago Bears K: The former Tulane specialist went 3-for-3 on second-half field goals — from 46, 51 and 43 yards — to finally put his Bears on the scoreboard and help them begin mounting a comeback on the rival Green Bay Packers from a 10-point deficit in the third quarter to an overtime win.