Just getting back on the field was a win for all teams in southern Louisiana after Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on early-season schedules in the area. Ida was the second strongest hurricane to strike the state on record behind Katrina in 2005. Wind damage, flooding and the loss of electricity made it impossible to begin the season on time in late August.
Touchdowns by LSU commit
Aaron Anderson (91-yard punt return),
A.J. Samuel (10-yard run) and
Yarun McMath (35-yard touchdown reception) helped Edna Karr make it 19-0 at the half in the opener for both teams.
LSU pledge Aaron Anderson heads to the house on a 91-yard punt return in the first half.
Photo by Parker Waters
John Curtis Christian finally answered on its second possession of the third quarter with a 59-yard touchdown run by quarterback
Buddy Taylor, who would add a 47-yard score just minutes later.
But Anderson, a star wide receiver who fielded offers from Alabama, Florida State, Texas and USC among others before committing to LSU last December, helped Karr respond immediately with an 88-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff.
To the delight of Edna Karr and LSU fans, Anderson wasn't done. Following a sack in the end zone for a safety by
Jonathan Bax, the 5-foot-9, 185-pound speedster took the kickoff 51 yards for another return touchdown to make it 33-12. He finished with 290 all-purpose yards on nine touches and three scores.
John Curtis Christian kept hope alive early in the fourth quarter with a 43-yard touchdown pass from Taylor to
Michael Turner for what turned out to be the final score of the game.
A meeting between perennial powers in Louisiana, John Curtis Christian (26) and Edna Karr (6) have combined for 32 state championships. Curtis last won a title in 2018 while Karr won four in a row between 2016 and 2019.
With two more wins, J.T. Curtis will become just the second football coach at any level to win 600 games, joining John McKissick of
Summerville (S.C.). The late McKissick ultimately won 621 games and 10 state titles before stepping down in 2014.
Quarterback Buddy Taylor of John Curtis Christian scores on a 47-yard run.
Photo by Parker Waters
Legendary John Curtis Christian head coach J.T Curtis (right) chats with head coach Brice Brown of Edna Karr before the game.
Photo by Parker Waters
