New Orleans area Capital One High Yield Student Athlete of the Week award

Choosing the player who best personifies the excellence of Curtis (River Ridge, La.) is somewhat like finding the sturdiest stalk in a stack of hay or the sharpest point in a pile of needles.

Or so it would seem, given the wealth of athletes on the team that topped the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings.

Then you examine the exploits of senior linebacker Duke Riley, and hear Coach J.T. Curtis' words of praise, and it's easy to see why Riley was named the New Orleans Capital One Bank High Yield Student Athlete of the Year.

"He's a great athlete who has a great understanding of the game," said Curtis, who led the Patriots to their 25th state championship in the 50th anniversary year of the school his father founded. "He led the defense in terms of setting the tempo and with the kind of attitude he brought to the field."

This was no ordinary defense, either. Through 14 games of an undefeated season that included seven shutouts, it held opponents to a combined 60 points while the offense amassed a total of 667.

In what seemingly should have been two of the most challenging games of the season, John Curtis rolled to victory in the Class 2A semifinals and final. Riley was at his best in both games.

He recorded 15 tackles and recovered a fumble in a 55-0 semifinal victory over Springfield, and then made 8.5 tackles and returned a fumble for an 80-yard touchdown to open the scoring in the 35-13 title victory over arch-rival Evangel Christian (Shreveport, La.). He was selected John Curtis' most outstanding player of the game in the championship showdown.

For the third consecutive year, Riley was John Curtis' leading tackler. He finished with 124 total tackles, including 93 individual stops, and two quarterback sacks among his 19 tackles for loss. He also intercepted a pass and had a quarterback hurry while often giving way to backups when games quickly got out of hand.

"He's got as much potential as anybody I've ever had at linebacker," said Curtis, whose overall record of 520-54-6 in 44 years features 13 undefeated seasons, including back-to-back 14-0 campaigns. After a runner-up finish, the Patriots have won two consecutive state titles.

Understandably, numerous college coaches have come calling. Among other things, Curtis said they are attracted by Riley's speed, athleticism and intelligence. The 6-foot-1, 207-pound Riley ran hurdles for the Patriots' track team last spring, Curtis said.

"He's a physical player who runs extremely well," Curtis said.

Riley showcased those qualities throughout a season that culminated with the state championship and his selection as Defensive Player of the Year on the Class 2A All-State Team as chosen by the Louisiana Sportswriters Association.

"Louisiana high school football is as good as any in the country," Curtis said.

That being said, Riley was at the forefront of the state's premier team that drew national acclaim thanks in large measure to his efforts.