New Orleans Warren Easton Eagles (0-1)

vs.

John Tyler Lions (2-0)

Noon, Saturday
Independence Stadium, Shreveport

Coaches

  • Easton: Jerry Phillips
  • John Tyler: Ricklan Holmes
Last week

Next week
  • Easton: vs. New Orleans McMain, Sept. 17
  • John Tyler: vs. Rockwall, Sept. 16
Playmakers

Easton

  • QB Lance Legendre, Soph., 6-1, 203 (19 carries, 107 yards, 6-of-11 passing, 40 yards)
  • QB Joseph Edwards, Jr. (4-of-7 passing, 74 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 2 carries, 37 yards)
  • RB Larry Barabino III, Jr., 5-11, 185
  • CB Damien Tate, Jr., 5-10, 170
  • S David Jones, Sr., 6-0, 190
  • WR Yo'Heinz Tyler, Jr., 6-4, 185

John Tyler

  • QB Bryson Smith, Sr., 6-0, 175 (30-of-54 passing, 533 yards, 7 TDs, 2 INTs, 23 carries, 182 yards, 2 TDs; committed to Houston)
  • WR Damion Miller, Sr., 6-2, 195 (6 catches, 231 yards, 3 TDs; committed to Texas)
  • DB Javonta Mosley, Sr., 6-2, 175 (7 tackles, 2 pass breakups; committed to UTSA)
  • DL/LB DeKalen Goodson, Jr., 6-2, 215 (14 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 QB hurries)
  • LB Tre Allison, Jr., 6-2, 200 (17 tackles, 1 pass breakup)
  • WR Ke’Andre Street, Soph., 6-4, 195 (6 catches, 99 yards, 2 TDs)
  • DB Kieran Freeman, Sr., 5-9, 170 (12 tackles, 1 pass breakup)
  • LB Shaundrick Williams, Sr., 5-11, 220 (17 tackles)
Just the facts
  • The John Tyler-Easton game will be played in conjunction with the annual Battle on the Border Showcase. It is a Texas versus Louisiana game at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La.
  • Independence Stadium, most notable for being the home of the Camping World Independence Bowl, seats 63,000 spectators. It is the third-largest stadium in Louisiana behind LSU's stadium and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
  • The game will be conducted under Louisiana rules. Most notably, no kickoff returns and automatic touchbacks from the end zone, a 25-second play clock starting on the referee's whistle and a mandatory official's timeout at the six-minute mark of each quarter for water.
  • Easton committed five turnovers in its 13-6, season-opening loss to New Orleans Jesuit last week. It fumbled three times, threw a pick and muffed a punt return.
  • Easton utilized two quarterbacks in its first game. Sophomore Lance Legendre and junior Joseph Edwards.
  • John Tyler has a one-game edge against Easton thanks to Texas' earlier season start. It defeated Plano West and Ennis in its two games played.
  • The Lions have outscored opponents 75-28, allowing 14 points to both Plano West and Ennis.
  • John Tyler begins District 11-6A play next week at home against Rockwall.
  • The Lions will travel 95 miles to Independence Stadium. Easton will go 327 miles one-way.
John Tyler defensive end DeKalen Goodson will be asked to contain Easton's running game to the inside lanes. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
John Tyler defensive end DeKalen Goodson will be asked to contain Easton's running game to the inside lanes. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
loading...

Key matchup: John Tyler's defense versus Easton's reeling offense.

If a team coughs the ball up five times in its first game, it's a natural start to rattle the opposing offense. The Lions are in good position to do just that with three scholarship players and a collective defense that has surrendered just two touchdowns per game through its first two games.

Easton did most of its damage last week against New Orleans Jesuit on the ground. Lance Legendre went for 107 yards on 19 carries while Joseph Edwards carried twice for 37 yards. Combined, they threw for 114 yards.

John Tyler lineback Tre Allison, like Goodson, holds an offer from Mississippi State. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
John Tyler linebacker Tre Allison, like Goodson, holds an offer from Mississippi State. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
loading...

John Tyler nearly can reduce its defensive backfield field from four-quarters to three-thirds with UTSA verbal commitment Javonta Mosley at a cornerback spot, and passing might be Easton's weaker offensive hand anyway.

The Lions have great linebackers and a good defensive line that were challenged last week by Ennis' physical ground game and succeeded. Junior linebacker Tre Allison and end DeKalen Goodson are Mississippi State targets.

If John Tyler's front gets the job done and discourages Easton from running for its yardage, the secondary is a very dangerous thing for two young quarterbacks to throw into.

Don't be surprised if: John Tyler gets the win for Texas. Easton very much is like how the Lions were a season ago -- very talented but young at critical positions.

John Tyler started last season 0-3 in 2015 before a nine-game winning streak.

The Lions also have a one-game advantage against Easton. Easton's season began last week whereas John Tyler has completed two games of its schedule.

John Tyler quarterback Bryson Smith, a Houston commitment, is one of five Lions players with college interest at the start of the 2016 season. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
John Tyler quarterback Bryson Smith, a Houston commitment, is one of five Lions players with college interest at the start of the 2016 season. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
loading...

More From East Texas Sports Network