The Patriots of J.T. Curtis have 23 state championship trophies and came up a game short a year ago. While the Patriots offense looked very good, their defense was not as stout as usual with the action we viewed.

While Curtis had very good success against the Brother Martin offense, the Crusaders moved the ball on Curtis. Martin Head coach Mark Bonis was pleased with his team's effort.

"We moved the football well. It was 14-14 with the starters. Preparing for what they do in two days is tough. We moved a whole bunch of guys to the defensive side due to injury and they did a great job. They played physical. We faced one of the most physical teams in the state and we were just as physical so I was happy with that," said Bonis.

For the Crusaders, John West scored. Ronnie Arant threw a touchdown pass to tight end Patrick Regan. Dante Butler played well, running with good vision and great power throughout, including a run of nearly 60 yards..

Butler has been offered by Miami (Ohio), Tulane and Western Kentucky. Utah, Kansas State and Oklahoma State are very interested in him, according to Bonis.

The Patriots' offense looked good against Brother Martin. Quarterback Brandon Bourgeois kept on an option play for a long touchdown run. Quarterback Patrick Morton threw a long touchdown pass and looked good. We know that the Curtis defense will end up being very tough.

From City Park, we made the trek to Boutte to watch Hahnville and Rummel in a rematch of last year's 5A quarterfinal game won by Rummel 24-7 as the Raiders ended up playing in the state championship game. Lou Valdin'sTigers are very skilled and have good size. They have a defensive lineman who transferred from Central Lafourche who looked very good.

Also looking very good was defensive back Sergio Medina, who will be just a sophomore in 2010. He has size, good range and a great future. Quarterback Brian Ensminger threw the ball well when he had time to throw. He took the Tigers to a score early in the scrimmage though he faced lots of pressure after his center was injured.

Rummel's defensive front did an nice job overall. The Raiders offense got some good plays from Damian Williams and Luke Cartozzo threw a long touchdown pass. J.J. Brown and Taylor Marino ran the ball effectively behind a big, experienced offensive line. John Bertucci will be a force up front while Ben Jefferson is experienced and talented in the secondary for Jay Roth's Raiders. From our vantage point, the scrimmage was pretty evenly played.

We ventured from Boutte to LaPlace to catch 2A stalwart St. Charles Catholic against 4A power Franklinton.

Of all the teams we saw, the Demons of Shane Smith were the most impressive by the eyeball test. They have size. They have quickness. They have great speed.

Most of all, they have a great quarterback in Terrance Magee. The senior will be a big-time running back at the next level. He can makes plays with his arm as well, especially with a trio of tall receivers.

Frank Monica's Comets showed good discipline, some quickness and good quarterback play. They will be a force in 2A but had trouble with the athleticism and size of Franklinton.

Our final stop of the evening was Joe Yenni Stadium in Metairie where third-year coach Nick Saltaformaggio coached his East Jefferson Warriors against his alma mater, Holy Cross.

The Tigers of Barry Wilson looked very good when we were on hand. Quarterback Ryan Deemes was very sharp. Darryl Watson caught a pair of touchdown passes, including one from Tucker Herzog. Joel Pichon had a long touchdown catch and Ed Eagan had an interception for a score.

"We are improved over last year and continue to improve. I am very happy with what I am seeing tonight," said Wilson.

East Jefferson remains an option team, led by senior quarterback Jarred Lewis, who has the experience of starting for three years now. The Warriors are an improving team which made the playoffs a year ago though Holy Cross got much the better of them on this night.

You can enjoy our picture gallery from Tad Gormely as well as video of all four scrimmages below and the Shaw-Helen Cox scrimmage here at NewOrleans.Com/Sports.