Karr Defeats Heritage In Overtime
The buildup was massive — and the game lived up to it.
In what several outlets billed as the nation’s top prep matchup of the week, John Johnson powered in for a 3-yard touchdown in overtime, lifting Karr to a 24-17 win over Heritage in the Inspire the City Invitational in Honor of Ed Daniels on Friday night at the Caesars Superdome.
Karr (2-0), now winners of 16 straight games across two seasons, forced overtime on Brayan Castellon’s clutch 37-yard field goal as time expired.
Heritage (1-2) kept Johnson in check most of the second half, sacking the reigning Crescent City Sports Player of the Year seven times and intercepting him twice. Still, the Cougars found a way.
The biggest storyline, however, stood on the sideline. Heritage star quarterback Dia Bell — the nation’s No. 1 Class of 2026 prospect and a Texas commit — missed the game with an undisclosed injury. Coach Mike Smith said Bell is “week-to-week.”
In his absence, wide receiver Coi Jean-Noel stepped in at quarterback and delivered, throwing for 159 yards and two touchdowns, both to Jamar Denson. Their second hookup, a 57-yard catch-and-run right after a defensive fourth-down stop, gave the Patriots a 17-14 lead with 8:29 remaining.
Heritage seemed poised to close it out after another fourth-down stop with four minutes left. But Karr’s defense forced its fourth three-and-out of the half, and Johnson drove the Cougars into field goal range. A 34-yard strike to Anthony Thomas set up Castellon’s game-tying kick with :00 showing.
In overtime, Heritage won the toss and chose defense. Karr countered by picking the south end zone — right in front of its band. On third-and-goal from the 3, Johnson broke through for the go-ahead score.
Heritage’s last chance came down to a trick play. Denson, lined up for a reverse pass, pulled the ball down with no one open and tried to scramble. Linebacker Kevin Martin stopped him at the 4-yard line as the clock struck midnight, sparking a Karr celebration.
Johnson finished 19-of-29 passing for 221 yards and two touchdowns, adding 66 yards on the ground and the overtime winner. Denson shined for Heritage with four catches for 143 yards and two scores, while Jonathan Bueno battled injuries to rush 17 times for 107 yards.
