Charpentier ready for playoff run

River Ridge (La.) John Curtis opened up the 2008 season with a loss to Rivals.com's top ranked team, Euless (Texas) Trinity. Since then, the Patriots have been on a mission. Currently, they sit at 10-1 including out of state wins over North Miami Beach (48-0) and Prichard (Ala.) Blount (26-7). Throughout the season, 2010 offensive line prospect Luke Charpentier has been steadily improving and is now ready for a deep playoff run.

"I've gotten much better since the Trinity game," Charpentier said. "I think I've really gotten better because I basically know all the calls. I think I'm doing really good now."

Even against Trinity, Charpentier was effective against one of the top defensive line units you will find in high school. However, the junior is beginning to see vast improvements on the physical side as well as the mental side.

"I think my footwork has gotten much better since the Tirinity game and as far as in the gym, I've been improving a lot with my muscles and stuff," he said. "When we played North Miami Beach and Blount from Alabama, we played some really good linebackers that I think I did a good job against. I beat them on some angles and did a good job."

Charpentier will likely have plenty of college options to choose from when the time comes. But for now, the 6-foot-4, 290-pounder is focused on the playoffs and a state championship.

"Lately I've been laying low," he said. "I got some letters from Auburn, Alabama, Boise State, it's just basically recruiting stuff. I want to try to go to the LSU-Ole Miss game this week and maybe I'll call the recruiting office and ask for some tickets."

A member of the Rivals.com 250 to watch list for 2010, Charpentier and his teammates are among the favorites in Class 2A in Louisiana. The biggest contender may be Shreveport (La.) Evangel, a team that Curtis wouldn't meet until the championship game. Friday, Curtis faces Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab in its second round playoff matchup.