It's a lineman's dream to score a touchdown and for a University of Arkansas commitment, the dream came true last week.

Shreveport Captain Shreve offensive lineman and Razorback pledge Lionel Prudhomme lined up at quarterback in the Wildcat formation against Natchitoches Central and had the defenders startled.

"The defense started scrambling because it threw them off," Captain Shreve offensive line coach Kenneth Smith said.

Prudhomme, 6-3, 295 pounds, rushed 3 times for 36 yards and a touchdown in the Gators' 40-20 victory.

"They were shocked," Smith said of the opposing coaches. "You could see them across the field. They were shocked They were trying to move guys and scramble around and check calls. The next time we did it again, they still couldn't adjust to it. It just threw them off."

Prudhomme received the snap and stutter-stepped as he went to the right on his way to his 6-yard touchdown and avoided a would-be tackler who appeared to half-heartedly grab Prudhomme's ankle as he bullied his way into the end zone.

"The poor kid at (nickel back) didn't want a part of him," Smith said. "He just jumps on the ground and he runs over another kid and barrels into the end zone. It was pretty entertaining. Even the crowd was like, 'LJ is the quarterback.' "

He reminisced back to his youth football days with the touchdown run.

"I used to play running back in little league, so it brought back a little nostalgia and felt good to get me a touchdown in high school," Prudhomme said.

The touchdown wasn't his first in high school. He also had a scoop and score as a freshman while playing on the defensive line.

"It felt like they were just bouncing off of me," Prudhomme said of his latest touchdown run. "I got me a nice stiff-arm as well."

He also excelled with his play on the line in Friday's win by grading out at 96% and having 8 pancake blocks. A late 4-yard run by Prudhomme allowed the Gators to run out the clock.

"We were up 40-20 and we just needed one more first down," Smith said. "Coach called the formation and LJ got 4 yards and the game was over with."

Seeing Prudhomme in the Shotgun formation and rumbling for yardage brought back memories for Smith.

"It look like the Fridge from the '85 Bears running he was just barreling through like Mike Alstott," Smith said. "He was knocking guys left and right. The poor DBs, he was running people over high stepping."

When Shreve Captain Coach Jeremy Wilburn installed the Wildcat formation with Prudhomme at the helm, the future Razorback was ecstatic.

"Oh, he was jumping like a little kid," Smith said. "He was trying to check off like he was a real quarterback. He was like a kid in a candy store."

Prudhomme and Smith celebrated after the future Hog scored.

"He and I were jumping up and down, hugging each other on the sideline," Smith said.

Being a rare offensive linemen who can say he's scored a touchdown, Prudhomme said he is hoping to show off his passing skills.

"He said after we scored, 'Let me throw the ball.' Now he's trying to get a passing touchdown," Smith said.

Email Richard Davenport at [email protected]

Lionel Prudhomme