By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine
The coldest Friday night of the football season awaits. There are a lot of great Round 2 playoff matchups this week involving local teams. Let’s get started!
De La Salle (6-5) at Calvary Baptist (8-2), Select Division III
It’s the defending state champions, seeded third in the bracket, against the 14th seed that finished the regular season at .500. But Calvary’s coaches and I will tell you: this will be a closer game than many people might expect.
I spent time this summer in New Orleans with De La Salle and saw those Cavaliers have the talent, speed and size to hang with the Cavs from Calvary.
De La Salle goes over 280 pounds per man on both sides of the ball in the trenches, with agile, strong linemen.
De La Salle has size and speed all over. The record is also deceiving. DLS shut out powerhouse program St. Charles Catholic and beat a talented Class 4A BTW of New Orleans team. This will be a game of defenses.
De La Salle senior quarterback Evan Arceneaux (6-2, 225) broke all the school records and he’s a load to tackle. Calvary senior receiver Kolby Thomas needs to have another big game for the team – he’s caught 1,059 yards of passes for16 touchdowns. I like the playmakers on defense at Calvary and am going with the home team in a close game.
Huntington (6-5) at Edna Karr (10-0), Select Division I
Huntington, seeded 17th, is coming off a dominant playoff win at Hammond. Top-seeded Edna Karr had a bye. Huntington’s key to victory is to cause turnovers by a team with 22 future college starters in the lineup.
Karr beat six teams that are all in the second round of the playoffs. Three Karr players are LSU commitments: DT Richard Anderson, WR Taron Francis, and DB Aidan Hall. Huntington is playing very well, but I am going with Edna Karr in this one.
Evangel (6-5) at Alexandria (10-0), Select Division I
The hottest team in the state is Alexandria Senior High, which has beaten five teams that are in the second round. The second-seeded Trojans have the best player in the state’s Class of 2025, LSU commit JT Lindsey (6-0, 195). He’s a running back who no one can stop.
The best young player in the state is Evangel quarterback Peyton “Pop” Houston who is now up to 4,234 yards passing and 41 passing touchdowns.
Added to the allure of this matchup: Trojans’ coach Thomas Bachman is a former player at Evangel, and his dad led the Eagles to championship success.
I am going with ASH. I think it’s the Trojans’ year to win the school’s first state title.
Destrehan (8-3) at Northwood (10-1), Non-Select Division I
Northwood had a huge win in Round 1, an overwhelming offensive showing. This is a very winnable game for the seventh-seeded Falcons, even though No. 10 Destrehan is a big athletic team with a ton of playoff tradition. But I believe Northwood, which plays with a Class 4A enrollment, can play with the visitors.
I am taking Northwood in what many will consider an upset, despite the seedings. Falcons’ RB Kyran Johnson needs to have one more big game. He’s had plenty, piling up 1,390 yards rushing season and 16 touchdowns.
Westgate (8-2) at Airline (10-0), Non-Select Division I
This is Airline’s chance to take the next step and get to the quarterfinals. It will be tough even though the Vikings host an 18 seed. Westgate has six players that run under 4.5 in the forty, led by Miami commit Jaboree Antoine (6-2 180), a WR/DB, and RB/DB Davian Jackson (6-2, 185).
I am taking Airline. QB Ben Taylor should go over 4,000 yards passing for the season in this game (he’s at 3,699, with 42 touchdowns). Junior WR Kenny Darby, a recent LSU commit, will add to his 1,489 yards and 21 touchdowns. I expect a close game but I think Airline is due to advance.
Loyola (7-4) at Leesville (9-2), Select Division II
Here’s the billion dollar question: can the 10th-seeded Flyers stop Wampus Cats RB Xavier Ford? Nobody else has. The 5-11, 205-pounder has 2,727 yards rushing with 42 touchdowns. His uncle is former LSU RB Michael Ford.
Seventh-seeded Leesville has scored 60 or more points three times. Loyola topped 60 itself in Round 1 against Sophie B. Wright. Leesville beat LaGrange 33-0 in the first round.
Loyola needs turnovers to win this one. I don’t think Ford can be stopped.
Byrd (8-3) at St. Paul’s (8-2), Select Division I
I think this is the most even matchup for a local team. St. Paul’s, which got a first-round bye as a No. 7 Select seed, has a solid running game but will throw the ball more. Former Northwestern State QB Kenny Sears has a passing game triggered by senior QB Brennan Keim (6-2, 200) and his best target TE Chase Ravain (6-3, 235).
Byrd, the 10th seed, had 313 yards rushing, right on its season average, in Round 1 against Woodlawn of Baton Rouge.
St. Paul’s defense is a tougher test. Byrd’s underrated defense pitched a shutout last week. Both teams are strong in special teams. Both teams match up in speed. This will come down to the last five minutes.
Back from injury, Yellow Jackets fullback Desmond Simmons had 197 yards last week. He and a deep RB group will need another big day on the ground and I think that Byrd O-line will help make it happen. I am taking Byrd in a close one.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com
Lee Brecheen has been covering high school football and recruiting in Louisiana since the early ‘90s. He is owner of Louisiana Football Magazine and can be followed on X @LeeBrecheen. He hosts a YouTube show, The Sports Scouting Report with Lee Brecheen.