By MATT VINES, Journal Sports
District titles and rivalry matchups abound in Week 10, but how do they sharpen the playoff picture?
We’ll take a look at a few games that have big implications for the postseason, whether that’s where teams will play in the first round or if they will play at all.
Evangel at Haughton
A Haughton (8-1) win would signal the Bucs’ first district championship in Class 5A, last winning a district title in 2010 in Class 4A when a fellow by the name of Dak Prescott was under center.
In the playoff sense, No. 11 Haughton is home either way, but a win against Evangel (5-4) would wipe away the funk of losing to winless Natchitoches Central and reaffirm that Haughton isn’t to be trifled with in the postseason.
The Bucs could climb a few spots with a win, improve their first-round matchup and position themselves better for a deeper playoff run.
For No. 14 Evangel (Division II Select), a win would lock up a home playoff game – although the Eagles may still stay in the Top 16 even in a loss.
Booker T. Washington at Minden
Going on the road to Minden (7-2) is much more than just a playoff atmosphere. It’s a glimpse into what the playoff Lions might look like.
Sitting at No. 14 in the Division II Select bracket, BTW (6-3) could lock up a first-round home game – which again, isn’t necessarily forfeited with a loss either.
But this is a BTW team that played district champion North DeSoto within two touchdowns (35-20 this past week).
It’s North DeSoto’s (9-0) closest win of the season, which includes a 43-point beatdown of Northwood and a 34-point shellacking of Minden.
A win would cement BTW’s place as third in the district, and it would also be BTW’s first win over a member of the “big three” (North DeSoto, Minden, Northwood) since 2019 (beat North DeSoto).
A Minden win could certainly vault the No. 19 Crimson Tide into a home playoff game in Division II Non-Select.
Captain Shreve at Byrd
What’s even the point of having home/away designation when teams share Lee Hedges Stadium?
The “Backyard Brawl” rivalry vies for the best in all of Shreveport-Bossier, and its 2026 edition has massive playoff ramifications.
Byrd (1-8) needs to win to have a shot at climbing two spots to be No. 24 and the last team in Division I Select.
After No. 15 Captain Shreve’s (4-4) stumble against Huntington, the Gators need a victory to keep playoff football in Hedges this season.
Does running back Christian Maxie get an additional game to add to his record-breaking career, or does Captain Shreve head into the playoffs with a little momentum and a winning record?
Parkway at Airline
Playoff games in Bossier Parish are almost a given every year with the success of these two programs in particular.
But will No. 18 Airline or No. 20 Parkway (both in Division I Non-Select) climb high enough to bring a second playoff game to Bossier Parish? (Haughton is a lock)
According to the Louisiana Football Powerboard, a prediction tool at Louisiana vs. All Y’all, that answer is yes.
The winner should be able to climb into the top 16 and sleep in their own beds next week.
Parkway’s win in 2025 snapped a three-game series winning streak for Airline.
Benton, Southwood appear to be on the outside
The math favors No. 31 Benton (4-5) to beat Southwood (1-8) in the regular-season finale.
What the math doesn’t calculate is the Tigers ascending into the No. 28 spot in Division I Non-Select.
Give the five or six teams projected to finish ahead of Benton a loss, and the Tigers still aren’t predicted to get in.
Losses to BTW and Huntington will likely be the defining reasons a five-win Benton team is sitting at home.
If No. 26 Southwood does pull the upset, the Cowboys can climb within earshot of the playoffs at No. 25 in Division II Select.
But it looks like the Cowboys will be out in the cold as well even if teams around them in the rankings lose, according to the Football Powerboard.
Homer at North Caddo
With some of the upsets we’ve seen this year, one can’t just write off North Caddo in this one.
A win over Homer (4-5) puts the No. 27 Titans (2-6) squarely in the Division III Select playoffs.
But a loss? The Football Powerboard says North Caddo’s season would be done.
The Titans would be projected to miss by .01 power points if Walter L. Cohen beats Jefferson Rise Charter.
Loyola gets bye with a win against Red River
Red River (1-8) has already upset one pass-first team in Class 1A Logansport (8-1) this season, but the Bulldogs won’t find an unmotivated No. 7 Loyola (6-3) bunch.
The Flyers can grab one of eight byes with a victory, while a loss catapults the Flyers down the rankings to nearly out of the home playoff picture.
Northwood can clear some first-round danger with a win
The No. 23 Falcons (5-4) expect to handle business against a Woodlawn (1-8) team that doesn’t have postseason hopes.
A Northwood win means the Falcons would finish on a five-game winning streak and likely earn the award for the biggest in-season turnaround after a 1-4 start.
They’ll be a tough road matchup for any team, but they could also steer clear of some big names by beating Woodlawn.
Here are teams lurking in Northwood’s path – No. 10 Franklin Parish, No. 12 Iowa (state champs), No. 13 Sterlington (state champs).
A loss to Woodlawn would send Northwood careening down the rankings anyway, lining up a possible date with a North DeSoto.
Contact Matt at matt.vines@lsus.edu