Top 5 Second Round Games Involving New Orleans Area Teams – Crescent City Sports

The meat and potatoes are finally in the pot as the second round of the LHSAA football playoffs gets underway this weekend.

In Louisiana, it is often said that your season is defined by whether you can practice through the Thanksgiving break by advancing to the quarterfinals. While the ultimate goal is to play for a state championship, for most teams, reaching the quarterfinals is considered a “good” season.

While many New Orleans teams will travel elsewhere for their playoff games, they are still exciting enough to follow. Here are the top five games involving New Orleans-area teams around the state:

No. 21 West Monroe (6-5) @ No. 5 Mandeville (10-1), Non-Select Division I

Mandeville has been one of the top teams in Louisiana, not just the New Orleans area, all season. Despite losing star running back Nathan Sheppard to a season-ending injury, Isaiah Baham has rushed for 862 yards and nine touchdowns, proving he’s a capable back. The skippers should be the favorites in this match but it will be a tough one.

Although West Monroe enters the game as the 21st seed with a 6-5 record, the Rebels recently defeated a strong Parkway team 35-14 on the road. West Monroe is a talented team, with players like quarterback Ryder DeJean and running back Ranaldrick “Boobie” Myles, and boasts one of the state’s best defensive lines, led by Hayes Fuqua, Smoltz Lilly and Tyler Roark. The Rebels’ 5-5 regular-season record is due in large part to the stiff competition in District 2-5A, which includes Alexandria (No. 2 seed in the Select Division I bracket), Neville (No. 1 seed in the Non-Select) Division I bracket), and Ruston (No. 3 seed in the Non-Select Division I bracket).

no. 18 Cecilia @ no. 2 Lutcher, unselected Division I

Lutcher has been outstanding all season and that is an understatement. The Bulldogs have dominated their opponents, outscoring them 361-50. A major reason for their success is their defense. In seven of their nine games, Lutcher allowed 12 points or fewer with five shutouts. Their defensive line is among the state’s best, featuring defensive end Reshad Sterling (a Houston commit) and defensive tackle Caden Parquette.

Lutcher faces 18th-seeded Cecilia, which defeated Pearl River in the first round. However, don’t be fooled by Cecilia’s seeds. The Bulldogs were last season’s Non-Select Division II runner-up, losing to Opelousas in the state championship game. Additionally, Cecilia will face the best offense it has seen all year as the Bulldogs average 44.5 points per game. match.

No. 9 St. Augustine (7-4) @ No. 8 St. Thomas More (7-3), Select Division I

St. Augustine is coming off a dominant 44-7 win over Carencro in the first round. Quarterback Vashon Coulon threw for 220 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Rayquan Williams (147 yards) and Miguel Whitley.

St. Thomas More enters the game after a bye but has played his best football recently. The Cougars have won six straight games, including a 48-34 victory over Teurlings Catholic in the regular season. Quarterback Cole Bergeron has been the key to an offense that has averaged 52.8 points per game. match over the last five competitions.

No. 11 Jesuit (7-4) @ No. 6 Teurlings Catholic (9-1), Select Division I

Jesuit has a strong opportunity to pull off an upset against Teurlings Catholic in the second round. The Blue Jays defeated Lafayette 45-7 last week, with Gavin Palmisano scoring four of the Jesuits’ five touchdowns and rushing for 74 yards. Jesuit’s defense, anchored by Will Berry, Griffin Ellis and Zyron Forstall, has been a big factor in the team’s success this season.

Teurlings Catholic, coming off a first-round bye, will look to avoid the upset. The Rebels have one of the state’s best running backs, Douge Viltz, and a dual-threat quarterback, Alex Munoz. Despite the success of Teurlings’ offense, Jesuit’s defense could pose challenges, especially after a bye week.

No. 9 Lake Charles College Prep (6-5) @ No. 8 John F. Kennedy (6-4), Select Division II

John F. Kennedy is better than its seeds suggest. The Cougars boast one of the best passing attacks in the state, led by quarterback Amyne Darensbourg and a strong group of wide receivers—James Evans, Kingston Jones, Jonathan Strowder and Nahun Lalin. Although their record might suggest otherwise, JFK’s actual record on the field is 9-1, with the first three wins forfeited due to player eligibility issues. Without those losses, the Cougars would have been seeded much higher.

After a first-round bye, JFK faces a formidable opponent in Lake Charles College Prep. Although the Trailblazers fielded a varsity team as recently as 2015, head coach Erick Franklin has done an excellent job building the program. Lake Charles College Prep has reached the quarterfinals in three of its last five playoff appearances, including a semifinal appearance in 2020.