Analyzing the Division II bracket, U-High, E.D. White, De La Salle are teams to beat

The Division II bracket of the LHSAA playoffs should be quite interesting.

The top seed is unbeaten E.D. White Catholic.

The Cardinals, who reached the semifinals in 2020, are unbeaten at 8-0 and have quality wins over Assumption, Donaldsonville, Patterson, Lutcher and St. James.

The E.D. White defense has been superb, posting four shutouts while allowing just 48 points on the season.

University High is the second seed. The Cubs pushed eventual champion St. Thomas More hard before falling in the playoffs a year ago.

The Cubs (10-0) were the favorite entering the season and have played like it.

U-High has high quality wins over Woodlawn of Baton Rouge, Dunham, Brusly and Madison Prep.

The Cubs have pitched four shutouts and allow just nine points per game. The offense has averaged 44.4 points per game. U-High has scored 50 or more points three times this season.

U-High has a first-round bye and will face the winner of Friday’s opening round matchup between De La Salle and Teurlings Catholic in the quarterfinals.

De La Salle (2-6) was 6-2 on the field but had to forfeit four wins. The Cavaliers defeated Scotlandville, Lake Charles College Prep and Landry on the field and lost two games by a total of four points, falling to unbeaten St. Charles Catholic 3-0 and to Hahnville 14-13.

The Cavaliers reached the title game last season for the third time in four years, falling narrowly to St. Thomas More.

The Cougars (6-4), the fifth seed, received a huge boost with the return of five-star quarterback Walker Howard last week. In a 62-60 win over East St. John to cap the regular season, he was terrific. The Cougar offense is extremely potent and a threat to outscore anyone it meets.

St. Thomas More defeated Neville for its biggest win.

Vandebilt Catholic (6-2) is the sixth seed and the Terriers have improved as the season has progressed, winning its last five games. The two Vandebilt losses were to Newman and St. Charles Catholic.

Liberty (9-1) is a new program that bears watching.

The Patriots put up three shutouts and the only loss was to Plaquemine.

The vision is that University High and E.D. White Catholic are the favorites with De La Salle lurking as a real contender.