Catholic-Zachary tilt Thursday kicks off final week of district title deciding games

The final week of the LHSAA football regular season gets underway Thursday night. Several games across the state this week will deterine district titles.

The marquee matchup may be the biggest regular season clash of the year in Louisiana. A pair of defending state champions will square off when Catholic High of Baton Rouge plays at Zachary.

On the field, Catholic has won four of the last seven Division I state championships on the field. If the season ended today, the Bears would be the second seed in the select Division I playoffs. With a win, Catholic could move into the top spot over Warren Easton, currently No. 1 in select D1 by a narrow margin.

Catholic (8-1) has not lost a game in-state, having lost its season opener to Our Lady of Good Counsel of Maryland by a 38-35 margin. Catholic beat Warren Easton 43-34 in New Orleans in a week two matchup. The Bears average 40.4 points per game.

Wwinners of four of the last seven Class 5A state championships, Zachary lost a week three matchup to St. Augustine, 24-20, but earned an impressive win over John Curtis Christian, 40-21. The Broncos are averaging 41.8 points per game.

Zachary (7-1) is currently second behind Ruston in the non-select Division I power ratings.

Warren Easton tries to make its case for the top seed in Division I when the Eagles take on McDonogh 35 at Pan American Stadium in a battle for the District 11-4A championship.

The Eagles (7-1) lost on the field to Karr but were credited with a win upon a forfeit by the Cougars. Warren Easton has huge wins over Madison Prep and Ruston.

The Roneagles (7-2) lost to St. Augustine and Kentwood and have posted four shutout victories. McDonogh 35 is a solid 11th unofficially in the Division II select rankings but could rise several spots with a win over the Eagles.

On Friday, defending Division II state champion University Lab (6-3) plays at Parkview Baptist (8-1) in a key District 6-3A game with a title on the line.

The Cubs, unofficially currently 11th in the Division II power ratings, have also lost to Archbishop Rummel and Catholic of Baton Rouge and have beaten Woodlawn of Baton Rouge. U-High has won four state titles in the last eight seasons. The Cubs can move up a few spots with a win.

The Eagles have five state titles to their credit and are looking for their first championship since 2015.

Parkview Baptist is currently seventh in the Division II power ratings. The Eagles posted a big win over a very good Dunham team early in the season.

Both teams lost to Madison Prep in district play.

St. James and E.D. White Catholic square off Friday night for the District 8-3A title in Thibodaux.

The Wildcats (8-1) have ripped off eight straight wins since a season opening loss at East St. John. St. James has scored 40 or more points five times this season. The Wildcats are currently third, unofficially, in the Division III non-select power ratings.

The Cardinals (8-1) lost only to Woodlawn of Baton Rouge. E.D. White played in the Division II state title game a year ago. The Cardinals are currently fourth in the Division II power ratings but could move up, even as high as to the top spot, with a win and help elsewhere.

Another gigantic matchup features Lafayette Christian at St. Thomas More with the District 4-4A championship in the balance.

A win for the Cougars (8-1) would give them the outright district championship. St. Thomas More has won state championships in three of the last six seasons, most recently in 2020. STM has a huge win over Teurlings Catholic and a win could lift the Cougars to the top spot in Division II.

Lafayette Christian (7-2) won for state championships in a row from 2017-20 and reached the Division III title game a year ago. The Knights lost to Ruston and to Teurlings Catholic and have big wins over Acadiana and Westgate. A win by LCA could force a three-way tie for the district title. The Knights are unofficially fifth in the Division III power ratings.

It will be a showdown for the District 5-2A championship when Welsh travels to Notre Dame Friday.

The Greyhounds (8-0) average 48.1 points in its seven wins on the field and have a forfeit victory as well to their credit. Welsh is currently eighth in the Division IV non-select power ratings, unofficially. Welsh won a state championship in 2017.

Notre Dame (7-2) lost to Teurlings Catholic and to Cecilia. The Pios have good wins over St. Martinville and Southside. Notre Dame is currently fourth in the select Division III power ratings. The Pios have won six state titles, including four since 2000 under legendary coach Lewis Cook.

Another blockbuster district showdown will feature unbeaten Carroll (8-0) and Union Parish (8-1).

Carroll has good wins over Richwood and Sterlington. The are unofficially fourth in the non select Division II power ratings.

The Farmers lost to Captain Shreve and have good wins over Richwood, Airline and Homer. Union Parish lost in the Class 3A title game to Sterlington a year ago. The Farmers are currently fourth unofficially in the non select Division III power ratings.

Another huge game sends defending Class 1A state champion Homer to perennial power Haynesville.

Homer (6-3) has losses to district rival Glenbrook, Union Parish and Prescott of Arkansas. The Pelicans have a good win over Minden. Homer is unofficially third in the non-select Division IV power ratings.

The Golden Tornado (8-1) lost only to Glenbrook and have a good win over Harmony Grove, Arkansas. Haynesville is currently third, unofficially, in the non-select Division IV power ratings.

A great 5A rivalry is renewed when West Monroe plays at Ruston with the District 2-5A championship on the line.

The Rebels (7-1) lost to East Ascension early in the season and lost to Ruston in jamboree play. The Rebels are currently 10th, unofficially, in the non-select Division I power ratings and can move up with a win. West Monroe has eight state championships with its last coming in 2011.

The Bearcats (8-1) are the No. 1 team in the non-select Division I power ratings, losing only to Warren Easton. Ruston has won eighth straight games, with good wins over Lafayette Christian and Neville. Ruston has eight state titles as well with its last coming in 1990.

The District 1-2A championship is on the line when Calvary Baptist plays at Loyola Prep.

The Cavaliers (7-2) have won six straight games and have won three state championships since 2013. Calvary Baptist is unofficially fourth in the select Division III power ratings.

The Flyers (5-3) have won five straight games after starting 0-3. Loyola Prep is currently eighth in the select Division III power ratings.

In the New Orleans area, Karr is set for its showdown with John Curtis Christian on Friday night at Yulman Stadium. Read more here on the battle for District 9-5A.

Unbeaten De La Salle (9-0), ranked second in the Crescent City Sports Class 4A state rankings, battles Booker T. Washington of New Orleans (4-5) for the District 9-4A title Thursday night.

You can listen to the game live on NASH ICON 106.1 FM and watch it live on Crescent City Sports.

The Cavaliers are a close third in the Division II power ratings, narrowly trailing Teurlings Catholic and St. Thomas More for the top spot.

De La Salle has notable wins over St. Paul’s and St. Charles Catholic. PJ Martin has been tremendous, rushing for 1,696 yards on 165 carries with 21 touchdowns.

The Lions (4-5) are unofficially 19th in the power ratings and could climb several spots with a win.

Booker T. Washington has a pair of one-point losses and a six-point loss this season. The Lions have a notable win over John Ehret and have a terrific running back as well in Arnold Barnes.

Previously a Tulane commit, Barnes recently flipped to Nebraska. He has rushed for 1,534 yards on 229 carries with 19 touchdowns. Barnes also has two touchdown receptions.

In another game that you can watch live on Crescent City Sports, Lakeshore hosts Franklinton for the District 8-4A title Friday night.

The Titans (7-2) have won four straight games and are currently unofficially 13th in the non-select Division II power ratings. A win by Lakeshore would give the Titans the outright district title.

The Demons (5-4) are 17th unofficially in the non-select Division II power ratings and have won four of five games.

A win by Franklinton could result in a three-way tie for the district championship with Salmen, who defeated Franklinton and lost to Lakeshore.

In a matchup of Division III select powers, Newman plays host to St. Charles Catholic Friday night at Lupin Field for the District 10-2A championship.

The Greenies and Comets are the two top-ranked teams in the Division III power ratings.

Newman (7-1) lost only at Many and has good wins over Riverside Academy, Belle Chasse and M.L. King Charter. The Greenies have an elite quarterback in Arch Manning.

St. Charles Catholic (6-3) lost to Teurlings Catholic, De La Salle and St. Martinville. The Comets have good wins over Archbishop Shaw, Lutcher and M.L. King Charter and most recently got injured quarterback Ayden Authement back.

Louisiana Prep Football Schedule for Thursday, Nov. 3
(All games at 7 p.m. unless noted)
Bossier at Huntington
B.T. Washington (NO) vs. De La Salle at Tad Gormley (on CCS/106.1 FM)
Catholic (BR) at Zachary
Cecilia at Iowa
Chalmette vs. West Jefferson, 6:30 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium
Douglass vs. Carver at Joe Brown Stadium
East Ascension at Dutchtown
Grant at Tioga
Hamilton Christian at Elton
Haynes vs. Patrick Taylor
Holy Savior Menard at Glen Oaks
Lake Charles College Prep at Kinder
Logansport at Montgomery
McMain vs. The Willow School, 3:30 p.m. at Pan American Stadium
Northside at Westgate
Oak Grove at Vidalia
Ouachita Christian at Lincoln Prep
Sam Houston at Southside
Sicily Island at Delhi Charter
St. Edmund at Opelousas Catholic
St. Louis Catholic at Jennings
Warren Easton vs. McDonogh 35, 7:30 p.m. at Pan American Stadium
Westminster Christian-Lafayette at Thrive Academy
Wossman at Sterlington