De La Salle looks to claim unbeaten season, top-seed with win over Donaldsonville

While all eyes will be focused on the epic matchup between Warren Easton and Karr at Tad Gormley Stadium live on CrescentCitySports.com, another elite team will be seeking a pair of milestones.

De La Salle looks to finish off a second consecutive unbeaten regular season and to clinch the top-seed in the Division II state playoffs when the Cavaliers host Donaldsonville Thursday night at Pan American Stadium with a chance to clinch the outright District 10-3A title as well.

“All the credit to the kids and coaches in the program,” De La Salle head coach Ryan Manale said. “They have bought in to everything we have told them. We are blessed to be on this path to greatness. It is part of our goal to go unbeaten, to sustain success, to be the best. It is one of many goals.”

The Cavaliers (8-0, 4-0) have dominated opponents, winning seven of eight games by 21 points or more. Only powerhouse Karr played De La Salle to a two-point game.

De La Salle scored an impressive 28-0 win at St. Charles Catholic a week ago.

The Cavaliers have allowed just 19 points total in their last four games. They have averaged a gaudy 44.6 points per game, led by Julien Gums and Kendall Collins.

The Tigers (7-2, 2-2) are coming off of 44-0 win over Haynes Academy.

Senior quarterback Jaylin Williams has accounted for 1,218 yards and 12 touchdowns passing and rushing while senior running back Jemon Pleasant has 588 yards and nine touchdowns.

Donaldsonville is playing for a home game in the first round. The Tigers are 15th in the 3A power ratings and even with a loss, they are likely to hold that spot. A win could move them up as many as four spots.

“The toughest job is keeping the kids humble,” Manale said. “They are hearing that they are the best in the state. Donaldsonville is the most talented team, in terms of college prospects, in our district. They are 7-2. They are gifted. We have to be focused, ready to play. We know it will not be an easy game.”

De La Salle has a slight edge on University High for the top-seed in Division II. The Cavaliers will certainly clinch the top-seed with a win as the Cubs face Baker, currently 32nd in the 3A power ratings.

“We control our own destiny,” Manale said. “If we win, we are the top-seed, another goal. The championship would come through us. We are motivated by falling short last year after winning our first 11 games. We were the top-seed last year and did not finish. We believe we have learned from that. We felt we were the best last year and we were down 21-0 in the first six minutes to Parkview Baptist. You cannot recover from that but you can learn from that.”

Prep Football Schedule for Thursday, Nov. 2

New Orleans Area

McMain at Sophie B. Wright, 3:30 p.m. at Pan American Stadium

Belle Chasse vs. Helen Cox, 6:30 p.m. at Hoss Memtsas Stadium

Grace King vs. Bonnabel, 6:30 p.m. at Joe Yenni Stadium

Donaldsonville vs. De La Salle, 7 p.m. at Pan American Stadium

Karr vs. Warren Easton, 7 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium live at CrescentCitySports.com

Around the state

Alexandria at Ouachita Parish

Block at LaSalle

Cedar Creek at Oak Grove

Delhi at St. Frederick

Evangel at Captain Shreve

Franklin Parish at West Ouachita

Hamilton Christian at Basile

Lakeside at Mansfield

Minden at North DeSoto

Montgomery at University Academy

Neville at Bastrop

North Caddo at Calvary Baptist

Northwood at Bossier

Oberlin at Elton

Ouachita Christian at Delta Charter

Pine Prairie at Crowley

Pineville at Ruston

Port Barre at Church Point

Sicily Island at Tensas

Sterlington at Richwood

St. Edmund at Merryville

St. Mary’s at Logansport

St. Michael at Tara

Woodlawn (SH) at Huntington

Wossman at Union Parish