Upset special review for Louisiana non-select football semifinals

Let’s try again with this phenomenon. Which lower seeds can win in this week’s playoff games?

We are now 19-of-26 (73%) in upset specials thus far.

This week, it is the non-select semifinals.

In Class 5A, it is hard to pick against Acadiana, the defending champion, though there is much respect for Destrehan after beating Ruston.

West Monroe and Alexandria meet for the second time this season.

The Rebels won the district matchup 18-10 but that was at West Monroe. This one is at Alexandria and it is hard to beat an opponent twice in a season.

Still, it is hard to ignore the playoff pedigree and experience of the Rebels, who have held their last two opponents to 15 points each.

Then again, Alexandria upset a really good team and program in Zachary a week ago.

West Monroe gets a very slight nod, as the lower seed, thus, an upset special.

In 4A, Karr and Warren Easton hook up in the latest installment of this trilogy of New Orleans area public school powers.

The Cougars have beaten the Eagles eight straight times, though many have been competitive, including last year’s epic state title game, won by Karr 35-34.

Earlier this season, Karr downed Easton 45-20 in the opener for both teams. Warren Easton has improved dramatically since then but Karr is battle tested. You simply do not pick against Karr.

Neville is a traditional power.

The Tigers are used to being in this position. They know how to play and win in these situations.

Still, Carencro has earned the top seed and the Bears have looked the part, scoring 123 points in two games with its big, physical, dynamic offense.

There are no upset specials in 4A.

In 3A, fourth seed Church Point eliminated defending state champion St. James a week ago. The Bears have given up just 13 points in their last three games and are unbeaten (8-0).

Madison Prep is the ninth seed and the Chargers took out the top seed in Jennings. That came a week after whipping a talented Donaldsonville squad.

This one could go either way but we will go with Madison Prep as an upset special.

Third-seeded Lake Charles College Prep is unbeaten (8-0). The Trailblazers fought off Jena 28-26 a week ago to advance. LCCP overcame the devastating affects of Hurricane Laura and has lived up the high expectations prior to the season.

Union Parish has been unstoppable, averaging 46.4 points per game. They have played just two competitive games all season and crushed St. Martinville 47-6 a week ago.

The Farmers are the pick as the higher seed.

In 2A, top seed Many survived a real threat in a 34-30 win at traditional power Amite in a game seen live at CrescentCitySports.com.

The Tigers showed toughness to win in a very tough environment and it came after not playing for three weeks. The Tigers figure to be sharper this time around.

General Trass has done a great job to reach this point as a 12th seed. The Panthers have scored 138 points in three playoff games. They are a worthy opponent but it is impossible to pick against Many in this situation.

No. 6 Kinder travels to No. 2 Mangham.

Kinder is a 4-time state champion, winning most recently in 2015. Mangham has not won a state title since 1956.

The Yellow Jackets (8-2) face a tall task against an unbeaten squad. The Dragons (11-0) have a very good win over General Trass and survived a scare from Kentwood two weeks ago.

This one will be close from start to finish but I am not ready to pick an upset here.

In 1A, Oak Grove is the defending champion and unbeaten (9-0). The Tigers have simply been dominant and should prevail over a vastly improved Homer team which is a team to watch in the future.

No. 3 Grand Lake travels to No. 2 East Iberville.

Either way, a new team will be in the state championship, which is refreshing. After knocking off traditional power Haynesville at home last week, it is hard to pick against the Tigers.

West Monroe and Madison Prep have the best shots advancing as lower seeds.