By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/The Sports Scouting Report YouTube TV
I thought it might be fun to update how Rapides Parish teams have done in the non-district games, because heading into Week 4 we’ve seen some interesting games already played in some tough matchups.
The team that I think is really doing incredibly well so far is Tioga High School. The Indians are 3-0 after a tough non-district battle against Breaux Bridge High School, a 2022 playoff team (Tioga won 34-28). They shut out their closest rival, Pineville, 35-0, and rolled over outmanned Bolton in the opener.
Alexandria Senior High has doubtlessly played the toughest non-district schedule in the area. The Trojans just dominated Jess Curtis’ new Natchitoches Central Chiefs 56-14), after opening with a pair of competitive losses to possible state semifinal teams in St. Thomas More and Carencro High School.
I know ASH is 1-2 but I think Thomas Bachman’s team will go on a winning spree after playing those tough teams early. It will help them in the long run.
I think Pineville is improved despite their 1-2 record. They’ve played some tough non district games too, and their opening game against a solid and well-coached Winnfield team was a close 20-14 loss.
Don’t sleep on Peabody. The Warhorses are off to a good start, 2-1, with the last outing a loss to a possible Class A state title team in always-athletic, and very well coached Logansport High School. Peabody beat a talented Ferriday team 32-22.
Menard is 1-2 but the Eagles have played two big-time teams who will factor in the state playoffs. Menard did not play well in its opener at St. Frederick, who might be a semifinal team in Class A, and dropped the annual Bishop Bowl to rival St. Mary’s, who also looks every bit a state championship challenger with several potential college recruits lining up as upper classmen for the Natchitoches Tigers.
Also off to a solid start is Buckeye, whose 2-1 record includes a St. Mary’s loss. The Panthers have a strong running game and will contend in district.
Bottom line is this: if ASH, Peabody and Tioga stay healthy the next few weeks, they all have a chance to go deep in the playoffs again in 2023.
The jury is still out on Buckeye, Menard and Pineville, teams that have upside and solid coaching, but I think they can reach postseason and then you never know – we don’t even know yet what the playoff divisions will look like!
Once the LHSAA reacts to the recent court ruling won by Rapides Parish schools, it will be interesting to see how things sort out for the local teams in whatever bracket they land.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com