By LEE BRECHEEN, Louisiana Football Magazine/YouTube TV
This is the time high school players and coaches dream about, the opportunity to still be playing football as Thanksgiving nears.
There are four (of eight) Rapides Parish teams in the LHSAA Select playoffs going into the second round – Menard, Peabody, Tioga and Alexandria Senior High. Let’s take a look at this Friday’s games and matchups in Round 2 – none are easy.
Peabody Warhorses — They are 7-4 and play Lafayette Christian (8-2) on the road. This would be an epic upset for Peabody, who has had a great season. The Warhorses’ signature wins are beating Ferriday and previously unbeaten St. Mary’s.
Lafayette Christian’s big wins are over Acadiana, Jesuit, and Westgate. It’s been a great season for Peabody coach Harry Coleman and his team, regardless of what happens Friday night.
Alexandria Senior High Trojans — The Trojans are 7-4 with a quality win over East Ascension High School. They will play New Orleans’ Brother Martin on the road. The Crusaders are 7-3, coming off a state finals appearance in 2022. Brother Martin has impressive wins over Jesuit, Holy Cross, St. Paul’s, and Archbishop Rummel — all talented Class 5A teams.
This would be the biggest win of the season for ASH. But there’s a lot of talent on Thomas Bachman’s team even though statewide they get taken for granted. I am taking the Trojans in an upset.
Menard Eagles — Menard is 8-3 as it heads up I-49 to Sheveport to meet undefeated, No. 1-ranked Calvary Baptist High School. Menard has impressive wins over Oakdale and Houma Christian HS.
Calvary Baptist has beaten a slew of top teams this year – Class A power Logansport, District 1-5A undefeated champion Captain Shreve, along with Westgate and Wossman. They gave Captain Shreve and Logansport their only losses – both are 9-1.
This would be a massive upset. I am going with Calvary Baptist, which is deep, talented and very well coached. No disgrace in losing to the Cavaliers — they will win a state title in the Superdome. I tip my cap to the Eagles’ coaches and players for a great season in 2023.
Tioga Indians — Tioga is playing St. Paul’s High School of Covington. Tioga is 9-2 and St. Paul’s is 9-1. Tioga has huge wins over Franklin Parish, Peabody, and Breaux Bridge. St. Paul’s has impressive wins over De La Salle, Mandeville, and Northshore.
I think this game is even. I will go with Tioga for the close win because I believe the Indians have more game-breaking athletes, but playing on the road will add an extra degree of difficulty. This is a club that I believe has the goods to move on.
Contact Lee at lbrecheen@aol.com