2016 Louisiana High School Football 4A Second Round Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

It was an exciting first round of action in the Louisiana 4A playoffs as the 16 best have punched their tickets to the second round. Some of the wilder games included No. 5 Minden escaping past No. 28 Franklin Parish 36-34 and No. 6 Woodlawn squeaking past No. 27 Cecilia 24-21.

Some players that put up great performances in the opening round included Woodlawn running back Trivenskey Mosley who had 174 rushing yards, 74 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns. Warren Easton quarterback Joe Edwards threw for 138 yards and two touchdowns. Edna Karr quarterback Aldon Clark threw for 215 yards after completing all eight of his pass attempts, rushed for 115 yards on three carries and accounted for five touchdowns. Cecilia running back Devin Briscoe had 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The eight second round games have been set and it’s only a matter of time to see who will deliver that knockout punch and advance to the quarterfinals.

4A Second Round Games and Preview

No. 16 Assumption (7-4) @ No. 1 Neville (10-0)

In the first round, Neville destroyed Woodlawn-Baton Rouge 44-7 while Assumption shutout Carver Collegiate Academy 21-0. This will be a fun game to watch as both teams have powerful offenses. Assumption is averaging 27.3 points a game while Neville is averaging a whopping 42.3. Neville is looking to continue their undefeated season and win a third straight title while Assumption is traveling four hours into a hostile environment to attempt an upset of the ages. Who will survive and advance? Only time will tell.

No. 9 Carencro (9-2) @ No. 8 Loranger (9-2)

In the opening round, Carencro blew out Salmen 35-3 while Loranger defeat St. Martinville 42-7. Loranger is currently on an eight-game winning streak after opening the season 1-2 while Carencro’s two losses have been by a combined 10 points. Despite Carencro having to make a two hour trip, both teams will be motivated to play in what should be one of the closer games this weekend. Last year both of these teams fell in the second round and now one of them has the opportunity to make a longer playoff run in 2016.

No. 5 Minden (10-1) @ No. 21 Livonia (7-4)

Last Friday, Minden avoided the upset by beating Franklin Parish 36-34. Livonia took down the No. 12 seed Bastrop 50-41 in a shootout. Minden opened the regular season on a nine-game winning streak before losing to Woodlawn in the finale and finishing second in the district race. Now they must make a three and a half hour trip as they have their eyes on an even bigger prize, the state title.

This is also a match-up where teams lost in the second round and only one can make a deeper run in 2016. It will be interesting to see if Livonia can pull off another upset or will Minden make another step towards New Orleans.

 No. 13 Warren Easton (7-4) @ No. 4 Tioga (10-1)

In the first round, Warren Easton dominated Franklinton 47-27 while Tioga defeated Washington-Marion in a defensive battle 19-6. Both teams average over 31 points so this has the potential of turning into a high-scoring affair. Last week was Tioga’s first playoff victory since 1988 so to continue their impressive season they must take down one of last year’s semifinalists. Can Easton pull off an upset and make another trip towards New Orleans or can Tioga continue their magical season?

No. 14 North Desoto (7-4) @ No. 3 McDonogh 35 (10-1)

In the opening round, North Desoto defeated LaGrange 35-29 while McDonogh 35 destroyed Grant 36-8. North Desoto had an up-and-down regular season while McDonogh 35 opened the season with a nine-game winning streak with their lone loss coming in the finale against the No. 2 seed Edna Karr. Both teams advanced to the quarterfinals last season but only one can make that step in 2016.

No. 11 Plaquemine (8-3) @ No. 6 Woodlawn-Shreveport (10-1)

Last Friday, Plaquemine destroyed Breaux Bridge 31-8 while Woodlawn-Shreveport escaped past Cecilia 24-21 to win their first playoff game since 1990. The Knights of Woodlawn haven’t lost since Sept. 16 including beating Minden in the regular season finale to win the district title. Both teams have the firepower to put up big numbers on offense so it will be up to one of the defenses to step and make big plays.

Can Plaquemine deliver an upset or can Woodlawn continue their magical season?

No. 10 Benton (9-2) @ No. 7 Rayne (10-1)

In the first round, Rayne routed Lakeshore 49-18 while Benton destroyed A.J. Ellender 63-28. Winning a playoff game was one of Rayne’s goals after finishing last season 2-8. Now they have the talent and determination to make a deep run in 2016 but first they must stop Benton’s offense who have been held to less than 35 points three times this year.

No. 2 Edna Karr (11-0) @ No. 18 Leesville (7-4)

In the opening round, Edna Karr destroyed Pearl River 62-7 while Leesville routed Beau Chene 40-7. Last week was Leesville’s first playoff victory since 2010 and just the fourth time in the past 21 years that they have advanced to the second round. Their reward will be an undefeated, Edna Karr, last year’s 4A runner-up. Edna Karr wants to get over the hump and win that state title however they must overcome a scrappy Leesville team on the road.

Can Leesville knock off one of the title contenders or can Edna Karr take another step towards going back to the Superdome?

Photo credit: SportsNOLA.com; Edna Karr QB Aldon Clark