2016 Louisiana High School Football 5A Playoffs Update and Second Round Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

It was a wild first round of the Louisiana 5A as there were three upsets where the lower seeded team punched their ticket to the second round. There were also two teams, No. 20 Central-Baton Rouge and No. 14 Acadiana, who opened the playoffs by shutting out their opponents.

The first round was filled with players that kicked off their playoffs with a bang by putting up noteworthy performances. Some of the players include Parkway junior quarterback Justin Rogers who completed 8-of-11 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Landry-Walker senior quarterback Keytaon Thompson who passed for 251 yards while completing 16-of-19 passes and rushed for 161 yards on 10 carries accounting for six total touchdowns. Mandeville junior quarterback Darren Steele passed for 216 yards and threw two touchdown passes. One final player to highlight is Hahnville junior running back Anthony Williams. Williams rushed the ball 13 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns and caught five passes for 95 yards and one more touchdown.

The second round matchups are set and the field has been reduced to 16 so it’s time to find out who wants to that quarterfinal spot more.

5A Second Round Match-ups

No. 1 Destrehan (10-0) @ No. 17 Mandeville (7-4)

In the first round, Destrehan destroyed Terrebonne, 47-7, while Mandeville shutout Thibodaux 42-0. This will be the second consecutive year where the No. 1 seed will go on the road in the second round. Worth mentioning, in 2015 No. 1 West Monroe was upset by No. 17 Ponchatoula on the road. In 2016, can No. 17 Mandeville take down another No. 1 seed or will Destrehan continue their undefeated season?

No. 9 John Ehret (9-2) @ No. 8 Hahnville (8-2)

Last week, John Ehret defeated Haughton 48-27 while Hahnville beat Covington 31-17. John Ehret scores 33.6 points per game while Hahnville puts up 40.6 points per game. It will be exciting to see which defense can step up and stop or at least limit their opponent. Both teams advanced past the second round last year but only one can claim that coveted spot in the quarterfinals in 2016.

No. 12 Sulphur (8-3) @ No. 5 Landry-Walker (9-2)

In the first round, Landry-Walker dominated Fontainebleau 55-23 while Sulphur escaped past Airline 45-35. Landry-Walker dropped their first two games of the season and has won nine straight since Sept. 16. Sulphur has advanced past the first round for the first time since 2006. If the Golden Tors want to continue their run they must get past the powerful offense of Landry-Walker led by Keytaon Thompson.

No. 4 Parkway (10-1) @ No. 20 Central-Baton Rouge (7-4)

Last week, Parkway destroyed Captain Shreve 60-21 while Central-Baton Rouge shutout No. 13 Live Oak 17-0. This was Central’s first playoff victory since 2013 when they reached the quarterfinals. Parkway has been on a mission to get back to the Dome for the first time since 2013. They’ve won seven straight games since their only loss of the year on Sept. 23. Can Central continue their magical run or will Parkway overcome their four hour trip to Baton Rouge from Bossier City and punch their ticket to the next round?

No. 14 Acadiana (7-3) @ No. 3 Ponchatoula (10-1)

In the first round, Acadiana destroyed Alexandria 52-0 while Ponchatoula squeezed past Comeaux 20-17. This will be a rematch from Week 2 of the season which Ponchatoula won 24-23 at Acadiana but this time there will be a quarterfinal spot on line. It will be interesting to see if Acadiana can get revenge from the loss earlier in the season and upset the No. 3 seed.

No. 11 Zachary (8-3) @ No. 27 East Ascension (4-7)

Last week, Zachary routed Chalmette 51-17 while East Ascension upset Ruston 38-14. This will be a rematch from Week 3 of the season where Zachary escaped past East Ascension 37-31. East Ascension will have the home field advantage this Friday and are looking to upset the defending state champions to continue their magical run.

No. 10 Barbe (10-1) @ No. 7 St. Amant (10-1)

In the first round, Barbe escaped past East St. John 23-19 while St. Amant defeated Slidell 38-24. Both teams’ score over 30 points so it will be interesting to see whether or not this game will turn into a shootout or if one of the defenses steps up. Both teams lost in the second round last year so it will be exciting to see which one-loss team will move on and which one will head home.

No. 2 West Monroe (9-1-1) @ No. 18 Ouachita Parish (6-5)

Last week, Ouachita Parish dominated Walker 67-37 and West Monroe routed Bourgeois H.L. 48-14. On Thursday night these district rivals will collide for a quarterfinal spot. West Monroe fell in the second round last year while Ouachita Parish lost in the first round. These teams met on Oct. 21 also at Ouachita Parish where West Monroe won 44-21. Fans of both teams will pack the stands to the cheer on both teams in this heated rivalry.

Photo credit:  NOLA.com; Parkway QB Justin Rogers