2016 Louisiana High School Football 5A Semifinal Preview

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

There are four teams remaining in this tough 2016 Louisiana High School Football 5A Playoff bracket. The remaining teams includes the No. 1, No. 2, and No. 5 seed. A Cinderella team that knows how to win a state title is still in play adding another interesting story line to the playoffs. Teams with winning streaks of 12-, 11-, and 10-games are all on the line come Friday with each pushing to get to the Superdome in New Orleans.

Destrehan, the undefeated No. 1 seed, looks to continue their magical season by capping it off with a state championship. Landry-Walker, the No. 5 seed, is on an 11-game winning streak and is having one of the best seasons in their history. Zachary, the No. 11 seed, is trying to become the second straight school to win back-to-back titles since Acadiana won in 2013 and 2014. West Monroe, the No. 2 seed, is an eight-time Louisiana state champion riding a 10-game winning streak.

The four remaining teams will do everything in their power to win their semifinal round game to advance to the state championship game on Dec. 10.

No. 5 Landry-Walker Charging Buccaneers (11-2) @ No. 1 Destrehan Wildcats (12-0)

In the quarterfinals, Landry-Walker destroyed Parkway, 61-21, while Destrehan squeaked past John Ehret, 21-14.

Running back John Emery was the star in Destrehan’s win scoring all three of the Wildcats’ touchdowns on Friday night. Other Destrehan players to watch for against Landry-Walker includes starting senior quarterback Kohen Granier, who has been battling a knee injury all season, and senior wide receiver Michael Young, a Notre Dame commit. If Granier cannot play, backup J.R. Blood will definitely be ready to step in as he has played some significant minutes during the playoffs including most of Destrehan’s quarterfinal win.

In Landry-Walker’s destruction of Parkway, senior quarterback and Mississippi State commit Keytaon Thompson led the way by completing 17-of-25 passes for 250 yards, rushing for 56 yards, and accounting for five touchdowns. Other Landry-Walker players to watch includes West Virginia commit Tevin Bush, wide receiver Devonta Jason, and cornerback Corione Harris.

Both teams have powerful offenses as Landry-Walker scores an incredible 47 points a game including averaging 55.3 points in their three previous playoff games. Destrehan scores 38.6 points a game constantly putting pressure on the opposition to stop them and keep up on the scoreboard.

One of these two defenses, who are both limiting teams to about 20 points a game, will need to step up and make big plays if they want to survive and play for a state championship.

No. 11 Zachary Broncos (10-3) @ No. 2 West Monroe Rebels (11-1-1)

In the quarterfinals, West Monroe got past St. Amant, 45-31, while Zachary escaped past Acadiana, 31-24.

West Monroe was led to victory by junior athlete Slade Bolden who ran for an incredible 351 yards and five touchdowns on 26 carries. Other players to watch includes senior running back Trey Coleman, a Tennessee commit, and senior quarterback Robert Scott Foust. On defense, a couple Rebels to lookout for includes defensive tackle Dennis Collins, a TCU commit, and linebackers Jacob Adams and John Bailey Gullatt.

Zachary, the defending 5A champions, are still alive thanks in part to the play of quarterback Keilon Brown. Brown threw for 264 yards, rushed for 86 yards, and accounted for all four touchdowns including scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a 21-yard run with 1:06 left in the contest. Other Broncos to watch include linebacker Donovan Perkins and wide receiver Trae Shropshire.

West Monroe is trying to get back to the state championship game since their last title in 2011. Zachary is trying to accomplish the task of traveling all the way from southern Louisiana to West Monroe in hopes of taking down one of the powerhouse programs in the state for the chance to defend their crown.

Who will win this highly anticipated matchup? Only time will tell.

Photo credit: The Town Talk; West Monroe athlete Slade Bolden