Together, we got this!
December 6, 2017
Emelda Trahan
December 6, 2017
There won’t be a local team in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome this season for the LHSAA Football State Championships.
But there are still some awfully sexy matchups that local fans willing to make the drive can enjoy.
The LHSAA State Semifinals were played this past weekend around the state, which means that all nine state championship matchups are now set.
There will be nine games in the dome over a three-day stretch beginning on Thursday at noon with the Class 1A State Championship Game between No. 1 West St. John and No. 3 Kentwood.
Kick-off times each day are noon, 3:30 p.m., then 7 p.m.
The Times will be on hand to cover the championship events.
Follow Managing Editor Casey Gisclair on Twitter @Casey_Gisclair to get live updates
5A/Division I
The two championship games between high-enrollment schools will be loaded with college-level talent.
In Class 5A, No. 4 Zachary will tangle with No. 10 Hahnville in a game that has a lot of people’s attention because of the contrast in styles between the two teams.
For Hahnville, the Tigers are riding high after one of the most dominant postseason runs in Louisiana history.
Halfback Anthony “Pooka” Williams has enjoyed one of the best postseasons in recent memory for the Tigers – a four-game stretch that has seen the halfback accumulate more than 1,200 yards rushing.
In Friday night’s win against Acadiana, Williams rushed for more than 200 yards, while also taking a kickoff back 99 yards for a touchdown.
He scored to send the game to overtime, then scored again in overtime, while also getting the 2-point conversion to win the game – another dominant performance in a season that’s been filled by them.
“He’s unbelievable,” Hahnville coach Nick Saltaformaggio said on Saturday. “Everything we ask of him, he does it. Our team has been terrific, but obviously, he’s been terrific, as well. We’re so proud of him and the roll he’s been on.”
But against Zachary, the Tigers will be facing a defense that isn’t keen on giving up points.
Zachary has one of the best units in the country – a group that allowed just 13 combined points in the final four games of the regular season.
In the playoffs, they’ve not let up, already owning two shutouts, as well as a road win at West Monroe on Friday.
“Something has got to give,” Zachary coach David Brewerton said. “Their kid is running wild and our defense has been stingy. I think everyone is excited to see how it all plays itself out.”
The Class 5A game will end the prep football season. It will be played Saturday night at 7 p.m.
In Division I, state power John Curtis will try and win another ring against Catholic High of Baton Rouge – a Cinderella team who blew up the bracket a little bit.
The Patriots have been one of the top teams in Louisiana throughout the season.
In postseason play, they’ve cruised, easing past both St. Paul’s and Scotlandville.
Catholic High has had a tougher road. They’ve played two-straight slugfests to get to the Superdome, beating St. Augustine 7-3, then a 14-6 upset win over No. 1 Evangel.
That game will take place Saturday at noon.
4A/D-II
In both Class 4A and in Division II, fans will get treated to a battle between the two top teams in the state throughout the whole season.
In Class 4A, No. 1 Karr will take on No. 2 Lakeshore – a battle between two teams who have been regarded among the top teams in their classifications all season.
The Cougars are dynamic and dominant – the defending Class 4A State Champion.
They beat district rival Warren Easton 20-12 on Friday – the second time they’ve downed their rivals this season.
Now, the test will be against Lakeshore – a group that’s riding high with confidence.
The No. 2 seed in the bracket is cruising into the Superdome after beating Rayne 33-0 on Friday night. Before that, they crushed annual powerhouse Neville 55-24 – a win that somewhat alerted fans in Louisiana that Lakeshore was for real and a legitimate threat to win against the best competition.
In Division II, we also get a matchup of No. 1 versus No. 2 when No. 1 De La Salle takes on No. 2 University Lab.
De La Salle has maybe the best resume in Louisiana – any classification.
They’ve beaten South Lafourche, St. Augustine, Karr, Riverside Academy, St. James, St. Charles Catholic and St. Thomas More during their storied season to earn their ticket to the title game – all without a loss.
On the other sideline, University Lab is just as good – also owning an unblemished record heading into the championship game.
Two Fridays ago, U-High beat St. Charles Catholic to earn their spot in the title game. Before that, they opened up postseason with a comfortable win over Teurlings Catholic.
The Division II Championship Game will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
The Class 4A State Championship Game will be on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. •
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