2016 Louisiana High School Football Division II Semifinal Playoff Update

Written by Charlie Beuttel

Twitter: @charlie_cds3

It is semifinal time in the 2016 Louisiana High School Football Division II Playoffs with De La Salle, Parkview, University Lab, and St. Thomas More left to battle it out for a chance to bring home a state championship in 2016.

Both participants in the 2015 state title game are still alive as Parkview Baptist and St. Thomas More could potentially face off again. De La Salle, the undefeated No. 1 seed, is also still alive with the Cavaliers trying to cap off an undefeated season to win their first state championship in football. University Lab, the tough No. 7 seed, rounds out the semifinalists. University Lab is looking to get back to New Orleans after falling in the championship game in 2013 and winning the championship in 2014.

No. 5 Parkview Baptist (7-4) @ No. 1 De La Salle (11-0)

In the quarterfinals, De La Salle destroyed Lusher Charter 56-26 while Parkview Baptist defeated Teurlings Catholic 38-21. The Cavaliers of De La Salle started off their quarterfinal matchup in style with Myles Ward returning the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore running back Kendall Collins led De La Salle with 191 rushing yards and one touchdown on only 10 carries. In their win the Cavaliers racked an incredible 370 yards rushing.

Parkview Baptist, the defending Division II state champions, used their lockdown defense and rushing attack to get past Teurlings Catholic. The Eagles racked up over 200 rushing yards led by Connor Joffrion who had 70 yards and three touchdowns.

It will be exciting to see if Parkview Baptist can reach the Superdome in New Orleans battling for a chance to win back-to-back titles or if De La Salle can continue their undefeated season and cap it off with their first state title.

No. 7 University Lab (8-4) @ No. 3 St. Thomas More (8-3)

In the quarterfinals, St. Thomas More destroyed E.D. White 56-7 while University Lab defeated Loyola College Prep 41-25. The University Lab Cubs were led to victory by running back Mike Hollins who ran for an incredible 247 yards. Overall in their win, University Lab racked up a total of 640 yards of offense.

St. Thomas More used a balanced attack on offense as the Cougars had 267 rushing and 220 passing yards in their quarterfinal win. Quarterback Nate Cox helped lead St. Thomas More to victory as he completed 9-of-12 attempts and threw three touchdown passes including two passes to Alex Hannie and one to Louisiana Tech commit Griffin Hebert.

University Lab has reached the semifinals or finals every season since 2013 including falling to eventual state champion, Parkview Baptist, in the semis last season. St. Thomas More made the state championship game before falling to Parkview Baptist in heartbreaking fashion 21-14. Both teams want to get back to the championship game and have a chance to battle for a state championship.

Photo credit: The Advocate; University Lab running back Mike Hollins