Louisiana High School Football 4A Playoff Preview
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
Its playoff time in Louisiana as the 32 best 4A schools are set to battle it out for a chance to play for the state championship in New Orleans on December 12. The first round starts Friday all over the state and every team has their eye on winning on the ultimate prize.
Last year, Neville capped off an undefeated season by squeaking past Warren Easton 28-27 in the title game. This year Neville is once again undefeated and has captured the No. 1 seed in the tournament while Warren Easton is the No. 5 seed. Crowley, Cecilia, and Benton received seeds two through four.
Among the 32 teams there is a host of great players all trying to lead their lead to the state title. These players include Neville 4-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence, Edna Karr defensive end Andre Anthony (LSU), Livonia defensive end Willie Baker (Louisiana Tech) and defensive back Donovan Roberson, Bastrop wide receiver Isaiah Graham (TCU), Warren Easton linebacker Pernell Jefferson (Oklahoma), Cecilia running back Raymond Calais, Breaux Bridge linebacker Korey Louis (Louisiana-Lafayette), Northwood wide receiver Marquez Stevenson (Houston), McDonogh 35 defensive end Sci Martin and defensive tackle Stephon Taylor, and Crowley wide receiver Jacq’co Price (Tulane).
Along with these players to follow there are also some storylines to follow including whether or not Neville can repeat as champions? Can any lower seeded teams make a deep run in the playoffs? Will there be any upsets in the first round? How will teams respond if they have to travel from north Louisiana to the southern part of the state or vice versa?
Who will come out on top of this tough 4A bracket? Only time will tell.
First Round Louisiana High School Football 4A Playoff Games
No. 32 Beau Chene @ No. 1 Neville
No. 17 Woodlawn-BR @ No. 16 Carencro
No. 24 St. Martinville @ No. 9 North DeSoto
No. 25 Loranger @ No. 8 Lakeshore
No. 28 Belle Chasse @ No. 5 Warren Easton
No. 21 Carver Collegiate Academy @ No. 12 Plaquemine
No. 20 Woodlawn-Shreveport @ No. 13 McDonogh 35
No. 29 Fair Park @ No. 4 Benton
No. 30 Northwood @ No. 3 Cecilia
No. 19 DeRidder @ No. 14 Edna Karr
No. 22 South Lafourche @ No. 11 Bastrop
No. 27 West Ouachita @ No. 6 Assumption
No. 26 Tioga @ No. 7 Minden
No. 23 Breaux Bridge @ No. 10 Franklinton
No. 18 Livonia @ No. 15 LaGarange
No. 31 Abbeville @ No. 2 Crowley
Photo credit: nola.com; Neville DT Rashard Lawrence tackles a Warren Easton player in last year’s championship game