Race is on for prep football playoff berths

• By BRYAN LAZARE
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 4, 2009

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On Sunday afternoon, the brackets for the upcoming Louisiana High School Athletic Association football playoffs will be announced.

As has been the case for nearly 20 years, there will be state champions in five classifications. There could be some differences from a year ago.

Two of last season’s champions — Destrehan in Class 5A and Belle Chasse in Class 4A — might need victories this week to merely qualify for the postseason field. Class 3A will have a new champion because Lutcher has moved up one spot in classification.

John Curtis and South Plaquemines have the capability to repeat in Classes 2A and Class 1A, respectively.

Each bracket has 32 teams. All teams that won or tied for district championships are automatic qualifiers. The remaining berths are filled out by wild-card teams, according to the LHSAA’s power-rating system.

Here’s a look at each district in the state: with one week remaining in the regular season:

CLASS 5A

District 1: West Monroe (9-0) has clinched a tie for the title. If West Monroe loses to Pineville (1-8), Ouachita (6-3) can share the championship by beating Captain Shreve (6-3). Wild-card possibilities: Ouachita, Captain Shreve, Airline (6-3) and Southwood (4-5).

District 3: Barbe (7-2) has clinched a tie for the crown. If Barbe loses to Sulphur (4-5), Acadiana (7-2) can share the title by beating Lafayette (3-6). Wild-card possibilities: Acadiana, LaGrange (6-3) and Sulphur.

District 4: St. Thomas More (6-3) is the champion. Wild-card possibilities: New Iberia (7-2), Westgate (5-4) and Comeaux (5-4).

District 5: Central (8-1) has clinched a tie for the crown. If Central loses to Live Oak (4-5), Catholic High (7-2) can share the title by beating Zachary (3-6). Wild-card possibilities: Catholic, Denham Springs (7-2) and Live Oak.

District 6: Hahnville (8-1) has clinched a tie for the championship. East St. John (7-2) can share the crown by beating Hahnville. Wild-card possibilities: East St. John, Dutchtown (6-3), St. Amant (5-4), Destrehan (4-5) and East Ascension (4-5).

District 7: St. Paul’s (8-1) has clinched a tie for the title. If St. Paul’s loses to Fontainebleau (1-8), Mandeville (6-3) can share the championship by beating Covington (4-5). Wild-card possibilities: Mandeville, Covington, Hammond (4-5), Ponchatoula (4-5) and Slidell (4-5).