Top 5 LHSAA semifinal playoff matchups in Acadiana
No teams wants to see their season end one win shy of the championship game.
But that’ll be the reality for 16 teams at the conclusion of the semifinals Friday night.
In Acadiana, seven teams remain in the playoffs, vying for a spot in their respective high school football state title games, which will be held inside the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans next week.
The semifinal contests for local teams are what you expect this time of year: mega matchups between two great teams with the ultimate ramifications.
Here are the top five Acadiana games this week with score predictions:
SEMIFINAL SCHEDULELHSAA High school football semifinal playoffs schedule for Acadiana teams
TOP PERFORMERSLHSAA playoffs: Top performers from high school football quarterfinal playoffs in Acadiana
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5. No. 10 Westgate (10-3) at No. 3 Destrehan (12-0), Non-Select Division I
When the playoffs started three weeks ago, not many outside of Westgate believed they’d be one of the last four standing in the Non-Select D-I bracket. But fueled by that disrespect as well as getting its best player, senior safety and Texas football commit Derek Williams, back from injury, the reigning Class 4A state champions are one win away from returning to the Dome. The Tigers draw a formidable Destrehan squad that wasn’t challenged during the regular season, beating teams on average by 41 points. Destrehan is tough to beat at its place.
Prediction: Destrehan 32, Westgate 24
4. No. 4 St. Martin's Episcopal (11-1) at No. 1 Vermilion Catholic (12-0), Select Division IV
Speaking of not being challenged, Vermilion Catholic statistically has one of the best defenses in recent memory, allowing 51 points in 12 games. The Eagles have not allowed more than 7 points in a game since Week 2. St. Martin’s Episcopal comes calling with a worthy offense that has scored 77 points in the playoffs alone the last two weeks and have 412 points this season. This game will come down to a defensive stop. Vermilion Catholic has the ability to do it when it counts and St. Martin’s doesn’t.
Prediction: Vermilion Catholic, 27 St. Martin’s 23
3. E.D. White (11-1) at No. 1 St. Thomas More (11-1), Select Division II
This is a rematch of last season’s semifinal matchup that E.D. White won, 31-21. St. Thomas More gets this showdown on home turf, where it has not lost this season. The Cardinals, who lost in the state championship game last season, are still a ground-and-pound team and will want to keep STM’s high-powered offense off the field. Cougars junior quarterback Sam Altmann had a big performance against Madison Prep last week, and the team will need another out of him along with receiver Christian McNees to pull this one out.
Prediction: St. Thomas More 24 E.D.White 20
2. Brother Martin (8-5) at No. 8 Carencro (9-2), Select Division I
No team in the state had a bigger win than Carencro last week, going on the road and knocking off perennial power Warren Easton. Quarterback Chantz Ceaser and do-it-all playmaker Chantz Babineaux have been special all season for the Golden Bears. As good as last week’s win for Carencro was, there are few hotter teams than Brother Martin, which has gone on a tear in the playoffs, knocking off LSU commit quarterback Rickie Collins at Woodlawn-Baton Rouge in the opening round then beating No. 4 St. Augustine and Northwood-Shreveport.
Prediction: Carencro 36, Brother Martin 23
1. No. 6 Lafayette Christian (9-3) at No. 2 Teurlings Catholic (11-1), Select Division II
What’s better than facing off with your district rival for a spot in the state title game? Not much. District 4-4A foes will converge on the field at Rebel Stadium, battling like there’s no tomorrow. Quarterbacks Ju’Juan Johnson from LCA and Preston Welch from Teurlings will duel again. But the fate of this game will rest on turnovers and defense. The Rebels won a thriller at Knights Stadium earlier this year. Expect another classic.
Prediction: Teurlings Catholic 15, Lafayette Christian 14
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LHSAA high school football semifinals: Acadiana's top 5 matchups
