How Their Histories Stack Up: Dome trips, past titles, and what’s at stake for each semifinalist
by: Vincent Cacioppo // GeauxPreps.com Managing Editor
Division I (Non-Select)
#1 Ruston vs. #13 Zachary
Ruston enters the semifinals following a 38–28 win over Southside in the quarterfinals, continuing their run as the top seed. The Bearcats are aiming to return to the Caesars Superdome for the fourth straight season. Ruston is hunting its 10th state title in school history.
Zachary rides into the semifinals with one of the biggest wins of the quarterfinals, a 31–27 road victory over defending state champion Central. The Broncos have flipped the bracket upside down as the No. 13 seed and now look to secure their fifth state championship. A win would send Zachary to its seventh state title appearance.
#14 Ouachita Parish vs. #2 Neville
Ouachita Parish has been one of the surprise stories of the postseason, with upset wins over #6 Parkway and #3 Destrehan. The Lions are now one win away from reaching the dome for the first time in 20 years. A victory would give the school a chance at its first state championship since 1994.
The Tigers dominated their first two postseason opponents, defeating Mandeville 31–14 and shutting out Barbe 42–0 in the quarterfinals. Neville is chasing state title No. 13 and its first trip to the championship dome since 2016. Their last crown came a decade ago in a win over Karr.
Division II (Non-Select)
#2 North DeSoto vs. #5 Plaquemine
North DeSoto has steamrolled its way to the semifinals, putting up monster offensive numbers with a 56–13 win over DeRidder followed by a 51–37 victory in the quarterfinals. The Griffins are aiming for only the second Superdome appearance in school history. With one of the state’s most explosive offenses, North DeSoto is chasing the program’s first state championship.
Plaquemine has also been piling up points throughout the postseason. The Green Devils opened with a 55–0 win over Livonia, followed by a 54–14 victory over Wossman and a 47–28 quarterfinal win over Cecilia. Plaquemine is searching for its first-ever state championship and its first appearance in the title game since 1961.
#3 Belle Chasse vs. #2 Iowa
Belle Chasse survived a defensive slugfest in the regional round, defeating Opelousas 7–6, before responding with a 39–16 win over West Feliciana in the quarterfinals. The Cardinals are looking to return to the Superdome for the first time since 2008, the same year they captured their lone state championship.
Undefeated Iowa continues to be one of the postseason’s most explosive offenses, hanging 68 points in the second round and escaping the quarterfinals with a tight win over Lutcher. The Yellow Jackets are on the brink of history, seeking the program’s first-ever trip to a state championship game.
Division III (Non-Select)
#1 Jena vs. #12 Union Parish
Jena has looked unstoppable on its quest for the school’s first-ever Superdome appearance. The Giants rolled to a 48–14 win over St. Helena before overpowering Mansfield 44–20 in the quarterfinals. With a win tonight, Jena will head to the state championship game for the first time in school history.
Union Parish has embraced the underdog role once again, grinding out wins over Rayville, Erath, and Kinder in low-scoring battles. The Farmers are seeking their sixth trip to the state championship game and their second title in three seasons after winning it all in 2023.
#3 St. James vs. #2 Sterlington
St. James has been explosive, scoring 50-plus points in each of its first two playoff matchups while knocking off Many and Oak Grove. The Wildcats enter a rematch of last year’s state title game with Sterlington. St. James seeks its 13th championship appearance and hopes to win its sixth state title, the last coming in 2019.
The Panthers have looked dominant once again, putting together a massive 71–26 regional win over Donaldsonville before dismantling Loreauville 44–6 in the quarterfinals. The defending state champions aim to punch their ticket back to the dome for the seventh time and bring home the school’s fourth state championship.
Division IV (Non-Select)
#1 Haynesville vs. #4 Jeanerette
Haynesville continues its march toward perfection, rolling through the playoffs with wins over Homer and Jonesboro-Hodge. One of Louisiana’s most storied programs, the Golden Tornado aims for state championship No. 18 and their 26th appearance.
Jeanerette is enjoying one of the program’s best postseason runs in school history, cruising to wins over Grand Lake and Logansport. The Tigers are now knocking on the door of history as they seek their first-ever state championship appearance.
#3 South Plaquemines vs. #2 Mangham
South Plaquemines looks to defend its crown after last year’s championship win over Haynesville. The Hurricanes reached the semifinals with a gritty 6–0 defensive win over West St. Mary and a 27–12 quarterfinal win over North Iberville. The Hurricanes are chasing their fourth state title and fifth championship appearance as they try to go back-to-back.
Mangham enters the semifinal round after taking down West St. John and East Feliciana in the first two rounds. The Dragons are chasing their second state championship, the last coming in 1956, and their sixth title game appearance.
Division I (Select)
#1 Edna Karr vs. #4 Catholic-BR
Karr continues to overwhelm, beating Jesuit 39–13 and Evangel 49–20 as they push toward another undefeated season. The Cougars are one win away from their 11th trip to the state championship game and hope to secure back to back titles and no. 8 overall.
Catholic-BR has shown championship form throughout the playoffs, rolling past Captain Shreve and Alexandria to set up a semifinal rematch from 2024 with Karr. The Bears aim for their ninth state championship game appearance and their 6th state title, though their 2017 and 2020 titles were vacated due to LHSAA sanctions.
#3 St. Augustine vs. #7 John Curtis
The Purple Knights have battled their way to the semifinals with wins over Acadiana and Rummel. St. Aug is just one win away from their first Superdome appearance since 1979, when they last won a state title. The Knights are pursuing their fourth championship and fifth overall state title game appearance.
John Curtis, the state’s most decorated football program, is chasing yet another title run after dominating STM 49–7 and upsetting No. 2 Teurlings Catholic 21–7. With 28 state championships, though their 2013 title was later removed due to LHSAA sanctions, Curtis seeks its first Superdome trip since 2022.
Division II (Select)
#1 St. Charles vs. #4 University Lab
St. Charles has cruised through the playoffs, defeating Northside 56–7 and blanking E.D. White 31–0 in the quarterfinals. The Comets look primed for their eighth championship appearance as they pursue their fourth state title, and their first since 2022.
The Cubs arrives in the semifinals after a 32–30 win over Madison Prep in the quarterfinals and an and a win over John F. Kennedy the week prior. U-high is searching for their seventh state title and their 12th championship game appearance.
#6 Vandebilt Catholic vs. #7 Archbishop Shaw
The Terriers have sparked one of the postseason’s most compelling runs, beating Leesville and then upsetting Lake Charles Prep 31–28. Vandebilt is in position to make their first championship appearance since 1977 and are chasing the program’s first-ever state title.
Shaw is rolling at the right time, taking out Haynes Academy and then knocking out one of the best offenses in the state, No. 2 Loyola, in a 38–7 win. The Eagles look to capture back-to-back titles, pursuing their third state championship in school history. A victory tonight would send them to their ninth overall appearance in the state championships.
Division III (Select)
#1 Lafayette Christian vs. #5 Dunham
LCA has been every bit the powerhouse expected, posting a 57–10 win over Parkview Baptist and a 49–14 victory over Catholic-NI. The Knights are hoping to bring home their fifth state championship, and make their eighth finals appearance.
The Tigers have been rolling in their own right, putting up 62 points in the regional round and 48 more in a quarterfinal win over Newman. Dunham is eyeing their fourth championship appearance and their first state title since 2004.
#6 Calvary vs. #2 Notre Dame
The Cavaliers survived a defensive battle against Jewel Sumner (14-7) and then powering past Country Day in a high-scoring win, 66-30. Calvary looks to capture their second state title in three years and the fifth in school history. A win tonight would also mark their fifth championship game appearance.
Notre Dame continues its consistent postseason march with wins over De La Salle (28-19( and Lafayette Renaissance (27-19). The Pioneers aim for their 14th championship appearance and their seventh state title. Their last crown came in 2018.
Division IV (Select)
#1 Westminster Christian vs. #5 Ascension Catholic
Westminster Christian is still perfect perfect while rolling through Opelousas Catholic (48-35) and St. Edmund (52-22) in the playoffs. The Crusaders are seeking the school’s first-ever state championship appearance.
Ascension Catholic enters the semifinal after a 62–9 win over St. Mary’s and a 50-42 win over Catholic-PC. The Bulldogs look to reach the state finals for the fourth time and chase their fourth state title, their last coming in 1992.
#6 Ascension Episcopal vs. #2 Riverside Academy
Ascension Episcopal has made noise with back-to-back playoff wins, including a quarterfinal upset over Hamilton Christian. The Blue Gators aim to return to the state championship game for the first time since 2016, the year they were awarded their lone state title following a forfeit by Southern Lab. A win tonight would mark the program’s second-ever appearance in the state title game.
Riverside is rolling through postseason with wins over Delta Charter and Ouachita Christian. The Rebels are targeting their seventh trip to the state championship game and hope to secure their second state title, their first coming in 2016.