Week 5 Watchlist: Games and Storylines From Around The Boot
by Marshall Loeffler // GeauxPreps.com
It has been a busy week at GeauxPreps and everywhere else in the LHSAA, as updates come across the wire about games being moved up to Thursday. This time, not due to official shortages (which still exist), but because rain is coming this weekend and stadiums are preparing to host a game a day (or two) early.
We have done our absolute best to keep everything as accurate and current as possible, but please feel free to get in touch with us anytime there is an update that we can help share with the state. Text our score line at (318) 266-7734.
It is a good thing to be able to adjust with a few days’ notice like this, so we are thankful to do our part here to make sure scores and updates from every team are in place as soon as possible. Now, to remind myself what day it actually is…
Here’s a look around our great state for a few games and stories in Week 5 that have caught my attention.
NORTHWEST LOUISIANA
What everyone is watching: The offensive shootout that is anticipated between Calvary Baptist and Loyola College Prep may be affected by the weather somewhat, but it is one of my favorite overall games of Week 5. CBA is a really good team with a really good defense, and Loyola put up 71 points last week and are fine doing that again.
Calvary also has an elite offense, and Loyola’s defense is getting healthy and up for their biggest challenge yet. Will both quarterbacks go shot for shot, or are we in for something else? Stay tuned.
What else I’m excited to see: Union needs a win; they have played very tough teams, but they have not been able to score with consistency and do not need to go 0-5 with the roster that they have.
This team is equipped to make another playoff run, but a loss to Haynesville will keep them further down the list of power points, and the Golden Tornado team also needs to stack up as many wins as they can in order to find a top spot in a really good Division IV Non-Select bracket.
BAYOU AND RIVER PARISHES
What everyone is watching: Terrebonne heads to Bourg Friday night to renew the rivalry with South Terrebonne against a Gators team that enters 3-1. The Tigers are 1-3 but are averaging 27.5 points per game. South Terrebonne leads the all-time series 13-6, but Terrebonne has won the last two meetings.
What else I’m excited to see: There are actually a lot of good games in this part of the state this week, but I really am eager to see how Riverside matches up with St. Charles Catholic (and vice versa).
Obviously, both teams were impressive in New Orleans last year, and both of their respective brackets are waiting to see if an undisputed top seed emerges during the regular season. Both squads have been playing well, this should be a good one.
ACADIANA
What everyone is watching: For the first time as district foes, St. Thomas More and Lafayette will face off in what should be a highly anticipated showdown. The Cougars are riding high after taking down Acadiana, in a 27–20 victory.
On the flip side, the Mighty Lions are seeking their first district win after falling short against Barbe.
Lamar commit Jaden Celestine will look to run through STM’s defense after finishing with 139 total yards and two touchdowns last week. Led by sophomore quarterback Grayson Hemard and a senior-led backfield, STM is aiming for a 2–0 start to district play.
What else I’m excited to see: Before kicking off district play, Lafayette Christian Academy has one more tune-up as it hits the road to face Opelousas. Both teams enter the matchup 3–1 on the season, with LCA being shut out against Alexandria and Opelousas dropping last week’s game to Westgate.
Both squads will be itching to get their fourth victory. Leading the Tigers this season is a stingy defense that held its first two opponents scoreless to start the year. The Knights have featured two different quarterbacks at the helm in Ty Hills and Kyzer White. White led LCA past Teurlings Catholic in Week 4 and will look to guide them to another big win this week.
CAPITAL AREA
What everyone is watching: Catholic’s trip to Madison-Ridgeland Academy is another stop in a far-reaching schedule for the Baton Rouge program. The Bears are playing three out-of-state opponents this season — Carrollton of Georgia, MRA of Mississippi and Legacy School of Sports Sciences of Texas — the first time in program history they’ve scheduled three non-Louisiana teams in one season, plus the long trip to Ruston. At 1-3, Catholic faces another tough test against a 5-1 MRA team.
What else I’m excited to see: Brusly heads to Plaquemine Friday night for a District 6-4A matchup between two familiar rivals. The Panthers are 2-3 after three straight losses, while Plaquemine is 2-2 and coming off a convincing 41-8 win over McKinley. Plaquemine has won the last two meetings, including a 20-12 victory at Brusly last season, but the Panthers have had plenty of success in the series, which has been played 14 times since 2005.
NEW ORLEANS
What everyone is watching: John Curtis and Archbishop Rummel meet Thursday night in a matchup that is of the area’s better rivalries. The Patriots enter 2-2 after a 42-32 loss to St. Augustine, while Rummel is unbeaten at 4-0. The series has been pretty close, with John Curtis holding a narrow 7-6 edge in 13 meetings.
Rummel won 14-7 in 2024 before Curtis answered with a 21-19 victory last season, setting up another intriguing chapter between two of the state’s perennial powers.
What else I’m excited to see: Jesuit and Holy Cross renew one of New Orleans’ oldest football rivalries Friday night at Tad Gormley Stadium. The schools have met every year since 1922, making this the 107th meeting, with Jesuit holding a 63-43-1 series advantage.
Holy Cross won the previous two meetings before Jesuit answered with a 20-12 victory last season. This year’s game also marks the 20th anniversary of the Golden Football, the traveling trophy awarded to the winner of the rivalry.
NORTHEAST LOUISIANA
What everyone is watching: West Monroe and Neville renew one of North Louisiana’s longstanding rivalries Friday night in Monroe. Both teams enter at 3-1, setting up a matchup between two programs with plenty of history.
Neville leads the all-time series 39-10-2, although West Monroe has won six of the nine meetings since 2009. Neville won last year’s meeting 22-19, and both teams are coming off great games last week.
What else I’m excited to see: Delhi Charter travels to Ferriday on Friday night to face Delta Charter in a matchup between two nearby programs looking to get on track. Delhi Charter enters 0-3 after losses to Cedar Creek, Jonesboro-Hodge and Caldwell Parish, while Delta Charter is also searching for its first win.
The series has been competitive historically, with Delta Charter holding a 5-4 edge in nine meetings since 2019. Delta won the most recent meeting, 60-42, in 2023, but Friday gives Delhi Charter a chance to change the recent trend and pick up its first victory of the season.
NORTHSHORE
What everyone is watching: Mandeville visits Slidell Thursday night for a District 5-5A matchup between two Northshore programs coming off strong starts. The Skippers are 4-0 and have scored 199 points through four games, while Slidell is 3-1 and averaging 34.5 points per game.
Slidell won last year’s meeting 28-14, but Mandeville answered with a dominant start this season, making Thursday’s game an intriguing early district test.
What else I’m excited to see: Salmen heads to New Orleans Thursday night to face John F. Kennedy in a non-district matchup at Pan American Stadium. The Spartans are 2-2 and coming off a thrilling 28-27 win over Amite, while Kennedy is 3-1 after shutting out Landry 46-0 last week.
Salmen has shown some offensive balance this season, averaging 25.5 points per game, but Kennedy has been particularly strong, scoring 158 points through four games.
CENTRAL LOUISIANA
What everyone is watching: Jena and Tioga meet Friday night in a matchup between two 3-1 teams that have already put together impressive offensive numbers. Jena is coming off a 52-6 win over Winnfield and has scored 124 points through four games, while Tioga has piled up 179 points, including 49 against Red River and 52 against Pineville.
Tioga won last year’s meeting 45-26 after Jena won the previous two. Friday’s game should be another good test before both teams turn their attention to district play.
What else I’m excited to see: Kinder visits Bunkie Friday night in a non-district matchup between two teams coming off consecutive wins. The Yellow Jackets are 1-3 but faced a challenging opening slate, while Bunkie is 2-2 after wins over Avoyelles and Northside.
Kinder was 11-1 last season and reached the Division III Non-Select quarterfinals, so this is an important opportunity for the Yellowjackets to regain some momentum before district play. Bunkie, meanwhile, gets a chance to build on a strong stretch and add another win before some good teams come calling in their district.
SOUTHWEST LOUISIANA
What everyone is watching: Sulphur and Barbe meet Friday night in one of Southwest Louisiana’s marquee rivalries, with both teams entering unbeaten. The Golden Tors have scored 194 points through four games, while Barbe has put up 189, setting up a matchup between two explosive offenses and teams that have every reason to think they will be playing a few more than ten games.
What else I’m excited to see: Elton and JS Clark meet Thursday night in Opelousas with both teams entering at 3-1. Elton has been particularly productive offensively, scoring 155 points through four games, including 44 points in each of its last two wins.
JS Clark has also shown plenty of firepower, scoring 42 points against Istrouma before shutting out East Iberville. With both teams coming off strong starts, this non-district matchup should give each program another quality test before district play.
STAY SAFE OUT THERE!
Keep an eye on the radar; Thursday is going to see some rain for a few games, and I would bring my shrimp boots to the tailgate on Friday. Keep those scores and stats coming throughout the week and into the weekend.
We are excited to see who is rolling at the halfway point, and we are just a couple of days away from finding out all the surprises and spectacular performances we have already had after five weeks. Have fun out there this weekend!