GeauxPreps Top Regional Football Games For Week 8
GeauxPreps/LSWA Top 10 Rankings listed. Games and times are subject to change.
Acadiana
No. 10 Cecilia (6-1) at No. 10 Opelousas (6-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Donald Gardner Stadium, 1422 South Union St, Opelousas
Last week: Cecilia beat Beau Chene, 48-7; Opelousas beat Livonia, 41-13
Last meeting: Cecilia beat Opelousas, 23-0 (2021)
Facts: Despite taking its lumps with 14 freshmen starters a year ago, Opelousas has turned those lessons learned into wins in 2022. The Tigers have enjoyed considerable success with marquee wins but their biggest test stands in front of them on Friday as Cecilia rushes into town for a district showdown. The Bulldogs have owned this series with eight straight wins dating back to 2009. Opelousas is currently ranked No. 2 in its playoff division and a win on Friday night would lock them in as a team to watch in the postseason.
Other Top Area Games: Abbeville at Erath; Barbe at Lafayette; Catholic-PC at St. Edmund; Southside at Acadiana; St. Thomas More at Teurlings Catholic; Westgate at Lafayette Christian
Capital Area
No. 4/5 Kentwood (6-1) at Slaughter Charter (6-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Knight Stadium, 2944 Hwy-412, Slaughter
Last week: Kentwood beat McDonogh #35, 29-12; Slaughter beat Central Private, 50-6
Last meeting: First meeting
Facts: Slaughter Charter is enjoying one of its best seasons in recent years, yet, has much left to prove. A victory over perennial power Kentwood on Friday could boost the Knights into a team to keep an eye on in the postseason but it could be a tough hill to climb. This week’s district showdown will be the first meeting between the two schools and with Kentwood’s having endured a tough pre-district slate, the Kangaroos could have the upper advantage. However, you never turn a blind eye to the team that wants to be where Kentwood is and is willing to pull out all the tricks to get there.
Other Top Area Games: Albany at Amite; Avoyelles at Southern Lab; Catholic-BR at Woodlawn-BR; Denham Springs at East Ascension; Dunham at East Feliciana; Kentwood at Slaughter; White Castle at St. John
Central Louisiana
Red River (3-4) at Winnfield (5-2)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Stokes-Walker Stadium, 8991 LA-501, Winnfield
Last week: Red River beat Lakeview, 40-6; Winnfield lost to Many, 42-14
Last meeting: Red River beat Winnfield, 41-25
Facts: Red River hopes to stay undefeated in District 3-2A action Friday night as it makes the trip to take on Winnfield. The Bulldogs have had the upper hand in the series over the last few years with a win in the last five meetings. Winnfield, who hopes to overcome a 42-14 loss to Many last week, is looking for its first victory in the series since 2012. Both teams are looking to improve their positioning in the playoff power ratings with Red River hoping to keep its spot in the top 16 in hopes of hosting a first-round game. Look for a lot of points to be score in this shootout.
Other Top Area Games: Caldwell Parish at Buckeye; Logansport at LaSalle
Greater New Orleans & Northshore
No. 5/5 Madison Prep (5-2) at No. 2/3 Warren Easton (6-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Thursday, Joe Brown Stadium, 5601 Read Blvd, New Orleans
Last week: Madison Prep beat University Lab, 40-37; Warren Easton beat Douglass, 56-0
Last meeting: First meeting
Facts: If Madison Prep does not advance to the state title game this season, it won’t be because of not playing a tough regular season schedule to help them prepare. The Chargers are stepping out of district play this week as they make the trip to New Orleans for a Thursday night showdown with Warren Easton. In the first meeting between the two programs, Madison Prep hopes to provide an upset over the Eagles who rank in the top three of its playoff division. Warren Easton has not backed down from a fight as well playing Ruston, Catholic-BR and Edna Karr among others to help prepare for the postseason. This will be a fun non-district game to catch for the casual high school fan.
Other Top Area Games: Brother Martin vs. Archbishop Rummel; Carver vs. McDonogh #35; Covington at Slidell; John Ehret at Chalmette; Lakeshore at Pearl River; St. Augustine vs. John Curtis
Northeast Louisiana
No. 8/8 Carroll (6-0) at Franklin Parish (6-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Patriot Stadium, 1600 Glover Dr, Winnsboro
Last week: Carroll beat North Webster, 49-7; Franklin Parish beat Tioga, 23-13
Last meeting: Carroll beat Franklin Parish, 35-12
Facts: Carroll looks to keep the momentum going in one of the best seasons in the history of its football program. The Bulldogs are just one of 14 schools in the state to remain undefeated but will put that streak on the line against a tough Franklin Parish squad in a non-district contest. Carroll got the best of the Patriots a year ago and would benefit from another win in terms of playoff power points. Franklin Parish has won a couple of key district games over the last few weeks but its this game that could help improve their playoff seeding. The Bulldogs have defeated Sterlington and Wossman on the road in big games this season and hope to add to that collection on Friday.
Other Top Area Games: Calvary Baptist at D’Arbonne Woods; Cedar Creek at Ouachita Christian; Delta Charter at Delhi; Ouachita Parish at West Monroe; Union Parish at Richwood
Northwest Louisiana
C.E. Byrd (5-2) at Airline (4-3)
When, where: 7 p.m., Thursday, M.D. Ray Field at Viking Stadium, 2801 Airline Dr, Bossier City
Last week: C.E. Byrd beat Parkway, 39-14; Airline beat Haughton, 55-42
Last meeting: C.E. Byrd beat Airline, 51-27 (2021)
Facts: Here is a spoiler for this week’s game… C.E. Byrd is still a contender after ruining Parkway’s undefeated record in a shock 39-14 victory over the Panthers last week. The Yellow Jackets hope to do the same again this week as they face off against league-leader Airline but it won’t be an easy task as the Vikings enter Thursday’s showdown averaging 54.5 points per game in district action. However, Byrd quarterback Lake Lambert is back from a recent injury and has the Jackets pointed in the right direction with his command of the Wing-T offense. Airline will counter with some of the state’s top statistical leaders in quarterback Ben Taylor and receiver Daxton Chavez. Strap on those working boots tight and expect an all-out battle.
Other Top Area Games: Arcadia at Homer; Benton at Haughton; Huntington at North DeSoto
South Central
Hanson Memorial (7-0) at No. 10 Central Catholic (6-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Thursday, Morgan City Stadium, 1308 Sixth St, Morgan City
Last week: Hanson Memorial beat Centerville, 40-8; Central Catholic beat Berwick, 35-28
Last meeting: Central Catholic 42, Hanson Memorial 20
Facts: In a rivalry that has been dominated by Central Catholic over the last 18 meetings, Hanson Memorial hopes to shock the state. The Tigers remain as one of the few teams in the state with an undefeated record and plan to keep it that way on Thursday. However, Central Catholic has something to say about that as the Eagles hope to maintain their position atop the District 7-1A standings. Both teams know how to score points while stifling opposing offenses. Central Catholic’s Damondrick Blackburn is an unstoppable force on the ground and hopes to be the catalyst in the showdown between district foes. A victory for Hanson Memorial would not only be historic but could help earn them a prime spot in their respective postseason bracket.
Other Top Area Games: Archbishop Shaw at Patterson; East St. John at Terrebonne; E.D. White at Berwick; M.L. King Charter at St. Charles
Southwest Louisiana
Lake Charles Prep (3-4) at No. 7/6 Iowa (6-1)
When, where: 7 p.m., Friday, Iowa Football Stadium, 401 W Miller Ave, Iowa,
Last week: Lake Charles Prep lost to St. Louis, 23-13; Iowa beat Westlake, 27-0
Last meeting: Lake Charles Prep 27, Iowa 26 (2021)
Facts: Lake Charles Prep’s 16-game district winning streak was snapped last week in a loss to St. Louis Catholic. The Trailblazers do not want to make it two straight as they make the trip to Iowa for a showdown with the league-leading Yellow Jackets. Both teams possess a great deal of Division I-type talent and are not afraid to put that talent on display. Ronald Young serves as a versatile weapon on the ground for Iowa while Josiah Bushnell serves as Lake Charles Prep’s game-changer. Expect a ton of offensive plays early but a solid defensive effort will determine the winner of Friday’s contest.
Other Top Area Games: Destrehan at Sulphur; Eunice at DeRidder