Top Area Football Showdowns For Week Four
by Hunter Bower // GeauxPreps.com Owner & CEO
Anyone who is looking for a high school football game to attend this weekend will not have to look far in their respective area as some of the top showdowns of the season are set to take place in week three.
GeauxPreps/LSWA Top 10 Rankings listed. Games and times are subject to change.
Acadiana
No. 8/6 Ruston (2-1) at No. 3/2 Lafayette Christian (3-0)
LCA Football Stadium • Lafayette, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
Ruston makes the trip south to take on an undefeated and battle-tested Lafayette Christian squad that has already defeated three Class 5A squads this season.
Knights head coach Trev Faulk will be sure to have his team up and ready for one of their toughest battles yet as Ruston rides a two-game win streak into town since a week one overtime loss to Warren Easton.
The Bearcats look to be a major player in the new playoff format and can build its power rating stock with a marquee win over Lafayette Christian.
Other Top Area Games: Acadiana at Lafayette; Southern Lab at Opelousas Catholic; Teurlings Catholic at Notre Dame; Westgate at St. Martinville
Capital Area
No. 2/3 St. Thomas More (3-0) at No. 2/3 Catholic-BR (2-1)
Memorial Stadium • Baton Rouge, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
There is no rebuilding down in Lafayette this year as St. Thomas More proved last week that it still belongs amongst the big boys in life after Walker Howard.
The Cougars took down a strong Brother Martin squad last week and will face another tough task on the road against Catholic of Baton Rouge. The Bears have posted victories over Warren Easton and University Lab behind the play of talented quarterback Daniel Beale as well as LSU commit Shelton Sampson.
Will St. Thomas More be able to slow down the passing attack from Catholic? The same question can be asked for the other sideline as well.
Other Top Area Games: Ascension Catholic at Dunham; E.D. White at Woodlawn-BR; Madison Prep at Parkview Baptist; Plaquemine at Istrouma; Slaughter at Springfield
Central Louisiana
East Ascension (1-2) at Alexandria (1-2)
ASH Football Stadium • Alexandria, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
The record may not reflect a positive outlook on the season thus far for Alexandria and East Ascension but make no doubt that both of these squads are not to be underestimated.
The Trojans’ combined opponents record is 6-2 on the year while East Ascension’s opponent mark is 7-2. The two teams have definitely seen their share of championship-caliber football squads.
Now, the two will get to battle it out in one of the most intriguing matchups from around the state.
Other Top Area Games: West Ouachita at Grant; Winnfield at Jena
Greater New Orleans & Northshore
No. 1/1 Edna Karr (3-0) vs. No. 6/8 St. Augustine (3-0)
Tad Gormley Stadium • New Orleans, Louisiana • Saturday, Sept. 24 • 6 PM
In a battle of undefeated teams, Edna Karr and St. Augustine open Catholic League play Saturday night in front of what is estimated to be a capacity crowd… and then some.
The Purple Knights are fresh off an upset victory over No. 1 Zachary, snapping an 18-game win streak. Will St. Augustine be able to put last week behind them and focus against another formidable opponent or will the hangover of a big win loom within the confines of Gormley Stadium?
Karr hopes to remain perfect on the season as it has limited its opponents to just under two touchdowns per game. St. Augustine is allowing nine points per game which is sure to signal a defensive struggle to ensue.
Either way, its a game that you will not want to miss, and could play a major factor into the coveted district title as well as a prominent playoff seeding.
Other Top Area Games: Abramson at St. Martin’s; John Curtis vs. Jesuit; Livingston Collegiate at St. Martin’s; Ponchatoula at Covington; Walker at Kentwood; West Jefferson vs. McDonogh #35
Northeast Louisiana
Scotlandville (1-1) at West Monroe (2-1)
Don Shows Stadium • West Monroe, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
West Monroe breathed a bit in a 56-0 blowout over an out-of-state foe last week but will have to be on its heels for the next visitor to Don Shows Stadium.
Scotlandville is coming off back-to-back contests against Edna Karr and Madison Prep and looks to be up for the task on the road in front of one of the most passionate fan bases in Louisiana. The Hornets hope to add another strong victory to their resume while the Rebels hope to have all the kinks worked out and ready to roll towards another deep playoff run.
Other Top Area Games: Bastrop at Union Parish; Brother Martin at Ouachita Parish; General Trass at Mangham; North Caddo at Neville
Northwest Louisiana
#2/2 Newman (3-0) at #1/1 Many (3-0)
John W. Curtis Stadium • Many, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
Two of the top recruits in the country go head-to-head in Many’s Tackett Curtis & Newman’s Arch Manning along with a smattering of other D1 prospects from both sides. Many rides a 12-game regular season win streak into Friday night along with a seven-game home win streak.
Newman came back from an 18-point deficit to defeat Class 5A Benton last week while Many improved to 3-0 and has limited opponents to just 13 points through 3 games.
In a game that is worthy of an ESPN broadcast, expect more than the fireworks that are lit during pregame.
Other Top Area Games: C.E. Byrd vs. Captain Shreve; Haynesville at Glenbrook; Huntington at Northwood-SH; Loyola Prep at Red River; Mansfield at Logansport; North DeSoto at Minden
South Central
No. 4/7 De La Salle (3-0) at No. 5/4 St. Charles (2-1)
St. Charles Stadium • LaPlace, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
De La Salle has collected a trio of convincing victories so far this season and hopes to add a defending state champion to its collection of triumphs on Friday.
The Cavaliers make the trip down to LaPlace for a face-off against St. Charles, who struggled in a 28-22 loss to Teurlings Catholic a week ago. The Comets hope to rebound in what could be their toughest challenge this year up until a regular season finale with Newman.
Both squads have a chance of collecting hardware at the end of the season and a signature win from this game would look even sweeter on the resume.
Other Top Area Games: Centerville at Jeanerette; Hahnville at Destrehan; Hanson Memorial at Highland Baptist
Southwest Louisiana
DeRidder (2-1) at Westlake (2-1)
Westlake Stadium • Westlake, Louisiana • Friday, Sept. 23 • 7 PM
DeRidder rolls into the Lake Area Friday night with hopes of getting out to a 3-1 start on the year and continuing to build its playoff power ranking up.
However, they will have to go through a Westlake squad that has been on a tear since a 29-12 loss to Welsh in week two. Head coach John Richardson will have his team ready to defend the home turf but look for DeRidder to provide a challenge in this final tune-up before district play.
Other Top Area Games: Jennings at Iowa; Kinder at St. Louis; Oakdale at Grand Lake