The Louisiana High School football playoffs start Friday. Today we’ll look at the non-select brackets. In Division I, Ruston and Neville are the top two seeds. Spencer Verrett with the LHSAA Network says these two district rivals played each other in October, and it was one of the best games of the year.
“Ruston and Neville are the top two seeds for a reason. I think a lot of people are hoping to see that these two teams end up making it back to the Dome, because that in-season matchup was a classic,” Verrett said.
Ruston beat Neville on October 17th, 41-37.
North DeSoto is the top seed in Division II non-select. Verrett says the Griffins have a really good team, but there’s also Iowa, Franklin Parish and Lakeshore; and defending champ Cecilia is a 13-seed.
“They’ve got so many good teams in this bracket, and it looks like every year we’re kind of getting to the playoffs like, ‘Well, who’s going to really step up?’ And it’s just going to be about who gets hot at the right time. And right now, I kind of like North DeSoto to run the table on this one,” Verrett said.
Jena is the number one seed in Division III non-select. Sterlington is the defending champ and the two-seed. Verrett says Sterlington could play St. James in the semifinals after beating the Wildcats in last year’s title game. He says the bracket is also loaded with other several great teams.
“Look at the six-seed in Oak Grove, that’s another really good team. Church Point has had a good year. Loreauville’s having a good year. And you look at the top half, and I like Erath. I think they’re a really good team, and Jena is obviously the one-seed for a reason,” Verrett explained.
In Division IV, Verrett likes top-seeded Haynesville to win its 18th state championship.
