Louisiana Playoffs: 1A Second Round Preview
And just like that, the first round has come and went! That means that we are heading down the final stretch of the season here in Louisiana, and within the next two weeks, we will be crowning 12 brand new state…
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Continue ReadingAnd just like that, the first round has come and went! That means that we are heading down the final stretch of the season here in Louisiana, and within the next two weeks, we will be crowning 12 brand new state champions. If you read the first round previews, you will have seen that we have hit more than 80% of our predictions. Now I’m not a betting man, but I like those odds. We are going to be continuing those previews and predictions here, starting with 1A.
- Sicily Island vs. 17. Block
Sicily Island won their opening game by 55 points over Oberlin. I don’t think they are going to win back to back by 50+ points, but as long as Devion Dunbar continues to ball out, I have faith in Sicily Island
PHLA Pick: Sicily Island
- Varnado vs. 8. Centerville
Both of these teams won their opening round game by 35+ points, so I think this is going to be a good one. However, I have to give the edge to Varnado as they played a much tougher regular season schedule, and played everyone very competitively. Iron sharpens steel.
PHLA Pick: Varnado
- Delhi vs. 12. Haynesville
Haynesville is one of the teams that I picked to get upset in the first round, but they ended up getting a win by nearly 30. However this Delhi team is a much different beat than they played in the round before. I don’t think Haynesville is going to have the firepower for the upset.
PHLA Pick: Delhi
- White Castle vs. 13. Grand Lake
Grand Lake was just barely able to scrape by in the first round, using their big front line to get a one point win . However, Ja’Tyre Carter-White is going to have the size to match up with that front line, and the skills to be the better player.
PHLA Pick: White Castle
- Delhi Charter vs. 14. East Iberville
My goodness, is 2-1A a tough district or what?! Four of the top six team in 1A have come out of 2-1A, including Delhi Charter. I think that will lead to them being battle tested, and getting the win.
PHLA Pick: Delhi Charter
- Tensas vs. 11. Plain Dealing
Heading into the opening round, I thought there was a big difference between the top 6 teams and the rest of the field. It turns out that was not the case (I’ll get to that in a second), and now I’m not nearly as confident in Tensas. I think that the young talent Plain Dealing has will lead to an upset.
PHLA Pick: Plain Dealing
- Arcadia vs. 10. North Central
I might not know much, but I know one thing. There is going to be a new champ in 1A this year. This game was played a day early, and North Central was able to capitalize, going into Arcadia and pulling off the upset, by a score of 65-61. The fact that North Central was able to do that with such a young squad can only bode well for their future, assuming they will be able to hold onto those players.
PHLA Pick: North Central
- Lincoln Prep vs. 15. Lake Charles College Prep
This is the worst possible second round matchup for LCCP. I like their chances of pulling an upset over any team outside of the top 2, but I especially don’t like the matchup against Lincoln Prep. 6’5 Kae Williams is going to be able to shut down LCCP’s best talent in 6’4 freshman Caleb Robinson. I look forward to the 1A matchup over the next 4 years between super-freshman Caleb Robinson and Chanse Robinson for Lincoln Prep
PHLA Pick: Lincoln Prep