One-third of Louisiana’s previously undefeated high school football teams suffered their first loss in Week 9, the largest percentage to do so in several weeks.
Stumbles by Edna Karr, Haughton, Northshore, Cedar Creek, Kentwood and Westminster Christian-Lafayette dropped the group of 18 unbeaten squads entering this past weekend, more than typical at that juncture in recent years, to a final dandy dozen entering Week 10, fewer than last season.
[ VIEW COMPLETE, SORTABLE STANDINGS FOR THE STATE ]
Even taking a sizable hit, Class 1A continues to be the most heavily represented with four programs: Ascension Christian, Ouachita Christian, Sacred Heart-Ville Platte and Southern Lab.
Class 5A, which also lost three undefeated teams this week, now has two remaining: Mandeville and St. Augustine.
That total matches Class 4A (North DeSoto and Westgate), Class 3A (Eunice and Patrick Taylor) and Class 2A (Notre Dame and Vinton).
Because of Westminster’s loss to Ascension Catholic, the Week 10 schedule will no longer feature any head-to-head battles of unbeaten teams.
Mandeville and St. Augustine won the final such games of the regular season this Friday and Saturday in wildly different fashion.
The Skippers edged Northshore, 20-17, by grinding out a touchdown-less second half and hitting a winning field goal in the final minutes, while the Purple Knights pounced on Edna Karr for a two-score lead in the first quarter and only continuing gaining steam in a 52-14 onslaught.
Another meeting between undefeated teams, if one were to even occur, would be unlikely until at least the quarterfinals.
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Mandeville (Division-I Non-Select), St. Augustine (Division-I Select), Patrick Taylor (Division-II Select), Notre Dame (Division-III Select) and Vinton (Division-IV Non-Select) boast the final unblemished records in their respective divisions.
Ascension Christian will not participate in the postseason because of a decision to leave the LHSAA districting system for an independent schedule.
No. 2 Westgate, No. 3 North DeSoto and No. 4 Eunice can all clinch first-round byes in the upcoming Division-II Non-Select bracket if they win their Week 10 games.
And Sacred Heart, Ouachita Christian and Southern Lab are currently No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 in the Division-IV Select power ratings.
Check out the map above and list below of remaining undefeated teams and continue to monitor the group with Louisiana vs. All Y’all’s updates each week.
———— CLASS 5A ————
(Two teams)
Mandeville Skippers (D-I Non-Select)
St. Augustine Purple Knights (D-I Select)
———— CLASS 4A ————
(Two teams)
North DeSoto Griffins (D-II Non-Select)
Westgate Tigers (D-II Non-Select)
———— CLASS 3A ————
(Two teams)
Eunice Bobcats (D-II Non-Select)
Patrick F. Taylor Tigers (D-II Select)
———— CLASS 2A ————
(Two teams)
Notre Dame Pioneers (D-III Select)
Vinton Lions (D-IV Non-Select)
———— CLASS 1A ————
(Four teams)
Ascension Christian Lions (D-IV Select)
Ouachita Christian Eagles (D-IV Select)
Sacred Heart-Ville Platte Trojans (D-IV Select)
Southern Lab Kittens (D-IV Select)
