Top Shreveport-Bossier high football games in Week 14 — and predictions
Here's a look at some of the action set to take place involving teams in the Shreveport-Bossier City area on the semifinal weekend of the 2023 Louisiana High School Athletic Association high school football playoffs.
LHSAA Football Semifinals
Non-Select Division I
No. 22 Mandeville (9-4) at No. 1 Ruston (12-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The Skippers advanced past Airline thanks to three lucky plays that translated into 21 points for Mandeville. They won’t be so lucky against the Bearcats who have a dominating defense that will get coach Jerrod Baugh’s club back to the Louisiana Superdome next weekend for the 7 p.m. Saturday championship game.
Watson’s prediction: Ruston 35, Mandeville 18
Non-Select Division II
No. 12 Opelousas (10-3) at No. 1 North Desoto (11-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Here’s a statistic that makes this contest hard to predict. Over the past five games, The Tigers have allowed 4.6 points each game while the Griffins have scored an average of 55.4 points for the last five contests. The Griffs may not get to their average, but they’ll get enough to advance to next Friday’s noon state title game.
Watson’s prediction: North DeSoto 38, Opelousas 31
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Non-Select Division III
No. 4 Union Parish (8-4) at No. 1 Jena (12-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
The Farmers had a nice run last year getting to the D-III title game against Many. To get back to the Superdome and next Friday’s 3:30 p.m. championship game, they’ll have to stop one of the highest scoring teams in the state. The Giants score early and often.
Watson’s prediction: Jena 48, Union Parish 21
Select Division III
No. 3 Isidore Newman (10-1) at No. 2 Calvary (12-0)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Everyone thought the Greenies would win state in 2022 with the country’s top recruit, Arch Manning, under center. That didn’t happen, but this year’s team may be better. The Cavaliers haven’t been tested since playing Westgate back in September, so that could present a problem and might keep the Cavs from advancing to next Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. title tilt.
Watson’s prediction: Calvary 38, Newman 37
Non-Select Division IV
No. 4 Haynesville (11-1) at No. 1 Logansport (11-1)
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Northwest Louisiana is guaranteed at least one team in the Louisiana Superdome thanks to this tantalizing matchup of Class 1A powers. Both Tigers’ coach Kevin Magee and Tors’ coach David Franklin have won state titles. So, which team gets to play in next Thursday’s 7 p.m. title game?
Watson’s prediction: Logansport 28, Haynesville 27
Last week: 9-1 (90%); Season: 116-18 (87%)
Jimmy Watson covers Louisiana sports for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jwatson@shreveporttimes.com and follow him on Twitter @JimmyWatson6.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: LHSAA playoffs: Top Shreveport area semifinal high school game predictions
