5 Big Louisiana HS Playoff Matchups: The Massey Ratings (and Jerit's Take)

Louisiana’s top-ranked high school football teams join the playoff fray this week after enjoying opening-round byes.

The slate of matchups start ramping up drastically in competitiveness this week, and the field of contenders still vying for potential champions will start thinning just as quickly.

Here’s a look at five top matchups from a strong second-round schedule overall, including looks at recent history, top players to watch, the On3 Massey High School Ratings and projections and my expectations for the games.

No. 14 Zachary (7-3) at No. 3 Ruston (8-2)

Division-I Non-Select

Friday, 7 p.m., at Ruston’s Hoss Garrett Stadium

Massey Rankings: No. 14 vs. No. 2

Last week: Zachary beat No. 19 Sam Houston, 54-35.

Players to Watch: 2025 Ruston DB Aidan Anding (LSU), 2027 Ruston DB Jayden Anding, 2025 Ruston DL Payton Bell, 2025 Ruston QB/ATH Joshua Brantley (Tulane), 2025 Ruston RB Dylone Brooks, 2026 Zachary WR Kristion Brooks, 2025 Zachary QB Caleb Gonzales, 2025 Zachary DL Sean Hamilton, 2025 Ruston RB Jordan Hayes, 2025 Ruston LB Zheric Hill (Louisiana Tech), 2026 Zachary DB Zakarri Hogan, 2027 Ruston TE Ahmad Hudson, 2025 Ruston C Sam Nations (Northwestern State), 2025 Ruston WR Joran Parker, 2025 Zachary RB DaVekio Ruffin, 2026 Zachary LB Dylan Shelmire, 2026 Zachary LB Isaiah Stokes.

Recent History: The teams have met in three of the past five postseasons, including Ruston’s wins the past two years: 31-17 in the 2023 state championship and 37-22 in the 2022 semifinals. Zachary won a 2019 quarterfinal at Ruston, 35-27.

Massey Prediction: Ruston (85%), 42-19.

Jerit Thoughts: This matchup felt necessary to include given the recent playoff history between the two perennial powers, including last season’s state championship game. And counting out coach David Brewerton and the Broncos is generally ill-advised. But even with the Bearcats’ own late-season stumbles, the reigning champs feel like as clear a favorite this year as has been the case in any of the programs’ recent meetings. Ruston’s three-headed rushing attack feels daunting for a Zachary team that has struggled to slow down opponents’ ground games. And the Bearcats’ three phases and home crowd should all feed off one another for an altogether electric night and big win.

No. 18 Cecilia (8-3) at No. 2 Lutcher (9-0)

Division-II Non-Select

Friday, 7 p.m., at The Dog Yard (Jerit Roser will be on the sidelines for coverage)

Massey Rankings: No. 35 vs. No. 43

Last week: Cecilia pulled away from No. 15 Pearl River, 50-29.

Players to Watch: 2025 Cecilia OL Ryker Airhart, 2027 Cecilia ATH Braylon Calais, 2025 Lutcher WR/RB Trenton Chaney (Ragin’ Cajuns), 2027 Cecilia DB Franky Frank Jr., 2025 Cecilia DB/WR Brent Gordon Jr. (Ragin’ Cajuns), 2025 Lutcher QB Zach Jenkins, 2026 Cecilia LB Braylon Jones, 2025 Cecilia OL Christian Menard, 2026 Lutcher OL Jayden Michael, 2025 Cecilia QB/ATH Diesel Solari, 2027 Lutcher WR/DB Ashton Stark, 2025 Lutcher DL Reshad Sterling (Houston), 2025 Cecilia WR/ATH Ellis Stewart, 2025 Lutcher LB/S Tariot Snowden, 2025 Lutcher WR D’Wayne Winfield.

Recent History: The teams will meet for the first time since the 2008 Class 3A semifinals, a 58-26 Lutcher win at home on its way to a state championship.

Massey Prediction: Lutcher (51%), 32-31.

Jerit Thoughts: Looking at all eight brackets in their entirety last week and attempting to forecast the five weeks ahead, there weren’t many matchups I’d consider more intriguing and potentially fun than this one. Lutcher is the lone undefeated team in Division-I Non-Select with a stout defense and explosive offensive weapons. But the teams are far more evenly matched than the seeds and records might suggest, as Cecilia appears to be getting healthier at the right time with its own slew of versatile, dynamic weapons and the experience of last season’s Superdome run. I’m going to give the edge to Cecilia in the Bulldogs-vs-Bulldogs showdown, but this game feels like a potential down-to-the-wire classic.

No. 14 Opelousas (7-3) at No. 3 Jennings (9-1)

Division-II Non-Select

Friday, 7 p.m., at Jennings’ Jerry Simmons Stadium

Massey Rankings: No. 35 vs. No. 36

Last week: Opelousas rolled past No. 19 Bastrop, 47-6.

Players to Watch: 2025 Opelousas LB/DE Corey Amos Jr. (Ole Miss), 2026 Opelousas DE/LB Jamarion Daugherty, 2025 Jennings DE Davien Edwards, 2025 Opelousas WR Korey Fontenot, 2025 Opelousas RB D’Shaun Ford, 2025 Opelousas DL Jonathan Ford, 2025 Opelousas DB Landon Hammond (Tulane), 2025 Opelousas QB/ATH Zackeus Malveaux, 2025 Opelousas DB Kyran Moore, 2027 Jennings QB/ATH Chris Ned, 2026 Jenning DB Humphrey Ned, 2025 Jennings RB Re’John Zeno.

Recent History: The teams will meet for the first time in at least two decades.

Massey Prediction: Opelousas (53%), 26-24.

Jerit Thoughts: This game should wrap up relatively quickly but with plenty of bumps and bruises along the way, as the Tigers and Bulldogs square up and run the ball down one another’s throats. Which team can avoid fumbling the football, win the edge on a few pivotal third downs and potentially connect on a big passing strike or two when the box is full should be able to claw out the victory. I expect that to be Opelousas, the reigning champion that tested itself early this season against three straight Class 5A opponents. The Tigers are loaded with talent and experience on defense and have a bit more balance on offense. If they avoid too many particularly costly miscues, they should be headed back to the quarterfinals.

No. 9 St. Augustine (7-4) at No. 8 St. Thomas More (7-3)

Division-I Select

Friday, 7 p.m., at STM’s Cougar Stadium

Massey Rankings: No. 8 vs. No. 9

Last week: St. Augustine routed No. 24 Carencro, 44-7.

Players to Watch: 2025 St. Augustine OL Juelz Baptiste (Tulane), 2026 St. Thomas More QB Cole Bergeron, 2025 St. Thomas More LB Nico Blanchard, 2025 St. Thomas More DB Brian Broussard Jr., 2026 St. Augustine QB/ATH Vashaun Coulon, 2026 St. Augustine DL Ty Dominique, 2025 St. Thomas More DB Gavin Duplechin, 2026 St. Augustine DB Clinton Hill Jr., 2026 St. Augustine RB/ATH Keith Hill Jr., St. Augustine LB Chad Jones Jr., 2025 St. Augustine DB Frederick Lewis, 2025 St. Thomas More RB Gabe Mocek, 2025 St. Augustine DL/LB Warren Roberts Jr. (Tulane), 2027 St. Augustine WR Miguel Whitley, 2027 St. Augustine WR Ray’Quan Williams.

Recent History: The teams will meet for the first time since a 2010 Class 5A quarterfinal, which St. Thomas More won, 31-27, in New Orleans.

Massey Prediction: St. Thomas More (58%), 31-26.

Jerit Thoughts: This matchup headlines the Massey rankings this week as the lone top-10 showdown with a pair of opponents separated by a lone spot on the list. Each is capable of beating anyone in the state on a given night, and the contest could go either way. Both teams should be able to have some success defensively forcing one another to the air more consistently than the offenses might prefer. The Cougars’ passing game appears to have shown enough progress to hold its own in that type of matchup. And their talented, experienced, but underrated secondary will relish the opportunity to match up with the Purple Knights’ explosive attack. And, for the Purple Knights, I worry about a costly turnover or couple untimely penalties potentially proving the difference on the road. I have the Cougars advancing, but don’t be surprised by either outcome.

No. 9 Lafayette Christian (5-6) at No. 8 Notre Dame (6-4)

Division-III Select

Friday, 7 p.m., at Gardiner Memorial Stadium at Crowley Middle

Massey Rankings: No. 37 vs. No. 50

Last week: Lafayette Christian dominated No. 24 Beekman Charter, 72-0.

Players to Watch: 2026 Lafayette Christian WR Brayden Allen, 2026 Lafayette Christian OL Kaleb Campbell, 2025 Notre Dame LB Jackson Casanova, 2025 Notre Dame WR Leyton Faul, 2025 Notre Dame QB Parker Faust, 2026 Lafayette Christian DB Luke Green, 2027 2025 Notre Dame DB Eli Gros, 2025 Lafayette Christian DB Chris Helaire, 2026 Notre Dame RB Drew Lejeune, 2026 Lafayette Christian LB/DE Jaimason Marzell, 2025 Notre Dame RB Jack Medus, 2025 Notre Dame OL Landon Mouton, 2025 Lafayette Christian RB Jalen Noel, 2025 Lafayette Christian ATH Calvin Parker III, 2025 Notre Dame LB William Prevost, 2027 Lafayette Christian DB Sky Ryan, 2026 Lafayette Christian QB Braylon Walker, 2025 Lafayette Christian WR Brennan Walker, 2025 Lafayette Christian DE/LB Jaeden Winters.

Recent History: Notre Dame won this regular season, 42-28, on the road. That tilt marked the teams’ first meeting since Lafayette Christian won three straight district meetings from 2019 to 2021. This week will be their first playoff meeting.

Massey Prediction: Lafayette Christian (75%), 42-25.

Jerit Thoughts: Fresh off the bye, the higher-seeded Pios immediately have to reprise their marquee win of the season — the district-deciding Week 7 meeting — to extend their streak of quarterfinal appearances to 13 years. Meanwhile the Knights, on the heels of an up-and-down and tumultuous regular season that included a coaching change, are trying to find their rhythm at the right time to potentially make a run toward an eighth straight title-game appearance and head to Crowley having outscored their past two opponents by a 136-13 margin. In matchups of relatively evenly matched teams, it’s always an added challenge to beat the same opponent twice in a span of a few weeks, and I think Lafayette Christian is on a bit better of footing and more of a rhythm right now than was the case last time out. So I’m giving the Knights the edge this time around to be able to hit enough explosive plays to come out on top, but I’m not as confident in that as the Massey projection appears to be. Legendary coach Lewis Cook and his staff will have their Pios prepared. And if LCA can’t hit enough of its patented big plays, Notre Dame is more than capable of taking care of business.