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Post by CrusadingLions on Oct 23, 2017 7:28:10 GMT -6
This Week:
1A: Ascension Catholic 7-1 at Kentwood 7-1 - Game of the Week. Just going to start this one out by stating for a fact that I consider ACHS to be a Dome contender this year. However, this game has much more going on to it than meets the eye.
In 1992 Ascension Catholic knocked off West St. John 34-12 to capture their 3rd state title. The Bulldogs were loaded and that insane playoff run (in which they slaughtered Jake Delhomme 66-6) was the culmination of almost 6 years of the Bulldogs being a class A power led by "The Juice" Germaine Williams and then Melvin Williams who led them to a state title. Ascension Catholic during that time period was a powerhouse in multiple sports and produced some amazing athletes in every sport in addition to the Williams (Shane Price, Alfred Dupard, Todd Landry, Dwayne Landry, DJ Loland). I could continue that list but I'm pretty sure I've made my point, they were an elite 1A program.
Bulldogs had solid seasons in 1993 and 1994, each time making the playoffs and earning quick exits via the Kentwood Kangaroos. The Bulldogs finally bottomed out in 1995, missing the playoffs for the first time since 1986, a streak that included 3 semi-final appearances, 2 Dome appearances, 1 state title and a power outage forcing fans and teams from Sicily Island (I think, may have been Boothville) and ACHS to drive 20 miles down the road to Assumption to finish a playoff game.
Since that stretch the Bulldogs have been trying to build the program back up as a class A power, coming close a few times while missing the mark (sometimes badly) throughout the years, yet never really cementing themselves as a power or viable threat to make the Dome.
This of course brings us back to the site of the beginning of the end of that early 90's dominance - Kentwood. The Bulldogs bring easily the most talented squad since the early 90's under the water tower. Kentwood, as usual, is tremendously talented and a title contender. Enter Ascension Catholic, also a title contender. Now in no world do I consider ACHS a "pretender" but this game may be the most intriguing game in class A, especially when you follow the history of ACHS.
Will the Bulldogs rise up, erase the ghosts of the past and give a loud signal to the rest of D IV that they are the top dogs in the division (pun intented) or will they enter the playoffs with questions and still chasing that elusive win to finally stake the claim that the Bullodgs are in fact back. All in front of the Bulldogs as they face easily the most important test of the season.
2A: Mangham 6-2 at Vidalia 7-1- Mangham's 48-0 loss to Ferriday last week was shocking and cast serious doubts on if Manham is a contender in 2A. Doesn't get easier for Mangham facing off against another powerful opponent in Vidalia. Mangham has the very talented back in Donovan Haynes that is as good as any in class 2A. Will Mangham prove that last week was simply a fluke or will the prove that they are not contenders in class 2A.
3A: Union 5-3 @ Sterlington 8-0 - Whoever wants to win 3A this year will have to go through Sterlington. Anyone with knowledge of 3A has a healthy respect for Union Parish. Union has some solid wins over Many, Rayville and Calvary. This week presents the biggest test of the year as they travel to face off against Sterlington. Should Union pull off the monumental upset they will stake a huge claim to making a run towards the Dome.
4A: Woodlawn (SH) 6-2 @ Benton 8-0 - I feel like 4A has become "who is playing Benton this week" and here we are again. Woodlawn comes in with solid record, a blowout 50-7 win over North Desoto but also a loss to Captain Shreve. If Woodlawn wants to be a contender they need to get past Benton and the very talented Garrett Hable.
5A: Zachary 6-2 @ Scotlandville 7-0 - Zachary faces a high powered Scotlandville offense led by Vernon Powell. Zachary looked particuarly impressive in wins against Walker and Denham Springs. Despite those performances I've yet to see anything to suggest they can hang with West Monroe, Acadiana or Sulphur.
Last Week:
Contenders:
2A: St. Helena 12 Amite 19 - Strong showing for St. Helena who showed they are more than capable of hanging with the better 2A teams. Still have work to do but an encouraging sign for SH.
4A: Woodlawn 14 Lutcher 21 - Not sure if this is a sign that Woodlawn is a contender or if Lutcher is simply having an off year. Definite signs of concerns for the Bulldogs. Fair is fair though and Woodlawn definitely stepped up to the challenge this week.
5A: Sulphur 38 Acadian 28 - Upset of the week. Sulphur not only proved they were worthy but also put 5A on notice that they intend to make a serious run to New Orleans.
Prentenders:
1A: Lafayette Christian 9 Vermillion Catholic 10 - Lots of talk coming out of LCA this year and they did not respond well at their first sign of adversity. Vermillion Catholic is not a bad team by any stretch and LCA losing their QB was a big blow. However, if they can't topple Vermillion Catholic I see no reason to believe they can stay on the field with ACHS, CC, OCS or Op Catholic.
3A: Madison Prep 28 West Feliciana 60 - Madison Prep is finding out how the other side lives this year. Long fall and about as far away from a contender as you can be this year. Barring a miracle I don't expect a return trip to the Dome this year.
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Post by tigers09 on Oct 23, 2017 7:34:55 GMT -6
I think Vidalia wins theirs and claims the #4 slot for the playoffs.
Union has some talent, but hasn't shown it consistently enough to take down Sterlington
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Post by CrusadingLions on Oct 23, 2017 7:48:27 GMT -6
I get the same feeling from Union, talented but not quite at the level to knock off Sterlington.
Vidalia-Mangham is going to be really interesting to watch after last week.
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Post by mt on Oct 23, 2017 11:48:48 GMT -6
This Week:
3A: Madison Prep 28 West Feliciana 60 - Madison Prep is finding out how the other side lives this year. Long fall and about as far away from a contender as you can be this year. Barring a miracle I don't expect a return trip to the Dome this year. Team lost entirely too much to be considered a favorite this year. I was truly shocked they were even ranked coming into the season. Granted Coach Roach(get well soon coach) not being on the sideline may have a small amount to do with it, but they just lost too too much
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Post by CrusadingLions on Oct 23, 2017 12:07:47 GMT -6
This Week:
3A: Madison Prep 28 West Feliciana 60 - Madison Prep is finding out how the other side lives this year. Long fall and about as far away from a contender as you can be this year. Barring a miracle I don't expect a return trip to the Dome this year. Team lost entirely too much to be considered a favorite this year. I was truly shocked they were even ranked coming into the season. Granted Coach Roach(get well soon coach) not being on the sideline may have a small amount to do with it, but they just lost too too much I didn't realize he wasn't on the sideline? Hope he is OK.
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Post by mt on Oct 23, 2017 13:43:41 GMT -6
Team lost entirely too much to be considered a favorite this year. I was truly shocked they were even ranked coming into the season. Granted Coach Roach(get well soon coach) not being on the sideline may have a small amount to do with it, but they just lost too too much I didn't realize he wasn't on the sideline? Hope he is OK.
He tries to be in attendance when he can but it hasn’t been much. I’m not even sure if he’s been able to travel to Austin to see his son at Texas this year. We are all praying for him, a great man, I don’t think anyone will ever say different
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Post by CrusadingLions on Oct 23, 2017 13:53:10 GMT -6
I didn't realize he wasn't on the sideline? Hope he is OK.
We are all praying for him, a great man, I don’t think anyone will ever say different I have met him a few times, can't say a bad thing about him either. Was always very respectful when I talked to him.
Hope he can overcome whatever has him down, hate to see that. His son was a beast.
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Post by goldburg on Oct 23, 2017 14:34:54 GMT -6
Great job on this thread again lion
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Post by footballfanlsu on Oct 23, 2017 22:52:59 GMT -6
I think you should add many vs Redriver .. we will find out if red river is for real! If they play a close 1 score game win or lose think shows they will be tough out in playoffs but they have yet to have a great win and this is there chance!! They did beat Mansfield which is a solid win but this week I think will let us know.
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Post by superdome2014 on Oct 23, 2017 23:08:33 GMT -6
Guess We Will see. Many is the best team they have played.
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Post by footballfanlsu on Oct 23, 2017 23:21:05 GMT -6
Guess We Will see. Many is the best team they have played. I might argue that with you richwood was good but they didn't win that game so this is their best chance for a good win
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2017 23:26:46 GMT -6
Crusading lions, are you a sports writer? The stuff I read from you is highly detailed and informative with great history. It is all formal.
My dad told me the other day that Vidalia has always been a team that would win in the regular season for years, and even win some big games no one expected, to then fizzle like an alka-seltzer in the playoffs.
Union is a school that seems to get up for big games and then fall back down and play poorly against teams that you would think they would beat rather handily. So I expect them to play hard and be well prepared for sterlington. Sterlington isn't a big team and they won't be as athletic, but they execute highly effectively for four quarters and they rarely beat themselves with penalties and turnovers. An experienced group that plays as a collective whole. Very well coached.
I still don't believe this is their best team ever though. Their team that lost to port sulphur/SP in the dome was the best in my opinion. They were huge on offensive line and had a truck in Justin Fulmer on the defensive line. Very good tailback and quarterback.
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Post by boninesdrippins on Oct 24, 2017 5:06:31 GMT -6
Sterlington is very athletic. Not sure what game you’re watching but in the key positions they have players, with even more athletic players coming off injury. Well coached yes, but that’s what all Folks say about teams that win, and those that lose are poorly coached, according to the “experts”
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Post by CrusadingLions on Oct 24, 2017 5:25:21 GMT -6
Crusading lions, are you a sports writer? The stuff I read from you is highly detailed and informative with great history. It is all formal. Thank you for the compliment. Not a sportswriter anymore. I was the sports editor for the Natchitoches Times for about 8 months from 2004-2005. So I can't claim to be an accomplished sports writer or anything. Did enjoy working there though. sterlington is definitely a team that won't beat itself. Very solid.
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Post by tigerfan87 on Oct 24, 2017 5:48:40 GMT -6
Yeah those early to mid 2000's sterlington teams were really really good. Crazy that they didn't get a title in that run. They just ran into 2 great teams in the dome. One of port sulphurs best teams in 2002 and one of west St. John's best teams in 2003. They were really good in 04 and 05 also. Had 5-a size up front those years
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Post by america on Oct 24, 2017 6:07:24 GMT -6
Sterlington can be as good as they want to be, but can get in their own way at times this season. They will have to have a much better effort this week to win. They need to play a complete game defensively, offensively, & special teams to prove they can & move toward their playoff run!! In my humble opinion...
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