Fambrough: Pass the turkey, don't pass up chance to see BR teams in quarterfinals

There is a lot to unpack along with the Thanksgiving turkey and all the other holiday trappings.

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Central wide receiver Kylen Thomas (4) is dragged down by a West Ouachita defender in the second quarter of the Division I non select regional game on Friday, November 22, 2024 in Central, Louisiana. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save There is a lot to unpack along with the Thanksgiving turkey and all the other holiday trappings. Though this is not the state’s largest contingent, what lies ahead for Baton Rouge teams in the LHSAA’s football quarterfinal round is eye-catching.

You’ve got shadows from playoff seasons past, one all-local game and some impressive first-time matchups. Here are some observations about the games involving BR's nine teams that advanced with regional wins either Thursday or Friday. Pick a game and make plans buy tickets now.



New foe for Rebels Seems like somebody from Baton Rouge always ends up playing West Monroe in the post season. Zachary has played the Rebels multiple times, including a 2018 title game. Catholic High, too, over the years.

Now it’s Central’s turn, but there is a twist. The fourth-seeded Wildcats (10-1) have the upper hand in seeding. West Monroe (7-5), a No.

21 seed, has taken a few lumps this season and travels to Central. Which adds to the intrigue. We meet again I Fourth-seeded Catholic (10-0) and No.

5 Rummel (9-2) have met plenty of times in the postseason. One I remember is the 2019 Division I final played at Tulane. The Raiders beat the Bears 14-10 in that one.

Last year they met in the semifinals. Both teams have claimed LHSAA titles in recent years but the route to the Caesars Superdome is different this time. It’s the quarterfinals this time and the winner will likely match up with top-seeded Karr in the semifinals.

Should be a great test for both teams. We meet again II Kentwood and Southern Lab have been Class 1A rivals and district rivals for a long time. The 12th-seeded Kangaroos lost to Southern Lab 13-8 in Baton Rouge in District 9-1A action back in Week 8.

The No. 13 Kittens are the defending Division IV select champions. This is Kentwood’s first year as a select school.

And this game will be played in Kentwood. It’s 70805 time Two north Baton Rouge teams from the same zip code, No. 13 Istrouma (9-3) and No.

5 Madison Prep (8-3), meet in a Division II select game at Olympia Stadium. This is the first time the football teams have met on the varsity level. Madison Prep is a Class 4A team, while MPA is 3A.

So there is not much common ground. One thing both teams have is a playmaker at running back. Istrouma’s Kyree Paul ran 120 yards and two touchdowns in Thursday’s win over Haynes Academy.

Madison Prep’s Alfred McKnight rushed for 180 yards and two TDs. We needed this I’ve mentioned rivalries or matchups we never knew we needed or wanted. It applies again this week with The Dunham School (11-0), the top seed in Division III select, hosting No.

9 Lafayette Christian (6-6). Most recently, Lafayette Christian flexed its muscles in Class 4A and Division II. Like West Monroe, LCA has taken some lumps this season.

LCA graduated record-setting QB JuJuan Johnson, who is now at LSU playing another position. Dunham has the nation’s No. 1 2027 prospect in its QB Elijan Haven.

The same is true for No. 7 Riverside (9-2) at second-seeded Ascension Catholic in Division IV select. Both teams have dynamic running backs — Dedric Lastie for Riverside and ACHS’ Chad Elzy Jr.

And ditto that for Division II nonselect Opelousas and Plaquemine. The sixth-seeded Green Devils (11-1) have Tyrese Mosby, while No. 14 Opelousas (8-3) counters with D’Shaun Ford, who has multiple Power 5 offers.

Finally, top-seeded St. James (8-2) hosts No. 9 Pine (9-3) in Division III nonselect.

Not much common ground here, so it will be uncharted territory for SJHS..