Four area teams move up in polls

Four local-area teams moved up one spot in the latest Louisiana Sports Writers Association high school football polls released Tuesday.

Dutchtown (3-1) is sixth in Class 5A, Brusly (4-1) is eighth in Class 3A, University (4-1) is fourth in Class 2A and Southern Lab (4-1) is eighth in Class 1A. All four schools moved up a spot at the midpoint of the season.

Parkview Baptist (4-0) is the top-ranked team in Class 3A. Loranger (4-0) is third and Livonia (5-0) fifth in Class 3A. Brusly moved up despite losing its first game 13-12 to Livonia.

Other top-ranked teams include Rummel (4-0) in Class 5A, Neville (5-0) in Class 4A, John Curtis (5-0) in Class 2A and Ouachita Christian (5-0) in Class 1A. Lutcher (4-0) is fourth in Class 4A.

Rummel is the only undefeated team in the top 10 in Class 5A.

Dutchtown coach Benny Saia said he was surprised unbeaten St. Amant (4-0) isn’t ranked. The Gators, who have key wins over Lafayette and Central, received 14 points and are the second team behind Jesuit outside the top 10.

Dutchtown entertains St. Amant Friday to open District 5-5A action.

“St. Amant is a very talented team and deserves to be in the top 10,” Saia said. “St. Amant plays really good defense and has a good rushing attack behind a physical line. They’re playing with a lot of confidence. We’ll have to be disciplined in what we do to slow them down.

“I think our district is more balanced this year than last year. A number of teams, including St. Amant, returned a lot of players. It’ll be a fun week. Both teams are having success, and that will make it even more exciting.”

Dutchtown bounced back from a 21-14 loss to Zachary in Week 4 with a 42-21 win over Destrehan. St. Amant’s defense has allowed just 25 points this season.

“I thought we played as complete a game as we’ve played against Destrehan,” Saia said. “I’m proud of the kids for the way they’ve bounced back from the loss.”

Parkview is coming off an exciting 39-34 victory over Catholic High. The Eagles entertain East Feliciana (2-2) in a District 6-3A opener.

“We’re pleased with our play in predistrict games,” Parkview coach Kenny Guillot said. “We’re proud to be ranked No. 1. It just puts a bulls-eye on our back. The kids know they’ve got to play well each week. East Feliciana and West Feliciana have very good teams. Anybody can beat anybody.”

University has won its last three games by a 118-20 margin. The Cubs entertain Episcopal (3-1) in a District 7-2A opener Friday.

“It’s been nice to be ranked high all season,” University coach Chad Mahaffey said. “There are so many good teams in 2A this year. It’s nice to be lumped in with them. Episcopal is a big rival for us, and they’ve got another good team. It’s always a tight ball game when we play.

“Our defense has done a really good job. Two players who have really played well are Jarrod Franklin (free safety/wide receiver) and quarterback Nik Kragthorpe.”

Catholic and Central also received votes in Class 5A. West Feliciana and East Feliciana picked up votes in Class 3A, and Episcopal received votes in Class 2A.