Class 5A-4A
1. Catholic (5-1): The Bears made an important statement with a 35-17 win over previously unbeaten Central, bringing the District 4-5A race into a tighter focus.
2. Dutchtown (6-0) and Zachary (5-1): The Griffins have weathered every storm in District 5-5A to date and getting speedster Lekedrin Harvey back in the lineup helps. And Zachary continues to do Zachary things. The execution in a 4-5A win over Liberty on Thursday was solid if not masterful.
4. Lutcher (6-0): With a win over rival E.D. White on Friday, the Bulldogs have the inside track to the District 8-4A title. The win also reinforced Lutcher’s status among the Class 4A elite.
5. Central (6-1): The fall to No. 5 might seem a bit steep after one loss. With that said, the Wildcats did garner some important lessons to put to use in the weeks ahead as the District 4-5A race continues.
6. Plaquemine (6-1): No doubt that the Green Devils of 6-4A had the top offensive performance in Week 7 with seven second-half TDs. The combination of quarterback Nico Victorian and running back Tyrese Mosby is as impressive as any we’ve seen so far.
7. St. Amant (4-2): The Gators were not prolific on offense last week, but in a rivalry game like St. Amant-East Ascension you take what you can get. And St. Amant has gotten pretty much what it needed the past two weeks.
8. Istrouma (6-1) and West Feliciana (4-3): The Indians travel to play West Feliciana for a huge 6-4A game. Both were impressive in big wins last week. This is no doubt the toughest test Istrouma has faced yet.
10. Walker (4-3): The Wildcats face Dutchtown in a pivotal 5-5A game this week. How Walker responds after back-to-back losses is worth noting.
On the outside looking in: Brusly, Denham Springs, East Ascension, St. Michael, Woodlawn.
Class 3A and below
1. University (6-1): All the Cubs have done is win six in a row since a Week 1 loss to 5A Rummel. Don’t expect the Cubs to overlook Parkview Baptist this week. The challenge from Madison Prep can wait.
2. Dunham (7-0): The Tigers have taken on and beaten all comers on their schedule so far. Much like U-High, I doubt Dunham will get caught looking ahead to a showdown with Episcopal. The rivalry can wait.
3. St. James (4-2): Freshman quarterback Ju’Juan Jackson was among the players who helped the 3A Wildcats get on track after a loss to 4A Shaw.
4. Ascension Catholic (5-1): The 1A Bulldogs' lone loss was a close one to Dunham. They have outscored three opponents 123-14 since the loss to Dunham.
5. Madison Prep (4-3): After an 0-3 start vs. 5A opponents, the 3A Chargers are hitting on all cylinders ahead of their Week 9 showdown with U-High in District 6-3A.
6. Episcopal (6-1): The Knights lone loss was 14-7 to 1A Ascension Catholic. Like Dunham, I don’t expect Episcopal to be looking ahead to Dunham in Week 9. East Feliciana is a team that would take advantage of any letdown.
7. Catholic-PC (7-0): All the Hornets have done is win. They face another unbeaten in St. Edmund (7-0) for a Thursday game that will likely decide the 5-1A title.
8. Southern Lab (3-3): The 1A Kittens have lost three in a row, but there is no time for a pity party. Southern Lab hosts rival Kentwood in a District 9-1A opener that will be scrutinized statewide.
9. Parkview Baptist (4-3): Since losing to Madison Prep two weeks ago the Eagles have bounced back nicely in 6-3A. Of course, U-High looms this week.
10. North Iberville (6-1): The 1A Bears lost 44-43 to White Castle last week. Now they face Ascension Catholic in Thursday night in one of their toughest tests to date.
On the outside looking in: Baker, Donaldsonville, East Iberville, Port Allen, Slaughter Charter, White Castle.