Good write-ups from Dandy's this morning.

https://www.dandydon.com/2017_LA_Prep_Non-Select_Semis.php

Non-select 1-A has three of the same teams in the final four from a year ago, including the defending state Champion No. 5 Logansport who puts its 27-game winning streak on the line when it travels to No. 1 West St. John. West St. John brings in a stifling defense that's only given up 21 points in the last seven games. The defending champs pack quite a punch on offense though, averaging 47 points per game during their playoff run.

On the other side of the bracket, No. 3 Kentwood led by LSU target and one of the state's best for 2019, Trey Palmer, takes on No. 2 Oak Grove. This a rematch of the semifinal game of 2015, when the Kangaroos of Kentwood beat Oak Grove 27-14 before going on to win the state championship. Oak Grove looks to revenge that lost and get back to the Super Dome for the first time since 2004.

In non-select 2-A, No. 4 Many, led by UCLA RB commit AJ Carter, travels to take on No. 1 Welsh. Welsh has been steady all season long with do it all QB Zach Hayes leading the way. The Greyhounds will have their hands full with not only A.J. Carter but Junior Sharcori Collier, as well. The backfield duo has over 3,200 yards and 40 scores between the pair.

The bottom half of the bracket has a lot of star power on the recruiting front. No. 2 Ferriday, with LSU commits DT Dare Rosenthal and ATH Dantrieze Scott, hosts St. Helena and Memphis commit ATH Troy Hurst. St Helena avenged a regular-season loss last week against a star-studded Amite team, 35-32. Hurst is not the only star for St. Helena, as QB Ricky Travis gets it done through the air and the ground. They will need to be up to task because Ferriday's defense is big and athletic. This might be one of the better games of the weekend.

In non-select 3A, Richwood took care of district rival and No. 1 seed Sterlington to set up a semifinal showdown with the No. 5 Kaplan Pirates. Richwood has a couple of Power 5 commits in TE Greo'quarius Spivey who is pledged to Mississippi State and S Hidari Ceasar who is committed to TCU. Kaplan's vaunted Wing-T offense is tough to stop, especially come playoff time. The pirates dropped three games (Acadiana, Welsh, and Notre Dame) this year, but all three of those schools are still playing football in the first week of December. After getting to the semis last year, Tank Lotief's squad looks to get over the hump and get to the Dome.

Another team trying to get over that hump after a semi trip last year is No. 6 West Feliciana. The Saints are taking on No. 10 Jennings. While West Feliciana is a mainstay in the state semis with four trips in the last six years, the Saints are looking to punch their ticket to the finals for the first time in school history. In order for them to do that, they are going to have to take on a very good Jennings team who has turned it on in the playoffs. After dropping a game to 2-A No. 1 seed Welsh, the Bulldogs have rattled off seven straight victories. This 3-A division looks to be highly competitive.

There will be many fireworks in the 4-A semifinal, starting with No. 4 Warren Easton taking on No. 1 Edna Karr. Karr, the defending state champion, won its regular-season finale to a tune of 40-6 but I don't see this one being that kind of blowout. There will be loads of talent on the field for this one with nine three- and four-star players for both teams combined. Since the wallop Warren Easton took from Karr, the Fighting Eagles have been playing lights out, outscoring the opposition in the playoffs 145-3. I think this is the best game of them all in a loaded weekend in the state.

Looking to the other side of bracket, the No. 11 Rayne Wolves take their Wing-T offense to undefeated No. 2 Lakeshore. This is a rematch of a first-round playoff game a year ago, in which Rayne dominated Lakeshore 49-18. This is a different year, though, and Lakeshore has been blowing folks out all year long. In fact, their closest game of the season was still a 17-point victory. This is shaping up to be a good match with Lakeshore looking for its first trip to the dome.

In 5-A there are lots of familiar names in the semifinals again this year. No. 1 West Monroe, who was in the finals a year ago, is facing No. 4 Zachary, who is making its fourth straight trip to the semis. West Monroe is battle tested after playing a brutal schedule and going unscathed. Zachary comes in dropping only two games this year to two teams (Catholic High BR and University High) both playing for State Championships next weekend.

On the other side of bracket, No. 3 Acadiana and their veer machine welcomes the hottest recruit in the state (current Kansas commit) Anthony “"Pooka” Williams and No. 10 Hahnville. Acadiana runs the veer to perfection come playoff time and will hope to keep Williams off the field. Williams has already rushed for 915 yards and 10 TDs in this year's playoffs. 5-A looks to be wide open with four solid teams trying to get back to New Orleans for a shot at a state championship.