5 Big Louisiana HS Semifinal Matchups: The Massey Ratings (and Jerit’s Take)

High school football stadiums around Louisiana will host their final games of the season on Friday.

Thirty-two teams will compete in eight divisions for 16 spots in Caesars Superdome for next week’s Prep Classic.

The semi-final is packed with exciting matchups and we’ll look at five of the most intriguing, including players to watch and predictions from Massey High School Rankings and myself.

No. 4 Catholic-Baton Rouge (11-0) at No. 1 Edna Karr (11-0)

Select Division-I

Friday, 7 p.m., at Morris FX Jeff Stadium (Jerit will report from the sidelines)

Massey rankings: No. 5 vs. No. 1

Last week: The Catholic defeated No. 5 Archbishop Rummel 14-7. Edna Karr defeated No. 8 St. Thomas More 42-14.

Players to Watch: 2025 Edna Karr DL Corey Adams Jr. (Ole Miss), 2026 Edna Karr DL Richard Anderson (LSU), 2025 Edna Karr LB Arsenio Bolds Jr.2026 Catholic S Blaine Bradford2025 Catholic DB Jacob Bradford (LSU), 2025 Edna Karr DB/LB Tyrik Brigalia, 2025 Catholic WR Amari Clayton (Nicholls State), 2025 Edna Karr WR TaRon Francis (LSU), 2026 Edna Karr DB Aiden Hall (LSU), 2026 Edna Karr DB Hayward Howard Jr.2026 Edna Karr QB John Johnson Jr., 2025 Catholic DB Cayden Jones, 2025 Catholic WR Cohen LeBlanc, 2027 Catholic RB Jayden Miles2025 Edna Karr WR Oliver Mitchell Jr. (Tulane), 2025 Catholic RB Rylan Parker, 2026 Edna Karr DB Torrence Sanders, 2025 Catholic OT Ervin Smith (Louisiana Tech), 2025 Edna Karr WR Daejawn Smith, 2026 Catholic OT Blaise Thomassie2026 Edna Karr DB Maurice Williams Jr.

Current story: Catholic won a quarterfinal 32-24 at BREC’s Memorial Stadium in 2022, keeping Edna Karr out of the semifinals for the only time this decade.

Massey forecast: Edna Karr (80%), 41-21.

Jerit Thoughts: Two of the state’s few best teams in any classification. The undefeated top team against the reigning champions. Edna Karr and Catholic (Baton Rouge) matchups have consistently been epic battles over the years – except for a lopsided Bears win in Baton Rouge in 2019. This year, the Cougars have dominantly defeated nearly every opponent in their path. But win or not, such a lead seems unlikely in this duel. However, Edna Karr has little to no weaknesses from a talent perspective and is the best team in the state when it avoids its own mistakes. Junior quarterback John Johnson has been exceptional, and his weapons speak for themselves when looking at Wednesday’s Signing Day celebrations for wide receivers TaRon Francis (LSU), Oliver Mitchell Jr. (Tulane) and Daejawn Smith (Louisiana Tech). . Catholic figures bring battle to the city. But slowing down the Cougars’ full firepower or keeping up with a stout Karr defense for four quarters in Algiers might prove too tall a task this year.

No. 5 Union Parish (9-4) at No. 1 St. James (9-2)

Division-III non-selection

Friday, 7 p.m., at St. James Wildcat Stadium

Massey rankings: No. 55 vs. No. 45

Last week: Union Parish defeated No. 4 Kids 44-14. St. James defeated No. 9 Pine 26-7.

Players to Watch: 2027 St. James DB Jye Blain, 2025 Union Parish RB Derrick Dew, 2028 St. James QB Ja’Juan Jackson, 2027 St. James RB/DB Kendrick Joseph Jr., 2026 St. James RB Kani King-Young, 2025 Union Parish WR/DB Chase Meeking, 2025 St. James LB Chaidyn Parker, 2027 Union Parish QB Braxton Patterson, 2026 Union Parish DE/TE Ari Slocum, 2025 Union Parish DL Tyreon Traylor, 2026 St. James WR/ATH Jakias Villanueva, 2025 St. James DB Garry White, 2025 Union Parish LB Tyquereis Wilson (Mississippi Valley State), 2025 St. James DB Jarrell Williams, 2026 St. James WR Kanye Zenon, 2026 St. James LB Nolan Zenon.

Current story: Union Parish defeated St. James 36-35 and scored a late two-pointer in last season’s state championship game. St. James won a home semifinal 25-14 in 2019.

Massey forecast: St. James (59%), 27-21.

Jerit Thoughts: A rematch of a 2023 state championship game couldn’t be left off the list. And the home Wildcats will be eager to host the Farmers in beautiful downtown Vacherie after suffering heartbreak last season. The story of St. James is one of youth, but also of talent and depth within that youth, and the group has continued to find its way toward its annual goal – regardless of age or experience – of reaching the Superdome. Union Parish is now in its sixth straight semifinal and has proven time and time again that it can get not only to this point but also to the Superdome, regardless of roster turnover in any given senior class. Friday looks to be physical and intense in the River Parishes, but I’m giving the home team the advantage in a relative duel.

No. 18 Cecilia (10-3) and No. 6 Plaquemine (12-1)

Division-II non-selection

Friday, 7 p.m., at Plaquemine’s Andrew Canova Green Devil Stadium

Massey rankings: No. 26 vs. No. 35

Last week: Cecilia defeated No. 7 North DeSoto 57-40. Plaquemine defeated No. 14 Opelouas 35-22.

Players to Watch: 2025 Cecilia OL Ryker Airhart, 2026 Plaquemine ATH Dajon Beloney, 2026 Plaquemine DB/LB Roderick Bingham, 2027 Cecilia ATH Braylon Calais2026 Cecilia WR Jermaine Davis, 2027 Cecilia DB Franky Frank Jr., 2025 Cecilia DB/WR Brent Gordon Jr. (Ragin’ Cajuns), 2026 Cecilia LB Braylon Jones, 2025 Cecilia OL Christian Menard2025 Plaquemine RB Tyrese Mosby, 2025 Cecilia QB/ATH Diesel Solari2025 Cecilia WR/ATH Ellis Stewart, 2025 Plaquemine QB Nico Victorian, 2027 Plaquemine ATH John Walker V.

Current story: Cecilia won a non-district game 34-8 in 2007.

Massey forecast: Cecilia (62%), 42-35.

Jerit Thoughts: Both teams were underrated most of the season and were explosive on most Friday nights. Nobody looks like being particularly consistent in completely stopping either one. So whoever can think of more timely stops could ultimately decide on this one. And Cecilia appears to have greater firepower and versatility on offense, more experience in games of this magnitude and a field general in Diesel Solari who is one of the toughest and most dynamic players in the state. Expect the Bulldogs to fight their way back to the Superdome, even as the Green Devils put up a thrilling battle in front of their home crowd.

No. 7 Catholic-New Iberia (11-1) at No. 3 Calvary Baptist (10-2)

Division-III Select

Friday, 7 p.m., at Jerry Barker Stadium

Massey rankings: No. 40 vs. No. 22

Last week: Catholic (New Iberia) defeated No. 2 Isidore Newman 31-0. Calvary Baptist defeated No. 6 Episcopal (Baton Rouge) 52-10.

Players to Watch: 2025 Calvary Baptist OL Devin Harper (LSU), 2027 Calvary Baptist DB Braylun Huglon2025 Catholic (New Iberia) QB Luke LeBlanc, 2025 Calvary Baptist LB Cole Miller, 2026 Calvary Baptist S Luke Miller, 2025 Catholic (New Iberia) WR/DB Jaiden Mitchell, 2025 Calvary Baptist S/RB Julius Moss (Air Force), 2025 Calvary Baptist DL Ethan Sands, 2025 Calvary Baptist RB James Simon (Texas), 2025 Calvary Baptist WR Kaleb Tucker (Texas Southern), 2025 Calvary Baptist QB Abram Wardell2025 Catholic (New Iberia) LB Bennett Woodring, 2025 Catholic (New Iberia) ATH Jake Wyman.

Current story: The teams met three times, with the winner winning a state championship each time. Catholic (New Iberia) swept a second-round game 49-28 en route to the 2017 title, while Calvary Baptist won the 2014 championship game 27-24 and a 2013 semifinal 34-33.

Massey forecast: Calvary Baptist (80%), 40-20.

Jerit Thoughts: The games between these schools have always been a lot of fun in the past, and this year’s teams enter the matchup with booming momentum on both sides. Not to be overlooked is Catholic (New Iberia), which is likely Calvary Baptist’s biggest test since early-season matchups against Division I No. 1 non-select Neville and No. 4 non-select Franklin Parish Division II. But games like this along the way, as well as last season’s title run – not to mention home-court advantage – should serve the Cavaliers well. Calvary Baptist has a level of poise and efficiency on both ends that may prove too much for the visiting Panthers in this game, and Jerry Barker Stadium could turn into another celebration in the second half of the fourth quarter.

No. 10 Destrehan (10-3) at No. 3 Ruston (10-2)

Select Division-I

Friday, 7 p.m., at Hoss Garrett Stadium in Ruston

Massey rankings: No. 15 vs. No. 2

Last week: Destrehan defeated No. 2 Airline 69-41. Ruston defeated No. 6 Southside 49-7.

Players to Watch: 2025 Ruston DB Aidan Anding (LSU), 2027 Ruston DB Jayden Anding2025 Ruston DL Payton Bell, 2025 Ruston QB/ATH Joshua Brantley (Tulane), 2025 Ruston RB Dylone Brooks, 2026 Destrehan DL Bryce Bufkin, 2027 Destrehan RB Malachi Dabney, Destrehan QB Jackson Fields, 2025 Destrehan LB Myd Gilbert, 2025 Ruston RB Jordan Hayes2025 Ruston LB Zheric Hill (Louisiana Tech), 2026 Destrehan WR Jabari Mack2026 Destrehan OL/DL Braylon Montero, 2025 Ruston C Sam Nations (Northwestern State), 2025 Ruston WR Joran Parker, 2026 Destrehan DB Damien Richard II, 2025 Destrehan WR/DB Johnnie Thiel IV (Louisiana Tech), 2025 Destrehan LB Semaj Walker, 2026 Destrehan WR Greg Wilfred2025 Destrehan WR Phillip Wright III (LSU).

Current story: Destrehan won three straight postseason playoff games against Ruston, culminating in a 17-10 state championship victory in 2022.

Massey forecast: Ruston (93%), 42-14.

Jerit Thoughts: This Destrehan team is very different from the struggling version of itself that lost a few games early in the season, prompting some fans to call it quits early. I expect these Wildcats to move the ball a little better and put more points on the field than you would expect against Ruston. But the Bearcats will be the best defense Destrehan has faced in months, if not all season, and they will also be able to move the ball effectively behind Joshua Brantley and their senior running back duo . Ruston will be tough to beat at home on Friday – and will be the likely favorite in the Superdome next week. Don’t be surprised if new LSU signee Aidan Anding delivers one or two crazy highlights each week in terms of interceptions and return opportunities.