Mr. Pickem Football Grissom's Predictions

Mr. Pickem Football Grissom’s Predictions

Semi-Final Round - Lhsaa Playoffs Dec. 18

Weekly Record: 7-1 Overall 108-30 Featured Games 10-6

#4 Neville Tigers (7-2) @ #1 Carencro Bears (10-1)

In the playoffs, sometimes it’s not about how pretty you play but what the scoreboard says afterwards. Last week, the Neville Tigers went on the road to play a rematch vs district foe, Minden after having already beating them in their week 5 homecoming game. It wasn’t pretty nor easy but the Tigers advanced to the semis with a 27-0 shutout over the Tide last Thursday night. In typical Neville fashion Coach Jeff Tannehill’s squad controlled both lines of scrimmage while holding the home team to less than 150 yards of total offense. Neville’s entire front 7 controlled the game while limiting the Tide to less than 150 yards of total offense on the night. Myron Elam, Eneche Sledge and Griffin McGee made the going tough for the Minden ball carriers from start to finish. The 2-headed combo of Tim Byrd and AJ Allen had modest nights combining for only 100 yards and 0 TDs while QB Brett Batteford continued his hot streak on the ground. The 6’2 junior signal caller wasn’t called upon to throw it much but was able to dice up the Minden defense with 104 yards and 2 scores. LB/RB Lane Blue provided the only other Tiger touchdown when he barreled in the endzone for the first Tiger score.

In southwestern Louisiana the number 1 seeded Carencro Bears were hitting on all cylinders as the routed the visiting, Plaquemine Green Devils by the score of 81-14. The game was somewhat close after the first quarter but the Bears decided to turn on the jets from that point on sending them into the semis. After gaining nearly 200 yards through the first 12 minutes of the game Coach Tony Courville’s bunch found themselves leading 26-14 in what appeared to be a potential barnburner. However, the Bears wouldn’t be up for that as they completely wiped out the visitors the rest of the way. The Bears would score on every possession of the game from that point on getting touchdowns from Kendrell Williams, Traylon Prejean and Dontae Darjean just to name a few. QB Tavion Faulk also got in on the scoring with a 30-yard 1st quarter run.

“Neville vs Carencro” has always has a nice ring to it since the two teams locked up in the 1992 state title game. Former LSU and New England Patriots RB Kevin Faulk guided that Carencro team into the game and defeated a previously undefeated Neville team in overtime 28-27. It would take the Tigers 23 years to exact some revenge when the 2 teams faced again in the 2015 2nd round in a game that the Tigers would win 38-12. A year later Neville took the “rubber match” with another impressive 42-15 win at Carencro in the LHSAA quarterfinals. There’s not much that this Carencro offensive line hasn’t seen in terms of alignments but I’m expecting Neville defensive coordinator, Benjy Lewis to throw a few kinks to keep them confused. In comparing like opponents, Carencro shutout the same West Monroe team that Neville lost to, which to some, may spell doom for the Tigers. However, that was a long time ago and neither of these teams are the same as they were then. This game has nail-biter written all over it and although I wouldn’t expect Carencro to put up another 80-spot nor would I expect the Tigers to blank the Bears. In that case, I’ll split the difference, Plaquemine was able to have some production in the run game before falling behind and scrapping the game-plan so there’ll be room for Byrd and Allen to impact this game, but the Bears are stout up front on both sides of the ball and if they can wear the Tigers down then they’ll find themselves playing in Natchitoches next week. Cooler weather is expected so I’m sure both teams will take the air out of the ball. Cold, dark nights at Carencro’s “Cro-Dome” have always been terrifying to opposing teams, but the Tigers are one team that can say that they’ve been there and done that and on Friday night they’ll do it again. Neville returns to the title game with a late field goal by William Read sending the Tigers to the championship game.

Neville 23 Carencro 21

***Grissom’s Star Of The Game***

William Read: 3/3 Fgs, 2/2 Pats – Game Winning 35-Yard Kick

*** UPSET SPECIAL***

#12 General Trass Panthers (8-2) Vs #1 Many Tigers (8-0)

Imagine being seeded #12 in the LHSAA playoffs knowing that after round 1 the stakes are against you. Well that scenario has played out right beneath our eyes in the small community of Lake Providence. The General Trass Panthers are the lowest seeded team remaining in all of the LHSAA brackets but are riding high after back-to-back upsets over #5 seeded North Caddo and #4 St Helena. Now the Panthers will travel to the western part of the state to face the undefeated #1 Many Tigers. Last Friday, in what most people thought could be a close game in favor of St Helena ended up a blowout in favor of the Panthers. RBs Demontrell Quinn and Markel Norris continued their rushing spree to the tune of 280 yards and 4 TDs on 43 carries. QB Wydette Williams only threw the ball 4 times but was just as lethal as Quinn and Norris on the ground. The 6’1, 180 lb junior led all rushers with 170 yards and 2 TDs. One of his most impressive runs came on a QB sneak from around midfield where he hurdled a defender before racing to pay-dirt. Defensively, Roscoe Norris was all over the place with 13 tackles stifling the Hawks potent power attack.

While the Panthers were knocking off Goliath for the second week in a row, Many was hitting the field in their first game since November 20th. After losing their first two playoff opponents due to Covid-19 contact tracing issues the Tigers had to play the wait and see game all the way into the quarterfinals. A very good Amite Warriors team awaited them and nearly came away with the upset over the Tigers, but a desperation Hail Mary attempt fell to the ground preserving the Tigers undefeated season. In a back-and-forth affair, Many took what appeared to be an insurmountable 14-point lead in the 3rd quarter before the Warriors rallied to take a 30-28 lead with less than 2 minutes to play. With only 90 second on the clock, Many’s London Williams plunged in from 2 yards out giving the Tigers the go ahead and game-winning score. RB Terrence Williams also added two scores in the game (17-yard run and 15-yard reception).

Many is no stranger to playoff success and a semi-finals bid isn’t what they’re settling for. Last season the Tigers lost to a strong Ferriday team in the championship game 56-17 and from that point, head coach Jess Curtis has been set on returning to the title game. The Tigers average over 41ppg this season and aside from last week, have not been tested. General Trass has shown that they’re not overly impressed by history nor school names as they’ve battled and defeated some of the finest programs in the state it seems week in and week out. Many has always been known for having huge running backs and this year is no different. Terrence Williams is 6’2 225lbs and by all means is a huge load to bring down and although London Williams isn’t as big, at 5’11 180lbs he’s just as hard to bring down. After watching the Panthers on Friday night I came away awfully impressed with how far the program has come and how respectable coach Toriano Wells has them looking. They’re good where successful teams need to good at: a strong running game with a very good run defense. Those ingredients have carried the Panthers this far and will carry them even farther in years to come.

After further research, I found out that the Panthers last semi-finals bid came in 1963 when the Panthers would make the state title game before losing to Amite 19-0. Ironically, the Panthers destroyed Many 40-0 in the first round of the playoffs that same season. But as I mentioned earlier, history won’t win this game. In one season, Trass has faced Evangel, Ferriday, Mangham and St Helena all teams that have either won or played in the title game within the past 5 seasons. Now Many, another team that fits the criteria, stares them right in the eyes and with prior early round forfeitures, the Tigers will finally get a chance to play on their own turf. The Panthers have carried the Cinderella slipper about as long as they could, but midnight is rapidly approaching. However, the Panthers aren’t ready to end this fantasy. In a see-saw battle, the Panthers use a little trickery to pull out the upset. Wells uses his version of the “Philly Special” as Norris finds Williams in the back of the end zone for the game-winning score sending the Panthers to their first title game in nearly 60 years.

General Trass 38 Many 34

***Grissom’s Star Of The Game***

Demontrell Quinn: 26 Carries, 176 YDS, 2TDS – 1/1 30 YARDS, 1TD – 6 TKL

Other Games:

5A

#10 West Monroe 21 #6 Alexandria 20

3A

#2 Union Parish 29 #3 Lake Charles College Prep 20

2A

#2 Mangham 27 #6 Kinder 23

1A

#1 Oak Grove 36 #5 Homer 16