Mr. Pickem's Weekly Football Predictions

Week 12 Playoffs Friday Nov. 22, 2024

Overall Record: 203-35 Last Week: 16-2 Featured games: 7-4

#21 West Monroe Rebs (6-5) @ #5 Mandeville Skippers (10-1)

2024 hasn't been a typical West Monroe season according to the Rebs faithful. After a slow start to the season the Rebs find themselves as the overall #21 seed in the LHSAA playoffs, which could mean road games every round. However, what the Rebs faithful are used to is the long playoff run that has been a staple of West Monroe football since the 90's. A first round road 35-14 win over Parkway in Round 1 was just the remedy to a somewhat mid 5-5 season, guaranteeing the Rebs of a .500 season or better. RB Boobie Miles carried the mail for the Rebs on his way to 177 yards on the ground with a TD, while QB Ryder Dejean was just as effective through the air going 8/12 with 163 yards and a score.

In the meantime, Mandeville's season has mimicked that of the West Monroe glory days, going 9-1 in the regular which was followed by a first-round win over Thibodaux. The Skipper offense has been on cruise control all season and there was nothing different on last Friday as they would gain over 250 total yards. Senior RB Isaiah Baham was the workhorse for Mandeville, rushing for 95 yards on 24 carries which included a touchdown. Defensively, Mandeville utilized 3 takeaways and a scoop and scored by junior DL Marques Zenon to seal the victory.

When I filled out my bracket, I initially had Mandeville winning this game because I was not aware that all-world RB, Nate Sheppard, would be out for the remainder of the playoffs. The 5'11, 190lb Duke committed, was lost after week 7 to a significant injury and the Skipper offense has faltered slightly in his absence. Combined with QB Ben Hendricks throwing ability, for 7 weeks, Mandeville displayed one of the best offensive attacks in the state and although they'll be without Sheppard, senior RB Baham will be more than capable. Baham had a 222-yard game in his first start and will be key if the Skippers plan to advance. West Monroe gave up over 250 rushing yards vs Parkway and if that's not cleaned up then it'll be a quick end to the season, but fortunately the Rebs offense relieved some of the pressure by gaining nearly 500 total yards. WR Tre Davis will be key for West Monroe, the junior has been a one-man wrecking crew and if the Rebs want to advance, he'll have to put up another performance like he did a week ago (6 catches, 141yds,1td). When injuries occur in high school sports, circumstances can change drastically even in 5A. Sheppard's injury left a huge void for the Skippers to fill and although Baham has steadied the ship, he's still no Sheppard. West Monroe is healthy and confident and has no problem playing underdog. The last time these teams met was in the 2011 semi-finals with the Rebs coming away victorious 26-14 on their way to a state championship. A championship in 2024 may be a little far-fetched but a second-round win over Mandeville is more than reasonable and, in my opinion, likely.

West Monroe 28 Mandeville 22

Player Of The Game: Ryder Dejean – 10/15 165 Yards, 2 TDs – 10 Car. 76 Yds, 1 T

Area Scores:

Division I Non-Select

#1 Neville 27 #16 Covington 14

#3 Ruston 34 #14 Zachary 17

#4 Central 29 #13 West Ouachita 21

#21 West Monroe 28 #5 Mandeville 22

Division Ii Non-Select

#4 Franklin Parish 40 #13 Brusly 24

#5 Iowa 30 #21 Wossman 18

Division Iii Non-Select

#3 Oak Grove 41 #14 Mansfield 22

#5 Union Parish 43 #12 Red River 14

#6 Sterlington 50 #11 Lakeside 28

#7 Jena 26 #23 Port Allen 16

Division Iv Non-Select

#7 Mangham 28 #10 West St John 20

#9 Welsh 44 #8 Ferriday 32

#12 General Trass 36 #5 North Iberville 34

Division Iii Select

#2 Isidore Newman 44 #15 D'Arbonne Woods 14

Division Iv Select

#13 Southern Lab 26 #4 St. Fred 22

#11 OCS 40 #6 Catholic (Pc) 20

MR. PICKEM'S GOAT OF THE WEEK

ANTON DAVIS –

ATH, GENERAL TRASS

8 CARRIES, 15 YARDS, 4 TD

4 RECEPTIONS, 154 YARDS, 2 TD

Vs CENTERVILLE

Photo Neville Football-Neville #77 protects Neville Quarterback #15 Parker Robinson

Photo Neville Faithful Mrs. Sharon White and Mrs. Mary Tucker