SBLive Louisiana Top 25 football rankings: Destrehan still tops rankings, but other undefeated teams challenging
By Channing Ewing
With two weeks left in the regular season, several teams are still vying to finish with perfect records heading into the playoffs.
Undefeated Destrehan remains at the top of this week's SBLive Louisiana Top 25 rankings, but there are still several challengers with spotless records eager to knock off the Wildcats for No. 1 when the playoffs get under way in two weeks.
Here are this week's Top 25 rankings. Also keep in mind that many games this week have been moved up to Thursday due to the threat of inclement weather on Friday.
Sources that were used to help formulate the SBLive Louisiana Top 25 include GeauxPreps.com and the polls put together by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
1. Destrehan (8-0)
The Wildcats keep on rolling, and once again, they scored at least 40 points in doing so. Their latest win was a 49-10 triumph at Sulphur.
Destrehan finishes up a three-game road swing this week against East St. John.
2. Many (7-0)
The Tigers move up to No. 2 by continuing to show off their dominant form. Last week, they rolled past Jonesboro-Hodge, 58-0.
Many goes on the road Thursday to face Red River.
3. North DeSoto (8-0)
At home last week, the Griffins took care of business against a solid Huntington squad, winning 48-6.
Thursday night, they will travel to face Bossier.
4. De La Salle (8-0)
For the second straight week, the Cavaliers scored exactly 48 points. This time, it was a 48-9 decision against Riverdale.
De La Salle ends the regular season with back-to-back road games, starting with a Saturday tilt against Eleanor McMain.
5. Church Point (8-0)
In last week's 50-20 win against Ville Platte, it marked the sixth straight game the Bears have scored 50 or more points.
They will play their regular-season home finale this week against Kaplan.
6. Vermilion Catholic (8-0)
The Eagles recorded their second straight shutout, and their fifth over the past six ballgames, in a 43-0 whitewash against Centerville.
Vermilion Catholic plays at home this week, facing Central Catholic.
7. Glenbrook (8-0)
Glenbrook continues to get things done, following a 48-16 Week 8 road win at Plain Dealing.
Thursday night, Glenbrook returns home, welcoming in Homer in a matchup of Top 25 squads.
8. Carroll (7-0)
The Bulldogs stayed perfect last week following a 29-8 win at Franklin Parish.
However, that game was overshadowed by incidents involving Carroll coaches and Franklin Parish fans. On Wednesday, the Louisiana High School Athletic Association announced that Carroll coach Brandon Landers and eight assistant coaches have been suspended for the rest of the season for their role, though Monroe City Schools noted it will appeal the ruling.
Carroll will play again this week at home against Richwood.
9. Newman (6-1)
Last week, the Greenies played their first home game since Sept. 16 and were more than happy to return to familiar surroundings. They defeated Metairie Park Country Day, 31-14.
But Newman goes right back on the road this week, traveling to face Martin Luther King Charter.
10. St. Thomas More (7-1)
The Cougars posted arguably the biggest win in the state last week, prevailing in a thriller at previously undefeated Teurlings Catholic, 35-30.
STM wants to build off of that huge win on Thursday as the Cougars return home to take on Westgate.
11. Iowa (7-1)
Iowa needed a late field goal to hold off Lake Charles College Prep in Week 8, prevailing 17-16.
The Yellow Jackets will hit the road this week, going to take on St. Louis Catholic.
12. Bogalusa (6-1)
The Lumberjacks enjoyed a week off, but now will get back to action on Thursday, a road game at rival Pine.
13. Opelousas (7-1)
Last week, the Tigers barely got past Cecilia, 21-16, to win their seventh straight game.
Opelousas goes on the road this week to do battle with Breaux Bridge.
14. Teurlings Catholic (7-1)
Teurlings, last week's No. 2 ranked squad, dropped down following a close defeat to St. Thomas More.
The Rebels seek to rebound in Week 9 with a home game against Northside.
15. Zachary (6-1)
Keep an eye out on the Zebras. Last week, they posted their fourth straight win with a 42-28 road triumph at Central-Baton Rouge.
Zachary is back on the road in Week 9, going to Liberty before returning home next week to take on Catholic-Baton Rouge in the regular-season finale.
16. Warren Easton (7-1)
Easton recorded its third six-point win of the season in Week 8, edging past Madison Prep, 20-14.
The Eagles have a home contest this Saturday, facing Abramson.
17. Ruston (7-1)
The Bearcats rolled to their seventh straight week last week, downing West Ouachita, 48-7.
Ruston has two challenging tests left on its regular-season schedule. This week, the Bearcats go to Ouachita Parish before returning home in Week 10 to take on fellow Top 25 squad West Monroe.
18. West Monroe (6-1)
West Monroe scored a very impressive win last week against a good Ouachita Parish squad. It was all Rebels, to the tune of 45-14.
This week, the Rebels have their regular-season home finale, taking on Alexandria.
19. Catholic-Baton Rouge (7-1)
The Bears survived a big test at crosstown rival Woodlawn, winning 30-28. It was the seventh straight win for Catholic, all coming against in-state foes, as the Bears' lone loss came to a school from out of state.
Catholic is at home in Week 9 to face Scotlandville.
20. Neville (6-2)
Following a Week 5 loss to Ruston, the Tigers have become unstoppable. They have won each of their last three games by an average margin of 50.3 points, the latest a 43-7 triumph last week against Tioga.
Neville seeks to continue its recent strong run at home this week, facing Franklin Parish.
21. Union Parish (7-1)
The Farmers got their usual dose of big plays from tailback and LSU commit Trey Holly, but it was a big defensive play late from Holly which preserved a 21-20 road win at Richwood in Week 8.
Union Parish, which has currently won five straight, returns home for its final two regular-season ballgames, starting with a Week 9 matchup with Wossman.
22. Homer (6-2)
Homer bounced back from a shutout loss in Week 7 to Prescott, Ark., rolling to a 43-6 win against Arcadia.
The Pelicans go on the road for the final two weeks of the regular season, both big tests. Thursday, they travel to face undefeated Glenbrook; then next week, they go to traditional rival Haynesville.
23. John Curtis (7-1)
John Curtis has reeled off six straight wins since a Week 2 loss to Zachary. The Patriots' latest triumph was 28-21 last week against St. Augustine; ironically, the lone team to beat Zachary this season.
This week, John Curtis plays at Brother Martin.
24. St. James (7-1)
Since a 28-20 opening-week loss to East St. John, the Wildcats have been dominant. Last week, they posted a 41-12 win against Donaldsonville, the sixth time during their current seven-game win streak the Wildcats recorded a win by double digits.
St. James heads home this week to take on Berwick.
25. Parkway (7-1)
Parkway bounced back from a stunning Week 7 home loss to Byrd with a decisive Week 8 home win against Natchitoches Central. The Panthers cruised, 37-22.
Thursday night, the Panthers stay in Bossier City, but will go to nearby Airline, with the Vikings coming in riding a five-game winning streak.