Barbe will be hoping history repeats itself this weekend, while LaGrange will be hoping for a different ending to a familiar script.

No. 7 Barbe (9-2) hosts No. 10 Mandeville (8-3) and No. 11 LaGrange (7-4) travels to New Orleans to face No. 6 Landry-Walker (8-2) in regional-round games of the high school football state playoffs.

The Bucs have won three consecutive regionals. To keep the streak going they will have to overcome a stout Skippers defense that has allowed 31 points in the last seven games, has two shutouts on the season and has allowed more than 14 points only twice. Mandeville beat Slidell 14-7 in the first round.

“They are very solid,” said Barbe head coach Mike Cutrera. “Their front is good, their linebacking corps is excellent and in the secondary they cover well and get to the football.

“Offensively they kind of look like us. They run a spread shotgun set. They have a good offensive line and good running back. The quarterback is a young guy but they throw it pretty well. They have pretty good receivers.”

The Barbe defense was outstanding in its own right in last week’s 14-10 win over Dutchtown.

“I like they way we are playing,” Cutrera said. “If they continue to play that way we will have a chance. I like the way we are getting to the football and playing solid.”

Bucs quarterback Gavin Nettles led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives after the offense struggled in the first half against Dutchtown. Nettles ran for a score and threw the winning touchdown pass.

“He is doing good,” Cutrera said. “A sophomore as well, is progressing good and getting better each game. He managed the game, making plays when we needed to, making throws and running the football.”

Landry-Walker eliminated LaGrange last season en route to a semifinal appearance. The Chargers eliminated LaGrange in 2011 as well. Each of LaGrange’s last four playoff appearances have ended with road losses to New Orleans-area teams.

Gators head coach Jules Sullen said the Gators are prepared to flip the script.

“We understand that in order to reach the dome some of the better teams are in New Orleans in 4A,” he said.

“Every year Landry-Walker has size, speed, probably some of the best Division I prospects. This year they are pretty much the same thing. Their objective is to attack the perimeter with the run and pass. In the past we had some problems making the big plays, crucial third down conversions, inconsistencies with lining up on defense.

“We feel really, good; we feel the team we have this year is more mature than what we have had in the past.”

Sullen said he is not disappointed with the matchup.

“It has developed into a good rivalry, unfortunately we haven’t won yet,” he said. “Maybe this will be the year for us. We feel really confident with (running back Markell) Hawthorne, (quarterback Jeremiah) West, (receiver Dondal) Lewis and those guys. I think we are playing good ball at this time. We feel we have a real good shot. Not taking anything away from them, we are not the same team we were in the past.”

Sullen said this year’s team has made strides in the intangible parts of the game.

“We have done a better job of understanding we don’t have a lot of big-name athletes,” he said. “Everyone understands their roles, understands what it takes to win collectively as a team instead of individuals worried about everyone getting their touches. The camaraderie is different. These kids are more like a family. Many of the kids have played when they were younger; we are seasoned now.

“We played outstanding teams in the nondistrict schedule. We feel our chances are good this year.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)