Twelve weeks ago today the high school football season began with 29 teams from Southwest Louisiana.

Today five of those teams remain as they embark on the challenge of the state quarterfinals in their respective classes.

The largest area school alive is No. 11 Jennings (9-3) from Class 3A, which plays host to No. 3 Amite (10-2).

The Bulldogs traveled last week to No. 27 North Vermilion, where they pulled out a grueling 21-18 win over the Patriots who had upset No. 6 Buckeye in the first round of the playoffs.

“I give North Vermilion a lot of credit because that was one of those very tough, grind it out football games,” Jennings head coach Rusty Phelps said. “I’m really proud of the way we took the run away from because they are good on the ground. Offensively we were just a couple of play saving tackles away from breaking some really long touchdown runs.

“Over the last few years we have been unfortunate enough to have home games in the first couple of rounds, but for us to go on the road early and get a win was big for us. I was really pleased to get out of there with a win.”

This week they face an Amite team that is riding a seven-game winning streak. The Warriors boast a powerful defense that has produced five shutouts and held opponents to 6.4 points per game during their winning streak.

“Defensively they are very aggressive and run to the ball really well,” Phelps said. “They are very athletic and run a defense that uses a lot of blitzes.”

The Warriors also provide a stiff test on offense with an abundance of athletes.

“They are very athletic offensively,” Phelps said. “They can line up in the I-formation and be a power running team or throw four or five wide receivers out there and beat you with their speed. We are facing a true dual-threat quarterback who has a really big line in front of him.”

Class 2A

Sterlington at Vinton

The No. 11 Vinton Lions (8-4) return to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive season after beating Winnfield 20-14 in overtime last week.

Senior running back made his much-awaited return in the win, but was limited to five touches. He should see more action this week.

Wide receiver Anfernee Dixon leads the team with 51 catches for 1,025 yards and 12 touchdowns.

This week they host No. 3 Sterlington (9-3).

“Sterlington is a very good football team that traditionally always fields a strong team,” Vinton head coach Tarius Davis said. “They run a veer scheme with a very good quarterback and running back who has more than 1,300 yards this year. They also have very skilled offensive and defensive lines.”

Kinder at Springfield

Defending 2A state champions Kinder hit the road this week as they travel to No. 7 Springfield (10-2).

The No. 2 seeded-Yellow Jackets (12-0) have not allowed any opponent to come within 20 points of them this season and junior quarterback Welles Cooley is primed to pass the 1,000-yard mark in both passing and rushing.

Class 1A

Basile at Kentwood

In Class 1A the No. 5 Basile Bearcats (10-1) are fresh off a 38-6 win over LaSalle last week. Senior running back Kendrick Ceaser had a career night in the victory, rushing for 303 yards and all five Basile touchdowns, after being limited with a toe injury for much of the previous month.

“It’s good to see that our team is finally getting healthy,” Basile head coach Kevin Bertrand said. “With Kendrick being able to do what he did last week means that other teams are really going to have to focus on stopping our outside game, which could open up some other things for us.”

The Bearcats face a tall task tonight, however, as they travel to No. 4 Kentwood. The Kangaroos (8-2) have eliminated the Bearcats from the quarterfinals in each of the past three seasons.

“They are an extremely athletic team. They use a lot of guys in a lot of different positions to beat you a variety of ways,” Bertrand said. “We talked to the kids about (the history) with the kids this week and they are just really focused in on what they have to do to be able to win.”

E. Beauregard at Haynesville

The No. 7 East Beauregard Trojans (9-2) hit the road to face No. 2 Haynesville (10-1).

The Trojans boast a strong rushing attack, having ran for more than 3,000 yards, but face one of the most storied programs in state history in the defending state champion Golden Tornado.(Rick Hickman/American Press)