Coaches often refer to the playoffs as a “new season.”

As cliché as that may be, it rings true for Barbe after a disappointing regular season. Well, as disappointing as 8-2 can be.

After a third-place finish in District 3-5A, the Bucs are looking to make a return trip to the Superdome as the No. 8 seed in Class 5A.

Their journey starts with No. 25 South Lafourche (5-5).

“We’re approaching it the same way we’ve approached every game this year,” Barbe head coach Mike Cutrera said. “It’s a new season. We’re looking forward to a tough game from South Lafourche. They’re a good football team. They’re big and physical. It’s going to be a challenge for our kids.”

For Barbe that challenge will start up front dealing with offensive tackle Bailey Granier, a 6-foot-7, 317-pounder who has committed to Vanderbilt.

Granier will block for leading rusher Jake Williams, who has run for nearly 700 yards and six scores, and quarterback Dominick Fillinich.

Fillinick has thrown for 1,186 yards and 11 scores.

In the Class 4A bracket, LaGrange (5-5) hopes to continue the roll it started in the second half of the season.

After starting 0-5 the Gators won their last five games, captured District 4-4A’s title and earned a No. 14 seed.

They hope to make it further than last year’s quarterfinal run but begin against perennial playoff team No. 19 Lutcher (5-5), making its 23rd consecutive playoff appearance.

“Our kids are confident,” LaGrange head coach Jules Sullen said. “They understand Lutcher is a very talented team. We played some tough games at the beginning of the year to prepare for teams like Lutcher and other teams we may play if we’re victorious.”

For Iowa, a 7-0 start brought a potential district championship run and high seed in Class 3A. But the wheels have come off and the Yellow Jackets have lost three in a row heading into the postseason.

Fortunately, the Yellow Jackets (7-3) will host a first-round game as the No. 15 seed and welcome No. 18 North Webster (7-3) — led by 6-1, 225-pound running back Devin White. The sophomore reportedly has several scholarship offers, including LSU and Alabama.

“It’s an honor to play in the playoffs at home,” Iowa head coach Sean Richard said. “Last year was our first year back in the playoffs after three years and we had to go on the road. Our players have a sense of accomplishment about that, but it’s going to be a tough battle.

“(White) plays both sides of the football,” he added. “We’re definitely going to have to tackle well and get a lot of people to the ball. It’s a team effort to win football games.”

Basile has no such worries. After an undefeated regular season, the Bearcats get the luxury of a bye week and the No. 4 seed in Class 1A. They’ll get the winner of the matchup between No. 13 Plain Dealing and No. 20 Ringgold in the regional round.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen in that game. I can only guess,” Basile head coach Tony Bertrand said. “We’re trying to sharpen up some things we may not be doing well this time of the year. We have an injured player that needs that extra week off. So, hopefully we’ll be at full strength.”

(American Press Archives)