Westlake brought home the football program’s first playoff win in four seasons last week when it beat Grant 45-22.
The reward for the No. 17 Rams (8-3) is a home game tonight against top-seeded Sterlington (11-0).
The Panthers will be hoping for a better ending than their last trip to Southwest Louisiana in 2019 when they were stopped on a late 2-point conversion in a 39-38 quarterfinal loss to Jennings. Sterlington finished as state runner-up in 2018, winning at No. 1 seed Iota in the semifinals.
Rams head coach John Richardson said Sterlington isn’t atop the seedings by accident.
“We have watched film all week and we can’t find any weaknesses,” he said. “They are a good team across the board.
“They run the option out of the I with the fullback up tight and the tailback deep like West Monroe. They run the downhill toss really well. The offensive line is outstanding. That is the group that really stands out when you watch them.”
Trammell Colvin leads the Panthers with 1,087 yards and 14 touchdowns. Running backs Bryce Lark and J’keldric Miller each has more than 500 yards. The Panthers have run for more than 3,000 yards. Mason Lawhon has thrown for 1,168 yards and 14 TDs. Last week he was 5 of 5 for 121 yards and a touchdown in Sterlington’s 56-12 win over Douglass.
Richardson said the Rams will need to repeat last week’s performance when the Rams controlled the line of scrimmage.
“We’ll have to play our best game,” Richardson said. “They make you play assignment football on defense. Last week we did a good job on both sides of the line of scrimmage, played solid defense and took care of the ball.”
Quarterback Jamaal Guillory and running back Brandon Jupiter lead the Westlake offense.
Elsewhere
In Class 3A, No. 4 Iowa (10-1) travels to face No. 20 West Feliciana (6-5) which beat No. 13 Jewel Sumner 38-0 last week. Iowa lost a 20-14 quarterfinal game at West Feliciana in 2015.
This year the Saints opened the season with four losses in five games but have rebounded to win five of their last six, with the lone loss coming to University.
No. 19 Iota (8-3) will host No. 3 St. Martinville (9-2). The Bulldogs had one of their best showings last week, holding No. 14 Brusly to a touchdown. St. Martinville has won six consecutive games and has scored 41 or more in each of the last five.
In Class 4A, No. 12 Leesville (8-2) travels to play No. 5 Westgate (9-2). Westgate has won nine of its last ten. Leesville has won six straight, scoring 34 or more points in each game.