Rummel, Curtis hold top spots in power rankings heading into final week

A pair of New Orleans area teams, Archbishop Rummel and John Curtis are ranked #1 in the state power rankings (click here) heading into the final week of the regular season. Rummel is 9-0 with a power rating of 15.39, with a narrow lead over West Monroe, 9-0 with a 9.11 power ranking.

Among the local districts, 10-5A, popularly known as the Catholic League, appears poised to land all five of its teams in the state playoffs. After Rummel, Archbishop Shaw is #10, St. Augustine sits at #13, Jesuit is ranked 18th and Brother Martin checks in at #22.

Rummel faces Shaw for the district title Saturday afternoon at Hoss Memstas Stadium at 2 p.m. on WGSO, 990 AM and at NewOrleans.Com/Sports. Jesuit takes on Brother Martin Friday night at Tad Gormley.

St. Augustine faces a tough non-district game at #29 Thibodaux. The Tigers need a win to ensure a playoff berth. St. Augustine can clinch a home game with a victory. Rummel can clinch the top-seed with a win. Jesuit can earn a home game with a victory.
East St. John is #11 and the Wildcats may need a win at #7 Hahnville to earn a home playoff game. Mandeville is currently 14th and the Skippers could earn a home playoff game with a victory over Covington Friday night. Higgins checks in at #19 and the Hurricanes are fighting for a home game in the playoffs. The Hurricanes take on winless King Thursday.
South Terrebonne is #24 while Central Lafourche is #25. South Terrebonne plays at Assumption Friday night while Central Lafourche hosts arch-rival South Lafourche Friday night. West Jefferson is #27 and the Buccaneers are favored at Chalmette Friday night.
5A teams sorely in need of wins to make the playoffs include #31 Terrebonne, #32 Destrehan, #34 Covington, #35 Slidell and #36 Hammond Terrebonne takes on H.L. Bourgeois Friday, Destrehan travels to St. Amant, who is one spot behind them at #33. Slidell entertains Northshore and Hammond plays at Ponchatoula.
In 4A, Neville is #1 at 7-1 with a power rating of 16.03. 9-0 Franklinton is second at 15.87. Edna Karr ranks third at 15.11 with Lutcher fourth at 14.96 and Salmen fifth at 13.97. District 9-4A has five teams placed in the top 32, including Franklinton, Salmen, #15 East Jefferson, #27 Pearl River and #28 Riverdale. East Jefferson battles Riverdale Friday night. Pearl River entertains Salmen.
McDonogh 35 would be a home team in the opening round if the playoffs started today at #16. The Roneagles face Sarah Reed at 3:30 Thursday afternoon at Pan American Stadium. Vandebilt Catholic is at #21 and the Terriers play at Helen Cox Friday night.
Defending 4A state champion Belle Chasse is at #29. The Cardinals need a win at winless Ellender Friday night. O. Perry Walker is on the bubble at #31. The Chargers face Warren Easton Thursday night at Pan American in a game that will decide a playoff berth. Easton is currently at #34.
In 3A, Notre Dame is #1 with a power rating of 14.62. E.D. White is a close second at 14.57. Redemptorist is third at 14.42 with Parkview Baptist fourth at 14.37 and Carroll fifth at 13.99. Redemptorist hosts Parkview in a showdown Friday night. Amite is #6 with Holy Cross eighth, Patterson ninth and Independence #11. St. James is #24 with McDonogh at #26 and Albany at 28 but the Hornets face a very tough test against Independence Friday. Carver is #29. The Rams face a huge game with McDonogh Saturday afternoon at 5 p.m. at Pan American Stadium. McMain is #31. The Mustangs take on Cohen Saturday at 1 p.m. at Pan American.
Bogalusa is at #33. The Lumberjacks face a must-win situation Friday night at Jewel Sumner. If the playoffs started today, four teams from 10-3A would be in, including Holy Cross, McDonogh, Carver and McMain.
In 2A, John Curtis is #1 with a power rating of 16.82. Capitol is second at 15.96 with Evangel third at 15.78, Holy Savior Menard fourth at 15.46 and St. Charles Catholic fifth at 15.26. Donaldsonville ranks eighth at 14.24. Springfield is #14 while Newman is #16. St. Thomas Aquinas is up to #20 with Riverside at #23. Northlake Christian is at #29 while Pope John Paul II is in the bubble spot at #32. Curtis can clinch the top spot with a win at Lusher. Newman can clinch a home playoff game with a win over Riverside Friday night at Lupin Field. Northlake Christian faces a tough test at #14 Springfield in need of a win to get in. Pope John Paul II faces a must-win at red-hot St. Thomas Aquinas.
If the playoffs started today, an amazing six teams from 7-2A would make the playoffs, including Capitol (#2), Donaldsonville (#8), Dunham (#15), Episcopal (#26), University Lab (#27) and Clinton (#31).

In 1A, St. John is #1 with a power rating of 15.66 with South Plaquemines very close behind at 15.61. Oak Grove is third at 14.29 while West St. John is #4 at 14.01. Southern Lab checks in at #5 with a 13.82 rating. St. Martin's is #12 with Country Day 13th and Varnado #15. Ecole Classique is #30 while Crescent City is ranked #31.

St. Martin's can clinch a home game Friday night against Lutheran. Crescent City needs an upset win at Country Day Friday afternoon to make the playoffs. Varnado can clinch a home game with a win at home over Jackson. Ecole Classique can make the playoffs with a home victory over Haynes Friday night. If the playoffs ended today, 9-1A would have five teams in the playoffs, including South Plaquemines (#2), St. Martin's (#12), Country Day (#13), Ecole Classique (#30) and Crescent City (#31).
On Wednesday, we will take a look at some prospective first-round playoff matchups.