The first round of the non-select Division I playoffs features a rematch of Bossier Parish rivals.
The No. 11 seed Haughton Bucs (8-2) host the No. 22 Parkway Panthers (5-5) Friday at Prescott Field.
Haughton defeated Parkway 55-36 in a District 1-5A game in Week 5 at Parkway.
Airline also gets a home game in the first round. The No. 15 seed Vikings (7-3) host No. 18 Central-Baton Rouge (5-4) at M.D. Ray Field at Airline Stadium.
Benton (5-5) just missed qualifying. The Tigers were No. 29 in the non-select Division I power rankings. The top 28 made the playoffs.
Bossier (3-7) and Plain Dealing (2-8) had their seasons come to an end. Plain Dealing played a non-district schedule and opted out before the season.
The last time Haughton and Parkway met, the Bucs jumped out to an 18-point lead. The Panthers rallied within five but the Bucs pulled away.
Haughton’s Brandon Craig rushed for 296 yards. Taylor Weathersby passed for 190 yards and rushed for 49.
Parkway’s Bryston McCoy passed for 400 yards and four touchdowns. Receivers Gary Burney, Gabe Gray and Tristan Sedberry had big games.
Airline is facing a Central-Baton Rouge team that has had an up-and-down season. But the Bears are coming off two victories in which they scored 61 and 67 points, respectively.
Central went 2-2 in District 4-5A. Catholic (7-3), the No. 7 seed in select Division I, won the district.
Central reached the quarterfinals last year, falling to district for Zachary 31-27.
Friday’s game should be a competitive one.
Benton may not have made the playoffs, but the Tigers’ season was successful. Benton increased its victory total by three in Stephen Dennis’ second season as head coach.