Hey, we have a big winner, and we are so proud of Catholic High School’s Panthers.

Congratulations all around to those Panthers, who left New Iberia on Friday and came back with a Division III state semifinal victory over Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. It was a lopsided decision, which speaks volumes for the team’s progress at this point of the postseason.

The Panthers and Greenies were tied 7-7 after one quarter of play on a chilly night at Lupin Field. Then CHS scored 28 points in the second quarter to forge a halftime lead of 35-7 and never looked back in the 49-7 romp past Newman.

CHS and its faithful following earned a return trip to New Orleans. The third-seeded Panthers will play top-seeded Notre Dame High School for the Division III state championship at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Louisiana Superdome.

That the CHS fan base, including enthusiastic cheerleaders, was well represented was evident Friday. Before midafternoon there were an estimated 500 CHS supporters reportedly on the scene of yet another state playoff victory over Newman.

They had plenty to cheer about in the first half as the CHS offense ran and passed at will and the CHS defense clamped down on the Greenies. The visitors picked up where they left off after recovering a failed onside kick to start the third quarter.

CHS head coach Brent Indest was humble and full of praise for his team and assistant coaches following the game. For Indest, the accomplishment must have been all that much sweeter because the former prep quarterback played and graduated from CHS.

CHS coaches and players deserve to celebrate that game, about as complete a game as can be played. They will turn their attention quickly to Notre Dame’s Pioneers, a 41-31 winner over Riverside in the other semifinal game Friday night. 

The Panthers have an opportunity to avenge an earlier loss this season to Notre Dame as well as win a state championship that eluded them in 2014 when they dropped a 27-24 decision to Calvary Baptist in the ‘Dome.

We wish them luck in their quest to bring back a state title. Geaux Big Red.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR