Catholic High will roar into the postseason on a nine-game winning streak. 

The Panthers pummeled Houma Christian 49-7 in Week 10 and landed a Division III select first-round playoff bye as a No. 7 seed. 

Since a 14-10 loss to undefeated Vermilion Catholic in Week 1, the Panthers have scored at least 38 points in every game. The defense has held the last five opponents to a total of 20 points.

“We had a quick start against Houma Christian,” CHS coach Matthew Desormeaux said. “I was pleased with that. It was a main focus after West St. Mary.”

In Week 9, the Panthers went scoreless in the first quarter before blowing out West St. Mary 51-0. Against Houma Christian, CHS exploded for 28 points in the first quarter and 42 by halftime.

In the first quarter, Owen Morris ran for a pair of short scores. JD Hidalgo ran for another, and Xander LaBauve returned a fumble 24 yards. In the second, Tristan Lewis ran for a TD, and Jake Wyman caught a 40-yard TD pass from Luke Landry.

Landry has thrown for 1,841 yards and 27 TDs with one interception.

“Luke has had a phenomenal season,” Desormeaux said of the senior. “He’s made good decisions and can read defenses.”

When Houma Christian (2-7, 0-5) scored a touchdown in the second half, senior Jaiden Mitchell answered with a 90-yard kick return for a TD. 

Landry completed 8 of 9 passes for 114 yards. John-Parker Robison was 2 of 3 passing for 11 yards. Wyman, who led the receiving corps with two catches for 45 yards, completed a pass for 13 yards.

Morris gained 50 yards on four carries. He leads the team in rushing with 458 yards on 75 carries with eight TDs. Lewis, who scored on his only carry in last week’s game, has gained 302 yards on 39 carries with eight scores.

Junior Layton Mitchell, who has been a force in the secondary, showed off his receiving skills with a 27-yard catch. Joseph LeBlanc, Jaiden Mitchell, Bluze Pourciau and Bryant Smith all caught at least one pass. 

Jaiden Mitchell (33-638, nine TDs) is the leading receiver, followed by LeBlanc (32-492, 10 TDs) and Gavin Roy (15-236, four TDs).

“Our focus is on getting better each day,” Desormeaux said. “We want to accomplish our big goal, which is winning a state championship. We’re not good enough yet. We have to stay focused.”

Defensive coordinator Henry Ohrenberger’s unit is big, deep and fast and includes Hidalgo, LaBauve, Bennett Woodring, Chris Green, Karon Eugene, Izaac Andre, Jack Romero, Joseph Trappey, Maxwell Chauvin, Michael Bertrand, Jace Ruskoski and Lewis.

“Coach O has done a great job getting the guys prepared to go out and execute each week,” Desormeaux said. “Our goal is to force three turnovers every game. We’ve done it all but two weeks.”

The Panthers will host the winner of No. 10 Northlake Christian (7-2)/No. 23 St. Louis Catholic (2-7) in the regional round.

“The key to their offense is their running back,” Desormeaux said of Northlake Christian’s 6-foot-1, 225-pound junior Kameron Casnave. “They’re a big strong team with good size. They’re traditionally a good powerlifting school. 

“We’re excited about our draw. There is no easy draw in our division. As we play more competitive teams, we’ll have to find a way to win those games like we did against Lake Charles College Prep and Notre Dame. We have to keep getting better or other teams will pass us up.”