Catholic High fans need no introduction to the Panthers’ semifinal playoff opponent: No. 3-seeded Calvary Baptist. 

In 2014, a top-seeded CHS team coached by Brent Indest lost by three points to the Cavaliers in the Division III championship. Calvary Baptist might have been a No. 2 seed, but it had a huge edge in college prospects with five-star QB Shea Patterson (Michigan), DB Greedy Williams (LSU), RB Orlando Bradford (Arizona) and WR Shun Brown (Arizona). 

This week’s Division III select matchup in Shreveport looks no different on paper. Calvary Baptist (10-2), which lost close games to Class 4A Franklin Parish and Class 5A Neville, is loaded with college prospects again.

QB Abram Wardell has passed for 3,134 yards and 40 TDs with three interceptions. He led the Cavaliers to a perfect season as a junior. Univ. of Texas RB commit James Simon has 1,135 yards rushing on 120 carries with 15 scores. His lead blocker is often Ole Miss offensive line commit Devin Harper. 

“Calvary Baptist is really good,” CHS coach Matt Desormeaux said. “They’re the best team we’ve played all year. We’ll have to play really well to win.”

The Cavaliers’ top receivers are Louisiana Tech commit Kolby Thomas (52-1,151, 17 TDs) and 6-foot-2 Texas Southern commit Kaleb Tucker (41-665, five scores). Sophomore Braylun Huglon, a two-way player at defensive back, has 31 catches for 663 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“They’re very similar to us in that they run it and throw it well,” Desormeaux said. “They’re a little bigger than us. When you watch the film, they have really good players.”

The No. 7 Panthers (11-1) routed an undefeated Newman team in the quarterfinals in New Orleans, 31-0. CHS scored on five of its first six possessions and led 24-0 at halftime. The offense was 6 of 11 on third down while amassing nearly 300 yards.

Special teams continued to be a strength as Bennett Boudreaux kicked a field goal, was perfect on extra points and kept the Greenies pinned down on kickoffs. Tight end Joseph LeBlanc averaged a healthy 36.5 yards on two punts. 

“I don’t want to jinx him, but Bennett hasn’t missed a PAT all year,” Desormeaux said. “He’s kicked four field goals with a lot of touchbacks. He’s been phenomenal.”

QB Luke Landry completed 18 of 27 passes for 220 yards and three TDs – all to Jaiden Mitchell. The seniors linked up from 6, 7 and 10 yards. Tristan Lewis ran for a seven-yard TD. Owen Morris and JD Hidalgo combined for 105 yards rushing on 21 carries.

“A lot of it is the supporting cast,” Desormeaux said when asked about Mitchell’s big game. “We have a lot of guys who can catch the ball and make plays. Defenses can’t just focus on Jaiden.”

The defense intercepted Newman QB Eli Friend four times. Sophomore Karon Eugene swiped two, and seniors Chris Green and Hidalgo had one apiece. Jace Ruskoski, Xander LaBauve, Bennett Woodring, Jack Romero, Joseph Trappey and Hidalgo all recorded tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

“We got pressure on him,” Desormeaux said of the Newman QB. “He didn’t feel very comfortable in the pocket. Our defensive line did a really good job.”

As usual, Landry distributed the ball to a wide number of receivers, including Jake Wyman (3-74), Gavin Roy (3-29), Layton Mitchell (2-23), Morris (1-11), LeBlanc (1-15), Green (1-14), Lewis (1-3) and Jaiden Mitchell, who had five receptions for 41 yards.

“We want to continue to get better,” Desormeaux said. “There are some things we need to work on such as pass protection and missed tackles. Continuing to get better is the only way you can continue to keep playing.”

CHS won a quarterfinal playoff rematch with the Cavaliers in 2017.