Bossier Press-Tribune Online

It’s been two years since a Bossier Parish team has made it past the second round of the high school football state playoffs.
Three teams seek quarterfinal berths tonight.
In Class 5A, Airline, the No. 6 seed, hosts No. 11 Jesuit of New Orleans, and  No. 7 Parkway travels to Boutte in the southern part of the state to face No. 23 Hahnville.
In Class 1A, No. 29 Louisiana New Tech at Plain Dealing hosts No. 13 Basile.
Here is a look at tonight’s games.

Jesuit (8-2)  at Airline (9-2)

This game features two quarterbacks, Airline’s Hayden Hildebrand and Jesuit’s Tanner Lee, who have each passed for more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Hildebrand has committed to Central Arkansas and Lee to Tulane.
Jesuit defeated West Jefferson 31-21 in the first round after falling to the same team in Week 10.
The Blue Jays’ only other loss was to top seed and undefeated District 9-5A rival Rummel, 38-17, in Week 8.
“They are extremely well-coached and  very disciplined,” Airline coach Bo Meeks said. “They have a couple of really good playmakers in the quarterback and wide receiver (Mitchell Alexander).”
Lee has completed 105 of 190 passes for 2,173 yards and 25 touchdowns with two interceptions.
Alexander caught 26 passes for 729 yards and nine TDs during the regular season. Matthew Hackney (30 catches, 642 yards, eight TDs) is another solid receiver
Sophomore running back Charles Jackson had 108 yards against West Jefferson last week. Kalan Minnard led Jesuit during the regular season with 571.
Airline defeated East St. John 30-20 in the first round.
“They’re really solid across the board,” Meeks said. “We’re just going to have to do a good job of playing mistake-free football and playing the way we’ve played all year long.”

Basile (10-1) at La. New Tech at Plain Dealing (8-3)

Basile, which is located in Evangeline Parish, defeated District 5-1A rival Elton 17-16 in the first round last week for its first playoff victory since 2004.
The Bearcats’ lone loss of the season was 24-19 to Oberlin in Week 8 in a game that decided the district title.
The Bearcats feature sophomore running back Kendrick Ceasar, the fourth leading rusher in the state during the regular season. Ceasar rushed for 1,728 yards and scored 20 TDs.
“He’s one of those kids who isn’t real big, but he can cut on a dime,” New Tech coach Coy Brotherton said. “He’s real shifty. We’re definitely going to have to stay home, in our range and our gaps, or he'll cut back. If he does, he goes untouched sometimes.”
New Tech is coming off one of the biggest wins in school history, 29-23 over No. 4 seed Mangham.
“This week’s been good at school,” Brotherton said. “There are a lot of things going on in the community.   It’s been real good for the whole community to rally behind us this week.”
The Lions will be relying on the the players who have brought them this far.
Among those are Deaumante Johnson, Cardarrious Ray, Tray Harris, Kaino Long, Jammarei Stromile, Brandon Evans and Isaac Jacobs.

Parkway (10-1)  at Hahnville (6-4)

Hahnville is located in the town of Boutte, about 27 miles southwest of New Orleans.
The Tigers scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally past No. 10 seed St. Paul’s 25-21 in the first round.
Hahnville’s record is deceptive. The Tigers lost their first four games but have since won six straight.
The four losses were to Class 4A schools Karr, Lutcher, St. Augustine and McDonogh 35. All four made the playoffs. Karr, St. Augustine and McDonogh 35 are still alive.
“They look great,” Parkway coach David Feaster said. “They’re very athletic and very well-coached. I remember playing at Hahnville my last year in Natchitoches. It’s a very tough place to play.”
Sergio Medina, who was moved from linebacker to running back on Oct. 4 after a teammate was suspended, has given the Tigers a spark. He rushed for 768 yards and 10 TDs during the regular season.
Medina had 240 yards and four TDs in a 47-44 overtime victory over rival Destrehan in Week 10
Parkway defeated No. 26 seed Live Oak 36-13 in the first round.