Pick 'em: Can Vandy slip past Cox again?

There are some delightful games on the docket this week: Hahnville vs. Rummel, Vandebilt vs. Helen Cox, Belle Chasse vs. Shaw, St. Paul’s vs. Higgins.

You’ve got to be licking your lips if you’re a high school football fan.

Here’s how we stand heading into the second round of the playoffs:

The Big Picture
Super Gold Level (60 or more picks)
Professor (48-12, 80%)
Ron Held (52-18, 74.3 %)
Prep Guru (52-18, 74.3%)
Me (71-29, 71%)
SoccerFreak (43-27, 61.4%)
Mr. Held Over (33-27, 55%)

Gold Level (50-59 picks)

Silver Level (20-49 picks)
J.A. Borne (20-10, 66%)
SuperWebGirl (26-14, 65%)

Mauve Level (1-19 picks)
CG (1-0, 100%)
Christopher Mire (9-1, 90%)
Mark (17-2, 89.5%)
Mariah (0-1, 0%)

So, like I said, big week here in the Crescent City. Sixteen teams left in each division. We’re going from moderately good teams this week to having nothing but very good teams left a week from now.

What will happen?

You tell me. Get your picks in by 7 p.m. Friday. Either leave them in the comment section below, or email me at bhandwerger@wwltv.com so I can put them up for you. And make sure you pick the Game O' the Week.

Good luck.

Second Round
(Home team in bold unless at one of the many city stadiums in this town.)
Destrehan 24, Carencro 20 (Carencro is better than you think)
St. Paul’s 27, Higgins 14 (@ Memtsas) (St. Paul’s is rolling)
Hahnville 21, Rummel 17 (@ Yenni) (Hahnville’s defense will be too much)
Shaw 34, Belle Chasse 17 (@ Memtsas) (Belle Chasse can’t stop run, which is what Shaw does best.)
Benton 17, McDonogh35 13 (@Gormley) (Benton is 10-1 against tough schedule)
Franklinton 28, Karr 10 (@ Behrman) (Franklinton is just more talented)
Lutcher 38, St. Charles 17 (Lutcher won first meeting by 24 points)
Springfield 21, Newman 20 (Toss up to me.)
South Plaquemines 56, Northlake 14 (Will anybody stop St. Plaq?)

Game ‘O the Week
Vandebilt Catholic vs. Helen Cox @ Memtsas, Sat. 2 p.m.
It was hard for me to figure out what would be the game of the week. I mean, really, it could be this one. It could be the Rummel-Hahnville game. It could be the Shaw-Belle Chasse game.

But no game screams “has to be seen” like this one. Vandebilt won the first time these two teams met on Oct. 12, using a last-second field goal to get past the Cougars 45-42.

Since that game, Cox quarterback Darius Carey has really come on strong, proving he can be a threat to defenses with his feet and his arm. You don’t ever truly have him pinned down, and he can throw very accurately on the move.

Vandebilt’s defense has been susceptible, giving up at least 21 points in five of its past six games. And while Vandebilt’s defense has remained the team’s one weak spot, Cox’s offense has gained momentum and confidence.

Plus, the Cougars nearly took down No. 1 Shaw, losing on a failed two-point conversion on the final week of the regular season. Vandebilt lost to Shaw by 10 at home. – Cox 41, Vandebilt 35.