Previewing Friday’s top New Orleans area prep football matchups for Week 10

There were several New Orleans area prep football games moved to Thursday because of the threat of Hurricane Rafael, but there are still some exciting Week 10 matchups set for Friday.

Previewed below are five area matchups worth keeping an eye on.

South Plaquemines at Newman

7 p.m.

Newman (7-0, 4-0) is one win away from a perfect regular season and a district championship, but the Greenies will face a tough opponent n South Plaquemines (7-2, 4-0). Newman’s offense has been dominant led by Princeton commitment Eli Friend at quarterback. The Greenies have scored 40 or more points in all but one game this season, and their defense has allowed 10 or less points all but once. South Plaquemines has a dynamic offense that’s scored 28 or more points in all four district games and has seen its defense allow no more than 12 points during that stretch. It’s clear who the best two teams are in District 10-2A. The only thing left is for them to settle it on the field to decide who the district champion will be.

St. Paul’s at Covington

7 p.m.

St. Paul’s (8-1, 3-0) was able to pull off a thrilling district win last week against Mandeville, but the Wolves have one more task at hand if they want to win District 6-5A outright. That would be a road victory against a tough district opponent in Covington (8-1, 2-1), which lost to Mandeville earlier this year but can claim a slice of the district title with a win. Covington has been consistent on offense having scored 28 or more points in all but one game, but St. Paul’s also has a strong offense led by senior quarterback Brennan Keim and has a stingy defense. Keim is looking to keep his streak alive of having never lost a district game as St. Paul’s starting quarterback.

Salmen at Chalmette

7 p.m.

Chalmette (6-3, 3-0) has hit its stride during district play having won all three of its 7-5A matchups by 10 points or more, but the real test will come this week against Salmen (5-4, 3-0) with the district championship on the line. Salmen has thrived during district play and will look to keep its foot on the gas having scored 30-plus points in four games this season. Chalmette has been sound defensively having allowed less than 10 points in five games. It will be interesting to see if the high-powered Salmen offense or stout Chalmette defense will prevail.

Holy Cross vs. Brother Martin

7 p.m., Tad Gormley Stadium

Brother Martin (5-4, 2-4) and Holy Cross (3-6, 2-4) haven’t had the seasons they were hoping for, but they’ve got an opportunity to get momentum going heading into the playoffs. This week is a near must-win for Holy Cross, which sits at No. 23 in the Division I select power ratings and could fall out of the postseason with a loss. Brother Martin has talent on offense but could be without top skill player Easton Royal because of a hamstring injury. The Tigers’ defense has been inconsistent. Holy Cross has been solid offensively but has struggled to score points despite having talented skill players such as Boston College commitment Derrick Johnson.

Kennedy vs. L.B. Landry

7 p.m., Morris Jeff Stadium

Kennedy (5-4, 4-0) has one of the most explosive offenses in the state and has only lost one game on the field with their first three wins being forfeited. Kennedy’s climbed back above .500 and will look to close out the regular season with a 5-0 district record. L.B. Landry (2-6, 2-2) has had a challenging season, but held its own during district play having lost to De La Salle by only one point and by just two to Booker T. Washington. Landry could make things interesting, but Kennedy’s offense will be tough to stop with dual-threat senior quarterback Amyne Darensbourg and a dynamic skill group led by Louisiana Tech commitment Kingston Jones.