By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

West St. John and St. Charles Catholic will each have a chance to heal their bumps and bruises this week thanks to a bye week earned by each for garnering high seedings in the Class 1A and Division II postseason brackets.

The top eight seeds in Class 1A draw bye weeks this year, West St. John earning the No. 3 seed. It will host the winner of No. 14 Varnado vs. No. 19 Ringgold next week in the regional round.

Valdez said he was pleased with where the Rams found themselves in what was presumed before the season by many to be a “rebuilding” year for the Rams, who lost a large part of their veteran core over the past two seasons.

WSJ has reached at least the state semifinals in each of the past three seasons. A return there this year could mean a potential rematch with No. 2 Haynesville, who WSJ faced in 2011 (a win) and 2012 (a loss).

“We’d have liked that second seed for that potential home semifinal game, but we’ve gone on the road before,” Valdez said. “We’ll play the hand that’s dealt.”

As for St. Charles, it too has drawn a No. 3 seed and will face the winner of No. 6 De La Salle and No. 11 Vandebilt Catholic.

In Division II, a win would vault SCC into the state quarterfinals (the 12-team bracket will be four rounds in length). Were the Comets to advance to the state semifinals, fans may hope for a bit of Déjà vu: SCC could host No. 7 Parkview Baptist, the same team the Comets beat at home in the 2011 semifinals en route to the 3A state championship.

“It can help a team in a number of ways,” Monica said. “It’s a chance to get better from an extra week of practice and a chance to let some of your bumps and bruises heal. It gives us a chance to do a little scouting as coaches.”

Destrehan had an undefeated regular season and as a result earned the No. 4 seed in Class 5A. It will host Pineville on Friday night. Pineville sports a 5-5 record, 1-4 in District 2-5A. No. 12 Hahnville draws No. 21 Natchitoches Central (5-4, 3-2 in District 2-5A). Lutcher, the 17th seed in Class 4A, will travel to face No. 16 DeRidder (7-3, 4-1 District 3-4A). And St. James, the No. 9 team in Class 2A just two years removed from a pair of winless seasons, will host No. 24 Carver.